Events are in order by date

Desert Botanical Garden’s Design for a Living World – Wednesday, February 1st through to April 1, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona

This exhibit portrays the connection we have with the natural world of human, animals, plants and places across the globe. This event is developed by The Nature Conservancy that tells the relevant story of the life-cycle of materials end the importance of conservation in buildings and landscape design and the movement to use sustainable materials from around the world. For more information call 480-941-1225 or visit dbg.org/events-exhibitions/design-for-a-living-world.

The Glendale Chocolate Affair Festival - Friday, February 3rd – Sunday, February 5th, 2012/ Glendale

Each year in February, downtown historic Glendale displays chocolates, chocolates, chocolates as a fair. Enough to please anyones pallet whether you like dark, milk chocolate or white and you’ll even get to taste the unusual like, chocolate covered potato chips. Yike! There’s regular food to eat as well.

The Chocolate Affaire takes place at  Murphy Park at 5812 W. Glendale Avenue, located in downtown Glendale (Cross streets: Glendale Ave. and 59th Ave.) with Cerreta Candy Company participating in the festival fun. There’s fun for all. Children can make crafts to take home, have their face panted, rock climbing for the daring! You can purchase your favorite wine to go with your chocolates at home and even do some wine tasting by local wineries before you purchase that bottle. You will also enjoy music throughout your sugar craving journey not to mention the aroma of foods to choose from as well as the sweets. This festival runs from Friday, February 3, 2011 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday February 4, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday February 5, 2011 from noon to 5 p.m. This festival is free admission. Food and beverages vary in cost.

Glendale’s Cerreta Candy Company gets into the scene as well and offers tours the same weekend as the Chocolate Affaire. You get to see just how each piece of candy is made. It’s like a mini Charlie and the Chocolate Factory right here in Arizona! Yummy! Cerreta is located at 5345 W Glendale Ave. (about 6 short blocks from the Chocolate Festival.  Just follow the crowd. I’ve walked it and it’s very quick. Sometimes there is a shuttle service that will take you there, but it’s such a nice time of the year and the walk through the historic downtown Glendale district is never boring to the eye.  Besides, you’ll want to burn off that chocolate, caffeine and sugar high anyways. It’s free to get in Cerreta’s. Have fun! For more information on Cerreta Candy Company call (623) 930-9000

Waste Management Phoenix Open Golf Tournament - Thursday, February 2nd – Sunday, February 5th, 2012/ Scottsdale

This years 77th Phoenix Open plays through the  same weekend as Super Bowl!  The tournament swings out at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course located on 17020 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale, Arizona. This course is home of the famous “Birds Nest” for all your cocktail needs! For more information on the Golf tournament call TPC Scottsdale 888-400-4001 or visit http://www.tpc.com/. For “T” times and schedules visit http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1047050-waste-management-open-2012-preview-tee-time-and-tv-schedule

Superbowl 2012 XLVI- Sunday, February 5th, 2012

Lets not forget to look at the annual tradition of football where even the girliest of girls get involved. This years 2012 Superbowl Sunday features the New York Giants V. the New England Patriots to compete for the Superbowl trophy and for the one team to be the best of the best in this football season. Beginning the Kick off at 6:30 pm ET playing in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium located in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana..  Besides the normal barbeques and house parties that play out on Superbowl Sunday, if you don’t want to clean up after the game, you can check out your neighborhood sports bar/restaurant where football enthusiasts can go to watch the game and let loose. for more Superbowl information visit  www.azcentral.com/superbowl20112.

The 54th Annual Hashknife Pony Express- Tuesday, February 7th – Friday, February 10th,2012/Holbrook, Payson, Scottsdale

This traditional event will begin on its 200 mile trail route from Holbrook to Scottsdale, Holbrook, Payson, Scottsdale once again. This reminds us of  the days when mail in Arizona was delivered on horseback. Horseback riders start hoofing the trail in Holbrook, stop in Payson, and end in Scottsdale, delivering first class mail along the way and is all organized by Hashknife Pony Express. When you see these saddle riders give them a wave during this ride through Ariznoa’s history. For more information go to www.hashknifeponyexpress.com

Renaissance Festival - Photo by Lisa Racz

The Arizona Renaissance Festival – Saturday, February 11 – Sunday, April 1, 2012 /Apache Junction

Step back into medieval times at this year’s 24th Annual Arizona Renaissance Festival; a medieval amusement park that is actually a town replica of the midieval times with Castles, dungeons and a large jousting arena. You can also choose from the many Renaissance costumes of your liking to get into spirit. This festival is for the weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, with free parking. You will enjoy 12-stage theaters with live acting and music performances; you cn brouse through 200 shops of leather goods, glass items musical instruments, sweets and frily things to buy from (many items are hand crafted). There will also be a few jousting tournaments to go to through out you day to pick your favorite jouster. You will walk among and interact with more than 2,000 brightly codtumed actors, dncers and musicians who roam this medieval village.  If your hungry, grab a turkey leg or a try some traditional food at one of the many rustic food stops. Thirsty? There are plenty of beverages to choose from as well, including the famous honey mead for you adults. So, bring the whole family and make this a day of fun. Haza! For more information visit http://http://emol.org/azrenfest/ For tickets http://emol.org/azrenfest/contact.html For map and directions http://emol.org/azrenfest/map.html

Arizona’s Best of the Best Featival – Saturday, February 11th – Sunday, February 12, 2012/Phoenix

At this festival, you will truly discover Ariona’s history and heritage with the variety of  displays, dance acts and booths. Some of  what you will experience will include the History Pavilion, Military Pavilion, the Resolution Copper Natural Resources Pavilion, the APS display of Renewable Energy, the University of Arizona Science & Future Pavilion, the Hispanic Village with traditional dancing, and Shamrock Farms Family Fun Zone which is fun for all ages. You will also enjoy the Giant’s Native American Village displaying ancient traditions of Arizona’s 22 tribal nations and the Discount Tire Western Town with gufights to satisfy the old west in you. Arizona Best Fest will also feature a concert-sized Mainstage featuring George Benson, and other big-name entertainers and there will be plenty of  food food and beverages to choose from. This festival is located on Centennial Way from 8th Avenue to 17th Avenue at 1700 W Washington Street. For a map and location of Centennial Way visit http://centennialwayaz.com/design_theme.htm or call 602-532-6100.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Quaint Ideas for Valentine’s Day – Tuesday,February 14, 2012

Dinner theaters – Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Mystery Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theater/ Phoenix

This is the longest running mystery dinner theater located at, 202 North Central Avenue in downtown Phoenix. Solve a murder and enjoy a delicious three-course dinner while watching a theater show. Dinner showtimes are on Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and occasional Sundays. Call for Sundays. for ticket pricing and details call. (480) 994-1520.

 Arizona Broadway Dinner Theater /Peoria

If you live in or near the town of Peoria, the Arizona Broadway Dinner Theater is featuring, “Singing in the Rain” for this years 2012 Valentines Day  performance. The theater is located at 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria. There is much to choose from the menu. For showtimes and tickets call 623.776.8400.

Horse and Buggy Rides with KC’s Classic Carriage Company/Old Town Scottsdale

Soak in the eye-catching views of statues, fountains, and the most elegant galleries as well as nightly ambiance while trotting down dimmed-lighted, cobblestone streets of Old Town Scottsdale in the arms of a loved one or with a few good friends.

KC’s Classic Carriage Company has been carriage tour rides since 1993. Carriages are available and  located at Brown and Main Street. Although carriages are generally available on a walk-up basis, advance reservations ensure immediate availability. I have taken a  few carriage rides and truly, this is magical and memorable, since this is not an everyday thing to do. The horses are magnificent! Bring some carrots along for the horse.

Pricing varies, so call for your specific ride choice. (480) 855-3810 or for more information on carriage rides visit http://www.horsencarriage.com/ScottsdaleCarriages.html

Romantic Restaurants with Patios or Fireplaces – Tuesday, February 14, 2012 

Want to spend time with that special someone over a romantic dinner? A few romantic dinner spots in the valley that I have been to might help you choose a place. They truly are romantic places to eat as the fireplace crackles and the flames bring romantic sillouettes to the eyes of your loved one while you eat and sip your favorite wine with talks of romance fluting through the air.  Here are a few examples of some restaurants with a more romantic twist to them around the Valley.

