Phoenix Update for June 2010 and Summer

Arizona Science Center announces the grand opening of its newly renovated gallery, Solarville, located in the APS Solar Gallery. Focused on sustainability, this hands-on gallery takes you on a stroll through scientific labs, not only studying the sun, but also how we harness and distribute sustainable green energy—from algae, to alternative fuels, to poop!

Phoenix Art Museum is the exclusive venue for Ansel Adams: Discoveries. Ansel Adams: Discoveries, offers new insights into the photographer’s greatest works by bringing the unparalleled holding of the Center for Creative Photography’s Ansel Adams archive to light. It features 120 photographs and dozens of rare archival documents and materials.

Sea Life Arizona celebrated its Grand Opening on May 14. Sea Life Arizona is designed to provide a fun, interactive and educational experience for kids. The 26,000 square foot aquarium includes more than 30 display tanks in 12 different habitat zones featuring more than 5,000 creatures. Enjoy a fun and educational experience this summer at Greater Phoenix’s newest addition.

The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa has again partnered with the LEGO® Store and Arizona Science Center to offer a fun-filled and memorable summer family getaway. Offered twice, June 18 -19 and again on July 16-17, these packages provide the ideal way to build not only a commemorative LEGO® model but also lasting family memories. This special engagement was designed specifically for resort guests to have personal interaction with a LEGO® expert. Spend one day working closely with a LEGO® pro, learn best assembly techniques and walk away with a unique LEGO® mini-build model (a LEGO® BBQ grill for Dad in June and a LEGO® US flag in July), each an exclusive for this event, with the date and location engraved.

Enjoy Target Free Sizzlin’ Summer Saturdays at the Heard Museum with exciting music and dance performances to an extravaganza of hands-on activities, artist demonstrations and free goody bags, Sizzlin’ Summer Saturdays gives kids and families a cool and creative way to spend July Saturdays. What’s better, mom and dad or grandpa and grandma can explore the Heard Museum and enjoy the activities for free as well, thanks to support from Target. At Target Free Sizzlin’ Summer Saturdays, there’s something for everyone! Each Saturday from July 3-31, visitors can experience exciting dance performances and meet authors of popular kids’ books, and listen to readings.

Desert Stages Theatre alternates two shows in its intimate “Actor’s Café.” ‘ART’ and ‘Agnes of God’ will play throughout July. ART is an unpredictable yarn about three buddies who get along famously until one purchases an expensive painting that he’s absolutely wild about, while another one of the trio thinks he is outright strange and ridiculous for buying it. A tussle of words, attitudes and intervening ensues, revealing the genuine nature of friendship. Agnes of God, this tale of deep faith or a lack thereof, physiology vs. psychology, unravels a serious plotline about a novitiate who gives birth and insists that the dead child is the result of a virgin conception, in the vein of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The springtime arrival of newborn animals continues at Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium with the birth of a male reticulated giraffe and two female Bengal tigers. The tiger pair joins a young lioness, a red kangaroo joey, and an endangered ocelot on display at the Wildlife World Baby Animal Nursery. In addition, the “little” giraffe is not the only large hoofed species from Africa to be born recently at Wildlife World. The list of new arrivals includes several types of endangered antelope such as addax, Arabian Oryx and Scimitar Horned Oryx—a species considered extinct in the wild. Other notable births visitors will see on display include primates such as ring tailed lemurs, and spider & patas monkeys. Of course, the Wildlife World Aquarium has seen its numbers increase too with the hatching of two 6-8 inch long banded cat sharks.

Enjoy ASU Art Museum First Saturdays for Families. This is a free program at ASU Art Museum that helps teach children about art and encourages them to be creative. Stop by on the first Saturday of each month (excluding holidays) to learn about one artist whose work is in the museum, and then make your own project based on what that artist does. In March, we’ll be making small-scale sculptures that are based on the exhibition Wanxin Zhang: A Ten Year Survey. There is no cost to participate in our events and kids get to keep their art projects. It’s a perfect day for kids 4-12 and their families, and no registration is required. Just stop by the museum any time between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month!

Arizona Museum for Youth, a fine arts museum for children and families, completed a massive renovation in May. The renovations enhance the museum
‘s popular Township of ArtVille, a dedicated space for little ones, ages 0-4. ArtVille now features an Art’s Living Room, Kitchen and Garden spaces. The all-new Tot Square has been commissioned with age-appropriate master artworks placed at your child’s eye level. Art discovery boxes are also available for older siblings to increase their engagement in ArtVille’s helper program. Additional seating now maximizes little one’s participation in the Artful Tales, the museum’s early literacy and art program. Also new to ArtVille is an assortment of musical instruments and an interactive costume dress-up area and Performing Arts room. The museum’s lobby takes on a whole new feel as guests enter the reconfigured lobby boasting a new skylight and fish-eye bubbles that allow little ones to peek into the exhibitions beyond the entrance

SPA

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa has partnered with the Vaughn Center, founded by former NFL Player, Damian Vaughn. The Vaughn Center offers an integrative approach to healing. All of the programs and events are designed to energize, inspire, and transform the body, mind and spirit. The Vaughn Center Meditation Courses will provide techniques to spa guests to help them discover a deeper state of calm, unleash pure creativity, achieve mental clarity and establish balance with your purpose in life.

