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Sunny Arizona is the perfect blend of the beautiful Sonoran Desert and the excitement of three cities: Chandler, Mesa and Tempe. There are so many activites in Sunny Arizona, your memories and souvenirs could fill an extra suitcase or two. Located in the east side of the Phoenix metropolitan area, these cities provide unmatched access to suberb golf courses, Broadway shows, desert exploration, Cactus League Spring Training, hundreds of dining experiences, nightlife and some of the Southwest's best shopping venues. Sunny Arizona is promoted exclusively to AAA/CAA members. For more information, or to arrange an individual press trip to Sunny Arizona, please contact Toni Smith at the Tempe Convention & Visitors Bureau: toni@tempecvb.comor 800-283-6734. Topics included below: Story Idea of the Month: Come for the Baseball, Stay for the Fun Where can you get away from it all, soak up the sunshine and maybe even catch a fly ball? Sunny Arizona! Warm weather isn't the only reason to visit Chandler, Mesa and Tempe, Arizona in the spring - Cactus League Spring Training attracted more than 1.2 million fans to games in 2007. Cactus League Spring Training brings 12 Major League Baseball teams to Arizona annually in March -- that adds up to over 170 games in 30 days! The Angels play at the recently renovated Tempe Diablo Stadium and the Chicago Cubs play at Hohokam Park in Mesa. Other Cactus League teams include the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and San Francisco Giants. The relaxed atmosphere makes it possible for fans to see the players up close and even get an autograph or two. With a full schedule of games and ticket prices starting at under $10, it's easy to see a few games during a Sunny Arizona vacation. Spring Training is just the beginning of the fun. Explore the back roads of the Sonoran Desert on a Jeep tour, experience the colorful wildflowers during a leisurely hike, dine "al fresco" on a sunny patio or take in a Broadway show at ASU Gammage in Tempe or Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Mesa. And for those who hate to miss the big game, check out some of Sunny Arizona's sports bars: Sluggos in Mesa, Majerle's, now open at Chandler Fashion Center or the Tavern on Mill in Tempe. Single Cubs game tickets go on sale on January 8. Single Angels game tickets are tentatively scheduled to go on sale on January 12. For more information please visit http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=chcor http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=ana. For more story ideas, visit www.VisitSunnyAZ.com/Media-Professionals.asp.
Allegiant Air has established a new base in the world-class, leisure destination of Arizona, with low-fare, non-stop jet service from Mesa. Allegiant has launched the new service from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport with 13 markets. The leisure destination air carrier is flying to and from America's favorite "small cities." The cities include Green Bay, Wis.; Billings and Missoula, Mont.; Peoria and Rockford, Ill.; Rapid City and Sioux Falls, S.D.; Stockton and Santa Maria, Calif.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Fargo, N.D.; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Bellingham, Wash. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is "just plane easy" for commercial passengers. With three expansive runways, a newly remodeled passenger terminal, easy freeway access, and convenient free parking, the airport is positioned to be a dynamic reliever airport to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. www.allegiantair.com/aaPhoenixDestinations.php
Tempe Marketplace Continues to Expand its Diverse Selection of Eateries Tempe Marketplace is open and thriving with 1.3 million square feet of shopping, dining and entertainment. For those who enjoy a varied selection of mouth-watering food and impressive entertainment, there is no need to look further. Tempe Marketplace is continuing to open new and unrivaled dining experiences to consumers. www.tempemarketplace.com
Some of the new restaurants include: Dave & Buster's: Fun is the core value at Dave & Buster's, where you can eat a savory meal, sip on your favorite drink or play games. Kabuki, a modern Japanese restaurant, will be available to entice your palate in December 2007. Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, now open, offers customers authentic Southern barbeque with recipes so heavenly it's hard to believe they are coming from a restaurant kitchen. Maria, Maria, named for Carlos Santana's 2000 Grammy-winning song, will open in early 2008. The new chain will boast traditional Mexico City style cuisine and soundtrack music by the rock legend. Shopping Updates in Mesa New developments in Mesa, and continued expansion and renovation of current centers, are providing Mesa with a new-found upscale shopping experience. Never before have Mesa guests and residents had such convenience and selection opportunities. Mesa Riverview features 1.3 million square-feet of shopping and entertainment northwest of downtown. The development is anchored by Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, the number one outdoor store in America. Dana Park Village is a dramatic fashion-focused lifestyle center offering upscale shopping. Fiesta Mall and Superstition Springs Center both have added new stores to their extensive lineups, and have become one-stop destinations. www.visitmesa.com
Urban Tea Loft is now open and is described as a "hip, urban, upscale, chic place" to find gourmet loose-leaf teas, soups, salads, sandwiches, desserts, and gourmet sipping chocolates. Sushi Eye in Motion has opened in downtown Chandler at 58 W. Buffalo St. The restaurant utilizes a unique sushi belt, which rotates selections around the sushi bar allowing customers to pick their selections from a steady supply of sushi rolls and assorted menu items. http://www.visitchandler.com/
The Downtown Chandler Community Partnership hosts a monthly downtown art walk to showcase emerging artists and provide exposure to the businesses in Historic Downtown Chandler. The walks are held the first Wednesday of each month, 5 - 9 p.m. featuring live music and artist demonstrations throughout the historic square at downtown businesses including the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Resort, a variety of restaurants, Arizona micro-winery, gourmet wine and cheese shop, boutique shops and galleries. http://www.chandlerartguild.com/Artwalk.htm
Childsplay Announces 2007-2008 Season at the Tempe Center for the Arts Childsplay, Arizona's award-winning theatre company for young audiences, is delighted to announce its 30th Anniversary Season at the Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA). As the primary resident company at TCA, Childsplay is offering eight productions for the public through June 2008 including some of its all-time favorite plays for family audiences. Shows are held Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and 4 p.m. and tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children/students/seniors, unless otherwise indicated. Goodnight Moon: February 9 - March 9 A Tale of Two Cities: March 22 - April 6 Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day: May 3 - 25 In My Grandmother's Purse: June 7 - 14 (tickets $18) The Went-Away River Comes Home: June 15 - 22 (tickets $18) For box office information, please call 480-350-2822 or visit www.childsplayaz.org/tca.
Upcoming Events in Sunny Arizona
Circle K Tempe Music Festival
Ford Ironman Arizona
Multicultural Festival
Ostrich Festival
P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
Super Bowl XLII
Tempe Festival of the Arts
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