• Olive and Ivy located on 7135 E. Camelback Rd. in Scottsdale. 480-751-2200. –  This restaurant has a nice casual open patio with crackling fireplaces not to mention that Italian food already has a romantic feel.
• Different Point of View located on 11111 N. 7th Street (cross streets are Cactus/7th Street)  in north Phoenix 602-866-6350 - This restaurant is at the top of the mountain and is lightly lite with views of the surrounding desert preserves and lower city lights. This place is very intimate and the food is wonderful! 
• The Salt Cellar Restaurant located (underground)located on 550 N. Hayden Rd.  in Scottsdale 480-947-1963 – (reservations suggested) This seafood and steak restaurant is underground. That’s right! Look for the white building with blue awnings and the lite up “Salt Cellar” sign. Very cool place. I like the rustic, yet elegant style of the surrounding of wood as you venture downwards.  
• Coup des Tartes Bistro located 4626 N. 16th Street in Phoenix 602-212-1082 – This is a BYOB French Bistro, so bring your own wine. If you prefer not to drink this place is for you as well. Inside there’s wood flooring an candles lit all around. The french know romance and this restaurant portraits that image with a gently lite atmosphere. Bon Appetite!

For more romantic restaurant  ideas in your area visit http://www.phoenixasap.com/romantic-dining.html.

28th Matsuri Japanese Festival – Saturday, February 25, 2012 and Sunday, February 26, 2012

Enjoy the tradition of Japanese dance with drums and fantastic movement. The sounds and food smells fills your sences as you enjoy this festival located at 115 N 16th Street  The Heritage and Science Park in downtown Phoenix. For more information call (602) 262-5071.

*FEBRUARY – BALLET/PLAYS/OPERA/THEATER PERFORMANCES*

Madama Butterfly/Opera – Saturday, February 4th – Sunday, February 5th, 2012/ Tucson

This  Opera production displays the heartbreak of a lovely Geisha whose heart flutters for a Pinkerton and weds only to find he has married another after she and their daughter, Sorrow wait three years for his return. For all who witness this performance of joy, tenderness and sorrow, you will see how this Geisha gains back her honor. This opera is Sung in Italian with English surtitles. Performing at the Tucson Music Hall located at For tickets visit https://secure.azopera.com/tickets.php or call 602-266-7464 (9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. weekdays)

My Fair Lady/Play - Wednesday, February 1, 2012 / Mesa

“The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plane.” Most of us remember this famous saying from the play My Fair Lady. If you want to relax Theater style for a classical performance than this humorous play is for you and it will be in performance at the Mesa Art Center located at One East Main Street in Downtown Mesa which is located at the southeast corner of Main and Center Streets. Call 480-644-6500 for ticket times and costs. For directions visit http://www.mesaartscenter.com/index.php/visitmac/directions.

Charlottes Web/ Play – Friday, February 3 – Sunday, February 19, 2012/ Phoenix

You will be captivated as you watch the magic of a story that has been around for timeless ages. See how Charlotte charms the public and get Wilber out of a predicament of becoming Christmas dinner and see how friendship is built among farm animals during this play of Charlottes Web performed by Valley Youth Theater located at  525 N. 1st Street in downtown Phoenix. Groups or 20 or more receive an admission discount. For more information and tickets call 602-253-8188 or visit www.vyt.com.

Sleeping Beauty/Ballet – Thursday, February 9 – Sunday, February 12,2012/Phoenix

This is a must-see timeless classic for the romantic at heart. The arizona Ballet is presenting A treasured fairytale full of curses, fairies, and fantasy; Sleeping Beauty that displays all the charms and grandeur classical ballet has to offer with Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. This ballet is being performed at At Phoenix Symphony Hall with The Phoenix Symphony located at  225 E. Adams Street. To contact Phoenix Symphony Hall call 602-262-7272. For tickets visit http://www.balletaz.org/

WEEKEND EVENTS UPDATED ON WEDNESDAYS!

Sincerely,

Lisa Racz – Your local event writer

Hope you enjoyed reading this months blog article. Please leave a comment. I value what my readers (you) think of my  articles. Thanks

The following are  events  throughout Arizona that you can enjoy on your own at your leisure or enjoy with your family.

First Friday’s in downtown Phoenix

The First Friday art walk in downtown Phoenix is held on the first Friday of every month, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Every first Friday evening of each month you can take a free self-guided tour of downtown Phoenix galleries, studios and art spaces and enjoy different types of music throughout your walk. There are now more than 100 participants in the First Friday art walk that run from Indian School Road to Buchanan Street, from 12th Street to 17th Avenue. A free Shuttle-Link service allows Phoenix First Friday visitors to see most of the exhibits. For more information about First Friday, contact Artlink at 602-256-7539.

First Friday Art Walk in Flagstaff

Take a casual pace through the downtown artist galleries during the First Friday Art Walk in Flagstaff.  Meet local artists and view some artist displaying their talent and they create right before your eyes. You will enjoy live music and an assortment of refreshments to satisfy your palate. This event takes place from 6 to 9pm and it’s FREE! For more information on the Flagstaff Art Walks, please call 928-773-0958 or visit http://www.flagstaffartwalk.com/.

In Jerome, their Art Walk is on “First Saturdays” instead of Fridays

Take the convenient shuttle throughout the town of Jerome to visit the 25 galleries and studios or grab a map and walk off your lunch and begin your walk at the Old Jerome High School. During the January 7th Jerome Art Walk, Pura Vida Gallery debuts new work by Hawaiian jewelry artist Mary Darwall. Mary uses glass and Austrian crystal beads to create her jewelry and don’t forget to indulge in Pura Vida’s infamous champagne and chocolates! The festivities are from 5:00 to 8:00PM every first Saturday. For more information visit www.jeromeartwalk.com or call Donna at 649-2277.

Scottsdale Art Walk – Thursday evenings

Scottsdale ArtWalk is a 30-year tradition. A casual open house for the Scottsdale Arts District located along Main Street and Marshall Way in  Downtown Scottsdale . This weekly tradition of “America’s Original ArtWalk” takes place every Thursday evening (year-round, except Thanksgiving) between 7 and 9 pm and what better way to stroll off dinner with a warm drink at hand and enjoy the historical ambiance and art of Scottsdale.  For Special Event ArtWalks the Scottsdale Gallery Association will host live music along the streets and special themed events. For more information call 480-377-9366 or visit http://www.scottsdalegalleries.com/events.html

First Fridays in Sedona

On Friday, January 6th, 2012, Sedona host their First Friday Gallery Tour from 5pm to 8pm free of charge.  Sedona Gallery Association Members host art openings and events the first Friday of every month. For your convenience, the Sedona Trolley provides free transportation about every 20 minutes to take you art gallery along highway 89A .  Also with the first Friday of every month Tlaquepaque Art and Craft Village presents Sedona’s finest galleries, including Eclectic Image Gallery, Renee Taylor Gallery, Andrea Smith Gallery, Mountain Trails Gallery, Rowe Gallery and Kuivato Glass Gallery host a monthly event featuring special visiting artists or special events. The galleries will be open until 8:00pm. Enjoy music in the courtyards, peruse art or enjoy a taste of Arizona wine at the Wild West Wine Store. For more details on this Sedona event call 928.282.7390 for information. For gallery map visit http://www.sedonagalleryassociation.com/subjects/map/index.htm/

Winter Wonderland at Schnepf Farms - Friday, 1/6 and Saturday 1/7/ 2012 in Queen Creek

Fall brings the blanketing of winter and chimes in the traditional holiday events so, it’s time to toast out the bare footedness of Summer and air out your coats, because there’s plenty of enjoyment to be had.  Traditions ring out the festivities that involve the gathering of family warmth and cherished friends and of course lots and lots of food!

Whether your a native to Phoenix or from another state, each weekend during the month of November 2011 envites you to come out and try new foods, hear sounds of traditional music or be entertained as you soak in the sites. There are many annual events that you can you can be entertained with and enjoy good company at the same time. Enjoy!

Happy Veterans Day Parade – Friday, November 11th 2011

This Friday is to celebrate those who have honored our country with courage. Each year Downtown Phoenix displays the colorful, fun-filled Veterans Day Parade. This years parade will be hosted by U-Haul. The procession will begin at the hospital  located 650 E. Indian School Road  starting at 11 am  and will proceed north on 7th Street and turn west onto Camelback Road then proceed north on Central Avenue until ending at North Phoenix Baptist Church located at 5757 N. Central Ave.  This annual event is free to the public to enjoy a morning of fun and spirit. For more Veterans Day Parades around the Valley visit http://phoenix.about.com/od/events/a/veterans.htm

AAWL 2011 Walk to save animals – November 12th 2011

This Saturday is the day  for you to celebrate the animal lover in you and of course, the beloved animals that you have grown to cherish. This year The Arizona Animal Welfare League and SPCA celebrates their 16th annual “Walk To Save Animals” with you and your pet, of course and  is held at Tempe Town Lake. the excitement begins at 10am and walks through  to 2pm. This years special guest and performer will be Dr. Kevin “Fitz” Fitzgerald! for more information on this walk visit http://tinyurl.com/77zk7gl or www.aawl.org.

