Tempe Blog

Haji Baba. It's Not At Lake Powell.

Erin — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 05:16:36 +0000

I just got back from a ten-day houseboat vacation at Lake Powell. Lake Powell is not in Tempe, so I wouldn't feel right telling you about it. I can tell you, however, that the first meal I sought out upon returning home-- sunburned, craving the anti-hotdog and something with Vitamin E in it-- was from Haji Baba. Have you eaten at Haji Baba? Of course you have. It's at 1513 East Apache Boulevard-- south of Apache, east of Rural. If you haven't eaten there, you've heard of it. Have you had the stuffed grape leaves? The tabbouleh? I order the tabbouleh five pints at a time, I'm not kidding. And the baba ganoush makes me want to morph into a slice of pita bread every single time I eat it, it's that amazing. I could do this with the whole menu, but your time is better served just going there. Go, get in the car. If I can show up in a grimy bikini and lake-soaked cash, you can show up with a strong recommendation. And dry cash.

Learn to Row on Tempe Town Lake

Erin — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:53:18 +0000

Sometimes when I'm driving over the Mill Avenue Bridge, I'll look out the window and see someone in a kayak rowing the length of the lake. And watching that-- the long, lean strokes out there in the middle of all that peaceful water-- makes me wish I did a little more rowing and a little less driving to and from In N Out Burger. I looked into it, and the City of Tempe offers a variety of great rowing classes for every skill level. Whether you're a brand new beginner, someone who'd like to hone your rowing experience, or someone who's looking to get into competitive rowing, Tempe's got a class for you.

Classes meet twice a week for four weeks, and the next (and according to this schedule the last for 2007) classes start the second week of July. That's eight two-hour classes for $110, including equipment rental. I'm totally going to do it. I might wait until next year, though, because I'm thinking I should learn to swim first. Baby steps.

New Harkins Tempe Marketplace 16

Erin — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 22:29:53 +0000

Harkins has opened a brand spanking new movie theater at the corner of the Loop 101 and Loop 102. The Tempe Marketplace 16 opened on June 29th, and I was first in line on June 30th. I can't stand driving to a theater at the shopping mall and fighting over three parking spaces with seven hundred cars, so the addition of a beautiful Tempe theater that's not encapsulated in a mall is like heaven. It's a beautiful facility, nestled inside a deceptively large labyrinth of shops and eats (most of which are still under construction), and hey! It's got the Ciné Capri! Arizona's largest screen! It's very retro-glamorous and enormous-- with real moving curtains and everything, the way a Ciné Capri should be. We sat in the Ciné Capri and watched the fourth "Die Hard" movie, and with the gigantic, curved screen and crazy enhanced sound I swear a couple of times I thought I was the one dangling precariously from the wing of a fighter jet over a collapsing overpass. But I always kind of feel that way.

July 4th at Tempe Town Lake

Erin — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 22:32:05 +0000

Just because July 4th falls on Hump Day this year doesn't mean you can get away with hibernating inside watching Top Chef like every other Wednesday. That's why you have TiVo. US Airways is proud to present the CBS 5 July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival! Live music starts when the gates open at 4:00 and there'll be an enormous food court stocked with all your traditional July 4th BBQ favorites. Slather the kids in sunscreen because they're going to be running around getting their faces painted, playing in the enormous inflatable village, and clambering up rock climbing walls. The Arizona Republic's sponsoring the Family Splash Zone with tons of water games and fun so everyone can keep cool. And don't forget the main event! SRP's 56th annual Fireworks Spectacular will cap the evening, shooting thousands of brilliant fireworks off the Mill Avenue Bridge complete with patriotic accompaniment to tug those American heartstrings. It's okay to cry. Not a lot, though. Pull it together.

Tempe's sponsoring special free bus services all day Wednesday, and that's going to be a fantastic way to get in and out of the venue without sitting in your hot car. Tickets at the gate are $6 per, children 12 and under FREE! This is such an awesome event- why aren't you there RIGHT NOW??

Oh, one more thing. Budweiser Beer Garden. That is all.

Nothing Beats the Heat like a Pina Colada the Size of your Head.

Erin — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:35:04 +0000

Every year about this time, I start frantically looking for new and improved ways to keep my core body temperature under 107. And I don't know about you, but my first-choice instruments are usually ice and alcohol. Fat Tuesday in downtown Tempe meets both of these requirements, and does it's best to live up to a Mardi Gras standard of debauchery. With more scantily-clad coeds, more swaggering frat guys, and more slushy, tropical-flavored alcohol concoctions than you can shake a strand of beads at, it's safe to say that the standard has been achieved. Boasting more than twenty-five potent (if you consider Everclear to be "potent", and you should) daiquiris on tap and a full bar to boot, Fat Tuesday has a little something for everyone. You'll want to eat before you stop by; food is only served on weekends, and the grain-alcohol infused "nuclear cherries" won't fill you up in a good way. The perfect dark, loud bar for a messy twenty-first birthday or a sure-thing hookup, at Fat Tuesday you can stay cool and stay cool at the same time.

