If you said yes, this app is for you, just click here

Grizzly Bear, the Brooklyn-based indie rock band has done it again. Their new album, Shields, might be one of the most highly anticipated albums coming out this year.  It has been almost three years since we have seen anything new from them and honestly we can’t wait until September to listen to this new record. The track Yet Again, is the first one released and we can already tell it’s going to be a hit. If you like anything that ranges from psychedelic rock to experimental, then this is the band for you.

He holds the title of Iron Chef America, he recently opened two restaurants in Scottsdale and now he is set to release his second cookbook.

Jose Garces has teamed up with Lake Isle Press for the October release of The Latin Road Home: Savoring the Foods of Ecuador, Spain, Cuba, Mexico, and Peru.

The cookbook has been described as “a travelogue and a memoir, offering a fascinating and personal look back at the food traditions that have shaped the life and cooking of Chef Garces, from his family’s ancestral home in Ecuador to his ongoing work as an award-winning chef and restaurateur across the US.”

The Latin Road Home chronologically tells the story of Garces’ food journey and each destination comes to life through more than 100 recipes, food and travel photos and his personal narration.

“This book is a deeply personal project for me: it allows me to trace the cultures and cuisines that have shaped me, both personally and professionally,” Garces said. “Throughout my career, I have built upon what I know and used it to explore new and different places, and this book traces that journey – and with it, my life to this point.”

Garces’ Scottsdale restaurants, Distrito and Old Town Whiskey, are located at The Saguaro Hotel. Pre-order The Latin Road Home here.

John McCain and Amy Poehler in a photo tweeted by @SenJohnMcCain Thursday.

It’s official: Sen. John McCain will put Arizona on the map, again. This time it will be in the form of a half hour comedy spot on prime-time television.

No, seriously, the senator has reportedly wrapped filming on the set of NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” for the upcoming season 5. Just in case we had any doubt about the former presidential candidate’s acting career, he confirmed via Twitter last week: “Had a great time shooting @ParksandRecNBC today w/ Amy Poehler – I think it’s an Emmy!”

McCain was joined by Sen. Barbara Boxer (California) and Sen. Olympia Snowe (Maine) as guest stars on the show.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the bipartisan episode – titled “Ms. Knope Goes to Washington” – is expected to debut on September 27, and will center around Amy Poehler’s Leslie Knope visiting D.C. to see her boyfriend Ben Wyatt, played by Adam Scott. More on season 5 here.

Tipping is an important part of life. Whether it is a waiter or waitress or hair stylist or a pizza delivery guy, these people working in hospitality and service industries have to put up with a lot B.S. Though it is not necessary to tip in places like Europe, here in the States, it is woven into our culture. If you are ever having difficulty deciding how to much to tip, you should refer to this handy interactive guide, courtesy of our friends at Hospitality Management Schools. Thanks to HospitalityManagementSchools.org

Some of you may have already seen this, but we think it’s hilarious. When applying for a new job, a girl accidentally attached a crazy photo of Nicholas Cage (aren’t they all crazy, anyway?), instead of her CV and cover letter. But hey, maybe the employer has a sense of humor. Probably not though.

As you may or may not have heard, countless computers could have been rendered useless today. If you’re reading this chances are good that you’re in the clear.

Now that we can all breath a sigh of relief we must admit, this is so strange and so reminiscent of Y2K that we couldn’t help but share and enlighten our loyal readers (who rely upon the internet, after all).

What’s all the fuss, you ask? Watch a International Business Times TV Tech News video with the back story on the DNS Changer malware here.

According to the Associated Press, “after midnight EDT Sunday, the FBI was shutting down the Internet servers set up as a temporary safety net to keep infected computers online for the past eight months …”

Still need a little extra assurance or details on this matter, visit the DNS Changer Working Group’s website for more information and a self-check option for your digital devices.

The Wiley One, an Arizona-based Hip-Hop, Reggae, Blues (and more) band, released a new music video for their latest single, UFO Man. UFO Man is a track off the band’s lastest album, Kill It With Love, which was released earlier this year.