Native Heritage Concert Celebration – November 12th – 13th

In celebration of 60 years of preserving traditional Native American music, Canyon Records hosts a display of concert performances of tribal voices. this event will take place  at the Mesa Arts Center located at  1 E. Main Street in Mesa with performances beginning on Saturday at 7:30 pm  and Sunday at 3pm.

Arizona’s Desert Botanical Garden presents their own Chilies and Chocolate Festival for those who like it Hot and Sweet!! This year the event is held on November 11-November 13, 2011 (Friday – Sunday) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 1201 N. Galvin Parkway in Phoenix.

Celebrate the unique taste of the Southwest as you breeze through a relaxing open air market while enticing your taste buds at this unique festival of mouth-watering culinary delights as you surprise the senses with both spice and sweet! Yum!

 For more information on this day of food visit http://www.dbg.org/events-exhibitions/chiles-chocolate / or call the Desert Botanical Garden (480)481-8188.

The Lighting of the Christmas Tree – November 19th 2011

Just a few miles north of Phoenix sits the community of Anthem and each year this community presents their celebration of  lighting of the Christmas Tree. A tradition that has rung throughout the years! This event will begin Saturday at 6 p.m. and continue with music and spirited giveaways until 8pm and is located at the northwest corner of Anthem Way, just off the I-17 freeway. This is a fun way to rig in the Christmas cheer!! For more information visit http://tinyurl.com/7tnh5b4

The Farm at South Mountain  – November 19th 2011

The Farm at South Mountain presents their 3rd Arizona Wine Growers Festival! Calling all who love wine! You can have a day as a wine tasters (professional or beginner) at this event. held on  Saturday, November 19th 2011 and is located at 6106 South 32 Street in South Phoenix from 1:00-5:00 p.m. The Farm is a member if the Arizona Wine Growers Association.

You’ll get to know your very own Arizona’s wine grape farmers at the elegant and historical Farm at South Mountain while soaking in the crisp desert landscape among others who enjoy the vibrant pallet of wine

There will be around 20 of Arizona’s major  wine growers who will present their finest wines as guests are taught about Arizona wine production You can also stroll through several wine exhibits while enticing your taste buds with each sample of wine and then vote for your favorite bouquet.

Your entry ticket allows you to enjoy live music from Paris Jame, hors d’ouevres along with a picnic lunch prepared by the Farm Kitchen themselves and participation in a live, cork popping auction.
Cost is $75 at the door, $65 pre-sales and $60 for Arizona Wine Growers Association members.

For more information call The Farm at (602) 276-6360 or visit http://www.azwinefestivalatthefarm.com

Phoenix Zoo Lights – Begins November 24th 2011

Ever wanted to play “Alice in Wonderland” and be surrounded by over hanging trees of dancing light? Well the Phoenix Zoo Lights is not too far off from feeling just like that. The Phoenix Zoo presents their Zoo Lights each year and is located at 455 North Galvin Parkway in Phoenix. This is a magical adventure to say the least. A path of lights envite you  through the zoo displaying every color of light and sounds of Christmas music to go along with the rithum of the lights. There’s coffee and hot chocolate to keep you toasty and Kennel corn to ease those holiday munchies whild admiring the festivities at this evening outing. Zoo lights begins November 24th and runs through to January 8th 2012 and is held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly.  To khnow more about this festive event visit http://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/ZooLights/

A little Thanks Giving history  – November 24th 2011

Thanksgiving dinner is a celebration of Thanksgiving day, a North American holiday. Typical menu items include turkey, potatoes, corn, cranberries and pumpkin pie. A little history doesn’t hurt to know when Americans began celebrating Thanks Giving and why this family tradition began throughout the nation.

Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the U. S.and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the U. S. Thanksgiving in  North America had originated from a joining of European and Native traditions. Typically in Europe, festivals were held before and after the harvest cycles to give thanks for a good harvest, and to rejoice together after much hard work with the rest of the community. At the time, Native Americans had also celebrated the end of a harvest season. When Europeans first arrived to the Americas, they brought with them their own festival of the harvest traditions from Europe.

In the United States, the modern Thanksgiving holiday tradition traces its origins to a 1621 celebration at Plymouth in present-day Massachusetts. There is also evidence for an earlier harvest celebration on the continent by Spanish explorers in Florida during 1565, as well as thanksgiving feasts in the Virginia Colony.  The initial thanksgiving observance at Virginia in 1619 was prompted by the colonists’ leaders on the anniversary of the settlement. The 1621 Plymouth feast and thanksgiving was prompted by a good harvest.

While initially, the Plymouth colony did not have enough food to feed half of the 102 colonists, the Wampanoag Native Americans helped the Pilgrims by providing seeds and teaching them to fish. The practice of holding an annual harvest festival like this did not become a regular affair in New England until the late 1660s; according to Wikapedia.

Enjoy your meal, embrace your family, be thankful for what you have and for all the goodness that surrounds you. Happy Thanks Giving!

Black Friday – November 26th, 2011

This is the one day of the year that falls the day after Thanks Giving where you can find one-day deals, stand in line at 3 am and then shop till you drop! HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

“Do all things as a child ….With open eyes and open heart!” – Lisa Racz

Sincerely,

Lisa Racz - Your local travel writer

The following is a list of the 2011 Fall farm festivals around Arizona for all ages; even the adventureous kid in you.

Buckelew Farms Pumpkin Festival – Tucson

Buckelew Farm will be having its 23^rd annual Pumpkin Festival and Corn Maze located at 17000 West Ajo Highway in Tucson. The activities are held from 10am to 5pm on weekends only, beginning the weekend of October 8th and ends Sunday, October 30th 2011. This is a fall festival is for all ages who enjoy a day of farm life. You’ll enjoy taking a tractor-drawn wagon ride into the pumpkin field to seek out your own pumpkin and then venture into the challenging 11-acre corn maze without getting lost, hopefully! You can also enjoy the arts & crafts tent, fun festival games, feeding the four-legged friends at the 4-H petting zoo and you’ve got to try the pedal cart race track! There’s plenty of food such as, hamburgers, corn on-the-cob, Indian Fry Bread and homemade pumpkin pie! This Pumpkin Festival is ready for you to get your boots dusty as the gates open at 10am with an admission fee of $4 per person. Young ones in diapers are free and the pumpkins are 50 cents per pound.

For more event information call 520- 822-2277 or visit buckelewfamilyfarm.com.

MacDonald’s Ranch Annual Pumpkin Festival   - Scottsdale

Saddle up and mosey your way over to the Annual Pumpkin Festival  at MacDonald’s Ranch located at 26540 N. Scottsdale Road (on Scottsdale Road just 5 miles north of the 101) in Scottsdale and begins October 1st through to the  31st 2011,  from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day except with a closing time of 1 p.m. on Halloween.

The festivities include horse or mule drawn hay rides out to the Pumpkin Patch, Pony rides for  all of the kids, meeting the critters in the petting zoo, Get to know the miniature donkeys, Pete and Repeat. That’s truly their names! Lets not forget the farms miniature pony, Chocolate. There’s also Mary Grace Moo-Cow and the young Colt, Bull’s-eye! Oh my!  Games can be played such as, steer head roping, the game horse shoe and a very large hay maze!You can enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers cooked on the grill that is open 7 days a week, as well as a variety of drinks and more. You can bring your own sack lunch also.

The cost is $8 per person (12 months and younger is free) A can of food gets you a $1 off the admission price (limit one per person).

For more information call 480-585-0239 or visit MacDonald’s Ranch Pumpkin Patch

Mortimer Family Farms formally Youngs Farm – Dewey

The Mortimer Family kicks off October 2011 with their very First  Pumpkin Festival on the Mortimer Family Farm located at 12907 E. State Route 169 (the SE corner of Highway 69 and 169). This farm was previously known as the traditional Youngs Farm. These long-awaited events are running through the entire month of October on the weekends with a different theme each weekend starting with the Patriot County Fair on Saturday, October 1st! 

The following 2011 events are:

• 1st and 2nd – Patriot County Fair
•  8th and 9th - Aqua Fria Festival
• 15th and 16th - the Mile High Tractor Pull (awesome for the guys!)
•  22nd and 23rd - Pumpkin Decorating (for all ages)
•  29th and 30th -  there’s a Costume Competition held so, bring forth the Faries and Gouls! 

They have their very own Farm Animal Kingdom, a petting zoo for the animal lover in you and is just right for kids of all ages. There will be  a variety of food tents for you to browse through, plus Rock Spring Pies, several craft venders, music and of course the traditional Hay Rides!

For more information call Gary and Sharla at 928-830-1116 or visit mortimerfamilyfarms@hotmail.com.

