Jon M.

Zia Record Exchange

Zia is a nice record store that sells both new and used product. They have got a good selection of CD's, but I (and I think most others) tend to come here to check out their used product. Like most of these type of shops, they will take your unwanted music and give you cash or store credit for them. A nice bonus of the store is the ability to listen to the music (the used product that is already opened) before you buy it. The only real downside to the store is the fact that you cannot simply open up the used as you browse to see what kind of condition the discs are in. The store concentrates on rock music, and they usually play some sort of hip rock band while you shop. The workers are nice and will help you if asked, but otherwise stay out of your way.

PROS: great selection of used CD's
CONS: inability to open used discs as you browse to see condition of CD

Arizona Animal Welfare League

This is an absolutely wonderful organization. They are a no-kill shelter. So basically all of the animals will stay here until they find a home. They have an adoption process where they interview you, so it is not like they just hand you over a pet when you want one. They need to make sure that you will provide a good home for the pet. It is a really nice complex, so the animals are well taken care of during their stay here. You can also sign up for classes on training your pets that run for several weeks. They also have one-on-one training where you can get a trainer to help you in the privacy of your own home. I have taken the classes, and they were useful and fun.

PROS: a great organization to support.
CONS: none

St Thomas More Parish

This Catholic church is one of the newest in the valley. The church has been open for about three years, and it is beautiful. It has an extremely large interior, so sitting in the pew you don't feel crammed in like sardines as some other churches leave me feeling. The pews are also at a slight slope, so you don't have to worry about some woman with "big hair" blocking your view. The people here are also great and energetic. The people that work there are all super-enthusiastic about the churhc since they spent so many years working to get the funds to built it. The church also seems very light and airy with its high ceilings.

PROS: new and modern looking, with great congregation.
CONS: none

Rio Salado Community College

I have had nothing but good experiences with taking classes through Rio Salado. I took a few classes to finish up getting my AA degree, and also took a few for my own enjoyment. All of the courses I took were done as "long distance courses." Basically, I never met with my classmates or instructors. The classes were completed by a mixture of textbooks, DVD's, online tutorials, mailed in assignments, and final exams completed at a nearby location. The amount and variety of courses that they offer is large, and they have always been very helpful and accomadating in all of my dealings with them. I would absolutely encourage anyone to look into taking a class with them. A great way to take some courses for busy folks such as myself.

PROS: easy to work around my schedule
CONS: did miss the enjoyment of meeting fellow classmates

Streets Of New York Inc

This is basically a pizza house, but they also have lots of other italian items on their menu. Their pizza is great and, quite frankly, it is the only thing I have ever tried here besides their salads. They have great pizza with a real unique style to it. This is a very popular place and great for family or friends. It gets very busy, but is worth the wait.

PROS: great pizza
CONS: sometimes a long wait

Bookman's Entertainment Exch

This is the bigggest used book store that I have ever encountered. You can spend a day here look around, easy. They have all the basics: books, music, movies, magazines and comic books. Like most of these types of places they buy and sell the product, so inventory is constantly changing. But with the shear size of the place I can many times find exactly what I am looking for here. They have an impressive collection of old magazines here unlike any I have seen at other used book stores. Great store!

PROS: HUGE selection
CONS:

Jungle Jim's Playland

This is a fun place to bring young kids, especially for a birthday party or some such occassion. They have lots of games, rides, and food to keep the kids occupied. the food is not the best, but kids sure seem to love it. The place is a little bit run down and could use some cleaning, but basically besides any negative things that I can personally say...Kids just love this place!

Silver Cinemas

This is a second-run theatre. So basically this is where movie go after they are done playing in the "regular" movie theatre's anf before they show up at your local video store. Nowadays movies show up on DVD so fast that they usually come out on DVD about thirty days after they play here. So you can always wait a little longer and just rent the film. But if you are looking for a cheap movie theatre experience this is the place to go. The tickets are very cheap, and the concession stand is actually reasonable priced!!! It is a fun theatre, but just a basic place. No fancy seats or sound system here.

PROS: inexpensive
CONS: movies show up on DVD shortly after playing here

Corridor Commercial

This is a great little shop that I would urge everyone to visit. They have a huge selection of greeting cards. But a lot of the cards are really unique and not the run of the mill type cards that you see everywhere else. They also have a great selection of unusual novelty type gifts. It is a great place to find a gift for someone when you are at a total loss of what to get them. You are bound to find something fun here! The staff are very friendly, which is always nice.

PROS: lots of imaginative items
CONS: none

Buffalo Exchange

This is a nice used clothing shop. It is not as junky and "gross" as a lot of the similar type shops can be. They buy and sell used clothing and accessories. They have a nice selection of unusual items, but it can be a bit frustrating trying to find something of your taste that will also fit you. I would have never thought to shop here until an ex-girlfriend dragged me here. Now I visit on my own a few times a year and usually find something to buy.