We found their latest spin on the music video concept unique to say the least. Be sure to let us know what you think below. For more The Wiley One music videos, click here and for concert dates, click here.

Photo courtesy of Marlen Adams Photography and Tagg Ryan Media Studios.

The weekend is only a day away and that means it’s time for another installment of Free Foto Fridays at the Tagg Ryan Media Studio in Tempe.

All models, actors, musicians, Arizona State University students and everyone else is welcome today from 5 to 9 p.m. for a free professional photo shoot courtesy of photographer Marlen Adams. Choose from a variety of themes and props. Last week the studio brought in celebrities and a Maserati from San Diego, so come see what this week’s photo shoot has in store.

For more information, visit Marlen Adams Photography or Tagg Ryan Media.

In 2011, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer declared Social Media Day an official holiday. This year ABC15 has teamed up with Pink Media, Mashable and Meetup to host this year’s celebration and observance of Social Media Day Phoenix.

Join 40 local businesses who use social media and networking on a daily basis from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m this Friday at the Ritz-Carlton. The event, themed “Connect. Engage. Support Local.,” will include workshops, games and a social media-inspired fashion show.

To RSVP for the event, visit Mashable or Facebook; join the conversation on Twitter @SMDayPhx; or text SMDayPHX to 72727 for exclusive offers from event sponsors.

Lucky for you we’re reading Mashable Business and our most recent discovery is sure to score plenty of attention among soccer fans.

With the Euro 2012 in its final stages and the 2012 Olympics in London just a month away, the buzz word this summer is soccer fútbol and the latest social media network couldn’t have better timing.

Billing itself as The Global Fútbol Experience, Kyck.com is a website for fans of international and club soccer that “lets you follow and be followed by other users and get content delivered based on the teams and players you support,” according to the article by Sam Laird.

With following, posting, commenting, sharing and streaming features we’re already accustom to, Kyck incorporates matches and squads into the network and gives fans the ability to use tags to direct and engage specific conversations (i.e. #Gooooooooooal).

A Kyck iOS app is currently available on iTunes and an Android app is slated for later this year. Watch the Kyck.com YouTube demonstration to see for yourself, then let us know what you think.

You recognize her in Gatorade and Nike commercials, you remember her defense during the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup and you watched her strut her stuff on Dancing With The Stars. Now see Hope Solo in Phoenix before she heads to London with the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team for the 2012 Olympics.

The Phoenix Mercury will recognize Solo as the team’s 2012 Inspiring Woman during Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks. According to the Phoenix Mercury, the evening will be dedicated to recognizing Solo’s accomplishments on the field as well as in the community and will also mark the Mercury’s celebration of the 40th anniversary of Title IX.

Submit a story here about how Title IX has benefitted you, a friend or family member and you will automatically receive a free ticket to the game and take part in an on-court recognition and group photo with Solo at halftime. To find out how your soccer team can meet Solo, call (602) 379-7521 or email [email protected].

Tipoff is at 6 p.m. at the U.S. Airways Center. Tickets start at $10.

In what was dubbed the “Katy Perry Challenge,” eight guys from Gilbert, Ariz., collectively known as The Elektrolytes, took the stage as they have been doing for several years. The only difference with this performance was that it earned them the title of America’s Best Dance Crew. Literally.

In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past seven seasons, Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew is a reality show dance competition featuring crews from across the United States and beyond.

Watch The Elektrolytes perform to ”Part of Me” with the season 5 champions of Poreotix:

Watch the final episode here. For more information or to support these local champions, visit their Facebook page.

Tonight’s the night of the premier of Shannen Doherty on “Shannen Says” as we watch the tv bad girl prepare for her upcoming marriage to some dude who’s an awful actor and whom we feel kinda sorry for. We’re sure this third marriage for the 42-year old is sure to last after watching a few of clips of the happy couple.