 Mother Nature’s Farm presents Brookes Pumkin Patch – Gilbert

Brooke’s Pumpkin Patch at Mother Nature’s Farm is stocked with fresh pumpkins daily, ranging from 1 ounce to 500 pound pumpkins! Wow! You can begin your pumpkin search at the farm on Saturday, October 1st, 2011 through to the last day on November 4th. The farm is located at 1663 E. Baseline Road and is open daily from 9pm to 9pm, except on Halloween when the farm closes at 3pm. Admission is $3 per adult and $7 per child (pumpkin included for children). Children under 1 year old are free. Children activities include pumpkin decorating, the air bounce, hay ride, straw bounce, feeding the animals and the Alexander’s Adventure Maze. Adult admission includes the hay ride. You should bring a picnic lunch or you can purchase some snacks.

Saturday, October 1, 2011, is the Pumpkin Weigh-Off to start off the festivities. The winners bill be announced at noon the same day.

For more event information call (480) 892-5874. For and instant admission coupon click here: http:// mothernaturesfarm.com/coupons.php

Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party – Queen Creek

Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party located at 24810 Rittenhouse Road in Queen Creek, begins Saturday, October 1st, 2011 through to Sunday, October 30th and is held on Thursdays through Sundays, each week. There is plenty to do at this farm festival such as: traditional hay rides, miniature golf, 4 acre Sonic Burger Maze, country road rally, a honeybee adventure, carousel rides, the petting barn, Hillbilly Bob’s Pig Races, carnival rides, and Arizona’s only gravity roller coaster, Witch Mountain giant slide,  a maze, Rock climbing wall, “live” entertainment, bon fires with marshmallow roasting at 6:30pm, lil’ farmers play yard with lil’ farmer town, the Schnepf Family Museum, a Sweet Shop, their Country Store and Gift shop and  Rocket’s K-9 Comets Frisbee Dog Stars! Whew, that’s a lot!  You can also watch Fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights, weather permitting. Some rides and activities do have additional charges.

Admission is $15 per person (ages 2 and under are free). Discounted tickets are available at Fry’s Supermarkets. Queen Creek and San Tan residents $10 any Thursday (must show proof of residency); seniors (60+) admitted for $8 on Thursdays or Fridays; military with proof $10 per person. For the last weekend, wear a costume and get in for $8.

For more information call 480.987.3100 or visit http:// http://www.schnepffarms.com/event.htm

 Tolmachoff Farms Pumpkin Days and Fall Maze - Glendale

Experience the great big pumpkin patch at Tolmachoff Farms located about 1/4 mile south of Bethany Home Road at 5726 N. 75th Avenue, during the 2011 Fall Pumpkin Days and Fall Maze festival! It’s huge! This festival runs from Saturday, October 1st through Sunday, November 20 except Mondays in November. There’s good ol’ farm family fun to participate in for the whole family. You’ll find a 6 acre family corn maze (a new theme each year) where you search for pieces of your map as you walk through, a mini corn maze (for the young ones), a relaxing petting zoo, the train ride around the farm (weekends only/$2 per person), a hay pyramid for the monkey in you. You can also have fun with farm themed activities like grinding to feed to the chickens, play area and a pedal cart track to race against each other and much more. admission prices are $8 per person (ages 2 and under are free).

For more information on Tolmachff Farm call 623-386-1301

For a admission coupon print out click here: http:// www.tolmachoff-farms.com/corn_maze_pumpkin_patch_glendale_arizona.html

Also published in www.AZGreenMagazine.com.

“Enjoy the vibrancy of the crisp Fall weather and revive yourself among others!” – Lisa Racz

sincerely,

Lisa Racz - Your local travel writer

 Month of September calendared Dates Over View

1. September 5th – Labor Day
2. September 9 – Arizona Antique Market
3. September 9th, 10th, 11th – Guitars Cars and Handlebars
4. September 10th & 11th – Remembering 911 at Tempe Town Lakes
5. September 10th & 11th — Wonder Pet Expo
6. September 11th – Grandparents Day/911 Remberance/Patriots Day
7. September 12th – Phoenix Career Fair
8. September 16th through 18th - The El Zaribah Shrine Circus
9. September 23rd – Official First Day of Autumn
10.  September 24th – Wags and Whiskers Pet Expo, Chandler Mariachi Festival, Chandler October Fest
11. September 24th – Gilbert Art Walk
12. Sept. 19th – 25th – This is National Dog Week
13. September 25th – Fall Wine and Jazz Festival
14. September 28th -Rosh Hashanah Begins
15. September 30th - Moonlight Masquerade

After fighting through the hot summer months, staying mostly indoors, Mother Nature finally relieves use with the beginnings of Winter and the start of cool air. It’s time to get out and stretch those legs! There are plenty of events around the Valley gearing up for one’s enjoyment during September. You just need to know what’s happening and where to go.

 September 5th – Labor Day

Happy Labor Day! Labor Day is celebrated in America as end of the summer. Remember, no wearing white after Labor Day! At least that is what the fashion Guru’s have said traditionally.

The first Monday in September (Labor Day) celebrates the contributions American workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the United States of America. The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882.

This weekend is time for all the hard-working Americans to take it easy and relax by poolside and enjoy family and friends by hosting a BBQ!

Friday, September 9

Arizona Antique Market displays an array of antiques and collectables where one can seek valuable finds from the past.  This antique show runs through to Sunday the 11th. Beginning noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Antique shows are where price haggling takes place and treasure hunting becomes an art. for that one piece that strikes a chord with a buyer. The show takes place at the Expo Center  located at 13802 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 142 in  Scottsdale. Admission and parking are free but, get there early for a good parking spot. For more information call 602-717-7337 or visit www.azantiqueshow.com.

 September 10th & 11th, 2011 – Remembering 911

 On September 11, 2011, Tempe Town Lakes will host  their 8th Annual Healing Field where there  will be a memorial display of three thousand U.S. flags all standing in perfect rows in remembrance of the heroes and those loved ones that were lost to us ten years ago in 2001 this very day. This quieted celebration is displayed reminding all that America remains strong during perilous times and that united we will continue to stand! The memorial is held  September 10th and 11th, 2011 beginning 5:00 am and continues through to 10:00 pm both days and is located at 80 W. Rio Solado Parkway in Tempe, Arizona at the Tempe Beach Park.

September 10th – Phoenix

 Friends of Freedom foundation hosts their third annual Patriots Day celebration in remembrance of  those brave civilians, first responders that heroically sacrificed their lives for our freedom on 911 and their families who support them. The event will take place at Paseo Highlands Park located at  3435 West Pinnacle Peak Road, 85027 in Phoenix and is held from Noon to 9:00 p.m. Speakers  include Senator John McCain, Governor Jan Brewer, Congressman Ben Quayle, Former Vice-President Dan Quayle, Mayer Phil Gordon, Lt. General John Bradley, Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane, Councilman Claude Mattox, and Vice-Mayor Thelda Williams. There will be live music for the crowd. There is an admission charge to get in of $9 and asking for blankets for refugees at the entrance.

September 10th & 11th, 2011 – Phoenix

 Wonder Pet Expo. Got pets? Have an outing with your 4 legged family member on one of these two days. This event takes place on Saturday and Sunday September 10th from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm and  the 11th from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm at the Arizona State Fair Grounds inside the exhibition building where there is air conditioning. There will be disc-dog and dancing-dog demonstrations, weenie races, and pet grooming contests. Pet-related businesses,  breed and pet rescue groups will have their own booths. There will be available discounted vaccines, heartworm and flea prevention  and microchipping. Actress and animal activist, Megan Blake will be with Smiley, the expo’s celebrity pet ambassador. The fairgrounds are located at 1826 W. Mc Dowell Rd. 85007 in Phoenix.  For more information call 480-544-2554 or  visit www.events@wonderpetexpo.com or http://www.WonderPetExpo.com. To view video http://www.youtube.com/user/meganblake#p/

September 10th & 11th, 2011 – Mesa

 This years Guitars and Handlebars event takes place, Friday, Sept 9th from  6 pm-10pm, Saturday, Sept 10th from 10am-10pm and Sunday, Sept 11th from 10am-4pm and admission is free! Ok guys you get a  full weekend of custom motorcycles, cars and guitars.  This year brings  outdoor entertainment performance by classic artists such as band members from Santana, Journey, Steppenwolf, Toto, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Boston. There is plenty of  food,  drinks and beer just waiting to be enjoyed. This celebration ta

September 11, 2011

September 12, 2011 (Monday)

The Phoenix Airport Marriott is presenting a Phoenix Career Fair hosted  by Coast-to-Coast Career Fairs and is held from 11 am to 2 pm today only.  Job seekers are able to meet employers face-to-face for hiring opportunities. Career experts will also be on site to perform resume reviews so, bring those resumes and dress your best. The Phoenix Airport Marriott is located at 1101 N. 44th Street in  Phoenix. This is a free event. For more info call 866-838-5111 or visit  www.coasttocoastcareerfairs.com/career_fairs/details/AZ/Phoenix/Phoenix_register_0911.html

September 16 through 18, 2011

The Circus is coming, the Circus is coming! The El Zaribah Shrine Circus event is held at WestWorld located at 16601 N. Pima Road in Scottsdale For more information call WestWorld at 480-312-6802 or the Circus Hotline 480-946-3696. 

