Babysitting my nieces and nephews, for me, is the best form of birth control. I love them but entertaining them for extended periods can be a challenge. That is why I love the Phoenix Zoo. Voted one of the top 5 zoos for children and the adults who love them. The kiddies love the zoo and I love the otters. Add to that side trips running up to the hole in the rock and visiting the pyramid that houses the tomb of the first governor and my job as uncle is done.

Number 23 – Phoenix Zoo

Counting down the top 30 things I love about this here valley as we head towards our one year anniversary at MetroBlogging.

It was sixteen years ago today that the temperature hit 122 at Sky Harbor. A friend remarked the other day the last time we had so many days in a row above 110 was that summer sixteen years ago. I am worried. What was that like? Anyone not totally in denial want to share a story?

If the light rail system was finished, it would rank much much higher. But it is a mess right now and December 2008 seems awfully far away. I love that we are building the METRO. I love that we had the will to fund it. And I will love riding it in 2009, sigh…

Number 24 – METRO, our light rail system.

Counting down the top 30 things I love about Phoenix as we head towards one year of MetroBlogging.

If you are not doing anything on Talk Like a Pirate Day you may want to join the Browncoats at the Tempe Serenity Now/Equality Now benefit. I hear the Bootylicious Bards (or whatever their damn name is) will be appearing. The Tucson event raised nearly $5,400.00 for Equality Now. For me, the hightlight was Joss speech to Equality Now (you may see a copy here courtesy of W.B. Jourdan). Stay tuned for more information about the Tempe event.

I love coming home to Cox High alum, Beverly Kidd. Actually, I get home too late to catch her live but the news repeats all day on their cable channel. I love that. I also love Ross – Howzit Ross. And that is all I am going to say about that.

Number 25 – Beverly Kidd, a news professional.

Counting down the top 30 things I love about Phoenix as we head to our one year anniversary here at MetroBlogging Phoenix.

It is coming straight for us! This has got to be one of the most awesome sights in the valley – a mile high cloud of dust and sand several miles wide. Since, I do not own a pool haboobs make my list. And the fact that I saw my first haboob on 6-6-06 makes it all the more memorable.

Number 26 – One word – Haboob

Counting down the top 30 things I love about Phoenix as we head towards our first year here at MetroBlogging Phoenix.

Because for some damn reason this is happening in Tucson instead of Phoenix, we are heading down tomorrow around noon. Meet in front of the Krispy Kreme if you want to be a part of the convoy. If the Hot Light is on we may be delayed a bit. Remember there is a prize for best cosplay…

Photo Credit Phoenix Fire – http://phoenix.gov/FIRE

Besides being ranked as one of the best departments nationwide, besides being the best trained and best staffed departments, and besides the fact that these heroes rush in as everyone else is rushing out… I love our Phoenix Fire Department because they have a 24 hour cable channel – Channel 850. Check out Fire Line at midnight then wake up to American Heat at 5:00 a.m. Seriously, we are very lucky to have these men and women standing watch.

Number 27 – Our City of Phoenix Fire Department

Counting down the top 30 things that I love about Phoenix as we head to our first anniversary here at MetroBlogging Phoenix.

I love the fact that although we are one of the fastest growing cities, we are just a short drive away from some of the most beautiful open spaces in the world. And when it snows in the mountains surrounding us, people drive up and make snowmen on their cars. They then race down to the valley and drive around until they melt away.

Number 28 – Rooftop Snowmen

Counting down the top 30 things I love about Phoenix as we head towards our one year anniversary here at MetroBlogging Phoenix.

Not many cities have a gorgeous 16,000 acre park on its southern border. I love to head up there after work to unwind and watch the sunset. Dobbins has the best evening views of the city. Acquired in 1924, the park and preserve follows in the tradition of Balboa (but without the snooty tourists) and Central (but without New Yorkers). I read that over 3 million people visit the park each year, but whenever I head up it seems peaceful. I must admit that during the day I find the antennas an eyesore, but whenever I return to the city from a roadtrip, the antenna lights on South Mountain tell me I am back home.

Number 29 – Sunset on South Mountain

Counting down the top 30 things I love about Phoenix as we head towards our one year anniversary (and yes, Beverly Kidd made the list…).