Archives for October 2009

Downtown Scottsdale Shopping by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group Scottsdale Arizona

October 29, 2009 szabogroup

by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group

Scottsdale claims to be the Shopper’s Paradise and boasts more than 5,500 shops, malls, boutiques and outlets. There’s plenty of shopping in downtown including:

Fashion Square Mall – Located at Camelback Rd. and Scottsdale Rd. This mall is 2 million square feet of stores, dining and entertainment Some of the 225 stores include Abercrombie & Fitch, Bath & Body Works, Barney’s New York (opening this fall), Build-A-Bear Workshop, as well as high-end stores including Cartier, kate spade, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co.. There are about 20 places available for snacks or other food as well. For more information visit: www.fashionsquare.com

Scottsdale Waterfront

Located at 7135 E. Camelback Road

This is a new favorite for people and is a 1.1 million square foot project that includes retailers and food options such as Borders, Urban Outfitters, Sur la Table, Isaac Jewelers, Moody Blues, High Point, Optica, Estilo and Sabrina Sky, P.F. Chang’s, Olive & Ivy, Wildfish and Sauce. For more information visit: www.scottsdalecvb.com/listings/index.cfm?action=display&listingID=41743&hit=1

SouthBridge

Shops including independently owned retailers – Toy Jungle, The Grand Tour which offers art, antiques and glassware from around the world; if you want to get something for your dog, visit OhMyDog. There is also Scottsdale Pen, which offers hundreds of writing tools, stationery, and ink. If you are looking for a bite to eat check out Cowboy Ciao, Sea Saw and Kazimierz World Wine Bar. For more information visit: www.arizona-vacation-planner.com/southbridge-scottsdale.html

Fifth Avenue Shops & Boutiques

Located on Fifth Avenue Downtown Scottsdale

Includes 92 independently owned retailers as well as food and events. For more information visit: www.scottsdale5thave.org/
The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com

Wildlife Zoo & Aquarium by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group Scottsdale Arizona

October 26, 2009 szabogroup

by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group

Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium is located in Litchfield Park. The Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium has a large collection of exotic animal, most of which come from Africa. A few of the animals you’ll find are wild cats, monkeys, lots of exotic birds and more, in an open natural environment.

A definite highlight is the giraffe feeding platform. Purchase the food and step right up for the animals to take it right out of your hand! (Adults can do this too if they want).

You can take the fifteen minute Safari Train Ride through the African Wildlife exhibits or for an aerial view of the park, take the fifteen minute Sky Ride. If neither one of those rides excites your kids, there’s also a carousel, Australian boat ride which features red and gray kangaroos, the emu and the kookaburra; or log flume ride. Additional fees are charged for rides. Check the website for pricing.

There are three separate aquarium buildings and they are: The Diversity of Life in Water, The Wild and The Wonderful, and Predators. The Diversity of Life in Water features upside down jellyfish, the American alligator, some touch tanks and more. The Wild & Wonderful features a poison dart frog, clownfish and lionfish to name just a few. When you get to the Predators, you can see a piranha, giant moray eel, a white albino alligator and more.

If you want a neat dining experience, check out either the Tiburón Restaurant or Flamingo Lounge which provides great views of the sharks and other fish at the aquarium.

The Wildlife Zoo & Aquarium is located at 16501 W. Northern Ave. in Litchfield Park. For more information visit: www.wildlifeworld.com

The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020 or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com

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Arizona Renaissance Festival by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group Scottsdale Arizona

October 22, 2009 szabogroup

by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group

Step back in time to the days of kings, jousting and celebration with the Arizona Renaissance Festival. This year’s festivities may be over, but here are the details for 2010. The festival is open every Saturday and Sunday February 6-March 28, 2010. They are also open on the Monday of Presidents’ day as well. Hours are 10 am-6 pm, regardless of weather.

This event is hailed as one of the largest in the country because it’s like being at five festivals that are combined into one!

You can experience twelve stages featuring continuous live entertainment. Enjoy comedy, swordplay, dancing with gypsies or mingle with the King & Queen if you want to.

There is a circus as well as an arts and crafts fair. A jousting tournament takes places three times each day. And remember, there’s plenty of food too!

Don’t miss the chance to browse the marketplace, where over 200 vendors offer hand-made items such as wooden and steel swords and shields, pewter goblets, copper sculptures, pillows and more! It’s an experience as skills such as glassblowing, weaving, blacksmithing, pottery and more are displayed right before your eyes!