Check out what Shannen says about babies to her husband-to-be:

See more of the awkward silences and forced comedic scenes here.

Apparently fashion month can’t all be about the hoopla of who’s wearing what, where and with whom – there are some serious scandals strutting off the catwalks too –or should we say, behind the catwalks. In an interesting, and rather unfashionable twist, the king of street-cool sportswear Alexander Wang is being struck with a $50 million labor lawsuit. According to the New York Post, Wang is being sued by around thirty of his workers who have been “forced to work 16 hours a day  or longer — without overtime — in a suffocating, windowless, 200-square-foot room” – a “Broadway sweatshop,” as it’s titled by the Daily News. Allegedly, one of his employees even claims he was hospitalized after fainting and told that he would be fired if he didn’t follow rules (fashionista.com). While the Wang empire is denying everything, we can’t help but shake our heads and admit that perhaps the dark side of the fashion industry is striking again.

Come together, Beckett’s Table lovers (meaning….every one of us!) Chef Justin Beckett has been nominated for “The People’s Best New Chef!” by FOOD & WINE Magazine, and it’s up to US to help this local chef win! It only takes a few seconds, so if you enjoy Beckett’s Table or just want to support a very talented Arizona chef, click here to vote for him. And hurry! You have seven days to vote, ending Sunday, March 11.

Not quite sure why you should vote for Beckett? Did you miss his TedX speech, “Come Together for a Change?” Ever had the chocolate-dipped housemade-marshmellow bacon s’mores? Or have you missed the pork osso buco confit served with spaetzle? You’ve got a few more days to see and taste for yourself.

Beckett’s Table | 3717 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ | 85018

Check the video of Beckett’s TedX speech “Come to Together for Change.”

Don’t spend your day attached to a computer screen surfing the web like you’re Kelly Slater? Well…..we do and all we can say is kowabunga. Get your fill of all the happenings in local media right here in your one stop shop for all things local and interesting. Bonus: no chocking down seaweed.

So word on the street is this fine state of ours is turning the big 100 on February 14th. This means there will be probably the equivalent amount of events and deals around town to celebrate such a milestone (like .20 off a large AJ’s ice tea. score). Jackalope Ranch has reported some of the art-related celebrations, but we were excited about the non-related event kicking off at SMoCA tomorrow. The spring will bring in lots of new things for Scottsdale’s Museum of Contemporary Art including interactive technology and the latest works of art from Kiki Smith and other exhibit openings. Hit up the party from 7-9 pm or be sure to saunter through sometime this spring to get your fill.

Valentine’s day is apparently big on floral arrangements and, at this point, we felt we had seen them all. Jaimee Rose proved us wrong by showing the Valentine’s Book for Lovers courtesy of Camelback Flowershop (pictured above). The shop created hollowed out books filled with succulents that you can purchase for $65 and they’ll bring it straight to your door or (OR) if you’re feeling creative, you can make your own. Nothing says “I love you” like a gift from the heart, right? Get the details from Jaimee’s blog here.

If there is anything we love more than alliteration it is this idea of a “pop-up park” we read about in Downtown Phoenix Journal. Every weekday from 11-1, CityScape and the Downtown Phoenix Partnership will host a “pop-up park” where patrons can enjoy free events, games and meet local worker bees in the mean time. That friendly game of lunchtime Jenga you have been jonesing for can now be a reality and we love it! Better still, DJ William Reed (hey! we know him!) and Sean Watson will spin tunes every Thursday and Friday and best yet, you can check out library books without actually going to the library. This could be the greatest idea ever.

images via Downtown Phoenix Journal and Jamiee Rose

We’ve recently added a few new apps and bookmarks to our Smartphones and browsers. Here’s a list of what’s caught our attention long enough to download and try after the jump. »READ MORE

We know you know that Facebook is getting ready to unveil arguably its biggest design change yet. Instead of panicking and irrationally hating the new layout like we have been, we asked Daniel Moran, Jr., director of social marketing and communications for Blufish Design Studio, to share the skinny on the impending changes and how to stalk like a pro on the new Facebook 8:

Facebook’s Mark Zuckerburg took the stage at the company’s fourth f8 conference and announced some major overhauls to the look and feel of Facebook. While users are threatening to gather their torches and pitchforks, I happen to have fallen in love with the new features— especially Timeline.

