Arizona's Largest Christmas Tree Arrives at Anthem Outlets

To contact us Click HERE
With Christmas just six weeks away, the Outlets at Anthem shopping center is getting into the holiday spirit. The outdoor shopping mall boasts that it has the largest Christmas tree in the state of Arizona on display!

This year's tree is a white fir that stands 114 feet tall, according to the Arizona Republic. In comparison, the Norway Spruce tree on display in New York City's Rockefeller Center measures just 74 feet tall. That makes the Anthem tree the tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree in the country, according to officials.

To celebrate, the Outlets at Anthem will be hosting three days of family-friendly activities during the weekend of November 18th-20th, 2011. Here is the calendar of events:

Friday, November 18, 2011: 5pm to 8pm
Radio Disney Rockin' Road Show
Movie Classic: Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

Saturday, November 19, 2011
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 6pm to 8pm
Grand Prize Giveaways 7pm to 8pm
FREE Michelle Branch and Shane Harper Concert!

Sunday, November 20, 2011
Three live concerts presented by 95.1FM: 12pm to 4pm

This is the 10th year in a row that the Outlets at Anthem has brought in a gigantic Christmas tree. This year's tree came in by flatbed truck from Northern California. It had to be hoisted into place with a large crane and is secured by guy wires for stability.

If you are one of the many shoppers who make visiting the tree in Anthem part of your regular Christmas activities, you may remember when the tree was damaged in 2009. That year, high winds brought on by a winter storm broke the top off the tree before Christmas. Fortunately, it was able to be repaired for the remainder of the holiday season. We are hopeful that such events will not happen again!

If you have time, I strongly recommend making the drive up to Anthem to see the tree in person!

Directions:
Take Interstate 17 north to Exit 229 Anthem Way
The shopping center is just West of the freeway

Address:
4250 W Anthem Way
Phoenix, AZ 85086

World's Largest Mobile Crane at Intel's Chandler Facility

To contact us Click HERE
Although this is the North Phoenix Blog, I acknowledge that important things happen in other parts of Phoenix and Arizona all the time. Sometimes, very big things happen.

If you've been in the Chandler area recently, you may have seen the gigantic crane at the Intel plant. You may have even thought to yourself "Wow, that's a big crane." It is more than just big, it is one of the largest mobile cranes in the world.

The crane has been called in to do some heavy lifting at Intel, where workers are busy constructing a new manufacturing facility called Fab42. When finished in 2013, the 1 million square foot facility will boast 180,000 square feet of clean room manufacturing space and create 1,000 new jobs.

To construct such a massive facility, Intel decided to call upon their old friend, the Sarens SGC-120. Intel used the same crane in 2006 to construct Fab32, their current manufacturing line. Now, the crane has returned to help with their newest facility. Rather than have crews assemble trusses several stories off the ground, the decision was made to assemble the pieces on the ground and then use the crane to lift the trusses into place.

You can be sure that when lifting the trusses, the SGC-120 won't break a sweat. That's because it has a maximum lift capacity of 3200 tons and a maximum boom reach of 755 feet. The crane was shipped here from Belgium and was transported to the Chandler site in over 100 forty-foot shipping containers. In fact, the crane is so large that Intel representatives have been quoted as telling the press that it needed to be assembled using other cranes.

To learn more about the crane, please visit the Sarens website. You can also find more photos of the crane at these sites:
Sarens SGC-120
Sarens SGC-120 Pictures
Worlds Largest Crane in my Backyard

5 Recession Proof' Trading Attack Plans

To contact us Click HERE

Staying Rich with the PROVEN Trading Advice of Bill Poulos. Stock, Forex Doom & Gloom Trading Secrets Free Video

"You're About To Discover The 5 'Recession Proof' Trading 'Attack Plans' That You Can Use To Enhance ANY Trading Method At ANY Time In ANY Market..."

Hopefully you had a chance to read my brand new "Market Mastery Profit Plans" report that I released on Tuesday. Close to 15,000 traders have already gotten their hands on it...

-and the feedback I'm getting so far is awesome.

But I wanted to let you know that since Tuesday, I also released
2 more brand new training videos, including one that's becoming somewhat of an 'instant classic'

"Doom & Gloom Trading Secrets"

In this video, you'll discover how individuals that are dependent on the so-called media experts for trading advice generally run scared because of the "doom & gloom" scenarios painted nearly every day in the news...

...and how select groups of traders know how to turn this "doom & gloom" into profit potential, again and again.

It was a LOT of fun for me to record this video, and I'm certain you'll get a lot out of it.

Important: TAKE NOTES.

I'm also releasing 4 more videos over the next 4 days.

All of this stuff is "on the house", but I probably WILL sell it in the future at some point, so unless you want to pay for it later, go ahead and get it NOW here:

How would you like to get your hands on some BRAND NEW, "insider" stock trading videos + "profit plans"?

(They're still NOT for sale, but you can get them "on the house" for a little while longer.)

The "profit plans" were just released on Tuesday, and since then, these videos have also been released:

Market Mastery Trading Basics

Recorded especially for beginner stock traders. You'll learn the essential basics of technical stock trading, along with a walkthrough of some actual trading and charting software. It sticks to what you need to know, so you can begin trading ASAP.

Get these here, Click NOW

There are also 4 more complimentary trading videos you'll get your hands on over the next few days, too.

Collectively, all this training material will likely be sold in the near future for around 200 to 300 bucks. However, the author, a 30+ year trading veteran, is giving it away right now as a sort of "stock market band-aid" to show you how you can spot profit potential again & again in any kind of market... and any kind of economy.

At the very least, I urge you to check out the "Doom & Gloom" video before you place another trade. It may surprise you.

Get everything here: Doom and Gloom Trading Secrets

Good Trading

How To Sell Your Home In Today's Market

To contact us Click HERE

'Realistic' approach is needed in weak market
by Ellen James Martin-Universal Press Syndicate

Those who sell real estate recall those heady days just a few years ago, when competition over the best homes on the market - known as "showcase properties" - was robust. Multiple bids were common, and eager buyers submitted contract offers stripped of all conditions, such as the right to a home inspection.

Indeed, some buyers were so anxious to beat rival bidders in the race to own an attractive home that they would snap it up without even visiting first, recalls Tom Early, a real-estate broker and former president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (www.naeba.org).

Nowadays, the tables are turned. In many neighborhoods, buyers have lots of leverage, and motivated sellers, including the corporate owners of homes taken back through foreclosure, are compelled to bargain with prospects. The sellers of showcase homes, known as "cream puffs," are no exception. "At a time when buyers are incredibly demanding, you must be absolutely realistic about the market," Early says.

Here are pointers for the sellers of homes with exceptional allure:

• Select a listing agent with a good eye.

"If your house is spectacular, you want visuals to show just how good it looks," says Dorcas Helfant, a former president of the National Association of Realtors (www.realtor.org).

