Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Celebration of Fine Art: Jenny Foster

015 marks the 25th anniversary of Celebration of Fine Art, where more than 100 juried artists come from all over the United States to create and sell their work in temporary working studios. To celebrate this silver anniversary, we’re highlighting some extremely talented artists and passionate collectors from Celebration of Fine Art. Jenny Foster has one rule for her art…it has to be happy. It can be anything, but it has to radiate happiness. Get to know Jenny and be sure to check out more of his work at Celebration of Fine Art (January 17 – March 29, 2015)!



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Friday, December 12, 2014

Best Sunsets of 2014

The sun is setting on 2014. What better time to recap some of the best sunsets we saw here in Scottsdale this past year? So take in all the beauty of last year, and look ahead to all to come in the next. Here’s to a great 2015!






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Tuesday, December 9, 2014

A Guide to Hiking Camelback

Camelback Mountain_Close

Hiking Camelback Mountain is one of the most popular activities to do when visiting Scottsdale. The climb up either of the two trails, Echo Canyon and Cholla, provides great views, interesting rock formations and a 1,200-foot elevation change. The summit of Camelback offers 360-degree views that overlook Scottsdale and all its surrounding cities. The view is no-doubt worth the climb, but there are a few things you should know before embarking on the journey.



  • Bring water! As with any hike, be sure to bring plenty of water for everyone in your party (including your four-legged friends). Even though the trail isn’t long, the elevation change more than makes up for that.

  • Prepare to get your hands dirty. Echo Canyon has steep hills that require some climbing over large boulders. It’s nothing too extreme, but be aware that this isn’t a walk in the park.

  • The trails are busy on the weekends. Like, really busy. The park will close once it reaches capacity, so have a backup plan just in case.

  • Hikers climbing uphill have the right of way. There are a lot of runners who like to run up the mountain, so when you’re on your way down, it’s easier for everyone if you stop and move out of the way.

  • Have good shoes with grip. Hiking boots are the best, but running shoes also do the trick just fine. Make sure they have decent tread left though, as the dust and smooth rocks make for a slippery situation.

  • Don’t forget your camera. The view from the top is unforgettable!

  • Have good restaurant picked out for after because you’ll be hungry. Trust us.





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Monday, December 8, 2014

Skiing at the Westin Kierland

westin1

You may not think of us as a Christmas town but, more and more, Scottsdale’s got a lot to offer during the holiday season. There is Las Noches de Las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden, Sister’s Christmas Catechism at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and now, Family FunFest at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa.


I had the opportunity to swing by the inaugural Family FunFest to check out the festivities. Upon entering the FunFest (which is out by the pool complex, making it feel legitimately cold), I was loaded up with wristbands for the all-you-can eat chili and s’mores bars and access unlimited activities. After a bit of convincing, I also opted in for the SnoPro, a ski simulator. Oh yes, you read that right – an actual ski simulator in Scottsdale, AZ. More on that (and my attempts to ski) later.


Family FunFest is filled with activities geared towards children three and older. You can snap a selfie with Santa, make holiday crafts, decorate cookies, ride a holiday train, watch a magic show and more. $10 will get you in to the FunFest and an additional $5 provides access to the s’mores bar, which includes coconut and oreo dipped marshmallows, dark chocolate and peppermint patties, plus all the usual fixin’s. Also available are holiday-inspired cocktails and the gourmet chili bar, with choices of Elk Tomatillo, Turkey or Vegetarian and about 15 different toppings.


Before I settled in with a cocktail that tasted like butterscotch candy and some yummy comfort food, I tried my skills on the SnoPro. It’s basically a slope with carpet rolling up it. When you are pointed downslope, the SnoPro gives you the feeling of skiing or snowboarding. Before hitting the “slopes”, you’re outfitted with skis or a snowboard and boots. Since my only attempt at snowboarding was nothing short of a disaster, I opted for the skis.


Once I was all suited up, I climbed up on the SnoPro. There was guided instruction throughout the 30-minute course, providing me with a fast-track of all the techniques I had forgotten since I last skied, which was sometime last decade. They taught me the snow-plow, how to move from side to side along the slope and provided continual instruction for my posture and performance. I was a bit nervous at first but was having lots of fun by the end.


If you decide to test out the SnoPro, plan to pay $25 for the first rider and $5 for each additional rider, up to four riders. As an added bonus, they throw in a $20 discount to a one-day lift ticket at Arizona Snowbowl. The sessions are 30 minutes each and, while that may sound short, it was about as much as my body could handle. One session is equivalent to one day on the slopes and, two days later, I’m feeling. My body is sore and I literally felt as if I had spent all day skiing. But, it was absolutely worth it; better than any crash course you could take at an actual ski resort. There are no bumps, other skiers, wet snow or chair lifts to contend with. Just you and pure, pristine carpet.


We finished off our evening by watching the 3-D Holiday Paintscaping Lightshow on the north side of the hotel, just outside the doors from the lobby bar area. This animated light show is set to music and is multiple stories high. Everything is holiday-themed, with elves scampering about, Santa flying across the sky and Christmas carols filling the speakers. Paintscaping is free and open to the public.


Be sure to swing by the Westin Kierland this month, and check out all of their holiday-inspired activities. PaintScaping takes places daily, every 30 minutes from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. and the FunFest is open from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays between Nov. 28 and Dec. 20, 2014.






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Saturday, December 6, 2014

[Football] Nassau Community College Takes Home The Valley Of The Sun Bowl

NCC defeats SCC 34-27 in the Valley of the Sun Bowl this afternoon.






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[Football] Valley of the Sun Bowl Available Via Live Video Stream

Kick-off is set for Saturday, December 6th at 2:00 PM.






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Friday, December 5, 2014

Celebration of Fine Art: James Randle

2015 marks the 25th anniversary of Celebration of Fine Art, where more than 100 juried artists come from all over the United States to create and sell their work in temporary working studios. To celebrate this silver anniversary, we’re highlighting some extremely talented artists and passionate collectors from Celebration of Fine Art. James Randle takes everyday urban images from well known cities and turns them into works of art. Get to know James and be sure to check out more of his work at Celebration of Fine Art (January 17 – March 29, 2015)!



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[Football] Valley of the Sun Bowl This Saturday

#7 SCC faces #6 Nassau CC in Valley of the Sun Bowl






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