Barbecue Basics Class at Four Seasons Scottsdale
Whether your dad is a barbecue novice or knows everything there is to know about the grill, he’ll surely enjoy talking technique and learning something new during a “Barbecue Basics” class with the pros at the Four Seasons Scottsdale. Read more
Cinco de Mayo and Kentucky Derby Mashup at The Saguaro
Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby fall on the same day this year! (That’s May 5.) And I know just the place you can go to take advantage of this awesome twist of fate. Head to The Saguaro in downtown Scottsdale to enjoy mint juleps at the Old Town Whiskey (anyone up for a Derby Dandy Party?), or to have tacos and margaritas at Distrito. Read more
I Heart AZ Party
Show your love for Arizona this weekend at the I Heart AZ Party, taking place at The Saguaro in downtown Scottsdale.
To fete both Valentine’s Day and the state’s centennial, the luxury hotel is throwing the party of the century on Saturday, Feb. 11, starting at 5 p.m. Catch the Tony Martinez Band, a pop-up shop, an Arizona wine tasting, locally grown hors d’oeuvres, art exhibitions (featuring a special show by local collective 3 Car Pile Up) and even a charity kissing booth with some AZ faves. At 7 p.m., DJ Melo takes over to step things up a notch. Admission before 7 p.m. is $10, and after 7 p.m. it’s free. Read more
Valentine’s Day at The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain
If you feel like getting out of town for Valentine’s Day — but not too far — head to The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, near Tucson.
The property will do the holiday up right, with special menus at its signature restaurants, a unique Splash Dining experience, and an exclusive spa package for couples, featuring a rose petal bath, massages, Champagne and strawberries. Read more
Valentine’s Day at Hotel Valley Ho
Downtown Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho is celebrating Valentine’s Day this year with a Romance Package, a special dinner at ZuZu and sweet spa specials.
With the Romance Package, sweethearts will enjoy the gift of a Red Flower aromatherapy candle, a half-bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne, fresh fruit, a complimentary in-room movie and breakfast in bed or at ZuZu, the midcentury-modern hotel’s signature restaurant. Read more
Valentine’s Day at FireSky Resort and Jurlique Spa
FireSky Resort, one of the greenest properties anywhere in Arizona, has some romance in store for couples celebrating Valentine’s Day.
While the Romantic Rendezvous Package places the emphasis on amour, the Robe-mance Package gives guests extra reason to snuggle, with the gift of two super-plush robes for an extra cozy stay.
And on-site natural Jurlique Spa will further woo you with wine, roses and relaxation. Read more
Celebrate Arizona’s Centennial
Next month a good percentage of the population will be focused on celebrating Valentine’s Day, but there’s another reason to celebrate — Arizona’s centennial.
Arizona turns 100 years old this year — more precisely, on Feb. 14 — and it would seem there’s an endlessly long list of events, parties, celebrations and other happenings taking place in honor of this major milestone.
Here are just a few ways you can fête our grand ol’ state in the upcoming months. Read more
Speakeasy New Year’s Eve Party at The Saguaro
I love all the retro-themed parties taking place on New Year’s Eve this year, and here’s another one with the right idea: The Saguaro, a brand-new boutique hotel in downtown Scottsdale, is throwing a Speakeasy New Year’s Party from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. on the big night, complete with era-appropriate beats and bubbles.
Old Town Whiskey at The Saguaro will feature signature cocktails, specially priced flights of Glenrothes Scotch Whisky, and DJ Melo spinning the best of funk, soul and Motown, while Distrito will serve a special three-course prix fixe menu for the occasion. Read more
PHX Fashion Week’s Fashion Gives Back Event
Tonight Phoenix Fashion Week presents the third annual Fashion Gives Back event at The Mint Ultra Lounge and Restaurant in downtown Scottsdale to benefit Arizona Helping Hands.
This year the gala, which kicks off at 7 p.m., will draw such VIP guests as Mexico’s Next Top Model Judge Jo Lance, Arizona Cardinal Calais Campbell, Miss Arizona 2011 Jennifer Sedler, GoDaddy Girl Leeann Dearing, 3TV’s Brittney Shipp, Fox 10’s Kristin Anderson, NFL Hall of Famer Nick Lowery, 101.5 Jamz DJ Jackie Morales, Buddha Brothers Cigar Club and of course, the Phoenix Fashion Week models, for an evening of charitable giving back to the community. Read on for the details on how to help and how to RSVP. Read more
New Year’s Eve Party at Hotel Valley Ho
“Shake & Twist Like ’56″ at Hotel Valley Ho’s New Year’s Eve party on Saturday, Dec. 31.
Whether you love all things vintage, are a fan of the hit AMC show Mad Men, or have great memories from the actual 1950s, this sounds like one party you won’t want to miss. The legendary Hotel Valley Ho — the site of Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner’s wedding reception and a playground for the era’s Hollywood elite — is sure to be playing up its fascinating history and the ’50s theme with appropriately retro-glam decor, vintage cocktails and more.
Party-goers will enjoy a four-course dinner at ZuZu with Henriot Champagnes and Grey Goose vodka pairings, plus dancing in the lounge to the sounds of DJ P-Body. Before long, it will will be time to head up to the roof for a Champagne toast to ring in 2012! Read more
Holiday Gift Cards for Foodies: Fox Restaurants and RA Sushi
It’s getting down to the wire. If there’s someone on your shopping list that still leaves you scratching your head, a gift card may be the way to go. Ah, but then you’re forced to decide which gift card in the sea of options.
Well, why not cuisine? People have to eat, right? Here are special holiday offers from two restaurant groups I wouldn’t mind receiving gift cards for on Christmas morning: Fox Restaurant Concepts and RA Sushi. Read more
The “Art of Gingerbread” at Four Seasons Scottsdale
On Saturday, Dec. 18, the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, will be holding an “Art of Gingerbread” event that will include gingerbread lattes and the opportunity to build your own gingerbread house. Read more
Happy Thanksgiving
May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
[A Thanksgiving Toast; author unknown]
Circulating: Kentucky Fried Christmas
I have an article in the December issue of rebel magazine about how not to deep-fry a turkey for your upcoming holiday feast. Read more