60 is the New 30 at Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Scottsdale – Whether it’s a day out with girlfriends, a romantic getaway or just rejuvenating solo, Willow Stream Spa is a summer retreat that is great for the soul and perfect for the pocketbook. When spa-goers book two 60-minute treatments such as a massage and a facial, they receive $30 off each service – a $60 savings. The second treatment can be given to a friend, or enjoyed personally. Named the “#3 Resort Spa in North America” by Travel + Leisure magazine, Willow Stream is spacious, stunning and tranquil, situated on three levels with a rooftop pool, waterfalls, steam, saunas, eucalyptus inhalation rooms, exercise classes, fitness center, stylish boutique and the new Nourish café.

Agave, The Arizona Spa at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa has added two new fitness classes to existing fitness schedule. Guest looking to get their children involved in fitness, can now enjoys “Kid Fit.” This fitness class, designed especially for children ages 7-11, provides an active atmosphere and a FUN way to workout. Children learn the importance of stretching and are introduced to child-friendly workout equipment while participating in cardio exercises, deep breathing and learning FUN facts about the body. Agave Spa is offering guests a more adventurous way to work out with the “Desert Renewal Hike.” This hike provides an easy to moderate 3-mile guided hike at the base of the McDowell Mountains. The “Desert Renewal Hike”

is approximately 2 hours long and includes travel to and from The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa.

VH Spa at Hotel Valley Ho unveils some great summer specials for the month of June. It’s all about scrubs and wraps. Enjoy specials like the 60-minute Ore body Quench at a discounted price 60-minute Two-Part Sun Worshiper for a pre-sun full-body crub and scalp massage with Ojon hair treatment and then after spending a day in the sun, return to the spa for a full-body Ojon hydration wrap. Throughout the year, enjoy Thermometer Thursday where you can get any 60-minute treatment for whatever the temperature is when you check-in 20 minutes prior to your appointment on Thursday.

DINING

Quiessence at The Farm at South Mountain introduces Garden Fresh Cocktail Classics. These specialty cocktails include ingredients grown on property that are hand-picked or squeezed to order. These local ingredients are the freshest in the city including juicy grapefruit from the front yard tree that makes a tangy base for our Citrus Caprioska or the fresh mint plucked from the tableside garden that makes the freshest Mint Julep you’ve ever had. Cheers to icy and fresh cocktails as temps rise!

The Brittlebush Bar & Grill at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa introduces the new Gastropub Menu that offers a slight Scottish influence. “Gastropub” is a B
ritish term for a public house which specializes in high-quality food a step above the more basic “pub grub.” Gastropubs are generally known for a relaxed atmosphere as well as a menu that complements an assortment of beers and wines offered.

Marcellino Ristorante is the perfect setting for a romantic date. Their new home is as cozy and elegant as their last, with exposed brick walls, white linen tablecloths and subtle amber lighting. There’s even a semi-private dining room for larger parties. Chef Marcellino Verzino strives for authenticity with a menu of Italian favorites including Scallops al Pesto, gnocchi with fresh mozzarella and tomato sauce, veal scaloppini in gorgonzola cheese sauce and a rotating selection of house made desserts from apple gallette to panna cotta.

Maizie just invented Sippin’ Saturdays every Saturday this summer. Enjoy a very special appetizer and a wonderful wine selection including options like Stuffed Baby Bella, Portabella mushroom stuffed with roasted artichoke goat cheese complimented by balsamic pickled radishes with roasted sweet peppers & a garlic crostini and/or 08 Wente “Morning Fog” Chardonnay or 07 Wente “Southern Hills” Cabernet Sauvignon (Both from Livermore, Calif.). Discounted prices give you a reason to get out of the house and cool off on our mist covered patio.

Featuring one of the Valley’s only chilled rooftop play pools and popular destination bars, Shade and Sunset Beach, W Scottsdale Hotel has it made in the shade this summer with a poolside menu featuring fun, nostalgic frozen treats, cool signature cocktails and tasty new bites. Including everything from ice-cream cocktail blends like the W Rootbeer Float and Orange Creamsickle to fresh fruit options like the Vitamin W and Green Tease all are a satisfying complement to the new food menu consisting of artisan cheeses, Kobe beef sliders, hummus, mini pretzels, ceviche and many more pool-friendly options.

Caffe Boa in Tempe introduces an exotic new wine program focusing on wines of Eastern Europe. Caffe Boa is on the heels of two consecutive years of “Best Of” awards by Wine Spectator, and is one of Arizona’s most noted destinations for food and wine.

