Phoenix Update for September 2010

We thank the Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau for providing us with this monthly update.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH’S EDITION

• CityScape Phoenix comes to life with new restaurants, new shopping and nightlife
• The third annual Arizona Restaurant Week returns to Phoenix this September
• Enjoy autumn specials at many Valley resorts, restaurants and attractions

RESORT NEWS

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa is offering “A Chocolate Affair” class that is all about chocolate, held every Saturday in the resort’s new Champs Kitchen from for $25. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about selecting and cooking with chocolate from Executive Pastry Chef Kaushik Chowdhury and his award-winning world pastry champions.

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa becomes an Energy Star partner and continuous commitment to “Be Greener.”‘  By joining Energy Star as a partner, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa has continued its commitment to help improve the energy efficiency of America’s commercial and industrial buildings.

At the 2010 Arizona Office of Tourism’s Governor’s Tourism Awards, the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa’sannual Arizona Culturekeepers Induction took home the Arizona Preservation Award. This award is presented to the individual, organization or community that has made the most significant contribution toward the preservation of some aspect of the natural, cultural or aesthetic legacy of Arizona.

The Phoenician will expand its diverse meetings and events space with the opening of the new Camelback Ballroom on Friday, October 1, 2010.  The $40 million facility will encompass a total of 45,000 square feet, including back-of-house operations and pre-function space. The Phoenician will now be able to host multiple, larger events simultaneously, while offering approximately 120,000 square feet of overall interior/exterior meeting and event space.

The Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa, one of Arizona’s first and most celebrated resorts, has broken ground on a multi-million dollar rejuvenation project that will position the resort back to legendary status among Arizona destinations for meetings, conferences, elite social events, entertainment and unique dining. The $7 million revitalization project will bring a new pool, restaurants, wedding venues and an outdoor plaza to the resort.

Athletic prowess comes naturally to the fitness team at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain. From gold medal Olympic swimmer Misty Hyman to world-class runner and Olympian Mike Schneider, the country’s leading boutique resort and spa is ripe with talent.  Guests can harness this expertise during a personalized Triathlon Prep Program – a three-day package that will both challenge and reward the body, with daily workouts complemented by muscle-soothing spa services.  Demonstrating the perfect mix of brain and brawn, Sanctuary’s experts share their best practices for meeting the demands of the classic swim – bike – run challenge.

W Scottsdale set out to differentiate itself from a sea of sprawling resorts by incorporating innovative hotel happenings to add value to today’s travelers. When guests arrive they can check-in, head down to the Living Room to hear a live local musician, have a cocktail at one of the rooftop bars while watching local artists paint. Each week W Scottsdale offers an energetic mix of new and reoccurring happenings creating a sultry Southwest vibe. Also, starting in October, W Scottsdale guests have the opportunity to participate in a new series of fitness classes taught by instructors at the Village Health Clubs and Spas. Held poolside at the W and open to locals in the community, WV83 (for 83 days of fitness) is a series of classes that offer fitness-minded folks a jumpstart on their New Year’s goals.

For the ultimate romantic experience, Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale introduces “celestial picnics”‘ under the stars.  Guests can customize a menu tailored toward romance then return to the comfort of their casita guest room for a couple’s Moonlight Massage.

Combine fitness and environmental stewardship with Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale’s Desert Preservation Hike.  The hike begins at the Resort, where guests embark on a short walk to adjacent Pinnacle Peak Park.  There, a guide leads an interpretive hike where guests learn about the unique flora and fauna that populate Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. Concluding the experience, participants have the opportunity to plant a cactus or native plant, thereby helping ensure the sustainability of this unique ecosystem. The hike is offered on a rotating, seasonal basis; the experience is complimentary, with an optional, tax-deductible donation to the Friends of Pinnacle Peak.

ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

CityScape Phoenix comes to life with new restaurants, new shopping and nightlife including Designer District, Five Guys Burgers, Par Exsalonce, Lucky Strike Lanes and West of SoHo. CityScape is a 1.8 million square foot mixed use urban project located at the very center of Downtown Phoenix.  The combination of commercial, retail, and hotel development is the focal point for urban living and community activity in a revitalized downtown Phoenix, nestled between the city’s entertainment, education, business and government institutions

Air Canada offers a new service to Phoenix beginning November 6. They have announced that a direct non-stop service will be offered from Montreal-Phoenix for the Winter 2010/2011 season.

More than 50 Navajo weavers are expected to gather at the Heard Museum to show and sell their textiles on Saturday, November 6 at the Gathering of Weavers: Navajo Weavers Marketplace.