Visuals include photos for print advertising and video for online listings, including the "virtual tours" that have become a popular home-marketing tool in cyberspace.

As Helfant notes, more agents are taking classes in digital photography, and more are producing the sort of professional-quality visuals that home sellers need to compete, especially in neighborhoods with many homes for sale.

• Don't expect too much of a pricing premium.

Is the property you're selling decked out with several features that excite buyer interest, such as fine wood cabinets, granite countertops, floor-to-ceiling windows and a fireplace in the master suite? Does it also have 10-foot ceilings throughout? If so, you may be tempted to ask a lot more than your neighbors are asking for similar-size properties that lack such fancy features.

But Helfant cautions against attaching too high a premium when pricing your showcase home, no matter how fancy or well-kept it is.

"Given today's competitive markets, where available properties abound, I wouldn't go more than 3 to 5 percent over other like homes in your community, even the ones that don't show nearly as well," she says.

• Consider a neighborhood open house for the public.

Real-estate experts often downplay the value of public open houses as a means of attracting the interest of serious purchasers. They say most open-house visitors are curious neighbors or "wishful buyers" who lack the means to go through with a purchase. On the other hand, well-qualified buyers are typically guided through homes by their agents.

But Helfant says there's a way to increase the impact of the public open house conducted for your showcase property: Encourage other sellers in the neighborhood to hold open houses on the same day, thereby increasing your potential draw.

"Ask your listing agent to contact the agents representing all the other sellers. The more the merrier when it comes to open houses. With more homes open, the greater the chance that serious prospects will come by, with or without their agents," Helfant says.

A neighborhood open house can be especially beneficial for the sellers of showcase homes because buyers can quickly compare all the places they see.

• Don't second-guess yourself on your plans to sell.

Many owners of showcase homes are ambivalent about letting go of their properties in a market where bargain shoppers have so much clout. Even after they've put their place up for sale, they wonder if they should pull the place off the market until they can get a better price.

Before retreating, Early urges you to take into account the personal and financial implications of postponing your sale.

"Maybe your neighborhood market could stage a huge rebound within one to two years. But you should also consider all the ways you might lose out by waiting," Early says.

"Postponing your hopes and dreams for a better housing situation means you could be missing that once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy your fantasy property at a major discount," he says.

Arizona's Largest Christmas Tree Arrives at Anthem Outlets

To contact us Click HERE
With Christmas just six weeks away, the Outlets at Anthem shopping center is getting into the holiday spirit. The outdoor shopping mall boasts that it has the largest Christmas tree in the state of Arizona on display!

This year's tree is a white fir that stands 114 feet tall, according to the Arizona Republic. In comparison, the Norway Spruce tree on display in New York City's Rockefeller Center measures just 74 feet tall. That makes the Anthem tree the tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree in the country, according to officials.

To celebrate, the Outlets at Anthem will be hosting three days of family-friendly activities during the weekend of November 18th-20th, 2011. Here is the calendar of events:

Friday, November 18, 2011: 5pm to 8pm
Radio Disney Rockin' Road Show
Movie Classic: Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

Saturday, November 19, 2011
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 6pm to 8pm
Grand Prize Giveaways 7pm to 8pm
FREE Michelle Branch and Shane Harper Concert!

Sunday, November 20, 2011
Three live concerts presented by 95.1FM: 12pm to 4pm

This is the 10th year in a row that the Outlets at Anthem has brought in a gigantic Christmas tree. This year's tree came in by flatbed truck from Northern California. It had to be hoisted into place with a large crane and is secured by guy wires for stability.

If you are one of the many shoppers who make visiting the tree in Anthem part of your regular Christmas activities, you may remember when the tree was damaged in 2009. That year, high winds brought on by a winter storm broke the top off the tree before Christmas. Fortunately, it was able to be repaired for the remainder of the holiday season. We are hopeful that such events will not happen again!

If you have time, I strongly recommend making the drive up to Anthem to see the tree in person!

Directions:
Take Interstate 17 north to Exit 229 Anthem Way
The shopping center is just West of the freeway

Address:
4250 W Anthem Way
Phoenix, AZ 85086

World's Largest Mobile Crane at Intel's Chandler Facility

To contact us Click HERE
Although this is the North Phoenix Blog, I acknowledge that important things happen in other parts of Phoenix and Arizona all the time. Sometimes, very big things happen.

If you've been in the Chandler area recently, you may have seen the gigantic crane at the Intel plant. You may have even thought to yourself "Wow, that's a big crane." It is more than just big, it is one of the largest mobile cranes in the world.

The crane has been called in to do some heavy lifting at Intel, where workers are busy constructing a new manufacturing facility called Fab42. When finished in 2013, the 1 million square foot facility will boast 180,000 square feet of clean room manufacturing space and create 1,000 new jobs.

To construct such a massive facility, Intel decided to call upon their old friend, the Sarens SGC-120. Intel used the same crane in 2006 to construct Fab32, their current manufacturing line. Now, the crane has returned to help with their newest facility. Rather than have crews assemble trusses several stories off the ground, the decision was made to assemble the pieces on the ground and then use the crane to lift the trusses into place.

You can be sure that when lifting the trusses, the SGC-120 won't break a sweat. That's because it has a maximum lift capacity of 3200 tons and a maximum boom reach of 755 feet. The crane was shipped here from Belgium and was transported to the Chandler site in over 100 forty-foot shipping containers. In fact, the crane is so large that Intel representatives have been quoted as telling the press that it needed to be assembled using other cranes.

To learn more about the crane, please visit the Sarens website. You can also find more photos of the crane at these sites:
Sarens SGC-120
Sarens SGC-120 Pictures
Worlds Largest Crane in my Backyard

5 Recession Proof' Trading Attack Plans

To contact us Click HERE

Staying Rich with the PROVEN Trading Advice of Bill Poulos. Stock, Forex Doom & Gloom Trading Secrets Free Video

"You're About To Discover The 5 'Recession Proof' Trading 'Attack Plans' That You Can Use To Enhance ANY Trading Method At ANY Time In ANY Market..."

Hopefully you had a chance to read my brand new "Market Mastery Profit Plans" report that I released on Tuesday. Close to 15,000 traders have already gotten their hands on it...

-and the feedback I'm getting so far is awesome.

But I wanted to let you know that since Tuesday, I also released
2 more brand new training videos, including one that's becoming somewhat of an 'instant classic'

"Doom & Gloom Trading Secrets"

In this video, you'll discover how individuals that are dependent on the so-called media experts for trading advice generally run scared because of the "doom & gloom" scenarios painted nearly every day in the news...

...and how select groups of traders know how to turn this "doom & gloom" into profit potential, again and again.

It was a LOT of fun for me to record this video, and I'm certain you'll get a lot out of it.

Important: TAKE NOTES.

I'm also releasing 4 more videos over the next 4 days.