 September 24, 2011

Wags and Whiskers Pet Expo is held at the Sun City Festival Ball Park and runs from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm today. Trainers, charities, groomers, vendors of dog food and apparel, animal hospital representatives, a Buckeye K-9 officer and dog will attend this festival. Participants are educated about how the desert can affect our animals.  There will be pet products for sale along with human food and beverages that will be available. The Sun City Festival Ball Park is located at 27431 W. Beardsley Parkway in  Buckeye. Cat and dog food and toy donations are welcome. For more information call 866-450-9322 or visit www.delwebb.com.

September 24th

Gilbert Art Walks are held in the evenings from  6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on every fourth Friday of the month and will continue through to May 26, 2012. Artists will be  displaying and selling their work that include paintings, sculptures, collages, 3D art, calligraphy, architecture and photography. You can enjoy  music, dance and performed art. Hosted by Arizona Art Promotions, LLC. This relaxing event takes place at  Gilbert Water Tower Park located at 45 W. Page Avenue in  Gilbert and is free to the public. For more information call 480-363-5939 or visit www.gilbertartwalk.com.

September 24th

Chandler Mariachi Festival  The Chandler Coalition for Civil and Human Rights presents an enchanting evening of mexican music and folkloric dance. Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, formed in 1961 and  has performed at the White House and Lincoln Center. The music begins playing at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Chandler Center for the Arts located at 250 N. Arizona Avenue in Chandler. The cost for this musical event is  $20-$50 depending on seating. For more information call 480-782-2680

September 24th

City of Chandler ignites the fall season with their Oktoberfest this afternoon beginning at 2 p.m. and runs to 10 p.m. The festival is held in the parking lot adjacent to SanTan Brewing Company at 8 S. San Marcos Place. Drive and A.J. Chandler Park 3 S. Arizona Avenue in Chandler with an all day entrance fee of $10.  Munch down on  German food from one of the booths and rich Bavarian-style beers from a variety of 100 kegs of featured beer. There’s plenty to do such as German games, arts and crafts in several booths, a bratwurst-eating contest for the food enthusiast and a kids zone with bounce houses and tricycle races for the kids to let off some steam! The festival will, of course, present polka, rock and German performed by live bands. A portion of ticket proceeds benefits the Downtown Chandler Community Foundation.  For more information call  480-782-2727. 

 
 September 25, 2011

Today begins the Fall Wine and Jazz Festival at El Pedragal located at the Boulders Resort 34505 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85266-1204. The cross streets are the Southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Carefree Highway. This year’s Fall Wine and Jazz Festival will run every Sunday, beginning September 25 through to November 20, 2011 from 1:00 pm to 4:00pm. Admission  is free and if  food and wine tasting is your thing, tickets are available for purchase at the event. For more information on the Fall Wine and Jazz Festival call 480-488-1072. 

 September 28th

Rosh Hashanah Begins this evening at sun down to celebrate the Jewish New Year. There will be services held at the Phoenix Hebrew Academy located at 515 E. Bethany Home Road in Phoenix at 11:00 am. Call 480-420-7613. Also at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort  located 5350 E Marriott Drive in Phoenix at 1:00 pm. Call 480-293-5000. The last but, not least service in this article is held at Phoenix Country Day School located at  3901 E. Stanford Drive, Burch Hall in Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 at 7:00 pm. There is no charge to members. Call 480-663-7788

September 30th

Enjoy a Friday night under moon and stars as you venture through this first outdoor event of the season at the Desert Botanical Garden with a Moonlight Masquerade party! You will enjoy a night filled with entertainment from feather fan dancers, live singing and time scheduled music performances, fire breathing acts, the fenominal Bendy Girl, food, cocktails and more! This event runs from 6pm  to 10pm and is for the 21 and older croud with an admission fee of $60 for general admission and $55 for garden members. The Desert Botanical Garden is located  at 1201 N. Galvin Parkway Phoenix, AZ 85008. Enjoy!
For more information visit http://dbg.org/shop/events-exhibitions/moonlight-masquerade-9-30-11 or call the Box Office at 480 481.8188  

 ”Enjoy those adventures away from home but, bring the memory back home.” – Lisa Racz

Sincerely,

Lisa Racz – Your local travel writer

Lisa Racz and horse, Bear

Photo by: Lisa Racz

Whether you just moved to the Phoenix area or have lived here as a native, this hiking spot will leave memories in a nature lover forever, because of the natural beauty surrounding the paths and continual wildlife among the flowing creek at  the “Jewel of the Desert.” A hiking spot true to its name.

Photo by: Lisa Racz

Flowering desert sage, whispering cottonwoods, towering Saguaro cactus along with the hushed trill of cool water welcome phoenix residents seeking a hiking oasis from out of the heat into a rare, natural sanctuary.

A few miles north of Phoenix in the historic town of Cave Creek, lies a hidden hiking trail known to locals as the “Jewel of the Desert.”

The actual name for this hiking spot is the Jewel of the Creek Preserve, which inhabits 27 miles of rare desert preserve trust land surrounding a flowing stream.

According to Stacy Fischer, conservation director with Desert Foothills Land Trust, “This trail spot received its name when it was reclassified as a rare conservation land site in 1998. Then the Desert foothills Land Trust purchased the 27 acres of preserve lands from the State Land Department in 2001, placing these acres in permanent protection.”   

To find this trail, take Cave Creek Road north from Phoenix into the town of Cave Creek and turn left at the old Cracked Crab Restaurant onto Spur Cross Road for about four miles. Spur Cross Road soon turns into a smooth dirt road for the last mile where it ends at the Spur Cross Ranch on the right. Parking for Spur Cross hiking trailhead at the Jewel of the Desert is located on the left, jut in front of an unusual misplaced house that some locals like to call, “Adams family house.”

The creek got the name Cave Creek from different stories ranging from folklore tales of “Old Rackensack”, to caves left by mining prospectors and hostile Indians who often used the large cave north of the creek as a camp back in the 1870’s. This northern cave is now on private property and is off-limits to hikers, but the Land Trust gives six tours a year to the northern cave with cooperation from the property owners.

According to Jay Williams, board member of Cave Creek Museum in Cave Creek, “Legend says, Ed Cave (Old Rackensak) was an old prospector who lived in the cave for nine years, sickened with mercury poisoning. One day the local woman found the cave empty and assumed he died and the animals dragged his bones away.”

The truth is more historical than the legendary old Ed Cave where prospectors worked the caves after some soldiers found shiny stones in the water.

“Prospectors referred to the stream as cave Creek in 1870 when the Cave Creek Mining District was established, “ states Williams “An old military map dated in 1866 shows the location of the cave and referred to the stream as Cave Creek.”

 The hiking trail is fairly easy with a slight incline down into an array of flora and fauna with colorful desert flowers, ivy, red flamed ocotillos and a canopy of diverse tree species. During the Summer months, the hike down towards the creek trails is dry, but once you are down by the creek the landscape changes to lush greenery, especially in the Springtime.

According to Stacy Fischer, conservation director at Desert Foothills Land Trust, “The Jewel of the Creek is unusual and differs from other valley hiking spots because it contains three distinct habitat types, Sonoran Desert Upland, Mesquite Bosque and Riparian. The riparian area is supported by year round water and is home to a beautiful over-story of Cotton woods, Gooding’s Willow, Arizona Ash, Sycamore, Arizona Walnut and rising Saguaro Cactus; all in close proximity.”

The hot desert and cactus gives way to butterfly laden paths leading to trickling cool waters and a diverse scene of animal species that is revealed below at the creek where you will find the reason this trail site is called the jewel.

“The Jewel Creek preserve holds much wildlife such as the Sonoran Mud Turtles, Lowland Leopard Frogs, Canyon Tree Frogs and long list of colorful, singing birds,” states Fischer.

The creek preserve is surrounded by stair-stepped rock formations waiting to be explored, sandy shores for relaxing and pick-nicking along side mini grassy fields buzzing with Arizona’s pollinators and small scurrying creatures below the blades.

“Riparian lands are among the highest places for biodiversity in our area and the Jewel represents an important wildlife habitat area as well as passive recreation.” says Fischer.

