Desert Botanical Gardens

I love our gardens. Love being a member, even if I don’t get there as often as I would like. Last year the Desert Botanical Gardens had the Dale Chihuly: Nature of Glass exhibition. Because of the exhibit, the gardens increased their revenue last year by 45%.

With so many of the museums, parks and other community facilities facing closure due to the economy and lack of funds, I am glad The Desert Botanical Gardens is doing so well.

Connect with them on Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, and Twitter

Summer Resort Fun

With temperatures rising, many of the visitors to our beautiful city have left, not to come back till cooler weather returns. So the resorts are offering great summer play packages.

• Millennium Resort has offers starting with $100 room, and get $100 in food and beverage, even pool side. For a bit more add in a golf package.
• Hyatt Regency Scottsdale is offering free meals, kids camp, and with their ‘water playground’ loads of fun for the family
• Stay at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort and spend the day at the spa or enjoy all of the services they offer.

Call the resort you’re interested in getting away to and find out what specials they are offering.

You don’t have to get out of town to have a vacation – summer fun is waiting in your own back yard.

New Coffee Shop in Town!

A good friend of mine, Steve Belt,  recently opened up a coffee shop here in Scottsdale.  Echo Coffee.  At Echo, they roast their own beans, serve organic goodies for breakfast and healthy lunches too.

I was surprised to find they have different roast, depending on the type of coffee drink you order.  The latte’s for example have a sweeter roast than the drip roast…

and Drip!  They are serious about drip coffee.  Each cup is individually made and taste - YUM, this is what coffee is supposed to taste like.  So be sure to drop in while visiting Scottsdale.  They are located on Thomas and 68th, just south of old town and the Valley Ho.

It’s Raining in Arizona - Things to know

The average rain fall in a year for the Valley is roughly 8″. But what is normal truly. Last year we had less than 4″ for the whole year. This week we have already had over 1 1/2 inches and more is coming, possibly 3″-5″ tonight.

What should you know…

• First don’t drive thru any rushing water, or huge puddles, you don’t know how deep they are, and it takes only inches for rushing water to pull your vehicle down stream
• Be extra careful on the roads.  We don’t normally get this amount of rain.  There are lots of months with no rain, and nothing to wash the oil off the roads from cars.  When the rain does come, our roads are more slick than you are accustomed to even if you come from a rain soaked area.
• The roads dip down to allow the water flow across:  A wash; is any dip in the road where water accumulates, it’s not just a puddle and could be deceivingly deep.
• The Stupid Motorist Law: (that’s really what it is called) has the driver pay for the cost of rescue services if needed to get you out of your car to safety.

Driving in the rain, always be more alert.  Driving in the rain in Arizona; be even more careful.

PFChangs rock and Roll attitude

PFChangs rock and Roll attitude

Originally uploaded by IreneHammond

I wish I could get out to the festivities this weekend. I have clients in from out of state and will be missing it.

The PF Changs Rock and Roll Marathon is always fun to participate in as well as encouraging the athletes. With the same 6 bands returning again this year, the course will keep you moving. The post race concert is featuring Everclear and should finish out the afternoon with a splash.

Come out and cheer these amazing athletes on! Check out the spectator info, and there may still be time for you to volunteer and help out. It takes a ton of volunteers to make an event like this one come together.

Have fun!

Happy New Years!

Welcoming in 2010, there are a few big events to consider bringing in the New Year!

• Scottsdale’s Ultimate Block Party - This is the block party to be at.  Live music, lots of dancing and 7000 people
• Fiesta Bowl Block Party - not just for the football crowd - Rated as a top 10 event by USA Today be sure to consider this Tempe town spectacular for New Years Eve

Besides these events there are many, much more intimate gatherings.  Check with your favorite restaurant or club to see what they have planned.

And have a very Happy New Year!

What’s Happening around Scottsdale

We are a week from Christmas and two weeks from New Years. Wow this year has flown by. There is still time to catch a few seasonal celebrations before they are gone again.

• Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park starting Dec 11th at 6:30-9:00 and nightly after. Be there for the tree lighting, Santa, and a train ride thru the park with over 100,000 lights
• Windham Hill’s Winter Solstice: Night Sky essays at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, performances start at 8pm
• Center Dance Ensemble presents “Snow Queen” at the Herberger Theater the retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s family favorite

And if your looking for a little more action check out

• Phoenix Suns vs Washington Wizards at US Airways Center at 7pm

What’s Happening around Scottsdale

We are in the heart of the Holiday Season, so a few seasonal inspired activities are on the list for this week;

• Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden 5:30 - 9:30pm check their calendar for dates. Wander thru the Gardens lit up by luminaria, enjoy several different musical acts, my favorite is the bell choir. Bundle up, the evenings are chilly and get your tickets early. These evenings are magical and usually sell out.
• “A Christmas Carol” at the Herberger Theater shows at 2 and 7pm
• Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo nightly from 6-10 bring the whole family for the most beautiful holiday light display with 2.5 million lights, Zoolights is spectacular.
• Polar Express the Grand Canyon Railway brings Christmas alive with a trip to the North Pole. This is the family holiday excursion. Trains leave at 6:30 and 8:00 most evenings

That should put you in the holiday spirit…

New Spring Training Stadium to be built off Indian Bend

Right next to McCormick Ranch and at the east edge of Scottsdale is the Salt River Pima-Maricopa County Indian Community.  It is there that a new stadium is going to be built and in 2 years it will be the new location for the Diamond Back’s spring training. (if all goes as planned) The 11,000 seat stadium will surly bring life to the Pavilions shopping center and it is desperate for new life.  The stadium will also be home to The Rockies.

If the video does not play follow this link to AZ Central

Spring is in the Air

 

Spring has arrived to Scottsdale, Arizona.  Our daffodils are showing their pretty faces.  The windows and doors are open during the day.  And my Italian Greyhounds are enjoying running naked.  (Without a sweater)  The trees are starting to grow back their leaves; our grapevine is loaded with new growth buds.  All are signs of spring.  So get out and enjoy the beautiful days.  Go for a walk, run, or bike ride on the Camelback Walk, just get out and enjoy it.

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