For all you Detroit transplants:  My home town team, the Tigers will be in town to take on the Dbacks the weekend of May 16th for a rare inter-league three game series.  I could only get upper deck tickets for the Saturday and Sunday games.  I wouldn't wait much longer to get tickets if you want to go.

This veterinary hospital is close to downtown (7th Ave South of Camelback) and has awesome service and extended hours. (Open til 10pm on weekdays)

My friend Dr. Penn, pictured below knows his stuff. Check out their web site: http://www.altavistavet.com

Anyone interested in joining a whiffle ball league?  I've got the equipment and Central Park has the ball park.  Contact me.  602-617-0347

Walking distance from my house and better than my mom's home cooking.  Yum yum.  I'm stuffed.  Dine in or take out.  Check out their web site. 

http://www.loloschickenandwaffles.com/

Yes, I ate the underdog tonight.  OK, that's not the whole truth.  I actually ate two "underdog" hot dogs at The Roosevelt Tavern at 816 N Third St just South of Roosevelt St.  (Third is a one way heading South.)  They have great beers on tap.  The "Arrogant Bastard", a San Diego micro brew has a nice bite and is sure to leave you feeling relaxed.  I've never been disappointed by a glass of wine off of their wine list either.  Anyways, back to the dog, they steam it with Tecate beer and grill the bun inside out.  Best hot dog I've ever had.  The "Dagwood" sandwich is a meaty treat as well. 

Every time I go I find good conversation with the patrons as well as the cuties (Tina and Sarah tonight) working the bar.  The Roosevelt serves food until 11pm nightly, open until midnight weekdays, 2 am weekends, closed on Monday. 

And I hate how long it takes to drive across Texas, even just the pan handle.  May all the Spurs be forced to drive across Texas and back after they blow their two game lead and lose the series.  Shniffff Shniffff Shnifff.  (I don't believe in curses, but just in case.)  

-Mark 

I'll try to refrain myself in the future from posting after every game as if I'm some sort of sports writer but my oh my, these Dbacks sure are playing some nifty baseball.

Did anyone see them shred the Padres again tonight?

The Padres' 6'10'' pitcher, Chris Young held his own against the Dbacks' speedy lead off hitter, Chris Young and his teammates. (Get it? Chris Young vs Chris Young). Dbacks were down three to two after six innings. The Padres' relief did not do as well. Our Chris Young singled off of Padres' reliever, Thatcher to drive in Drew and take the lead in the 7th. The Dbacks' offense exploded again in the eighth and scored six more entertaining but unneeded runs. Final score was ten to three Dbacks.

On a side note, I lived in San Diego, across the street from Petco Park for about a year and a half. I must say it is a beautiful ball park. When I was there, the Padres' pitcher Chris Young lived in my building. I think he really is 6'10''. 

- Mark

Pictured: San Diego's Petco Park taken from my old balcony.  

Welcome to the weekend folks! Dbacks crushed the Padres 9 zip at home. The Suns take on the Spurs Saturday at Noon in San Antonio. This is the first game of the playoffs and the game will be shown on ABC.

-Mark

I've decided to try to open my own restaurant downtown. Having never done this before, I'm sure I don't even know how much I don't know. Whenever I'm at one of the local restaurants/bars that I admire, I try to meet the owner and ask a few questions. As you probably have heard a hundred times, opening a restaurant is long hours. I've been amazed that everyone has been so open and supportive and generous with their time. Places like Cibo's, Lost Leaf, Lisa G's wine bar, Matt's Big Breakfast and Roosevelts, Pizza Bianco, Bentley Projects, Ruby Room, etc are setting downtown apart from the suburbs and the rest of Phoenix. However, we still need more of this. We need more creative and talented business owners to come downtown.

The point of this post is to say that my experience thus far tells me that you'll have plenty of support from the local small business owners. I've been told that the process with the City, although still difficult has improved greatly. I'm convinced that the customer base will grow as fast as the authentic and creative businesses open in this area. Basically, build it and they will come. People are waiting for more. If you're someone considering opening a downtown business and need to find a space for it we can help you with that.

-Mark