All of this stuff is "on the house", but I probably WILL sell it in the future at some point, so unless you want to pay for it later, go ahead and get it NOW here:

How would you like to get your hands on some BRAND NEW, "insider" stock trading videos + "profit plans"?

(They're still NOT for sale, but you can get them "on the house" for a little while longer.)

The "profit plans" were just released on Tuesday, and since then, these videos have also been released:

Market Mastery Trading Basics

Recorded especially for beginner stock traders. You'll learn the essential basics of technical stock trading, along with a walkthrough of some actual trading and charting software. It sticks to what you need to know, so you can begin trading ASAP.

Get these here, Click NOW

There are also 4 more complimentary trading videos you'll get your hands on over the next few days, too.

Collectively, all this training material will likely be sold in the near future for around 200 to 300 bucks. However, the author, a 30+ year trading veteran, is giving it away right now as a sort of "stock market band-aid" to show you how you can spot profit potential again & again in any kind of market... and any kind of economy.

At the very least, I urge you to check out the "Doom & Gloom" video before you place another trade. It may surprise you.

Get everything here: Doom and Gloom Trading Secrets

Good Trading

How To Sell Your Home In Today's Market

To contact us Click HERE

'Realistic' approach is needed in weak market
by Ellen James Martin-Universal Press Syndicate

Those who sell real estate recall those heady days just a few years ago, when competition over the best homes on the market - known as "showcase properties" - was robust. Multiple bids were common, and eager buyers submitted contract offers stripped of all conditions, such as the right to a home inspection.

Indeed, some buyers were so anxious to beat rival bidders in the race to own an attractive home that they would snap it up without even visiting first, recalls Tom Early, a real-estate broker and former president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (www.naeba.org).

Nowadays, the tables are turned. In many neighborhoods, buyers have lots of leverage, and motivated sellers, including the corporate owners of homes taken back through foreclosure, are compelled to bargain with prospects. The sellers of showcase homes, known as "cream puffs," are no exception. "At a time when buyers are incredibly demanding, you must be absolutely realistic about the market," Early says.

Here are pointers for the sellers of homes with exceptional allure:

• Select a listing agent with a good eye.

"If your house is spectacular, you want visuals to show just how good it looks," says Dorcas Helfant, a former president of the National Association of Realtors (www.realtor.org).

Visuals include photos for print advertising and video for online listings, including the "virtual tours" that have become a popular home-marketing tool in cyberspace.

As Helfant notes, more agents are taking classes in digital photography, and more are producing the sort of professional-quality visuals that home sellers need to compete, especially in neighborhoods with many homes for sale.

• Don't expect too much of a pricing premium.

Is the property you're selling decked out with several features that excite buyer interest, such as fine wood cabinets, granite countertops, floor-to-ceiling windows and a fireplace in the master suite? Does it also have 10-foot ceilings throughout? If so, you may be tempted to ask a lot more than your neighbors are asking for similar-size properties that lack such fancy features.

But Helfant cautions against attaching too high a premium when pricing your showcase home, no matter how fancy or well-kept it is.

"Given today's competitive markets, where available properties abound, I wouldn't go more than 3 to 5 percent over other like homes in your community, even the ones that don't show nearly as well," she says.

• Consider a neighborhood open house for the public.

Real-estate experts often downplay the value of public open houses as a means of attracting the interest of serious purchasers. They say most open-house visitors are curious neighbors or "wishful buyers" who lack the means to go through with a purchase. On the other hand, well-qualified buyers are typically guided through homes by their agents.

But Helfant says there's a way to increase the impact of the public open house conducted for your showcase property: Encourage other sellers in the neighborhood to hold open houses on the same day, thereby increasing your potential draw.

"Ask your listing agent to contact the agents representing all the other sellers. The more the merrier when it comes to open houses. With more homes open, the greater the chance that serious prospects will come by, with or without their agents," Helfant says.

A neighborhood open house can be especially beneficial for the sellers of showcase homes because buyers can quickly compare all the places they see.

• Don't second-guess yourself on your plans to sell.

Many owners of showcase homes are ambivalent about letting go of their properties in a market where bargain shoppers have so much clout. Even after they've put their place up for sale, they wonder if they should pull the place off the market until they can get a better price.

Before retreating, Early urges you to take into account the personal and financial implications of postponing your sale.

"Maybe your neighborhood market could stage a huge rebound within one to two years. But you should also consider all the ways you might lose out by waiting," Early says.

"Postponing your hopes and dreams for a better housing situation means you could be missing that once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy your fantasy property at a major discount," he says.

McDowell Mountain Music Festival 2011 Lineup Announced

To contact us Click HERE
If you're looking for something to do this weekend, why not check out the 7th annual McDowell Mountain Music Festival! This family-friendly event features a huge selection of live music spread over the course of three days.

This year's event will be held at the Compound Grill, located at 68th St. and Mayo Blvd. Besides music, there will also be a silent auction/raffle, artisan marketplace, drum circle, acoustic stage, Kid’s Zone and more!

Best of all, it's for a good cause. 100% of all proceeds from the festival are donated to Phoenix Day Family and Learning Center and Ear Candy, a non-profit organization that provides children with access to music education.

Here is the lineup for the 2011 McDowell Mountain Music Festival:

MAIN STAGE: Friday, April 29th, 2011
4:00PM - Gates Open
5:00PM - The Paper Snowmen
6:30PM - Martin Sexton
8:30PM - JJ Grey and Mofro
11:00PM - Particle (separate ticket required)
1:00AM - Festival Closes

MAIN STAGE: Saturday, April 30th, 2011
11:00AM - Gates Open
12:00PM - Kinch
1:15PM - What Laura Says
2:30PM - George Porter Jr. and Runnin' Pardners
4:30PM - 7 Walkers
6:30PM - SOJA
8:30PM - Xavier Rudd
11:00PM - Otis Taylor (separate ticket required)
1:00AM - Festival Closes

MAIN STAGE: Sunday, April 31st, 2011
11:00AM - Gates Open
12:00PM - Orgone
2:00PM - RubbleBucket
4:00PM - Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears
6:00PM - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

CREAMY RADIO STAGE: Friday, April 29th, 2011
5:50PM - Courtney Marie Andrews
7:50PM - The Smith Family Band

CREAMY RADIO STAGE: Saturday, April 30th, 2011
3:50PM - Banana Gun
7:50PM - Mergence

CREAMY RADIO STAGE: Sunday, April 31st, 2011
3:20PM - The Hooves
5:20PM - Gospel Claws

A three-day adult pass is just $100 dollars, while single-day passes are $35 on Friday, $45 on Saturday, and $45 on Sunday. Separate tickets may be required for some of the after-hours shows. Three-day passes for children (ages 11-17) are $50, while single-day child passes are just $20 bucks.

For more information, please visit www.mmmf.net/2011/ or call (602) 343-0543.

