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- S2 E9
Thanks for joining us for episode #9 of season 2 of The WOA Show. WOA…or W O A…stands for World Of Arizona…as in worldofarizona.com. This is a multi-format show all about Arizona and the people, the businesses, and the places that make it what it is. That means this is both a video and a podcast. We do appreciate all of you, podcast listeners! In any case, it’s great to be back from our 2-week break, and now it’s time to check the news line.
Arizona Local Small Business News
The owner of the venue formerly known as Bell Bank Park filed for bankruptcy just 16 months after the sprawling Mesa sports park opened. It opened as Bell Bank Park in January 2022 under a 10-year naming rights deal with Bell Bank, a North Dakota-based financial services company. The bank announced it ended the partnership three weeks ago, citing numerous defaults and public reports of financial concerns. The article on KTAR News goes on to say the goal is to preserve the facility so it can continue to serve the community for years to come. They plan to continue operations as usual during the Chapter 11 and sale process. They apparently saw more than 4.3 million visitors in 2022 and another 1.9 million this year.
Cactus Surf Park intends to develop a 25-acre surf park at Gilbert Regional Park near Queen Creek and Higley roads. Features planned for the venue include a water park, a surf lagoon, a sand beach, a kid’s play area, cabanas, an on-site restaurant, banquet rooms, and more. Cactus Surf Park plans to complete by the end of July 2025 and then be open by that September.
The $1 billion VAI Resort is expected to be the largest resort in the state’s history once fully built out, similar to a Las Vegas-style concept. It will feature more than 1,100 rooms with suites and villas, a 5-acre water feature, a large music and entertainment venue with 16 ticket and seating options, 12 signature restaurants, 10 bar, and lounge areas, high-end shopping, a luxury spa, a nightclub, and the first-ever Mattel Adventure Park. VAI Global Development, owned by construction firm Fisher Industries, is developing the 60-acre project along Loop 101 just south of State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Sports
The Phoenix Suns pushed through the first round of the NBA playoffs beating up the injury-hit Los Angeles Clippers 4 games to 1 in the best-of-seven series. The Clippers never had Paul George in the lineup and lost Kawai Lenard after just 2 games. Meanwhile, KD and Devin Booker were able to take advantage and move on to round 2, where the Nuggets were waiting.
The Suns were unable to grab a win on the road in Denver, but they return to Footprint Center on Friday for game 3. The first 2 games were clearly won by the Nuggets as they were bigger, stronger, and most importantly…deeper. If you’ve followed the Suns this year, you know that they mortgaged their future and depth for the aging superstar Keven Durant. And the first 2 games of this series suggest that they will likely be watching the Western Finals in the comfort of their living rooms. But it’s not over yet. Game 3 is set for Friday and is clearly a must-win for the Suns. The bench needs to produce for them to have any chance at winning this game, much less the series. So put on your rally caps, cause Footprint Center’s gonna need all the help it can get to push the Suns to victory.
Events in AZ
Downtown Phoenix is hosting its 30th annual Cinco De Mayo Festival this Sunday. In case you didn’t know, Cinco De Mayo, in ingles means the 5th of May, which commemorates Mexico’s victory over the French Army in the 1862 Battle of Puebla. This festival is one of the largest multicultural events in Arizona. A great reason to celebrate Mexican culture with non-stop fun, traditional food, music, games, and giveaways. This year’s headliner is no other than Los Lonely Boys! Not to mention Lucha Libre (that’s wrestling in ingles), Ballet Folklorico, and a Kids Zone.
FIESTA DE TACO IS ONE BIG TACO PARTY! This is an all-day event in Tempe, AZ filled with tacos, tequila, beer, margaritas, Lucha Libre wrestling, art installations, a car show, and rappers. Yes, you heard that right, rappers as big-name hip hop artists such as Flo Rida, T.I. 2 Chainz, Lil Jon, and Ying Yang Twins. Lakeside hip-hop and tacos, not sure it gets better than that.
Exchange-O-Gram | #arizonawaterfalls
Who doesn’t love a good waterfall? Contrary to popular belief, there is water here in Arizona, and yes, waterfalls. Some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world some would say. Getting to some is quite the challenge unless you are an experienced hiker. Thankfully, for the rest of us not-so-experienced hikers, there is an exchange-o-gram where we can check out the pics of said adventurers that trekked to some of these AZ waterfalls. Here are the hashbrowns Arizona Waterfalls.
YouTube Premier | The WOA Show
If you didn’t already know, this show airs for the first time on Thursday nights at 7 PM (arizona time). This is when you can participate in the live chat with Amber and me. Keep in mind that you’ll need to be on your computer or mobile device to see this feature. We watch the premiere on our big tv and open up the chat room on our computers, which works pretty well.
The List | Quote Yoda, We Will
May the fourth be with you. It’s May 4th, also known as Star Wars Day. It seems fitting to honor our favorite Grand Master of the Jedi Order. Yoda means Warrior, The One Who Knows. That being said, a galaxy far far away, we travel, deep wisdom we explore.
