Month: February 2016

Small businesses may be in luck when it comes to new legislation being sought by Governor Doug Ducey in Arizona. The governor is seeking to create the Arizona Finance Authority in a revamp of the existing Arizona Commerce Authority. He wants to bring all economic development agencies and data generators under one umbrella. The proposal is an industrial development authority, similar to ones used by Pima and Maricopa counties, as well as by the city of Phoenix, said Lorenzo Romera, the director of the the Governor's Office of Budget and Research. Romera explained, "We want to be able to increase lending opportunities for small businesses by consolidating small businesses under a large bond offering." The Governor's Economic Opportunity Office is a proposed umbrella organization,...

Arizona residents have humbly accepted and understood that the desert state has some of the hottest bites and restaurants in the nation, from Mexican food to barbecue. But so far in 2016, a handful of regional spots are getting national acclaim. Reputable online publications such as The Huffington Post, MSN, Yelp, and Time put out nationwide restaurant guides. For 2016, all of the aforementioned sites and publications have already placed Arizona spots on their top restaurant lists for the year -- and it's only February. This definitely looks good. And trust us -- it tastes even better than it looks. Here are some of the most recent honors: Short Leash Hot Dogs Something of an American classic, the hot dog is a favorite among people in all walks to life. Arizona's food truck Short Leash...

In the world of Arizona landscaping, Steve Martino is a bit of a legend. To many, Martino is considered one of the most innovative designers in the West. In his work, Martino combines the colors and aesthetic values of the Mexican artist Luis Barragan with fresh materials. He then accents these scenes with plants that are native to the arid Southwest climate. With his integration of modern elements and notes of Arizona's classic Southwest aesthetic, Martino manages to create landscape architecture that renders the viewer feeling nostalgic yet refreshed all at once. For Modernism Week, a design festival taking place in Palm Springs from February 11 through February 21, Martino will be speaking on his innovative and colorful design tactics, which are near and dear to many a Arizona resident...