Arizona Republic1/31/12
When Long Wong's on Mill Avenue drew music fans to hear lively bands on its stage, Fat Tuesday was there.
When McDuffy's brought in rowdy sports fans on the weekends to watch games on their 60 televisions, Fat Tuesday was there.
And when the Library Bar & Grill enticed college students to gawk at sexy servers in schoolgirl outfits, Fat Tuesday was there.
Although wildly popular in their day, Long Wong's, McDuffy's and the Library are long gone. But New Orleans-themed Fat Tuesday is still there on busy, nightlife-centric Mill Avenue. It has served its notoriously strong 190 Octane frozen daiquiris and Nuclear Cherries (grain-alcohol-infused cherries) to bar patrons since 1991 and is the longest-running bar on Mill.
The original owners are gone, but the concept has remained the same, only it has been recently overhauled. Chad Wilford, who took over five years ago, has worked at the Tempe bar for 10 years and was a dedicated customer before that. To bring a fresh look to the place, Wilford last October added new furniture, LED lighting, equipment, decor and menu. In December, he expanded both patios.
Arizona Republic 1/8/12
More than 30,000 people are expected to participate next Sunday in the ninth P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and 1/2 Marathon along new, more-scenic routes.
There are new start locations as well.
The 26.2-mile marathon begins at CityScape in downtown Phoenix at 7:30 a.m. and takes runners along Indian School Road and into Old Town Scottsdale.
The half marathon of 13.1 miles begins at Mill Avenue and Third Street in downtown Tempe and takes runners into Scottsdale by SkySong and into Papago Park.
Half-marathon runners will go east on University Drive from Mill Avenue to McClintock.
Runners on both courses will make a downhill finish, crossing the Mill Avenue Bridge and reaching the finish line at Sun Devil Stadium.
Arizona Foothills December 2012
Grand Opening of Montage Art Studio & Gallery on Dec. 16, 2011. A new art gallery and studio in downtown Tempe on Mill Avenue (Located in the former spot of the Abercrombie & Fitch store, just a few doors over from P.F. Changs)
East Valley Tribune 12/14/11
Centerpoint on Mill will remain the home of Fat Tuesday for 10 years, in what is one of several leases signed recently at the downtown Tempe shopping center. Fat Tuesday signed a 10-year lease, while completing a renovation after 21 years on Mill Avenue. It's the only Fat Tuesday in Arizona.
Centerpoint announced a 7-year lease renewal for Churchill's Fine Cigars. It moved to a new location in November that more than doubled its size.
Also, Montage Art Studio on Mill recently opened a 6,000-square-foot studio shared by nine emerging local artists.
In the fall of 2012, the owner of Canteen Modern Tequila Bar at Centerpoint will open Handle Bar & Grill. Owner Julian Wright plans a neighborhood bicycle-themed pub catering to cyclists of all ages.
Centerpoint, owned by Scottsdale-based DMB, is at the northwest corner of Mill Avenue and University Drive.
Arizona Republic 12/13/11
The aptly named Montage Art Studio on Mill, which opens Thursday, combines seemingly incongruous elements into one harmonious product.
Part art studio, part gallery, the downtown Tempe space features renowned painters, sculptors and drawers working and showcasing their creations side-by-side with art students, a rarity in the sometimes-competitive art world.
"I've learned over my 20 years in art that there is room for everyone," said John Gleason, studio manager and member artist.
"When an opportunity is presented, you're required to fully snap to attention and take it as far as you possibility can, and to include as many people as you can to bring everybody up with you," he said.