Method Art Gallery Debuts 'Through Each Others Eyes'

To contact us Click HERE
In a previous article about the Ro Ho En Japanese Friendship Garden, I mentioned that Phoenix and Himeji, Japan are International Sister Cities. Now, a new photographic exhibit at Method Art Gallery in Old Town Scottsdale brings these two cities together 'Through Each Others Eyes.'

The name refers to both the exhibit and the non-profit organization that put the exhibition together. The 'Through Each Others Eyes' features photos of Japan through the eyes of two Phoenix-area photographers and images of Arizona through the eyes of two Japanese photographers.

The exhibition opened on Thursday, June 3rd, 2011 at Method Art Gallery. It will be on display through the end of June, at which point the exhibit will move to the main branch of Wells Fargo Bank at 100 W. Washington Street in downtown Phoenix, AZ. The exhibit will also open in Himeji, Japan, at the Egret Art Center in the Fall of 2011.

From the traditional symbols of Japan like sumo and geisha to Arizona's Grand Canyon and the red rocks of Sedona, this exhibit really brings our two cities closer together through the art of photography and education.

Method Art Gallery is open until 9pm on Thursdays as part of the Scottsdale Art Walk. Be sure to check it out; you'll be glad you did!

Cabela's vs. Bass Pro Shops

To contact us Click HERE
When it comes to hunting, camping, and supplies for your outdoor adventures, there are two superstores in Arizona that rise above the rest: Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops. The similarities between these two outdoor outfitters are numerous:

• Both stores are over 150,000 square feet
• Both have one single Arizona location
• Both stores have restaurants
• Both stores offer boat sales
• Both offer a huge selection of clothing, tools, and equipment
• Both stores have an ENORMOUS selection of guns and ammunition
  

With so much in common, you might think these two stores are pretty much the same thing. The truth is, there are also some important differences. Let's take a look at each store in depth to determine which deserves the title of Arizona's Best Outfitter: Cabela's or Bass Pro Shops.

Cabela's - Glendale, AZ
This store opened in Glendale, Arizona near the Westgate Shopping Center in July 2006. The 160,000 square-foot building is more than just a retail store - it also features a massive aquarium, restaurant, indoor archery range, and gun library.

Cabela's welcomes everyone, even if you drive a big rig or RV. It's hard to ignore the massive selection of watercraft as you enter the store. Cabelas' boat center carries boats from Alumacraft, Bayliner, Lowe, Maxum, Monark, Ranger, and Stratos. They mostly carry bass boats and fishing boats, but within that segment there is something for every budget.

One of the most unique aspects of the store is their wild animal gallery. This museum-like exhibit features trophy animals stuffed and mounted in recreations of their natural habitats. The store also has a large aquarium with dozens of different species of fish.

The simply-named Cabela's Restaurant offers traditional fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza as well as more exotic fare. The menu also offers deli-style sandwiches made with your choice of elk, wild boar, bison, or ostrich meat. There is also a selection of soups, salads, desserts, and drinks to round everything out.

As far as shopping goes, I feel like Cabela's has an excellent selection of camping and outdoor supplies. There's even a "Bargain Cave" featuring open-box, returned, and closeout items at reduced prices.

Bass Pro Shops - Mesa, AZ
Located on the opposite side of town is Bass Pro Shops, just off the Loop 202 freeway in Mesa. This 170,000 square-foot megastore opened in June 2007 and like Cabela's, it's more than just a store. Bass Pro Shops has a massive indoor aquarium with a waterfall, a boat dealer, and the Islamorada Fish Company restaurant.

The outside of the store features a selection of watercraft from Tracker, Sun Tracker, Nitro, and Tahoe boats. Once inside the store, the sheer size of Bass Pro Shops is overwhelming! The 60-foot tall ceiling and second-story windows flood the store with natural light.

The store's 18,500-gallon aquarium is centrally located and features a huge waterfall, something Cabela's does not have. The feeding schedule is posted on the store's website in case you want to plan your visit around it.

Bass Pro Shops' website also lists a schedule of in-store workshops for things like fishing, shooting, and boating safety. Cabela's offers similar workshops for archery, concealed weapons, and Game and Fish Education courses.

Bass Pro Shops features over 400 stuffed and mounted examples of game throughout the store, rather than in a designated area.

Conclusion
Both Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops have a lot in common. Personally, I feel that Bass Pro Shops has more of a "Wow" experience when visiting the store, but Cabela's is where I would go when I actually needed to buy something. I feel that their product selection is a bit better, and Cabela's is far closer to me than Bass Pro Shops.

Which store do you prefer, and why? Post your comments below.

Arizona's Largest Christmas Tree Arrives at Anthem Outlets

To contact us Click HERE
With Christmas just six weeks away, the Outlets at Anthem shopping center is getting into the holiday spirit. The outdoor shopping mall boasts that it has the largest Christmas tree in the state of Arizona on display!

This year's tree is a white fir that stands 114 feet tall, according to the Arizona Republic. In comparison, the Norway Spruce tree on display in New York City's Rockefeller Center measures just 74 feet tall. That makes the Anthem tree the tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree in the country, according to officials.

To celebrate, the Outlets at Anthem will be hosting three days of family-friendly activities during the weekend of November 18th-20th, 2011. Here is the calendar of events:

Friday, November 18, 2011: 5pm to 8pm
Radio Disney Rockin' Road Show
Movie Classic: Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

Saturday, November 19, 2011
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 6pm to 8pm
Grand Prize Giveaways 7pm to 8pm
FREE Michelle Branch and Shane Harper Concert!

Sunday, November 20, 2011
Three live concerts presented by 95.1FM: 12pm to 4pm

This is the 10th year in a row that the Outlets at Anthem has brought in a gigantic Christmas tree. This year's tree came in by flatbed truck from Northern California. It had to be hoisted into place with a large crane and is secured by guy wires for stability.

If you are one of the many shoppers who make visiting the tree in Anthem part of your regular Christmas activities, you may remember when the tree was damaged in 2009. That year, high winds brought on by a winter storm broke the top off the tree before Christmas. Fortunately, it was able to be repaired for the remainder of the holiday season. We are hopeful that such events will not happen again!

If you have time, I strongly recommend making the drive up to Anthem to see the tree in person!

Directions:
Take Interstate 17 north to Exit 229 Anthem Way
The shopping center is just West of the freeway

Address:
4250 W Anthem Way
Phoenix, AZ 85086

World's Largest Mobile Crane at Intel's Chandler Facility

To contact us Click HERE
Although this is the North Phoenix Blog, I acknowledge that important things happen in other parts of Phoenix and Arizona all the time. Sometimes, very big things happen.

If you've been in the Chandler area recently, you may have seen the gigantic crane at the Intel plant. You may have even thought to yourself "Wow, that's a big crane." It is more than just big, it is one of the largest mobile cranes in the world.