If you aren’t sure what you’d like to do at the festival there is The Pleasure Feast package which includes:

A festival admission ticket valued at $20:

6 course meal
2 hours of entertainment

Selection of drinks

Special Edition goblet

Commemorative medallion
If you have young children, you may not want them to attend this feast as there may be suggestive or risqué humor/language.

The Arizona Renaissance Festival is located at 12601 Highway 60 in Apache Junction. For more information visit: www.royalfaires.com/arizona/

Arizona Science Center by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group Scottsdale Arizona

October 21, 2009 szabogroup

by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group

Want a place for kids of all ages? Consider spending some time at The Arizona Science Center. They offer interactive hands-on exhibits, a planetarium and an IMAX theater.

Some exhibits you might want to visit include:

All About You exhibit explores learning and remembering as well as how our bodies move.

Psychology explores preferences of personal space as well as features The Echo Chamber where you can discover how those with blindness figure out where they are.

Get Charged Up lets you experience what it’s like to lie on a bed of nails. You can also see how a prism splits white light into the colors of the rainbow and more!

Robots: The Interactive Exhibition opens September 27, 2009 and features characters from the animated film Robots.

The science center also offers family camp-ins, which are $20 for one parent and child. Each additional child is $5. Also, it is recommended for younger children, those ages 6-10. Some upcoming classes are:

Oct. 10: It’s a Small World – Learn about nanotechnology and how you are impacted.

Oct. 24: Our Colorful World – Learn about light and color and its properties.

Nov. 7: Recipe for Weather – Learn about tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards and more.

Nov. 21: It’s Elementary, Dear Watson – Learn about scientific method and how it can be used to solve a problem. Your child will be able to observe, predict, conduct an experiment, collect data and present their conclusions.

Dec. 5: It’s About Time!–Learn about the world of time and time zones. Your child will be able to create a way to measure time without using a clock.

The Arizona Science Center is located at 600 E Washington Street in Phoenix. For more information visit: www.azscience.org

Phoenix Art Museum by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group Scottsdale Arizona

October 15, 2009 szabogroup

by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group

The Phoenix Art Museum is a 203,000 square foot complex that has featured art by Rembrandt, Norman Rockwell, Monet, Annie Leibowitz and more. There are many things offered throughout the year, including festivals, live performances, films and educational programs.

Some of the current exhibits and events include:

July 11, 2009-October 18, 2009 – Tony Foster, Searching for a Bigger Subject:
Water Colour Diaries from Everest and The Grand Canyon

The artist captured views from the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon and the North and East Faces of Mount Everest. For more information on this exhibit visit: www.phxart.org/exhibition/tonyfoster.php

Located in the Lewis Gallery

July 12, 2009-October 25, 2009

Locals Only focuses on the art of 12 Chicano and Latino artists. Their works are located throughout the museum.

September 19, 2009-January 10, 2010 – Face to Face: 150 Years of Photographic Portraiture showcases the stories portraits tell as well as the relationship that exists between the photographer and their subject. Nearly 60 portraits from the Center for Creative Photography are featured.
Located in the Norton Photography Gallery

October 16, 2009 – 44^th Annual Cowboy Artists of America Sale

October 18, 2009-November 15, 2009 – 44^th Annual Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition –Features bronze and stone sculptures, oil paintings and drawings that capture a realistic view of the West. Usually more than 130 new works produced in the last year are featured here. For more details visit:
www.phxart.org/exhibition/exhibitioncowboys44.php
Located in the Steele Gallery

November 7,2009-March 7,2010 – Geoffrey Beene: Trapeze exhibit showcases some of the designer’s fashions as well as gives insight into his sense of humor.

Located in the Ellman Fashion Design Gallery

The Phoenix Art Gallery is located at 1625 N Central Avenue. For more information visit: www.phxart.org

Heard Museum by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group Scottsdale Arizona

October 12, 2009 szabogroup

by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group

Below are some of the highlights of the best things to see at the Heard Museum in Phoenix:

Visit the HOME: Native People in the Southwest exhibit, which features pre-historic, historic and contemporary art, artifacts, and video presentations. All of these elements combine and tell stories about the cultures of American Indians in the Southwest. Be sure to take note of the art fence located at the entrance of this exhibit. It’s made of glass and clay and was designed to represent borders and the conflicting feeling of living in two worlds. Also be sure to check out the collection of katsina dolls on display in this exhibit.