The Jewel of the Creek is becoming a popular hiking spot, but there are a few environment rules that are to be followed.

“There are daily visitors with more on the weekend and less during the hot summer months. Desert Foothills Land Trust just added a new trail, Dragonfly trail, in February 2009. There are no dogs, horses or mountain bikes aloud nor fires or camping in the area. These are hiking trails only,” exclaims Fischer.

For more information on The Jewel of the Creek or guided tours, contact Stacy Fisher at 480-488-6131 or e-mail sfischer@dflt.org. For historic information on Cave Creek call Jay Williams at Cave Creek Museum at 480-488-2764.

“There are many jewels that come naturally on our Earth and when found, they are treasured for those who enjoy the finer things in life, nature.” Lisa Racz

“Travel green and with softer steps.” Lisa Racz

Sincerely,

Lisa Racz

Your local travel writer

32 Shea cafe - Photo by Lisa Racz

The coffee begins brewing by 6 am at this rustic indoor-outdoor Café as customers walk up to the Tuscany looking wooden bar with a large laughing Buda staring back at them, surrounded by freshly baked goods. Hanging lanterns from India illuminate a rainbow of colors from the morning light seeping in from the many windows that align the walls, giving an old-world feeling to the newly remodeled café.

Coffe bar inside 32 Shea cafe - Photo by Lisa Racz

While waiting for a morning caffeine fix, upbeat Celtic or Jazz music plays in the back ground while the delights of the chalked in menu board above the espresso machine entices the eye as the drive through window off to the side buzzes of morning breakfast customers ordering egg sandwiches, breakfast burritos or smoothies, all baked freshly right in the kitchen. The eggs are even baked instead of fried.

32 Shea café opened its doors the 15^th of January 2011 at 10626 N. 32^nd St., located on the northwest corner of 32^nd Street and Shea Boulevard, just off from the 51 freeway, but with the surrounding Palm trees shading the outside patio seating and smells of freshly made food in the air, you rarely notice the surrounding traffic and it becomes a hidden neighborhood oasis.

This café is open to the public, Monday through Thursday from 6am to 10 pm, Friday and Saturdays from 7am through 12am, Sundays from 7am to 4pm and with the drive-through open every day until 4pm.

Rebecca Golden, owner of 32 Shea café and a dog owner herself had the idea to open a dog-friendly café that fit the dog-friendly residents within Arcadia neighborhood area.

Rebecca enjoying a minute with her dogs on the outside patio of 32 Shea Cafe - Photo by Lisa Racz

“I love spending time with my dogs, Goose and Google and found that there were very few places in town that allowed dogs,” Golden says. “Many people also want to have a sit down drink or lunch with their dogs after a hike and before I opened my dog friendly establishment, there was no place for these residents to take their dogs with them in this are.”

With already returning customers, by lunch time, there can be the sounds of pattering paws on the outside patio and the chatter amongst friends while enjoying one of the gourmet sandwiches such as the OMG, made with Prosciutto, Mascarpone and fig or another tasty dish from the menu. 

“The first week we had returning customers coming through the drive-thru two and three times a day,” Says Golden. ‘The response has been amazing and we here at 32 Shea café thank everyone for sticking with us.”

This establishment holds a limited seating space that makes it all the quainter. You can have a conversation with those you are eating with, without having to roar above the noise of other conversations, which this makes it a calm place to take your dogs.

“We have seating for twenty people, comfortably inside and seating for thirty people outside on our shaded dog-friendly patio where you can soak in the views of Piestewa Peak,” says Golden.

What makes this a one of a kind dog-friendly eating establishment is that along with the human breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, there is also a doggie menu for the four-legged dining customer.

“We here at 32 Shea have a unique doggie menu that includes a Puppucino, a variety of dogs treats and or course Chow-Mein,” says Golden.

Though, this is a dog-friendly café, there are a few points of etiquette that dogs and their human need to follow according to the Health Department. The following points are required for those bringing their dogs into the patio area.

• Dogs are not allowed in the café itself, but are allowed on the dog-friendly shaded patio only.
• All dogs must be leashed in the patio area and with current tags on their collar.
• Dogs are shall not be on any chair, table or in anyone’s lap. They can be on a doggie cushion, if provided by the owner, on ground level.
•  Make sure your dog has been exercised before seating in the patio area so no accidents happen while patrons are eating.
• Not all dogs get along, so if ones dog does not want to behave, it’s best to take them home at that point.

 May begins the start of dinner service for 32 Shea Café and with the newly acquired liquor license, there can be an evening atmosphere presented at the Café slash restaurant beginning in May.

“Our café is ever evolving and the liquor license will allow us to cater to the evening customers that will include table service, dinner of featured entries of the moment and drinks,” says Golden. ‘We will begin having periodic wine dinners along with chocolate and wine tastings now.”

With 32 Shea Café having a full liquor license, customers are able to come in the afternoon and have a glass of wine from an international selection or a specialty craft beer.

“Our wines are from Italian Montepulcano and Amarone, New Zealand Malbec and from California Pinot Noir wineries and our liquors are all top shelf and created a fun mixology menu using muddling techniques and homemade mixers.” says Golden.

For more information on 32 Shea Café call 602-867-7432 or visit www.32shea.com.

“Eat Drink, Be Merry and enjoy the simplicity of spending quality time with your four-legged family members!”

Sincerely,

Lisa Racz

Your local travel writer.

Summer begins the typical time when most families can take a vacation or when students can finally get away from books and have some fun, but what if you’re on a budget?

With the cost of gas rising and Flight companies tagging on extra charges on top of the airfare, making traveling expensive, more people are looking to have some summer fun without breaking the bank.

There several low-cost, fun activities right in Phoenix’s own back yard such as movie theater discount days for the general public, free museum days, Concerts in the park, free movie nights at Pointe Tapatio resorts, Home Depot’s free first Saturday’s activities and free DVD, CD and books at local libraries with a valid library card, just to name a few.

Harkins Movie Discounts

 Harkins theaters around the city offers discounted movies for students at a designated time by the theater, when presented with a student I.D. at the ticket window.

According to Troi Armendariz, senior manager, of Harkins Theater, located at 3420 E. Bell Road, just west of the 51 Freeway, “Harkins give student discounts towards regular movie showings, seven days a week after 6pm down to $7 dollars per person from the regular price of $9.50 per person with student ID and all our Cinema movie showings before 6pm are always $7 per person, so those tickets are already discounted.”  

For information on Harkins movie discounts call 602-482-4083 or visit www.harkinstheaters.com. 

AMC Theater movie discount days

AMC Theaters also, has discounted movie days throughout the summer for all the general public to enjoy when purchasing tickets the Box office.

According to Ryan Meledrez, supervisor at AMC Theater, located on 21001 N. Tatum Boulevard at Desert Ridge Mall, “AMC has discounted tickets down to $5 for everyone from Mondays through Thursdays for movies showing before 6 pm for general movie playing which doesn’t include 3-D or I Max movie playing.”

This $5 discounted movie price is also good on Friday, Saturday and Sundays for movies showing before noon for the early birds. The Popcorn, drinks, candy at the concession stands are not discounted. To find more information on discounted AMC movies visit www.wildaboutmovies.com.

Free Museum Days

Each May of every year starts off the celebration of the International Museum Day designated by The International Council of Museums. Each day throughout the summer and on, most museums have a designated free day for the public in the month of May through the summer. Some have specific “free days” throughout the entire year.

There are several museums around the Phoenix Metropolitan area that participate in “Arizona museum free days” The following are some of the participating museums in alphabetical order to find out the designated “free days”.                                                                     

• African American Multicultural Museum located at 617 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. Contact 480-314-4400
• Arizona Military Museum - Located on the Papago Military Reservation at 5600 East McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ.
• Arizona Museum of Natural History (The Dinosaur Museum) located at 53 N. MacDonald in Mesa. Contact 480-644-2230 or visit www.azmnh.org
• Arizona Museum for Youth, located at 35 N. Robson Rd. in Mesa. Contact 480-644-2467.
• Challenger Space Museum in Peoria
• Dear Valley Rock Art Center, located at 3711 W. Deer Valley Road, just north of the 101 freeway. Contact 623-582-8007
• The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix
• The Heard Museum, located at 2301 N. Central Avenue in downtown Phoenix. Contact 602-252-8848.
• International Wildlife Museum in Tucson Arizona
• The Phoenix Art Museum, located at 1625 N. Central Avenue in Phoenix. Contact 602-257-1222.
• The Phoenix Zoo located just South of McDowell Road
• The Pueblo Grande Museum located at 4619 East Washington St. in Phoenix. Contact 602-495-0901.

This is just to name a few of the participating museums in the valley that have free admission days. To find out more participating museums visit www.phoenix.about.com/freemuseums.