Arizona Science Center explores the issues of race and racism in the United States with a new exhibition. RACE: Are We So Different? is featured for a limited time in the Sybil B. Harrington Galleries, Oct. 10, 2010 through Jan. 2, 2011. A project of American Anthropological Association, RACE is a powerful exhibition experience exploring the science, history and everyday impact of one of the most controversial topics in American today.

Phoenix International Raceway has finalized its fan schedule of events for the Nov. 11-14 Kobalt Tools 500 event weekend, including races in four different NASCAR series: Sprint Cup, Nationwide, Camping World Trucks and the K&N Pro Series West. As part of a date move to Nov. 13 for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season finale, fans will be offered West Series garage access. The track also has been awarded two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekends in 2011, marking seven consecutive seasons for PIR to host a pair of nationally-televised event weekends featuring the brightest stars in NASCAR.

American Sabor opens at The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM). American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music tells the story of the influence and impact of Latinos in American popular music through a rich display of artifacts, instrument, listening kiosks, and films. The exhibit will run November 20 and until May 15, 2011.

The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) and Arizona State University’s School of Music have teamed up to offer an ongoing music series showcasing the prodigious talents of ASU faculty members and touring musicians. Entitled ASU – MIM Wednesday Morning Interlude, the series offers a wide variety of musical styles, and regularly features ASU faculty and student artists or ensembles in a pre-lunch concert on the last Wednesday of each month during the academic year. Each concert is free of charge.

If you are looking for a unique southwest history museum, L. Alan Cruikshank River of Time Museum in Fountain Hills is a “must see.”‘ The museum tells the story of the personalities, geology and archaeology that shaped the Lower Verde River Valley from prehistoric times to the present. The museum follows a timeline, starting with an archaeological dig site. Visitors can enter a mining exhibit depicting the fortunes and misfortunes of those who worked the lands. Learn about the rugged life soldiers experienced at Fort McDowell army post through a display of photos and artifacts.

Low-cost airline, Allegiant Air, LLC, is gearing up for a banner winter tourism season adding several new markets to their already impressive roster of favorite small cities across America. The airline is the only commercial carrier flying into Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and was recently recognized by Aviation Week as the top-performing airline in its class. The growth in service is expected to play an even larger role in relieving passenger traffic to Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport.

Larry King, Jay Leno, Oprah Winfrey and Muhammad Ali have all had their likeness shaped into the massive corn maze that is unveiled each year at the Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party, and this year another to-be-announced celebrity will see their mug in a field of corn. The 10-acre cornfield is just one of the many attractions that welcome guests to Phoenix’s agriculture community as part of the month-long festival. Voted as one of Arizona’s Best Fall Events by locals and featured as one of to the top pumpkin farms in the Southwest by Sunset Magazine, the festival is held on a 300-acre family farm in Queen Creek, southeast of Phoenix. The festival includes hayrides, a country road rally, petting barn and pig races. Midway-style carnival rides are also part of the event mix, which includes the popular Pumpkin Launch and Witch Mountain giant slide. Not to be missed is the chili and pumpkin picking that takes place each weekend in October.

The New Women’s Half Marathon will be in Tempe on November 7, 2010 for the newest Women’s Half Marathon Series event. The race will finish in Tempe Beach Park and be followed with an unforgettable post-race party. The race weekend begins with a two-day Health and Fitness Expo located at the Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort in Scottsdale.

Hotel Valley Ho is sponsoring The Cupcake Love-In: “Peace, Love, and Cupcakes” on Sunday, October 10. This inaugural event, put on by local chefs Kelly Garcia and Tracy Dempsey is centered on the simple pleasure of eating cupcakes and at the same time helping our community. The event will include a kid’s cupcake decorating station, cupcake eating competition, decorated cupcake competition, and fundraising raffle. Proceeds will benefit Singleton MOMS and Safe Haven for Animals.

GOLF

From the tee to the green, the right club and the perfect swing, a variety of elements must come together for a golfer to be in the “zone.”‘ Along with mental concentration, the holistic approach of eating right and exercise make the difference, too. That’s why the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has partnered with the TPC Scottsdale to create a luxurious, cutting-edge golf vacation package designed to help golf travelers play their best while having fun and relaxing in one of Scottsdale’s most celebrated golf environments. Dubbed the “Golf Fit”package, the program helps golfers understand the connection between their physical well-being and their performance on the golf course.

Sports enthusiasts can enjoy a round of golf at The Boulders Resort and Spa on their 36-hole championship course and The Boulders Tennis Gardens that both offer junior clinics during the holidays. Learning programs include “Walk the Rock”‘ a program that takes guests on a guided walk-about through the prehistoric Sonoran Desert to learn about the rich geological history of the area and the fascinating background on the topography, flora, fauna and especially the 12-million-year-old boulders that are the resort’s namesake. The “Desert Photo Tour explores the desert’s most pristine scenic areas on a two-hour guided adventure led by the resident Nature Photographer.

