September 23, 2007 -- Announcing: AZHP Meetup 2008 @ South Mountain

Watch the video for preview of location and some planned activities.
Yes we know there are spelling errors :-P
For more information:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE EVENT'S FORUM TOPIC

September 2, 2007 -- Reinvention and Expansion: AZHP Launch

Welcome to Arizona Hobbyists Paradise (AZHP)
Arizona's Premiere Hobby Networking Community

The new header allows full navigation to all of AZHP's online features-

WEBSITE -
Main updates
Information on upcoming events
Videos from previous events
Videos from AZHP Convention Gaming
Links to Arizona based Shops, Conventions, Websites and Forums
Contact Information for all of the AZHP Website, Forum and Convention Gaming Staff
Mission statement and history

FORUM -
Over 400 Registered Arizona users
200x200 Avatar sizes and unlimited Signature sizes (within reason)
Highly modified phpbb forum with Points MOD, Shop MOD, Spellcheck, Spoiler Tags and more
Discussion of all of Arizona's hobby related Conventions, Events and Gatherings
Discussion of hobbies and interests
Personals and Classifieds section
Personal Progress sections for Art, Cosplay and more

CALENDAR OF EVENTS -
Monthly or Yearly view of Arizona's Conventions, Events, Gatherings and Parties
Registered users are able to submit their own events to the Calendar
Link to Forum topic discussion from each past or future event
Link to Photo/File Gallery for pictures from past events

PHOTO/FILE GALLERY -
Over 2000 Photos (currently) from Arizona's Conventions, Events, Gatherings and Parties
Registration is the same as the forum (Same database)
Ability to upload photos or files to public event areas
Ability to create their own personal albums and upload photos or files to their albums
Ability to comment on other user's photos or files

September 1, 2007 -- Messages from the Administrators - FrankCastleAZ

     First off, I'd like to give a big Thank You to all of the supporters of AZHP and it's evolution since the beginning of June 2005. Originally, when I created "Hobbyists Forum" in June of 2005, I had no idea that we'd be at this point today.
The community that we've built and maintained over the last few years is truly a blessing. Much has been accomplished with the individuals, organizations and conventions in Arizona. I can't express how proud I feel each time someone tells me they met a good friend or attended an event because of AZHP. I see a huge future possibility of growth for AZHP and the Arizona community as a whole. I only hope that you all can enjoy and appreciate what's been created and use it to help yourself grow.

     Personally, I've acquired skills I never thought I'd be using such as organizing events, networking with organizations, designing visuals and producing videos. Although I have been less than perfect at times in the past, I've grown a lot as a person in the last few years and I'm very proud of what's been accomplished overall.

     There's one thing that will always remain true of me and few others:
I have the PASSION and MOTIVATION to help the Arizona hobby community grow.

Loved or Hated,
Frank (FrankCastleAZ)

September 1, 2007 -- Messages from the Administrators - Spewmuffin

     This community is very much a extension of myself growing up and becoming more social in the Arizona hobby community. Two years prior, I first moved out on my own to Arizona from Las Vegas which brought me out of my comfort zone of my family and into the great big world. Not being a social creature that I was, I had difficulty in making friends. Thankfully, my roommate at that time convinced me to make one of the most important life-changing decisions in my life: attending AniZona 2005. At that time, I had already developed a healthy anime hobby, but was reluctant to outwardly express this passion. It wasn't until this catalyst to which I found a group of people where I can be myself and learn how to make friends from scratch without a school environment setting forcing us together.

     Soon after AniZona was completed, I heard of Frank starting a community where we can continue to interact and be friends. Still knowing very few persons at the time, I decided that the few that I did know were all there, so I promptly joined. Perhaps it was by no coincidence that Frank saw a passion inside of me where I could help the community do great things. My personality has always been the type to be open to others and to help in times of need. Thus I was recruited to be a moderator and take part of what was then known as Hobbyists Forum. Tapping into my previous knowledge in computers and programming, this experimental project quickly outgrew itself. In addition to the technical assistance, there was also the organizational, leadership, and social aspects which developed immensely during this time. Having taken control of organizing the official Hobbyists Paradise Gathering #2 at Papago Park was no easy feat. For the first time, it gave me confidence I needed to begin looking forward into the future rather than just living day-to-day at what is in the near vicinity.

     Another major hurdle that presented itself was the graduation from Arizona State University and getting a job in Tucson. Initially, I was somewhat afraid that the amount of work put in would slowly fade away as the distance takes its toll. It also happens that the first few weeks after moving to Tucson brought about many mini-activities to which I kept attending. This gave the rise to the frequent trips that I now make to Phoenix nearly every weekend to attend activities or other events in the Phoenix Valley. The only challenge now is to garner more members and continue to grow the community in the Tucson (and Yuma) areas which are severely under-represented at present time.

     I am proud of what the Arizona Hobbyists Paradise has accomplished with my supporting role, and I look forward to it growing bigger to include more awesome persons from all around Arizona!

Sincerely,
Steven (Spewmuffin)