Concert in the Garden

Desert Botanical Gardens, located at 1201 E. Galvin Parkway, just north of the Phoenix Zoo, hosts “Music in the Garden” throughout the summer. These concert series are held out in the open within the garden, underneath the star filled night sky.

According to Doug Walton, customer service and event coordinator at Desert Botanical Gardens, “On most Fridays, starting from 7pm until 9pm, people can enjoy listening or dancing to music ranging from jazz to Celtic rock, now until June 24^th.” Discounted tickets come with a membership to the garden.

For further information on “Music in the Garden” at the Desert Botanical Gardens visit www.dbg.org/events.

Free Movie night at Pointe Tapatio Resort

Every summer The Pointe Tapatio Resort located at 11111 N. 7^th Street, just south of Thunderbird, shows free pool side movies at the Falls water village for resort guests as well as the general public on Saturday nights. These are family oriented movies that rate from G movies to PG13. No rated R movies.

According to Erick Quintero, sale representative for the Falls at Pointe Tapatio, “Our free summer movies provided to the general public, begin at the end of May, showing from 7 or 7:30 pm (depending on when the sun sets) until the movie ends and continues until the middle of August with popcorn, candy and sodas at a minimal cost.”

The general public will need to call for seating capacity, before being allowed in to join the free movie fun.“Almost all of the time we have plenty of room for the general public and welcome them in for family movie night,” says Quintero.

For more information on Tapito’s free movie nights, call 602-866-7500.

Free Home Depot Kids Workshop

If you have kids and have a Home Depot in your neighborhood, then this workshop, for both girls and boys, is a fun activity for really the entire family and teaches tool safety, how to put together indoor and outdoor wood projects that can be used around the house and your child receives a free orange Home Depot apron, all free of charge!

Every first Saturday of the month home Depot hosts their “Home Depot Kids Workshops” during the morning hours until around 11 am that is geared towards the ages of 5 to 12 years old and where parents can have one on one interaction with their child (children) by learning to build take-home items such as, toolboxes, fire trucks, mail envelope organizers, birdhouses, bughouses wood flower planters and even a  Declaration of Independence frame with a copy of the Declaration included. 

May’s kids workshop will be just in time for Mothers Day with a project of building a Mothers Day tulip planter.

For more information on free Home Depot kids workshops on every first Saturday of every month call your closest Home Depot for exact workshop hours or visit www.homedepot.com/free-home-depot-kids-workshop-first-saturday-month/

Freebies at the Public Library

Public Libraries have free movie, books and music rentals. A library card is all that is needed in order to rent from public libraries. According to Alicia Martin, librarian at Juniper Library, located at 1825 W. Union Hills Road, “You can check out up to 33 free items at the same time on one library card that include CD’s, Auto books and DVD’s, but the DVD’s need to be returned at the end of the week.”

These are just a few local activities for the general public to participate in during the summer for little or no cost. For more activities, visit www.azcentral.com/summeractivities.  

Make this summer be free from the stress of the economy by enjoying what the Valley of the Sun has to offer with out breaking the family’s bank.

“Work hard, but play hard as well! ‘That is the European motto to create harmony in family.”

Sincerely,

Lisa Racz

Your local Travel Writer

The following are a variety of activities for local families, singles and traveling visitors to experience and enjoy with music, food, the great outdoors and great company.

International Film Festival 2011

The month of April reels out the tradition of the International Film Festival that runs from Friday, April 1st, 2011 through April 20th, 2011 and is being held in Tucson, Arizona at The Screening Room,  Crossroads Festival, The Fox Theatre, The Art Institute of Tucson and other sites throughout Tucson. This year represents the 20th year of film celebrations unveiling over 110 films representing 20 countries to be featured in Arizona’s longest running and largest film festival.

In conjunction with The Art institute of Tucson, the festival will present a three-day film summit for filmmakers to discuss the state of the industry and learn more about writing, producing and composing music for film. The film summit will take place Friday April 8th through Sunday April 10th, 2011 at The Art Institute of Tucson.

The Arizona International Film Festival is a project of the Arizona Media Arts Center and is supported by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, The Art Institute of Tucson and the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

For more festival information visit www.filmfestivalarizona.com.

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Last Weekend for the 2011 Arizona Renaissance Festival - The first weekend in April

 This year’s AZ Renaissance Festival, runs every Saturday and Sunday, March 1, 2011 through Sunday, April 3, 2011 and is located near the foothills of the Superstition Mountains on State Highway 60, east of Apache Junction, just east of Gold Canyon Golf Resort.

Advanced discount tickets on-line www.RenFestInfo.com or buy them at Fry’s and Fry’s Marketplace for $18 for adults and $6 for kids ages 5 – 12; children under 5 are always FREE! Tickets purchased at the Festival Box Office are $2 more. Discount tickets for seniors available only at the Festival Box Office. Parking is free! Kazaa!!

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 Sunnyslope 2011 April Art Walk

This art walk takes place each year on the second Saturday in April. This years Sunnyslope Art Walk will be held on Saturday, April 9th, 2011 with the festivities and music beginning at 5 pm until 9 pm. The starting point for the art walk traditionally begins with Grinders Coffee located on the southeast corner of Dunlap Avenue and Central. This is north central Phoenix. The festivities move southward along Central from Grinders up to the canal. There will be live music food and drinks to sample, provided by the local restaurants along the route and a variety of artists presenting paintings, photography, metal work and wearable art. All to appease the artistic senses.  Each year brings a great turnout of visitors and bands. For more information on Sunnyslope Art walk visit www.sunnyslopecommunity.org.

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The 2011 Arizona Book Festival at Margaret T. Hance Park

 Each year the City of Phoenix puts on the largest annual book fair which is held at the beginning of the month of April (date changes) with book readings and book signing by over 80 authors , held outdoors at the  Margaret T. Hance Park  located at 1134 North Central Avenue (South of McDowell Road & Central Avenue) Phoenix, AZ 85004 in central Phoenix. The Arizona Book Fair was created to showcase writers of the West and South, as well as book-related events that take place cultural spaces. This event includes children’s activities, music, and food. The festival organizers rented nearly 80 exhibit booths to bookstores, libraries, and publishers.

For mor information and exact date for this book festival contact Margaret Hance Park  at 602 534 2406.

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Scottsdale Culinary Festival 2011

This years Culinary Festival flames through 6 days of flavorful foods, enticing wines to roll over the taste buds along with  continual music. Scottsdale will be hosting its 33rd annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival beginning Tuesday, April 5th and entertaining through to Sunday 10th, 2011 at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, located 7380 E. 2nd St, in downtown Scottsdale, Arizona.

Park at the Parking garage located west of the Center for the Performing Arts building, directly behind Los Olivos Restaurant on Wells Fargo Ave. Additional  garage parking, located on Drinkwater Blvd., just south of Indian School Rd.

The cost for this event is $65.00 per person.  For more information on the Scottsdale Culinary Festival, please contact the Scottsdale League for the Arts administration office at 480-945-7193

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The Great Arizona Puppet Theater/The Tale of Peter Rabbit

The performance of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” is a classic that can be enjoyed by the youngest to oldest family member. This is a tale originally told in a fable book by the writer, Beatrix Potter, which has been read to children in many households and is now being told through puppetry at one of Arizona’s last running puppet theaters, established in 1983.

This classic story will be showing for most of April, from Wednesday, April 6th through Sunday, April 24th, 2011 with a special performance on the 23rd, The National Day of Puppetry.

According to Natalia Ronceria Ceballos, office manager at The Great Arizona Puppet Theater, “The “Tale of Peter Rabbit” has been in our theaters repertoire for fifteen years as a spring celebration .” 

For information on pricing, Showtime’s and theater directions visit info@azpuppets.org or contact the theater at 602-262-2050.

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The Dolly Sanchez Memorial Easter Egg Hunt presents their 35^th year in Peoria

            This year’s Easter event is in its’ thirty fifth year of hosting the largest outdoor Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 23, 2011 with the gate opening at  8:00 a.m. to noon at the Peoria Sports Complex, located at 16101 N. 83^rd Ave just south of Bell Rd. Parking and admission is free with a donation of canned food to benefit St. Mary’s Westside Food Bank Alliance.

For more information on the events at the Dolly Sanchez Memorial Easter egg hunt contact Kelli Kincaid-Broady at 623-7737137.

To find more Easter events to participate in this year visit www.phoenix,about.com/events/easter.

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Earth Day Celebrations In Arizona

This year Earth Day 2011 will be celebrating its 41st Anniversary as a well celebrated holiday in many countries around the world. Earth Day  is held on Friday, April 22nd, 2011 this year.

How is earth day celebrated in Arizona?

