Scottsdale Blog - Things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona » JoAnne Zeterberg

Dancing from the Heart

JoAnne Zeterberg — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:57:29 +0000

Derrick Suwaima Davis. Photo courtesy of the Heard Museum

With a Valentine’s Day performance that came straight from the heart, Derrick Suwaima Davis (Hopi/Choctaw), artistic director of Native Trails, captured an unprecedented fifth World Championship Hoop Dance title at the renowned Heard Museum. Also among the top finalists in the competition was Tony Duncan (San Carlos Apache, Arikara/Hidatsa/Mandan), who also is a member of the talented Native Trails cast. Approximately 70 hoop dancers from across North America vied under sunny skies at the Heard’s 20^th annual competition where they were judged on precision, timing and rhythm, showmanship, creativity and speed.

In Native American cultures, the hoop represents the circle of life, including the continuous cycles of summer and winter, day and night, male and female. During the hoop dance, dancers create intricate formations representing animals, birds, clouds and other natural elements, while showcasing incredible speed and agility as they manipulate the hoops and stay in rhythm with the beat of the drum.

Join us for Native Trails and experience the excitement of championship-level hoop dancing, as well as a variety of other dances including Eagle Dance, Horse Dance and pow wow-style dances.

Native Trails, presented by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and produced by the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is a free event held most Thursdays and Saturdays through April 10 on Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. The event begins at 12:00 p.m. and also features Native American arts, crafts and food.

Discover Your Soul’s Path at Scottsdale Spas

JoAnne Zeterberg — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:42:11 +0000

Have you ever wondered about your true purpose here on Earth? Or, why certain patterns in your life keep repeating and you just can’t seem to break free? If so, look to the stars and let Tom McMullan help you navigate your personal celestial roadmap.

A professional astrologer for more than 20 years, McMullan brings humor, intuition and a profound understanding of astrology and human psychology to his Soul Readings at The Sanctuary Spa at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain and The Centre for Well-Being at The Phoenician. In a relaxing spa setting, McMullan uses the symbolic language of astrology to help you uncover the tools you need to improve relationships, increase your awareness, and discover your hidden talents and potential. However, be prepared: a reading with McMullan is not a spectator sport! But, if you’re willing to participate, open yourself to new ways of interpreting your life experiences, and maybe even do a little homework, you’ll come away with valuable insights that will serve you well on your life’s path!

Celebrate McDowell Sonoran Month

JoAnne Zeterberg — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:44:02 +0000

October is McDowell Sonoran Month and you can join the celebration at a host of scheduled events, including guided hikes, educational lectures and discovery walks – all in honor of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Well on its way to becoming one of the largest urban preserves in the nation, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve encompasses mountains, Sonoran Desert and wildlife corridors that link open space in the Preserve with open spaces in adjacent communities, the Tonto National Forest and Maricopa County Regional Park. In addition to a year-round schedule of guided hikes and education programs, the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy offers special programming every October to encourage residents and visitors to get out and explore all of the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. This year’s highlights include:

Preserve Inhabitants Lecture Series

If you’ve ever wondered if birds can change colors or how plants and animals have adapted to the Sonoran Desert’s unique climate, this series is for you. A different topic is explored every Wednesday evening in October.

Discovery Walks

Every Saturday morning in October, experts in desert ecology and ethnology will lead groups on short walks into the preserve to discover nature’s hidden treasures.

Hydrogen House Open House

On Oct. 11 and 22, you can tour the country’s first green hydrogen house. This unique home has numerous passive and active sustainable design features, including convection air for natural cooling.

Click here for a complete schedule of McDowell Sonoran Month events.

Celebrate Summer at the Garden

JoAnne Zeterberg — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:43:23 +0000

When it comes to exploring the magnificent flora of the Sonoran Desert, one of the “coolest” places to be this summer is the Desert Botanical Garden. New exhibits, nighttime tours and live music are just a few of the highlights you won’t want to miss!

New Succulent Galleries Open to the Public – The Garden debuted its Sybil B. Harrington Cactus and Succulent Galleries in April. These new galleries feature dazzling displays of cacti and succulents that showcase the great diversity of form, texture, and color found in each of these collections. Designed by landscape architect, Steve Martino, FASLA, the galleries utilize steel mesh as the arching canopy to provide shade for the plants and support columns painted in a desert-hued red to accentuate the color and textures of the plants. Free with Garden admission.