The crane has been called in to do some heavy lifting at Intel, where workers are busy constructing a new manufacturing facility called Fab42. When finished in 2013, the 1 million square foot facility will boast 180,000 square feet of clean room manufacturing space and create 1,000 new jobs.

To construct such a massive facility, Intel decided to call upon their old friend, the Sarens SGC-120. Intel used the same crane in 2006 to construct Fab32, their current manufacturing line. Now, the crane has returned to help with their newest facility. Rather than have crews assemble trusses several stories off the ground, the decision was made to assemble the pieces on the ground and then use the crane to lift the trusses into place.

You can be sure that when lifting the trusses, the SGC-120 won't break a sweat. That's because it has a maximum lift capacity of 3200 tons and a maximum boom reach of 755 feet. The crane was shipped here from Belgium and was transported to the Chandler site in over 100 forty-foot shipping containers. In fact, the crane is so large that Intel representatives have been quoted as telling the press that it needed to be assembled using other cranes.

To learn more about the crane, please visit the Sarens website. You can also find more photos of the crane at these sites:
Sarens SGC-120
Sarens SGC-120 Pictures
Worlds Largest Crane in my Backyard

Hotel Monroe On Hold. Phoenix Downtown Projects Affected

To contact us Click HERE

Lender's downfall puts Phoenix downtown in limbo

The financial storm brewing around Mortgages Ltd. has touched two key downtown Phoenix projects, a blow to ongoing efforts to reinvigorate the city's heart.

There is no more loan money to fund construction and renovation work for Hotel Monroe, a high-profile luxury project, the developer said Tuesday.

And a proposed Jackson Street entertainment district is looking for new lenders for a land deal.
And it was unclear if other downtown projects could be next.

It's unknown what developments are among the estimated 70 loans in the embattled Phoenix company's $925 million loan portfolio.

The downtown projects are significant because Phoenix and state officials have invested years of planning and millions of taxpayer dollars to resuscitate what had once been a sleepy business district.

On Tuesday, city officials downplayed the impact, noting that Phoenix has many successful downtown projects under way. That includes the expanding Arizona State University downtown Phoenix campus, the $600 million convention-center expansion and the nearly complete 1,000-room Sheraton hotel project, said Phoenix's downtown-development director John Chan.

"One segment of the market is slowing down, but there are a lot of positive things going on in downtown Phoenix," said Chan,adding that the Mortgages Ltd. meltdown is a symptom of the national credit crisis.

Yet, the Mortgages Ltd. fallout left two projects scrambling for new lenders.

• On Tuesday, the developer behind a $100 million boutique-hotel project announced that renovations at the historic 1930s office building are winding down. The renovated hotel was expected to open Oct 1.

Its developer, Grace Communities, has been paying contracting expenses out of its reserves because Mortgages Ltd. has stopped funding its loan, which was for $75.6 million, said Jonathon Vento, a partner with Grace.

He declined to estimate how long the project would be delayed, noting that the company is in the process of renegotiating contracts with vendors.

Mortgages Ltd. has said it believes lawsuits filed by Grace and other borrowers are efforts by borrowers that are in default to buy time.

Vento insists Grace has not defaulted on any loan payments to Mortgages Ltd. and that the lender's claims are attempts to distract attention from its financial situation.

• Mortgages Ltd. has also loaned an undisclosed "seven figures-plus" sum to Dale Jensen, one of the developers behind a planned Jackson Street entertainment district near Chase Field, Jensen said.

Jensen is looking for another lender to take over the loan, which helped finance a land deal connected to the entertainment district.

"That's all I am doing night and day, arranging alternate financing," Jensen said, adding that the loan helped to buy two city blocks directly south of the Summit at Copper Square condo tower.

Jackson Street has also faced delays, but they are unrelated to the Mortgages Ltd. problem, Jensen says.

Mortgages Ltd., the state's largest private lender, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Monday. On Tuesday, Judge Randolph Haines granted Mortgages Ltd.'s motion to convert the case to voluntary Chapter 11, but tabled a request from Grace to appoint an independent trustee to take over the lender's operations.

Mortgages Ltd. has made several changes to its business, prompted by the apparent suicide of Chairman and CEO Scott Coles on June 2.

The company financed commercial real-estate projects for developers using money it raised through accredited investors to fund the loans.

Since Coles' death, the company said it is no longer making loans or accepting new money from investors.

Effects from the case have rippled to projects across the Valley. In addition to Phoenix projects, the lender's borrowers include developers in Tempe and Scottsdale.
Source: AZ Republic

Brand New Free Forex 4-Pack' Just Released

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Forex Profit Accelerator from Bill Poulos. Brand New Free Forex 4-Pack' Just Released

(Don't place another Forex trade until you READ ALL THIS)

You're About To Learn How Select Groups Of Traders Discovered Forex FREEDOM With The 'Underground' Techniques Revealed In My FREE 'Forex 4-Pack'...

HINT: They spend 20 minutes a night, and they're NOT day trading...

The bar for Forex training is about to be raised again...

...because one of the top Forex mentors has just released his BRAND NEW multimedia training "kit" that challenges 90% of what most Forex traders hold to be true.

It might "ruffle your feathers", but if you have ANY interest in discovering how select groups of traders have been quietly riding the coat tails of the big banks to maximize their "pip potential" in the Forex markets...

-I think you're in for a big SURPRISE.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YOUR FREE 'FOREX 4-PACK'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If a 30+ year seasoned trader grilled you on your top Forex challenges and then delivered a custom-made, step-by-step, multimedia "blueprint" that addressed each and every one...

-do you think you'd be interested?

Well, that's pretty much what you're about to get your hands on.

Over the past year, thousands of Forex traders were invited to take part in a landmark survey about their top challenges trading the Forex markets.

And the result?

* A four-part multimedia POWERHOUSE that ignores what's popular, and instead tells you the TRUTH about what's working NOW in the Forex markets...

It's called the 'Forex 4-Pack', and honestly, you shouldn't even consider placing another trade until you see what it reveals...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
20 MINUTES A DAY?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Find out how the author spends just 20 minutes a day with TOTAL confidence in the Forex markets, identifying more pip potential in that time than most traders dare to dream about...

You'll also learn:

** How to "shake out" the good Forex brokers from the unscrupulous ones. Many brokers won't be prepared when you ask them these 5 questions (part 1, page 16, & part 4).

** The "core essentials" of Forex trading that will let you "leapfrog" over other traders, giving you a "fast track" that would otherwise take months, or years to achieve (part 2).

** The 4 "golden rules" your Forex trading method MUST follow if you want to have an edge over all other traders (part 1, page 58).

** The "insiders formula" on how to determine the best mix of technical indicators to use when trading Forex pairs (part 1, page 27).

** Step-by-step tactics for applying the "Optimal Profit Exit Strategy". This is a deadly accurate way of enjoying profit-taking as quickly as possible (part 1, page 37).