Festival Season!

Crystal Coons — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 02:20:45 +0000

One of my favorite things about living in Tempe - heck, Arizona even - is that this time of year starts the dozens of art festivals that happen all around the state. The Tempe Art Festival is kicking off this year the weekend of March 30th-April 1st. Boasting over 400 local artists, this is the event to attend in Tempe.

Bring loads of spending money, you're going to need it. Wear comfy shoes, too.. you'll be so taken in with our local talent that you won't realize that you've been walking around for hours. Don't forget to bring the pets! This is a great way for them to get some excersize while you agonize between the painting that is just right for the living room, and that necklace that you just can't live without.

The official website for the festival is located at http://www.tempefestivalofthearts.com - and while registration for the Spring festival is closed, if you are an artist and want to participate, check their website in April to put in your application for the Fall festival.

*Know of a great Tempe hotspot? Got a favorite locally owned restaurant or business? Let me know! Email me at info@west48.com

Save the Date : Tempe Music Festival!

Crystal Coons — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 16:36:11 +0000

Named one of the best events in Arizona, the Tempe Music Festival is right around the corner. Taking place on March 30th-31st in the heart of downtown Tempe, this evnt will boast some of the biggest acts on the Top 40 charts right now. Major headliners in the lineup are The Fray, Everclear, and Lifehouse.
Music isn't the only thing going on that weekend. There are tons of fun attractions and things for the kids to do, so bring the whole family on Saturday for Family Day!

Ticket prices vary, so check the website: http://www.tempemusicfestival.com� for more details on� how much they cost, and where you can get discounts.

Rock on!

Raise Money for a Good Cause, and Drink too!

Crystal Coons — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 04:12:42 +0000

The Arc of Tempe, a small, locally owned charity that raises money for Arizonans with disabilities, is looking to bring in money to fund a new facility to help it's participants hone new skills. Instead of selling raffle tickets, or candy, they are taking their love for our town to a new level by hosting a night dedicated to the best the town has to offer.

"Experience Tempe . . . One Taste at a Time" is a night that will feature food and drink from Tempe's best. No name brand sodas, no chain supplied food.. just good, local products. Tickets for the event are suprisingly affordable and proceeds go directly to the Arc.

Find out more at www.tempearc.org. This event will be held March4th, 2007.

The Best Date Night Restaurant in Town.

Crystal Coons — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 02:50:15 +0000

Yes, readers, I realize these are big words. Mighty big words. But I feel confident in saying you won't find a better meal, atmosphere and evening then at Monti's La Casa Vieja. Located at the always rockin' Mill Avenue, Monti's Steakhouse is a must!

The ribs are to die for (according to my Husband, who is quite the rib connaiseur), the filet mignon will melt in your mouth. If you aren't big on steaks, try my personal favorite (and something I order at every single visit) the pork chop dinner with a baked potato.
Now, while the entrees are unbelieveable, you will be happy to know that they aren't the best part of the menu. The complimentary bread basket had The Best Bread In The World. A foccacia-style bread, cooked with rosemary and served hot, you will be asking for more than one basket. Ladies, forget that low-carb diet for the night. You're going to want to have at least three pieces.

Now, yes, Monti's has great food, and kick-butt bread..but your evening will come with complimentary education. The restaurant is a Tempe stable, and holds as much history as a museum. I won't spoil the surprise for you, but poke around and ask the friendly staff if you want more details.

Monti's La Casa Vieja is located at the corner of Rio Salado and Mill Avenue, across from Tempe Town Lake.

Visit http://montis.com/ for more details.

PS - If you're visiting Tempe, please put this high on your to-do list.

A Bookstore like None Other.

Crystal Coons — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 18:48:41 +0000

A few weeks ago, I went in search of a book. It was hard to find, not carried at any major bookstores, and few places online had it for a reasonable price. I decided to take a stop in to one of the most talked about bookstores in town, Changing Hands. Located on the corner of McClintock and Guadalupe, Changing Hands is the center for all literary events in Tempe. With a list of guest appearances a mile long, something going on every night, Changing Hands is a great place to grab a book and head over to the bakery for a muffin and waste an afternoon away.

Not only do they have a large selection of books (the size of the establishment is decieving from the road), they also have a handful of art peices and great gift ideas. They share a space with the Wildflower Bread Company, so make a day of your trip out to this Tempe gem.

http://changinghands.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp

PS - Not only did I enjoy my time at Changing Hands, the staff was beyond helpful: my book was located right away, and kept at the register for me while I shopped around. What wonderful service!