Flashlight Tours Provide After-Dark Fun for All Ages – The Desert Botanical Garden’s popular Flashlight Tours are held every Thursday and Saturday evening from May through August. All tours begin at 7:00 p.m. and provide a sensory adventure during which you will see, hear and feel the desert at night, including nighthawks, tortoises, insects and night-blooming flowers. Please bring a flashlight and wear comfortable walking shoes. Free with Garden admission.

Concerts at the Garden – Jazz up your Friday nights with the Garden’s Spring Concert Series! Some of the Valley’s most popular jazz and blues artists take the stage at the Garden’s beautiful Ullman Terrace. Enjoy dinner and music under the stars with delectable fare purchased at the Garden’s Patio Café or a gourmet meal (advance purchase required) catered by Fabulous Food Fine Catering & Events. Tickets are $20 ($14 for Garden members) and guests must be at lest 21 years of age. Upcoming concerts include:

May 30 @ 7:00 p.m. Khani Cole, Smooth Jazz
June 6 @ 7:30 p.m. Pete Pancrazi, Traditional Jazz
June 13 @ 7:30 pm. Cinco de Moio, Latin Jazz
June 20 @ 7:30 p.m. Groove Defenders, Blues
June 27 @ 7:30 p.m. Sherry Petta, Smooth & Contemporary Jazz

For more information about the Desert Botanical Garden, including tour schedules, classes and special events, click here or call 480-421-1225.

‘Tis the Season to Take a Hike

JoAnne Zeterberg — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 01:50:50 +0000

Winter in the Sonoran Desert brings its own set of natural wonders. Sunny, warm days and clear, crisp nights mean animals are more active and visible. Occasional winter rains bring new sprouts to creosote bushes and other plant life. And, late in the season, desert wildflowers such as lupines and owl-clover begin to show their colors. All in all, it’s the perfect time for a hike! Here are a few tips to help you explore Scottsdale’s beautiful Sonoran Desert on foot this winter:

Stay hydrated. Even on mild winter days, be sure to bring and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. For longer hikes, also pack some healthy snacks to keep you fortified.

Hike only on marked trails. Not only will this protect the desert’s delicate ecosystem, but it also will help minimize the chances of painful human-and-cactus encounters. Click here to a list of Scottsdale’s most popular hiking trails.

Share the trail. Many of Scottsdale’s public trails are designated as shared-use paths for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. The universal rule of trail courtesy is for all trail users to yield right-of-way to horses and for cyclists to yield to all other types of users.

Admire desert wildlife from a distance. Desert creatures are wary of humans, so if you are lucky enough to spot a javelina, coyote or covey of quail, resist the temptation to get too close as you may frighten them away. It’s also good to keep in mind that although most desert animals don’t pose a threat the humans, some, like rattlesnakes, are poisonous and others can cause serious injury if they feel cornered or threatened.

Leave it as you found it. Removing anything from the desert disrupts the habitats of plants and animals, since most rocks and wood provide shade and shelter for tiny plants and creatures. It also is against the law to take away any natural or cultural objects from public or private land without the permission of the owner.

Don’t hike alone. It’s safer and more fun to hike with a friend! It’s also wise to tell someone where you will be hiking and when you expect to return.

Practice “Leave No Trace” exploration. Be sure to carry out everything that you carry in – take only pictures, leave only footprints!

And, the most important tip of all – have fun! The Sonoran Desert is yours to enjoy, so get out and explore!

Foraging for Fossils

JoAnne Zeterberg — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 01:53:20 +0000

This month’s topic is a fun one – let’s dig right in!

My kids are really into fossils. Are there any fossil digs or attractions that would let them look for fossils?

What a great question! Although I couldn’t find any local fossil digs that were open to the public, there are some area adventure companies and museums that might be of interest to all you fossil hunters out there.

Scottsdale is home to a number of off-road tour companies, many of which specialize in Arizona archaeology and geology. I couldn’t pinpoint one that focuses specifically on paleontology, but most of the local guides are great resources of information pertaining to Arizona’s natural history. Two eco-tour companies that you might try are Windwalker Expeditions and My Arizona Guide.
In terms of museums, the Arizona Science Center has an exhibit called “Dinosaurs” that will open in spring 2008. And in nearby Mesa, the Mesa Southwest Museum (becoming the Arizona Museum of Natural History in October 2007) bills itself as “your place for dinosaurs that roar!”
If you like your fossils served up with a side of campfire s’mores, check out the Carefree Resort & Villas. Here you’ll find Lance Polingyouma, the resort’s cultural interpreter. Lance is a member of the Hopi tribe and knows a thing or two about local paleontology (and area archaeology, cultural history, flora and fauna, Hopi astronomy – well, you get the picture). Lance hosts the resort’s campfire talks most nights of the week and loves to talk with guests about anything pertaining to Arizona, including fossils!
From now through December 31, 2007, visitors to the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archeological Park can take part in their “Dig It! Explore Archaeology” exhibit. This hands-on exhibit features a life-size replica of an excavated trench wall where hands-on elements demonstrate the science of archaeology. Kids of all ages can learn how clues found during digs are used to identify artifacts, and can even build their own miniature Hohokam village. Granted, this isn’t fossil-related, but it will definitely give kids a chance to stretch their excavating muscles!
Finally, if you want to plan a day trip from Scottsdale, the Petrified Forest in northern Arizona has one of the best geologic and fossil records of the Late Triassic in the world, along with some pretty amazing examples of petrified wood. Visit www.nps.gov/pefo for more information.