** The 4 market conditions that you should avoid at all costs and that practically eradicate risk (part 3).

** How to drastically reduce your "time in the trenches" trading Forex by spending only 20 minutes a day. These 2 discoveries make it all possible (part 1, page 70).

** ...plus, there's a TON more you'll get to sink your teeth into when you get the '4-Pack'...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SORRY, IT'S NOT FOR SALE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When I snuck a look at the 'Forex 4-Pack', I was certain I'd be asked to cough up 150 bucks or more for it. After all, it's not one of those flimsy 10-page "ebooks" many so-called "gurus" try to pass of as "value" these days...

-Instead, it's a collection of lengthy reports, "screen capture" video tutorials, and more... there's even a "Broker Scorecard" that your broker might have a hard time with. Bottom line - it's all designed to PROTECT YOU and to HELP YOU FIND MORE PIPS, with more FREQUENCY.

That's why I was surprised to find out that...

-it's not for sale (at least not right now).

You see, the author released an early version of just one of the pieces to this '4 Pack' last year and he was overwhelmed by the response he received from the trading community.

So that's why he decided to give it away. In his own words, "I want to de-mystify the Forex markets once and for all. So I sat down to produce this material as if I was under oath, being grilled by an attorney. That's how direct and forthcoming it is."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOW TO GET YOUR FREE FOREX 4 PACK COPY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To get your free forex profit 4 pack copy, just click here right now

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Good Trading,
Bonnie Burns

P.S. This is a TON of material. Take your time and read it all, but hurry and download it. Why? Because it's so large, it could be taken offline at any moment if the author's web server "bandwidth" gets eaten up with all the requests for the '4-Pack'. You can get it here

5 Recession Proof' Trading Attack Plans

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Staying Rich with the PROVEN Trading Advice of Bill Poulos. Stock, Forex Doom & Gloom Trading Secrets Free Video

"You're About To Discover The 5 'Recession Proof' Trading 'Attack Plans' That You Can Use To Enhance ANY Trading Method At ANY Time In ANY Market..."

Hopefully you had a chance to read my brand new "Market Mastery Profit Plans" report that I released on Tuesday. Close to 15,000 traders have already gotten their hands on it...

-and the feedback I'm getting so far is awesome.

But I wanted to let you know that since Tuesday, I also released
2 more brand new training videos, including one that's becoming somewhat of an 'instant classic'

"Doom & Gloom Trading Secrets"

In this video, you'll discover how individuals that are dependent on the so-called media experts for trading advice generally run scared because of the "doom & gloom" scenarios painted nearly every day in the news...

...and how select groups of traders know how to turn this "doom & gloom" into profit potential, again and again.

It was a LOT of fun for me to record this video, and I'm certain you'll get a lot out of it.

Important: TAKE NOTES.

I'm also releasing 4 more videos over the next 4 days.

All of this stuff is "on the house", but I probably WILL sell it in the future at some point, so unless you want to pay for it later, go ahead and get it NOW here:

How would you like to get your hands on some BRAND NEW, "insider" stock trading videos + "profit plans"?

(They're still NOT for sale, but you can get them "on the house" for a little while longer.)

The "profit plans" were just released on Tuesday, and since then, these videos have also been released:

Market Mastery Trading Basics

Recorded especially for beginner stock traders. You'll learn the essential basics of technical stock trading, along with a walkthrough of some actual trading and charting software. It sticks to what you need to know, so you can begin trading ASAP.

Get these here, Click NOW

There are also 4 more complimentary trading videos you'll get your hands on over the next few days, too.

Collectively, all this training material will likely be sold in the near future for around 200 to 300 bucks. However, the author, a 30+ year trading veteran, is giving it away right now as a sort of "stock market band-aid" to show you how you can spot profit potential again & again in any kind of market... and any kind of economy.

At the very least, I urge you to check out the "Doom & Gloom" video before you place another trade. It may surprise you.

Get everything here: Doom and Gloom Trading Secrets

Good Trading

How To Sell Your Home In Today's Market

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'Realistic' approach is needed in weak market
by Ellen James Martin-Universal Press Syndicate

Those who sell real estate recall those heady days just a few years ago, when competition over the best homes on the market - known as "showcase properties" - was robust. Multiple bids were common, and eager buyers submitted contract offers stripped of all conditions, such as the right to a home inspection.

Indeed, some buyers were so anxious to beat rival bidders in the race to own an attractive home that they would snap it up without even visiting first, recalls Tom Early, a real-estate broker and former president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (www.naeba.org).

Nowadays, the tables are turned. In many neighborhoods, buyers have lots of leverage, and motivated sellers, including the corporate owners of homes taken back through foreclosure, are compelled to bargain with prospects. The sellers of showcase homes, known as "cream puffs," are no exception. "At a time when buyers are incredibly demanding, you must be absolutely realistic about the market," Early says.

Here are pointers for the sellers of homes with exceptional allure:

• Select a listing agent with a good eye.

"If your house is spectacular, you want visuals to show just how good it looks," says Dorcas Helfant, a former president of the National Association of Realtors (www.realtor.org).

Visuals include photos for print advertising and video for online listings, including the "virtual tours" that have become a popular home-marketing tool in cyberspace.

As Helfant notes, more agents are taking classes in digital photography, and more are producing the sort of professional-quality visuals that home sellers need to compete, especially in neighborhoods with many homes for sale.

• Don't expect too much of a pricing premium.

Is the property you're selling decked out with several features that excite buyer interest, such as fine wood cabinets, granite countertops, floor-to-ceiling windows and a fireplace in the master suite? Does it also have 10-foot ceilings throughout? If so, you may be tempted to ask a lot more than your neighbors are asking for similar-size properties that lack such fancy features.

But Helfant cautions against attaching too high a premium when pricing your showcase home, no matter how fancy or well-kept it is.

"Given today's competitive markets, where available properties abound, I wouldn't go more than 3 to 5 percent over other like homes in your community, even the ones that don't show nearly as well," she says.

• Consider a neighborhood open house for the public.

Real-estate experts often downplay the value of public open houses as a means of attracting the interest of serious purchasers. They say most open-house visitors are curious neighbors or "wishful buyers" who lack the means to go through with a purchase. On the other hand, well-qualified buyers are typically guided through homes by their agents.

But Helfant says there's a way to increase the impact of the public open house conducted for your showcase property: Encourage other sellers in the neighborhood to hold open houses on the same day, thereby increasing your potential draw.

"Ask your listing agent to contact the agents representing all the other sellers. The more the merrier when it comes to open houses. With more homes open, the greater the chance that serious prospects will come by, with or without their agents," Helfant says.

A neighborhood open house can be especially beneficial for the sellers of showcase homes because buyers can quickly compare all the places they see.

• Don't second-guess yourself on your plans to sell.