FireSky Resort and Spa offers an autumn package that proves impossible for the greens fiend to turn down. Between rounds, golfers can retreat to FireSky to relax, rest up and cheers to another round (of golf!). Special offers throughout the month of September include unlimited golf for two, sleeve of balls, and a flight of beer.

For those looking to play more affordable golf and have limited time to spare, Troon North Golf Club has created an innovative executive 9-hole golf course called Monument Express. Designed within the full layout of the famed Monument course, Monument Express measures around 1,500 yards long and offers two different PAR options based on the skill level of the player. The golf club also offers Troon Family Golf program, making the game more accessible to junior golfers and their families.

SPA

The Boulders Resort and Spa’s 5,600 sq. ft. Organic Garden is a perfect complement to the dramatic desert rock landscape at Arizona’s famed Boulders Resort.  It is also the inspiration for the Seasonal Body Scrubs offered at the resort’s Golden Door® Spa.  The fall harvest seasonal scrub is Pear & Green Apple;  Cranberry & Pomegranate offered for the winter season;  Blueberry scrubs for the spring season; and Cucumber Mint for summer season.  A variety of other organic treatments utilize all-natural, eco-friendly lines that include new products from Kerstin Florian, Eminence Organics and Tara Spa Therapy.

Jurlique Spa at FireSky Resort and Spa is the only Arizona destination to offer the RAW Man Facial featuring a new organic line of products by Rhonda Allison. The RAW Man Facial uses a blend of natural ingredients native to the Southwest (blue agave, yucca, hematite and two different types of cactus).

DINING

The third annual Arizona Restaurant Week hits Phoenix this September and is Arizona’s most highly anticipated culinary event of the year. Guests of the event are able to partake in Arizona’s finest fare at a special discount price. Arizona Restaurant Week is an exciting event developed to showcase the outstanding culinary scene throughout the state of Arizona. Playing off the huge success since its inception in 2008, Arizona Restaurant Week will include more than 100 restaurants in the Phoenix Metro area.

Quiessence at The Farm at South Mountain is open with Executive Chef Greg LaPrad offering daily rotating menus based on seasonal meat and produce availability. Quiessence also introduces their new Farmhouse Cocktail Menu – a brand of big city cocktail culture right here on the farm in Arizona. Tapping into the creativity of top mixologist, Bill DeGroot, we proudly offer up a luscious mix of classic-era and new farmhouse cocktails such as Fresh Basil Gimlet, Blackberry Bramble, Peach Old Fashioned and The Farmer’s Last Word.

The Westin Kierland’s signature restaurant, deseo, was named this summer as one of the “Top 10 Resort and Hotel Restaurants”‘ by The Arizona Republic’s restaurant critic, Howard Seftel. This month they launched an all-new menu including old favorites including Millionaire Tacos, Very Berry Muddle Drink or Chocolate Cigar as well as new creations from the innovative talent of Chef Douglas Rodriguez and Chef Roberto Madrid. Also, added to the existing deseo menu are tantalizing new ceviches and delectable new desserts.

Joya Terrace at InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Joya Spa unveiled this month a fresh, health-conscious menu to complement the wellness offerings of Joya Spa. Joya Terrace, located on the roof-top of Joya Spa, offers guests stunning views of Camelback Mountain and a tempting menu of satisfying meals. Resort Executive Chef, Christian Pratsch, designed the menu to include dishes that not only please the palate but are beneficial for the body, as well.

Wine-down with a series of “Vine & Dine”‘ evenings, featuring artfully crafted cuisine paired with specialty wines, spirits and beer at Talavera located at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale. These unique evenings feature a four-course tasting menu coupled with wine, spirits or beer from a guest purveyor, who will rove from table to table and share insight about each pairing.

Latilla, the four-diamond restaurant at The Boulders Resort and Spa introduces a new menu for the fall season.  “The Hunt”‘ is a special “All game”‘ menu paired with autumn vegetables freshly picked from the resort’s 5,260 sq. foot Organic Garden.  The five-course menu includes: First Course:  Pheasant Consommé and Pheasant Ravioli, Parsnips, Carrots & Leeks; Second Course:  Agave Glazed Quail and Heirloom Tomato & Raspberry Salsa, Blue Cheese Soufflé, Herbed Grits; Intermezzo:  Raisin & Ginger Crostini, Apple Consommé, Celery Root Sorbet; Main Course:  Porcini Dusted Venison Loin and Sweet Potato spatzel, Brussels Sprout Leaves, Alba Mushrooms & Cranberry Port Wine; and Dessert. This autumn menu will be available the last two weeks in October.

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