In an earlier post I talked about the importance of shopping locally. I believe it is as important to also support local bloggers and online media creators. One of the great things about blogging (and social media in general), is the opportunity to learn what other people are thinking and doing. This is especially true of a place like Phoenix, which has a very active social media scene.

Currently, I have about 75 Arizona based sites in my RSS reader covering different perspectives of living in the Valley. As a recent arrival in Phoenix, these sites provided me with a quick way to get a feeling for the ‚Äòpulse‚Äô of the Phoenix. Moreover, they have provided me with a great social network and invaluable friendships. While I may have first ‚Äòmet‚Äô them online, I have also met many of them in person either through offline conversations, or through one of the many social media and ‘non-traditional’ networking events held throughout the Valley.

To get started, here is a random selection of a few of my favorite sites (Personal names with links will take you to their twitter feed):

• Downtown Phoenix Journal: This is a blatant plug for the site I write regularly for. Nonetheless, I‚Äôm including it here, because, first, I wouldn‚Äôt write for a site that I didn’t find valuable and second, under new editor Si Robins DPJ is quickly becoming an indispensable resource for learning about downtown Phoenix.

• Downtown Voices Coalition: In addition to being an important advocate for responsible growth and development in central Phoenix, their news and events page is a great resource to find about local news and events, as well as the odd quirky story or interesting observations on living in the downtown core.

• Urban Life: this s a great blog written by a good friend of mine. Gene Urban is a real estate agent who has great last name! He writes about the local real estate market in Phoenix and gives insightful updates on the state of the market, as well as useful tips and advice on how to navigate the current stormy climate. He also covers local events and businesses, as he understands the important ties between houses and their neighborhoods. If you are lucky enough to meet Gene in person, hope that there is a deck of card nearby, because Gene is also an amazing magician!

• Raillife: I first met Nick Bastien through a contest he ran on this blog. We have since become friends. His blog covers news about Valley Metro Light Rail, and all the events, restaurants, real estate and cool stuff that is occurring along the light rail line, because as his tagline states: Your Life is on the Line…

• ChowBella: while I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting the writers of this New Times blog yet, Michele Laudig and her colleagues, cover the food scene in the Valley. As a recovering foodie, I appreciate the unique mix of behind the scenes reporting and personal observations that is tied together with a humorous wit that make me hungry for more.

I hope you visit a few (if not all) of these sites. To my friends who weren’t covered, don’t worry:-), I will return in the upcoming weeks to cover another batch of my Phoenix Friends.