Many owners of showcase homes are ambivalent about letting go of their properties in a market where bargain shoppers have so much clout. Even after they've put their place up for sale, they wonder if they should pull the place off the market until they can get a better price.

Before retreating, Early urges you to take into account the personal and financial implications of postponing your sale.

"Maybe your neighborhood market could stage a huge rebound within one to two years. But you should also consider all the ways you might lose out by waiting," Early says.

"Postponing your hopes and dreams for a better housing situation means you could be missing that once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy your fantasy property at a major discount," he says.

Twilight Fridays at Turf Paradise in Phoenix

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Since 1954, Turf Paradise has provided Phoenix residents with a fun and relaxing atmosphere to enjoy great live horse racing. Now, customers can enjoy specials on food and drink items on Fridays as part of Turf Paradise's "Twilight Fridays" promotion.

On Friday, April 29th and Friday, May 6th, live racing will take place from 3pm to 7pm, with admission just $2 dollars per person for adults. The racetrack will be offering $2 draft beers, hot dogs, popcorn, sodas, and ice cream cones in the grandstand area. An all-you-can-eat Fish Fry will also be offered from 4pm to 7pm for just $9.95 per person.

Other fun activities include live music and a chance to spin the Prize Wheel and win a prize.

Check out Turf Paradise at:
1501 W Bell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85023
Phone: (602) 942-1101

Turf Paradise will wrap up its live racing season on Sunday, May 8th, 2011.

Method Art Gallery Debuts 'Through Each Others Eyes'

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In a previous article about the Ro Ho En Japanese Friendship Garden, I mentioned that Phoenix and Himeji, Japan are International Sister Cities. Now, a new photographic exhibit at Method Art Gallery in Old Town Scottsdale brings these two cities together 'Through Each Others Eyes.'

The name refers to both the exhibit and the non-profit organization that put the exhibition together. The 'Through Each Others Eyes' features photos of Japan through the eyes of two Phoenix-area photographers and images of Arizona through the eyes of two Japanese photographers.

The exhibition opened on Thursday, June 3rd, 2011 at Method Art Gallery. It will be on display through the end of June, at which point the exhibit will move to the main branch of Wells Fargo Bank at 100 W. Washington Street in downtown Phoenix, AZ. The exhibit will also open in Himeji, Japan, at the Egret Art Center in the Fall of 2011.

From the traditional symbols of Japan like sumo and geisha to Arizona's Grand Canyon and the red rocks of Sedona, this exhibit really brings our two cities closer together through the art of photography and education.

Method Art Gallery is open until 9pm on Thursdays as part of the Scottsdale Art Walk. Be sure to check it out; you'll be glad you did!

Cabela's vs. Bass Pro Shops

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When it comes to hunting, camping, and supplies for your outdoor adventures, there are two superstores in Arizona that rise above the rest: Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops. The similarities between these two outdoor outfitters are numerous:

• Both stores are over 150,000 square feet
• Both have one single Arizona location
• Both stores have restaurants
• Both stores offer boat sales
• Both offer a huge selection of clothing, tools, and equipment
• Both stores have an ENORMOUS selection of guns and ammunition
  

With so much in common, you might think these two stores are pretty much the same thing. The truth is, there are also some important differences. Let's take a look at each store in depth to determine which deserves the title of Arizona's Best Outfitter: Cabela's or Bass Pro Shops.

Cabela's - Glendale, AZ
This store opened in Glendale, Arizona near the Westgate Shopping Center in July 2006. The 160,000 square-foot building is more than just a retail store - it also features a massive aquarium, restaurant, indoor archery range, and gun library.

Cabela's welcomes everyone, even if you drive a big rig or RV. It's hard to ignore the massive selection of watercraft as you enter the store. Cabelas' boat center carries boats from Alumacraft, Bayliner, Lowe, Maxum, Monark, Ranger, and Stratos. They mostly carry bass boats and fishing boats, but within that segment there is something for every budget.

One of the most unique aspects of the store is their wild animal gallery. This museum-like exhibit features trophy animals stuffed and mounted in recreations of their natural habitats. The store also has a large aquarium with dozens of different species of fish.

The simply-named Cabela's Restaurant offers traditional fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza as well as more exotic fare. The menu also offers deli-style sandwiches made with your choice of elk, wild boar, bison, or ostrich meat. There is also a selection of soups, salads, desserts, and drinks to round everything out.

As far as shopping goes, I feel like Cabela's has an excellent selection of camping and outdoor supplies. There's even a "Bargain Cave" featuring open-box, returned, and closeout items at reduced prices.

Bass Pro Shops - Mesa, AZ
Located on the opposite side of town is Bass Pro Shops, just off the Loop 202 freeway in Mesa. This 170,000 square-foot megastore opened in June 2007 and like Cabela's, it's more than just a store. Bass Pro Shops has a massive indoor aquarium with a waterfall, a boat dealer, and the Islamorada Fish Company restaurant.

The outside of the store features a selection of watercraft from Tracker, Sun Tracker, Nitro, and Tahoe boats. Once inside the store, the sheer size of Bass Pro Shops is overwhelming! The 60-foot tall ceiling and second-story windows flood the store with natural light.

The store's 18,500-gallon aquarium is centrally located and features a huge waterfall, something Cabela's does not have. The feeding schedule is posted on the store's website in case you want to plan your visit around it.

Bass Pro Shops' website also lists a schedule of in-store workshops for things like fishing, shooting, and boating safety. Cabela's offers similar workshops for archery, concealed weapons, and Game and Fish Education courses.

Bass Pro Shops features over 400 stuffed and mounted examples of game throughout the store, rather than in a designated area.

Conclusion
Both Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops have a lot in common. Personally, I feel that Bass Pro Shops has more of a "Wow" experience when visiting the store, but Cabela's is where I would go when I actually needed to buy something. I feel that their product selection is a bit better, and Cabela's is far closer to me than Bass Pro Shops.

Which store do you prefer, and why? Post your comments below.

Arizona's Largest Christmas Tree Arrives at Anthem Outlets

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With Christmas just six weeks away, the Outlets at Anthem shopping center is getting into the holiday spirit. The outdoor shopping mall boasts that it has the largest Christmas tree in the state of Arizona on display!

This year's tree is a white fir that stands 114 feet tall, according to the Arizona Republic. In comparison, the Norway Spruce tree on display in New York City's Rockefeller Center measures just 74 feet tall. That makes the Anthem tree the tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree in the country, according to officials.

To celebrate, the Outlets at Anthem will be hosting three days of family-friendly activities during the weekend of November 18th-20th, 2011. Here is the calendar of events:

Friday, November 18, 2011: 5pm to 8pm
Radio Disney Rockin' Road Show
Movie Classic: Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

Saturday, November 19, 2011
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 6pm to 8pm
Grand Prize Giveaways 7pm to 8pm
FREE Michelle Branch and Shane Harper Concert!

