Phoenix, AZ

The U.S. Postal Service is changing some of the Valley’s zip code boundaries in an efficient and cost-effective move. Some residents of Avondale, Chandler Ocotillo Center, Gilbert Val Vista, Goodyear, Maricopa, Phoenix Daisy Mountain, Queen Creek and Scottsdale Kachina will be notified by mail of the change. July 1st is the when the new ZIP codes take effect.

As a creative, I’m always excited to find a new event supporting the arts. Here’s one if you enjoy music, poetry reading and watching painters create. It’s simply called Paint, which is open to the public every Tuesday’s 8 p.m. at The Paper Heart Arts Venue
at 750 N.W. Grand Avenue. It’s $3 before 10 p.m. and $5 after 10.

art, music, poetry, Paint, The Paper Heart Arts Venue

We’ve got another food recall in relation to E.coli contamination. Again.

Fresh ground beef in chubs from United Food Group in Vernon, California were produced April 20th and sold at least at Albertsons, Smart and Final and Fry’s stores in the Valley. Any of the bad beef that has hit the store fronts has been taken off the shelves, so you won’t be running into any of it at all if you haven’t a chub or two already. If you have more questions about this incident, you’re welcome to call 1-800-325-4164 any time of the day.

E.coli, E-coli, ground beef, United Food Group, California, Albertsons, Fry’s, Smart & Final

I read an article about Mayor Phil Gordon meeting with home builders and utility companies last week to talk about copper wire theft rising in the Valley. Hubby and I do our own “newsing” by reading other cities’ and countries’ updates, so we’ve seen this coming for almost a year. What happens when the government acknowledges that this is a problem? It passes new legislation to up penalties for the thieves and for those selling copper to dealers to keep from being mystery faces. Woo.Hoo. Our taxpayer money hard at work.

Here’s the real head scratcher: anyone risking electrocution to steal a bunch of copper for maybe $20. If these thieving “geniuses” approach stealing copper wire wrong, they end up dead. Talk about swift in more ways than one.

copper wire theft

I was checking out the lead Hubby and I received from my parents-in-law about the Toyota Prius. It’s a electric/gas hybrid being offered. We’re not in the buying mind at this time, but this little charger is right up there on my list of “To Check Out” when Hubby and I do start looking for a new vehicle. I’m also keeping in mind the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

There’s even a pilot program in Arizona (started in February of this year) that allows energy efficient vehicles to be driven in the HOV lanes regardless of the number of occupants. The Prius, Honda Insight, and the Honda Civic Hybrid are the only ones AZDOT is allowing in the HOV lanes.

Toyota Prius, Arizona Department of Transportation, Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid

The Arizona Department of Transportation reports the Valley freeways will be clear of any highway closures for Memorial Day weekend. The only limitation that may affect traffic coming into the Valley will be the southbound I-17 near Camp Verde to one lane at the Verde River Bridges. Of course, it is wise to still consider there is always the possibility of car accidents and people who take the word “holiday” to heart when driving.

Be safe out there.

Arizona Department of Transportation, ADOT, Camp Verde, Verde Valley, I-17, Interstate 17

Queen Creek’s Schnepf Farms is inviting the public to pick peaches off its trees until they’re bare. The crop is reported to be at 70 percent and offering six different kinds to choose from. The only cost is $2 a pound. If you’re wanting to give this a go but are worried about getting up on a ladder to get your peaches, not to worry! The trees are right to the ground so there isn’t any need for ladders. You have a choice to place your juicy fruit in bags or boxes, which are provided by the farm. Some great things to keep in mind should you have a thing for peach-picking right now: Arizona peaches take a few days to ripen yet easy to freeze for later.

The farm is located at 24810 South Rittenhouse Road out in Queen Creek and this Saturday and Sunday are the last days this experience is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can call 480.987.3100 for more information, or go to schnepffarms.com.

Queen Creek, Arizona, Schnepf Farms, peaches

If you love the simplicity of a grid style street layout, then you may want to check out this exhibit hosted by Trunk Space tonight from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Nine photographers’ work gives you a cool look of the East/West running roads of Metro Phoenix. This event runs until June 11th and can be viewed most everyday. It can also be enjoyed on First Night, June 1st. If you’re interested, call for event times and prices at 602-256-6006.

R&B artist John Legend is performing 8 tonight at the Celebrity Theatre, located at 440 North 32nd Street, Phoenix. The doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the theater doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $42 to $60.

Try the La Casa del Mariachi at 1420 North 24th Street to feed your hunger before the concert.

Take your Mom to the Phoenix Art Museum before the last day of “Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art: Treasures From the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam” exhibition on May 13th. Fourteen paintings of the classic painter Rembrandt Van Rijn are featured.

An audioguide and being able to check out the rest of the museum after the tour are well worth the $18 for adults and $8 for kids six through 17; free for wee ones five and under.

The Deftones are in the Valley tonight for a 6 o’clock concert at the Mesa Amphitheatre, 263 North Center Street. Tickets are going for $25. Be sure to check out the local eateries and take some aspirin before making your way to this heavy metal experience.

Kids from Valley schools Arroyo Elementary, in Glendale, and Desert Canyon Middle School and Cheyenne Traditional School, from Scottsdale, are all being reported as “safe” from the over-500 acre fire on Catalina Island off the coast of California. The groups were visiting the Catalina Island Marine Institute when the brush fire started in the noon hour on Thursday. Today, only one of the groups are returning to parents and loved ones on schedule while the remaining two classes come home early due to the danger.

To a safe return of the students, peace to their parents and guardians, and protection to the crews on the fire lines.