Happy fossil hunting!

Summer Sights, Sounds & Smells

JoAnne Zeterberg — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 01:56:06 +0000

If you’ve just arrived in the Sonoran Desert, you came at a very exciting time! Summer here brings with it a host of fascinating sights, sounds and smells that delight long-time residents and intrigue newcomers. Here are just a few of nature’s wonders that are yours to enjoy this season:

Monsoon Madness: Keep your eyes to the sky in the afternoon and you’re likely to see one of the most impressive desert sights – massive cumulus clouds boiling up over the nearby mountains. Summer in the Sonoran Desert means the onset of Arizona’s monsoon season, a seasonal shift in the weather pattern that pulls up moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and generates short-lived, intense thunderstorms. A hearty monsoon-driven thunderstorm can lower the air temperature by up to 20 degrees and can drop more than an inch of rain in a very short time.

Towering Haboobs: Dust storms, also called haboobs, often precede desert thunderstorms. Heavy winds blowing over fields and the open desert can generate enormous clouds of dust. The average wind speed of a haboob is more than 30 miles per hour and the wall of dust can reach 3,000 feet in height. Though they only last a few minutes, dust storms can quickly reduce visibility, which is particularly hazardous if you are driving (click here for dust storm safety tips).

The Buzz: Head outside anytime from about mid-June through August and you’re likely to hear one of the desert’s signature sounds – a loud, insistent buzzing – coming from nearby trees or shrubs. This distinctive melody is the mating call of the male cicada. Although they’re easy to hear, cicadas are tough to spot since they stop singing when you approach their perch.

Fragrant Creosote: If you’re lucky enough to be in Scottsdale and near the desert on one of our rare rainy days, step outside when the rain stops and take a deep sniff. The delightful fresh fragrance in the air is emitted by creosote bushes when their leaves get wet.

So, don’t wait . . . get out and explore the Sonoran Desert this summer and see what other sensory delights await! Click here for information on guided desert tours by Jeep, Hummer, hot air balloon, horseback and, of course, on foot.

Bad Luck . . . Who gives a Hoot?

JoAnne Zeterberg — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 21:12:10 +0000

This month’s question comes to us from a land far, far away. Well, not that far away. Alright, it’s from one of my coworkers down the hall. But, it launches us into uncharted territory here at the Sonoran Explorin’ desk – the land of superstition.

One of our fine CVB staffers, who shall remain nameless, would like to know:

Is it bad luck to see an owl in the daytime?

Courtney, Courtney, Courtney . . . having a slow week in the convention sales department, are we? Oooops, there goes that whole “remaining nameless” thing. Oh, well. Sorry, Courtney. Darn! I did it again.

As far as I can deduce, it depends on who you talk to and how superstitious you are. In some cultures, owls represent wisdom and knowledge. To see one is considered good luck and an indication that you will be blessed with deep insight. Other positive attributes possessed by owls include their keen eyesight, stealth-like flight and well-honed hunting skills, which means hunters often considered seeing an owl a positive sign. In other cultures, however, the appearance of an owl is said to predict death and disasters.

Owls are actually rather fascinating creatures and the Sonoran Desert is home to several owl species, including the barn owl, great horned owl, elf owl and burrowing owl. Here are a few interesting owl facts to ponder:

Owls are excellent night hunters. Barn owls can locate their prey by sound alone, in total darkness, with pinpoint accuracy.
Owls can approach prey in silence because the sound of their wingbeats is muffled by the softened edges of their larger wing feathers.
The largest Sonoran Desert species is the great horned owl, measuring a stately two feet in height. At the other end of the scale, the average elf owl is about the size of a sparrow and only grows to a height of about five inches.
Like most birds of prey, owls ingest fur and bone when they eat their prey. However, these materials are not digestible and are formed into pellets in the owl’s stomach and then regurgitated.