In the We Are! Arizona’s First People exhibit, be sure to check out the mural titled “Fear of a Red Planet” which showcases scenes from American Indian history that have had an impact on the lives of American Indian people living in the Southwest.

For kids, there are three galleries which feature hands-on take-home activities and interactive displays. They can make a Yaqui-inspired paper flower or bandolier bag.

Claiming to provide moving stories is the Remembering Our Indian School Days: The Boarding School Experience.

The Heard Museum shop buys directly from hundreds of American Indian artists and offers jewelry, pottery, katsina dolls and more. It also features a great selection of books by and about American Indians.

Be sure to grab a meal or snack at The Café. The food is has a Southwest-inspired flavor to it.

The Heard Museum is located at 2301 N Central Avenue in Phoenix. For more information visit: www.heard.org

Phoenix International Raceway by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group Scottsdale Arizona

October 8, 2009 szabogroup

by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group

Calling all race fans! Phoenix International Raceway has some offerings for fan experiences including the Budweiswer Roll Bar, which features driver appearances during races and live music. Check the website listed below for more information.

The SPEED Cantina, which is located just outside Turn 2, features a bar and grill and live entertainment as well.

Some upcoming events include:

November 15-17, 2009- NASCAR’s Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 – the last race of the year. Jimmie Johnson will be driving For ticket information and event schedule, visit www.phoenixraceway.com

November 15, 2009 – 12:00 AM

High Performance Karting located in the Fan Midway and provided by the Richard Petty Driving Experience will be offered.

November 15, 2009 – Budweiser Roll Bar

Driver appearance will be happening here. Times are yet to be determined. Check the Raceway website for more information.

If you want to be in the middle of the action, catching your favorite driving team or seeing the cars up close, you might consider purchasing a pre-race pit pass which is available for $50. Consider this the ultimate fan behind-the- scenes experience.

If you want to know what it feels like to be on the track, you might look into the Rookie Experience offered by the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Just be prepared- the 3 hour, 8 lap course is around $399. This can vary depending on the time of year. Two other experiences are offered – Kings, for around $799 and Experience of a Lifetime for around $1249. For more information visit www.1800bepetty.com

The Phoenix Raceway is located at S. Avondale Blvd. in Avondale. For more information visit: www.phoenixraceway.com

Desert Botanical Garden Upcoming Events by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group Scottsdale Arizona

October 5, 2009 szabogroup

by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group

If you enjoy the desert and some of the plants featured in that environment, check out Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. It is home to 139 plants and features the Mariposa Monarca Monarch Butterfly Exhibit at the Marshall Butterfly Pavilion. The exhibit runs from September 26 through November 15, 2009.

Some other upcoming events include:

Biergarten – September 25, 2009 – 7-10 PM

Cost: $70 for members; $75 for general public

Enjoy great beer, the great atmosphere of the gardens, and great music provided by four different groups.

Las Noches de las Luminarias – December 3-30, 2009

Member tickets are on sale now and are $20 for adults and $10 for children. Tickets for the general public go on sale October 1^st and are $25 for adults and $12.50 for children. Thousands of hand-lit lights cast a glow on all of the garden’s featured plants. Enjoy this special event with your whole family! For more information on this event visit www.dbg.org/index.php/plan/calendar/eventdisplay?evt=luminariac

Music In The Garden – October 2-November 6, 2009

Cost: $14 for members; $20 for general public

For those who love outdoor concerts, on Fridays Starting October 2^nd and continuing through November 6^th, 2009 the gardens will feature concerts from 7-9 pm. Some of the acts who will be featured include Jaleo, Big Nick and the Gila Monsters, and The Jump Back Brothers. For the complete schedule visit /www.dbg.org/index.php/plan/calendar/musicinthegarden

These are just some of the upcoming events. Desert Botanical Garden is located at 1201 N. Galvin Parkway in Phoenix. For more information visit: www.dbg.org/index.php

Downtown Scottsdale Shopping by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group Scottsdale Arizona

October 2, 2009 szabogroup

by Joe Szabo, Szabo Group

Scottsdale claims to be the Shopper’s Paradise and boasts more than 5,500 shops, malls, boutiques and outlets. There’s plenty of shopping in downtown including:

Scottsdale Waterfront

Located at 7135 E. Camelback Road

SouthBridge

Fifth Avenue Shops & Boutiques

Located on Fifth Avenue Downtown Scottsdale