Sunday, November 20, 2011
Three live concerts presented by 95.1FM: 12pm to 4pm

This is the 10th year in a row that the Outlets at Anthem has brought in a gigantic Christmas tree. This year's tree came in by flatbed truck from Northern California. It had to be hoisted into place with a large crane and is secured by guy wires for stability.

If you are one of the many shoppers who make visiting the tree in Anthem part of your regular Christmas activities, you may remember when the tree was damaged in 2009. That year, high winds brought on by a winter storm broke the top off the tree before Christmas. Fortunately, it was able to be repaired for the remainder of the holiday season. We are hopeful that such events will not happen again!

If you have time, I strongly recommend making the drive up to Anthem to see the tree in person!

Directions:
Take Interstate 17 north to Exit 229 Anthem Way
The shopping center is just West of the freeway

Address:
4250 W Anthem Way
Phoenix, AZ 85086

World's Largest Mobile Crane at Intel's Chandler Facility

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Although this is the North Phoenix Blog, I acknowledge that important things happen in other parts of Phoenix and Arizona all the time. Sometimes, very big things happen.

If you've been in the Chandler area recently, you may have seen the gigantic crane at the Intel plant. You may have even thought to yourself "Wow, that's a big crane." It is more than just big, it is one of the largest mobile cranes in the world.

The crane has been called in to do some heavy lifting at Intel, where workers are busy constructing a new manufacturing facility called Fab42. When finished in 2013, the 1 million square foot facility will boast 180,000 square feet of clean room manufacturing space and create 1,000 new jobs.

To construct such a massive facility, Intel decided to call upon their old friend, the Sarens SGC-120. Intel used the same crane in 2006 to construct Fab32, their current manufacturing line. Now, the crane has returned to help with their newest facility. Rather than have crews assemble trusses several stories off the ground, the decision was made to assemble the pieces on the ground and then use the crane to lift the trusses into place.

You can be sure that when lifting the trusses, the SGC-120 won't break a sweat. That's because it has a maximum lift capacity of 3200 tons and a maximum boom reach of 755 feet. The crane was shipped here from Belgium and was transported to the Chandler site in over 100 forty-foot shipping containers. In fact, the crane is so large that Intel representatives have been quoted as telling the press that it needed to be assembled using other cranes.

To learn more about the crane, please visit the Sarens website. You can also find more photos of the crane at these sites:
Sarens SGC-120
Sarens SGC-120 Pictures
Worlds Largest Crane in my Backyard

Is the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Safe?

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The Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that rocked northern Japan on March 11th, 2011 has left a devastating impact on the island nation. The earthquake also caused severe damage to a nuclear power plant in the Fukushima prefecture, which has been the subject of world news headlines for the past several weeks.

The Fukushima incidents have been classified as a Level 7 emergency as a result of the hydrogen gas explosions, cracks in the pressure vessels of multiple reactors, and leakages of radioactive water. In the wake of this terrible disaster, many people are wondering if a situation like the one in Japan could ever happen here in Phoenix.

Just 45 miles west of Phoenix, the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS) is the nation's largest nuclear plant. It provides electricity to Phoenix as well as other parts of Arizona and southern California. Palo Verde is owned by six different utility companies and is operated by Arizona Public Service (APS).

As the nation's largest power plant, Palo Verde is capable of cranking out 3,875 megawatts under full load. Palo Verde generates approximately 30 million megawatts of power a year. Unlike coal or natural gas power plants, Palo Verde has a zero carbon-emission level. The only byproduct of daily operation is water vapor.

Construction of the plant began in 1976 under the direction of Bechtel Corp., one of the world's largest contracting and construction firms. Reactors one and two came online in 1986, and reactor three came online in 1988.

One unique thing about Palo Verde is that it is one of the few nuclear plants in the world that is not close to a large body of water. Other plants are often located near a major water source such as a river, lake, or ocean. Palo Verde relies entirely on reclaimed municipal water from the City of Phoenix for its cooling needs. Because of its location, the plant is not at risk for tsunamis or any sort of flooding.

The threat of damage from earthquakes is also extremely unlikely. Palo Verde is located in a very geologically stable area. The town of Wintersburg, Arizona was surveyed extensively before the plant was built. The M7.2 earthquake in April of 2010 that occurred near Baja California, Mexico (which was felt by many Phoenix residents) did not affect operations at the plant.

Besides its location, Palo Verde is also safer by design. The plant consists of three pressurized water reactors, or PWRs, known as Palo Verde 1, Palo Verde 2, and Palo Verde 3. Pressurized water reactors are an entirely different design from the Fukushima Daiichi plant in Japan, which uses an older style design known as a boiling water reactor.

The six reactors at Fukushima are housed in simple buildings designed to protect the pressure vessels from the weather. A buildup of hydrogen gas in multiple reactors caused caused the roof to blow off several of the buildings. These buildings were never intended to provide full containment in the event of a serious accident or meltdown.

Palo Verde on the other hand, was designed and built to higher standards. Each of the three reactors are protected by an airtight, reinforced-concrete containment building with 4 foot-thick walls. This extra level of protection was designed to contain the reactor and its contents in the event of a worst-case scenario: the direct impact of a jet airliner.

Each of Palo Verde's reactors operates independently, and can be brought offline or online without affecting the other units. The crews who operate the plant are also subject to strict operating procedures by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Employees undergo training every few weeks, even if they have decades of experience.

From superior design and a myriad of safety systems and extensive employee training, I feel that Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station is an extremely safe facility run by professionals. I am not at all worried about the possibility of a Fukushima-style accident occurring here in Arizona, and you shouldn't be either.

Method Art Gallery Debuts 'Through Each Others Eyes'

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In a previous article about the Ro Ho En Japanese Friendship Garden, I mentioned that Phoenix and Himeji, Japan are International Sister Cities. Now, a new photographic exhibit at Method Art Gallery in Old Town Scottsdale brings these two cities together 'Through Each Others Eyes.'

The name refers to both the exhibit and the non-profit organization that put the exhibition together. The 'Through Each Others Eyes' features photos of Japan through the eyes of two Phoenix-area photographers and images of Arizona through the eyes of two Japanese photographers.

The exhibition opened on Thursday, June 3rd, 2011 at Method Art Gallery. It will be on display through the end of June, at which point the exhibit will move to the main branch of Wells Fargo Bank at 100 W. Washington Street in downtown Phoenix, AZ. The exhibit will also open in Himeji, Japan, at the Egret Art Center in the Fall of 2011.

From the traditional symbols of Japan like sumo and geisha to Arizona's Grand Canyon and the red rocks of Sedona, this exhibit really brings our two cities closer together through the art of photography and education.

Method Art Gallery is open until 9pm on Thursdays as part of the Scottsdale Art Walk. Be sure to check it out; you'll be glad you did!