One of the Largest Earth Day event at Downtown Cesar Chaves Plaza

Help keep Phoenix clean and beautiful by celebrating the 41st anniversary of Earth Day in downtown Phoenix!  Join Keep Phoenix Beautiful  Earth Day, one of the largest Earth Day event on Thursday,  April 21st, 2011 beginning at 11:00 am with activities through 1:30 pm at Cesar Chavez Plaza directly across from City Hall.  There will be activities to  learn about recycling and sustainability, take home useful freebies and share the enthusiasm with thousands of other environmentally minded people!   On Friday, April 22nd this Earth Day event will signify a day of service by planting trees and flowers donated by sponsors as well as sprucing up the Cesar Chavez Plaza. We look forward to seeing you there!

Pioneer Living History Museum Celebrates Earth Day

Take a step back in time at Pioneer Living History Museum by celebrating Earth Day with a bang! This Earth Day celebration is Friday, April 29th and Saturday, April 30th, 2011 located at 3901 West Pioneer Road in north Phoenix just off of the I-17 Freeway on Pioneer Road. The event starts at 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on both days with an entry fee of $5 per person.

There will be tree planting throughout the day and participants can dig into a plant a seed take home project. There will be music, youth activities of plant identifying and earth friendly science project booths.  Also, Sonoran Wildlife Services will have special critters on display with Mark Paulat present to answer questions. There is a rustic restaurant on site for a country sit down meal.

To find out mor on Pioneer’s Earth Day visit www.pioneeraz.org.  For more information on Earth Day events visit www.earthday.com.

Enjoy and experience the many events around the Valley and please leave a comment on this article.

“Make this April a Spring filled adventure and laugh with pets, friends and family!”

Sincerely,

Lisa Racz – Arizona

Your local Travel Writer

The following are some ideas for families or individuals to participate in, wich are also reasonable in price and will keep you entertained during the month of March 2011. Events are presented in date order. 

The 2011 Arizona Renaissance Festival

 

 This year’s AZ Renaissance Festival, runs every Saturday and Sunday, March 1, 2011 through April 3, 2011 and is located near the foothills of the Superstition Mountains on State Highway 60, east of Apache Junction, just east of Gold Canyon Golf Resort.

Advanced discount tickets on-line www.RenFestInfo.com or buy them at Fry’s and Fry’s Marketplace for $18 for adults and $6 for kids ages 5 – 12; children under 5 are always FREE! Tickets purchased at the Festival Box Office are $2 more. Discount tickets for seniors available only at the Festival Box Office. Parking is free! Kazaa!!

Its Mardi Gras 2011!!!!!!!

Mardi Gras is known to be celebrated on the beginning of March. March 8th to be exact, but where to go to celebrate in the Phoenix vicinity? Here’s a couple of ideas.

Tempe annually hosts one of the largest Mardi Gras street party, Louisiana style! This years event is held on March 4th, 2011 at the Hacket House, located one block west of Mill Avenue at 95 W. Fourth Street. The event starts at 5:30 pm till 8:30 pm. The entry cost is  $25 per person or $45 for two, which  includes 1 drink per person. There will be Cajun style cuisine such a Jambalaya and more, New Orleans style music (live), free Mardi Gras beads and French Quarter drinks are available to purchase. Costumes are suggested and  prizes will be awarded for the King and Queen.  Pre-paid reservations required. Please call 480-350-8181.

Arizona also reveals its very own Mardi Gras Bar and Grill located at 8040 E. McDowell in Scottsdale. This bar is open from 11:00 am till 2:00 am. Call for details 480-970-5707

Need a Costume?? Contact the Mardi Gras Costume Shop
5895 N. Granite Reef Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Phone: (480) 948-4030 / Fax: (480) 948-0754
Email: info@mardigrascostumeshop.com

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Catlin Court Spring Fling in Glendale/ Paris in the Spring French Market and Sidewalk Café

With March being the French theme, you’ll want to be sure to wear your beret on March 5th, 2011 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and enjoy french style music, an art show, French Market, spectacular shopping and delicious dining located in Historic Downtown Glendale, Arizona. Dine at the 58th Avenue Sidewalk Parisian Café on Saturday (call 623-847-3232 for reservations).For more information, call 623-930-4500 or visit www.VisitGlendale.com

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Maricopa County Home and Garden Show

This years show will be held March 4,5 and 6th, 2011  at the University of Phoenix Stadium located on 1 Cardinals Drive in Glendale, Arizona 85305. (Glendale Ave and the 101). The hours are, Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sunday 10am to 5pm. The admission prices are as follows:

Adult: $5.00, 3-12 $2.00, 2 and under Free. 
Senior Day: Friday 10am to noon – $1 admission for all Seniors 60 and over.
Customer Happy Hour: Friday between 4pm and 6pm.  $1 admission for everyone.  For more information visit www.MaricopaCountyHomeShows.com

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Art Festival

The town of Cave Creek presents its 2nd annual Art Festival starting on March 4th 2011 through March 6th 2011 and runs from 10am to 5pm each day. This years festival will present a variety of works from  more than 50 artists along  with music entertainment entertainment and tasty foods. The festival is held at the Stagecoach Village Shopping Center just off of Cave Creek Highway. The festival address is, 7100 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, Arizona 85331. (Cave Creek Rd. & Calloway Dr.) Pets are welcome and parking is free!

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day 2011 – Parade and Fair!

why is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated on March 17th? One theory is that is the day St. Patrick died

Each year Phoenix hosts an annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This year Phoenix will be celebrating its 28th Anniversary Parade!! This years parade will be held on Saturday, March 12th, 2011 and begins at 10:00 am. The starting location of the parade will be on 3rd Street and travels south from Virginia to Moreland.The Parade has marching bands, Irish step dancers, bagpipers, floats and more.  For parade map visit http://www.phxirish.org/forms/Parade_Map.pdf

The Fair will follow immediately after the parade at Margaret T. Hance Park located on N. Central Avenue and W. Culver Street (next to the Irish Cultural Center). The Irish Family Faire admission is $10 for people ages 12 & over, $8 for seniors 55+ and military, $1 for ages 6 – 12, and kids under 6 are admitted free. For more detailed information on the St. Patty’s Fair visit http://phoenix.about.com/od/events/a/stpatricks.htm

Where are all the Irish on St Patty’s Day, March 17th, 2011?? Probably at a true Irish pub. Here’s a list of  Irish hang-outs for the true Irish with in ya!

• Rúla Búla Irish Pub is located at 401 S. Mill Avenue in Tempe and is open seven days a week. For hours and special St. Patrick Day events call 480-929-9500 or visit http://www.rulabula.com.
• Rosie McCaffrey’s Irish Pub is located at 906 E. Camelback Road in Phoenix. For hours cal 602-241-1916 or visit www.rosiemccaffreys.com.
•  The Dubliner Irish Pub is located at 3841 E. Thunderbird Road in Phoenix. Call 602-867-0984 or visit www.dublinerpub.com.
• O’Connors Pub is located at 2601 W. Dunlap Avenue in Phoenix. Call 602-997-7714 or visit www.oconnorspub.com.
• Seamus McCaffrey’s Irish Pub is located at 18 W. Monroe Street in Phoenix. Call 602-253-6081 or visit www.seamusmccaffrey.com.

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2011 Spring Break  from March 14th through the 25th, 2011

Happy Spring Break!!  Have fun what ever you plan on doing!!!!!

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Luke Days – A Two-Day Air Show Event

Luke Days is a special event held at Luke Air Force Base located at Litchfield park in Arizona and is held every other odd-numbered year. On March 19 and 20, 2011 the gates will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with scheduled flying acts beginning at 11 a.m. This years event theme is “70 Years of Thunder.” That is actually no joke, as this event can get loud at times. This event is free to the public.

The two-day show displays exquisite aerial demonstrations, aircraft ground displays (where you can see the planes up close for free), exhibits, and performances such as, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and  The Golden Knights parachute team. Both will be performing both Saturday and Sunday. There is even a Kids Zone for kids.Visitors can buy tickets for activities there. Tickets will be discounted for military families. Food and beverages can be purchased and free water bottles will be available.

It is predicted to be over one hundred thousand people at this event this year and because of the noise, pets are not allowed. There are also some public restrictions. No blankets or lawn chairs will be allowed past the gates (you can rent chairs), no pick-nick coolers or baskets are allowed and of course no fire arms.

Bring your binoculars, a camera or video camera for this event! Also, dress in layers, because mornings will be cool and then warm up in the afternoon. You’ll be looking up quite a bit so don’t forget your hats nd sunscreen. Have fun!

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“The richness of spring brings vibrancy and celebration of travel!”

Travel well,

Lisa Racz

Arizona’s Travel Writer