But, I digress – back to our question about bad luck. I guess it comes down to this: if you’re a “glass-half-full” kind of person, consider seeing an owl in the daytime a good sign and look forward dazzling your friends with your newfound wisdom, insight and hunting skills. If you’re a “glass-half-empty” sort . . . well, I’d stay safely indoors for a while.

By the way, has anyone seen Courtney recently? Anyone? I’m sure she’s fine. Really . . . I’m sure she is.

The Original Hummers

JoAnne Zeterberg — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:16:30 +0000

Say the word “hummer” to most people these days and the first thing that springs to mind is a tricked-out, über-trendy SUV. On the trails of the Sonoran Desert, however, “hummer” refers to one of the most amazing families of birds you’ll find anywhere. How amazing, you ask? Just check out these hummingbird facts:

The hummingbird family includes the world’s smallest birds. The species that live in the Sonoran Desert range in length from 2 ½ to 5 inches and range in weight from 2 to 10 grams.

The males of the species sport iridescent feathers in vibrant colors like crimson, rose, green, purple, bronze and cinnamon.

Hummingbirds’ hearts are larger in proportion to their body size than those of any other warm-blooded animal. They also have the most rapid heart rate for a bird: up to 500 beats per minute while resting and 1,260 beats per minute during flight.

Powerful flight muscles allow hummers to fly in any direction, including backwards, and to hover in one place for long periods of time. During a dive, a hummingbird can reach speeds of more than 60 miles per hour.

Hummingbirds have the most rapid wing beats of any bird species – up to 80 beats per second.

About the only thing nature’s hummers have in common with their automotive counterparts is their frequent need to refuel. Hummingbirds consume up to 70 percent of their body weight in food (nectar and small, soft-bodied insects) per day and 4 to 8 times their body weight in water.

Hummingbird nests, which are not much larger than a jigger glass, are typically made of fibrous plant down or seeds and mosses, bound together and to a branch with spider webbing. Depending on the species, nests may be lined with hair or feathers and decorated with leaves, bark strips or lichens for camouflage.

There are over 300 species of hummingbirds. They live exclusively in the Western Hemisphere, from Alaska to the tip of South America.

So, next time you’re out hiking in the desert (or even just relaxing in your own back yard) keep an eye out for nature’s original hummers – they may not be über-trendy but they’re amazing to watch.

Of Mice and Women

JoAnne Zeterberg — Tue, 01 May 2007 21:19:15 +0000

I was sitting on my patio the other night, enjoying a colorful sunset and some warm spring temperatures, when I heard a yelp of distress from across the courtyard. Since my neighbor isn’t usually given to yelping, I hurried over and found her standing on a chair, looking warily at the far corner of her patio.

“Is it a snake?” I asked.

“Worse,” she replied nervously.

Worse than a snake? Hmmmm . . . this had to be bad. So bad, in fact, that she couldn’t even tell me what it was; she just pointed. I crept a little closer and looked where she indicated. It took me a minute, but finally I spotted the ferocious beast. There, planning its next move from the cover of a potted plant was a mouse. An Arizona pocket mouse to be precise – all three-quarters of an ounce of it.

“I hate mice,” my neighbor said with a cringe.

Which lead me to wonder how these miniscule members of the rodent family earned such fear and disdain. After all, to get a grown woman to flee to such heights, they have to be pretty awful right?

Actually, the Sonoran Desert is home to some very interesting and resourceful rodents. Now, granted, mice and rats can carry and spread disease under certain circumstances. But here are some facts about our desert dwellers that just might make them seem a bit less frightening:

Pocket mice seldom drink and conserve water by spending their days underground where it is cooler. When summer temperatures peak, some pocket mice become dormant. Also, their kidneys concentrate the urine to a viscous consistency, thereby reducing water loss.

Kangaroo rats can jump up to nine feet in one bound – an effective skill for evading predators. They also can detect an owl’s silent approach and the movement of snakes.

Arizona pocket mice have tan- to orange-colored fur that is softer than that of many other species of pocket mice.

The teeth of Botta’s pocket gophers are continuously growing (at a rate of nine to 14 inches per year!) and must be kept trimmed by constant gnawing.

Kangaroo rats and pocket mice feed primarily on seeds. Some species also eat insects and vegetation.

I don’t think these facts made my neighbor any happier with her little visitor, but at least she came down off the chair.

So, next time you see one of these little fellows on your patio (or out in the desert), just give him a little space and before you know it he’ll scurry off in search of more seeds for dinner.