Fiesta Fridays at La Hacienda, Friday evenings from 5:30 pm to 9 pm on the Barbacoa patio under the stars at La Hacienda by Richard Sandoval for our traditional suckling pig roast and buffet of modern Mexican cuisine. Adults $29, Kids ages 6 -12 $13, Kids under 5 eat free with the purchase of adult buffet.

Summer Value menu at Michael Mina’s BOURBON STEAK – One of Scottsdale’s hottest steak restaurants, BOURBON STEAK is celebrating summer with a new three-course menu from Executive Chef Daniel Patino, featuring the season’s freshest flavors for only $39 per person. Choices include beef carpaccio, summer lettuces, rice-crusted calamari, poached wild salmon, prime beef short ribs, passion fruit panna cotta and the summer parfait. For an additional $22 per person, Sommelier Aaron Patrick pairs each course with the perfect summer wine from the restaurant’s 3,000 bottle wine cellar. Summer cocktails are also in season including the “Peach Blow,” a refreshing blend of gin, peach brandy and lemon juice topped with a splash of club soda and the “Bee’s Knees” made of gin, lemon juice and honey syrup.

Lobster Fest at The Grill at the TPC Scottsdale – Bringing a bit of the ocean to the desert, fresh lobster is featured every Saturday night at The Grill beginning Memorial Day weekend. Guests choose their lobster either grilled, boiled or classic Thermidor, accompanied with grilled corn on the cob, buttered fresh green asparagus, Yukon gold baked potatoes and an oven-roasted vegetable salad, all served family style. The fest finishes with tarragon vanilla ice cream with a grilled summer peach and caramel drizzle, all for $38 per person. Lobster Fest is available 6 pm – 9 pm during summer Saturday nights.

Arizona growers are featured at the new Locavore dinner series at Superstition Farms. Guests at the fourth generationSuperstition Dairy Farm are turning into diners as part of their Locavore dinner series. Locavore is defined by the Oxford American Dictionary as one who eats only locally grown or raised food. The locavore dinners pair some of the Valley’s most notable chefs with a new working environment to cook their creations – a dairy farm. Farmer Casey Stechnij is behind the concept offering guests a meal made completely from products that came from within a 100-mile radius of the farm. Such events not only benefit the diners with the freshest products available, but local farmers also benefit from the experience with purchasing coming from the community, as does the environment with the yield spending less time in transport. Stechnij works with local farmers who supply all of the lettuce greens, vegetables and fruit; a local family farm supplies the eggs; Superstition Farms provides the cheeses and dairy components; and other local producers supply the meat. The series kicked off earlier this year and will be available through June 2010. After a brief summer hiatus, the program will return in the fall. All meals feature four courses and are paired with Arizona wines. The Locavore concept ensures that every bite and sip comes from an Arizona farmer, rancher, gardener, food producer and wine maker to ultimately celebrate the value, availability and quality of local foods.

GOLF

Dine-In and Dive-In this summer at the legendary Wigwam Resort, Nine & Dine for $49
For $49 all summer long, golfers can also enjoy the “Nine and Dine” special including nine holes, a burger and a beer at The Grill.

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa and Kierland Golf Club received the honor of “100 Best Golf Shops” by Golf World Magazine for its third consecutive year. Golf Magazine has also awarded The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa with “Premier Resort Award: Silver Medal.” The Resort was one of the few Resorts awarded a “Silver Medal.”

36 Holes at the TPC Scottsdale – Golfers can’t miss this: a morning round at the Champions Course, followed by lunch at Champions Grill and then a round at the Stadium Course, for only $99. This offer is valid Sunday through Friday from June 1 – 30 and again August 1 – September 2, 2010.

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North has earned the Gold Medal recognition in Golf Magazine’s prestigious 2010 Premier Resort awards. This is the 11th edition of the awards, which began in 1988, and is considered the oldest and most authoritative rating of the game’s finest properties. Come find out why they earned this prestigious award as Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North and Troon North Golf Club are teaming up to offer the Tee for Two summer golf package, providing dad the chance to share his love of the links with those that matter most. This family golf getaway encourages dads and kids to share love of the game.

The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa has a wide acclaim as one of the top women-friendly gold resorts in the country and it now welcomes new LPGA instructor, Jean Crawford. Crawford has designed “Fore Ladies” as part of the Golf Academy offerings for the perfect blend of recreation and relaxation while also learning a new skill that’s useful for a lifetime.

For more information on any of these events or updates, please contact
the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau Media Department.

Author: Maralyn

Maralyn Dennis Hill, The Epicurean Explorer, is president emeritus of International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association, member of Society of American Travel Writers, and Society of Professional Journalists. She is Executive Editor of Luxe Beat Magazine and contributes to other publications. She also speaks and is a guest on many shows. The majority of Maralyn’s articles are now geared to the luxury market, spas, corporate retreats, business events, and culinary tourism, from simple to gourmet. Maralyn’s description of herself: I was born to travel and tell the tale. I’m energized by different cultures in every aspect of their lives, from food, wine, and destination, to how they conduct business. Travel represents a continual geography lesson.