So here’s the skinny on recent changes…
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Somewhere over the rainbow lies a pot of gold filled with $3.8 million dollars. If you love shoes and the Wizard of Oz, with that kind of dough, you just may be able to purchase the original ruby red slippers Judy Garland wore in the classic 1939 film. While we thought these pivotal pieces of American pop culture history were all nestled in National Museum of American History , Born Rich is reporting that the ultra famous shoes will go on the block December 16th at Profiles in History’s three day “Icons of Hollywood” auction. Sure, there’s no place like home, but at the expected price, you could just buy several and call it a day. Oh the nerve.

According to Ryan Tate at Gawker the Feds may be looking to speak to the new Two and Half star for how he plugged his own companies in a recent Details Magazine article.   Ashton may not know better but the seniors at Conde Nast sure do.

“It’s certainly a possibility that a case like this could be investigated,” assistant Federal Trade Commission director Richard Cleland tells the Times of Kutcher’s Details special online issue, in which eight of 12 recommended products in one article were Kutcher investments. “If you’re out there promoting individual products that you have a specific investment in, it needs to be disclosed… If you have a significant economic investment that is not otherwise apparent, that may potentially affect the credibility of your endorsement, and I see that as a potential problem.” The FTC hasmade a priority out of online conflicts of interest.  [Gawker]

So what is happening over at Phoenix Magazine and Arizona Foothills Magazine these days when it come to social media, specifically Twitter, let’s take a look. Phoenix Magazine fans (7,500+) have enjoyed a few updates over the last month, including one Carefree Station offering a free dessert. We may have to just take a road trip. AZ Foothills Magazine has a food twitter (2,278), and they bring news of AZ’s 50 Top Restaurants, a valley steakhouse sweepstakes and some food festival updates. Cheers to that…Phx Mag is still kicking some butt with their 7500 or so followers that get their tweet fix.

FOLLOW:  Desert Living Today | Phoenix Magazine | Arizona Foothills Food

People, what is going on? We’ve just received word that another Valley publication has shut its doors effective June 1. A luxury lifestyle magazine, Haute Living is published in markets all over the world, including Moscow, and Dubai, but it seems they’ve recently ceased publication in Chicago, Boston, Dallas, San Diego, Philadelphia and Phoenix. While there was never actually a Phoenix print edition, just an online model (the ghost of which, is still in Google’s archive http://phoenix.hauteliving.com/) it certainly raises some questions. Why can’t publications survive in this market? As they say, bad things come in threes. First 944, now Haute Living; who is going under next? As it stands, their publisher Seth Semilof is a bit of a crazy pants. Anyone have more info? Let us know.

As chosen by you, here are the most popular stories OF ALL TIME (aka last week). Just in case you missed it

In the least shocking news story of the year, the hilariously-outrageous food blogger, Eric Eats Out, was tossed from the set of News Channel 12′s fancy new studio in Downtown Phoenix late last week. So what outrageous on-air f-bomb did he drop to get himself escorted off the property?

He joked that he was going to earn the station an FCC fine, in a Tweet, the day before his appearance, and added the hashtag #wardrobemalfunction. Which was enough, apparently, to draw the ire of the corporate suits up on the ninth floor, who sent a producer down to personally yank him out of the pre-show green room (pictured), and have security hustle him out of the building.

Way to not overreact, News Channel 12 producers. That’s the sort of forward thinking that led your parent company to mothball your longtime HQ, cram you into the bottom floor of the AZ Republic building, and try to spin it as ‘creating corporate synergy.’

But why would we try to tell this surreal tale, when we can just let Eric get on his soapbox? And be warned, we did not edit one filthy-funny word.

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