Scottsdale Blog - Things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona » Attractions and Adventures

Celebrate Spooky Scottsdale Events this Halloween

Whitney Willis — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:45:23 +0000

With Halloween less than a week away, it’s time to start looking at all of the spooktacular events that Scottsdale has to offer.

Start out the Halloween season by visiting the Desert Botanical Garden’s 8^th annual Great Pumpkin Festival Oct. 22-Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Experience a weekend festival that brings the true feel of autumn to the desert. The Great Pumpkin Festival comes to life with pumpkins, hayrides, country-western entertainment and carnival games. Don’t miss the hay bale maze and the Arizona Big Train Operators’ interactive exhibit. All activities are included with Garden admission. Prices are $15 for adults, $13.50 for seniors, $7.50 for students ages 13-18 with proper I.D., $5 for children ages three to 12 and children three and under are free.

Halloween Day festivities begin 10 a.m. and continue through 5:30 p.m. as Adelante Gallery at el Pedregal celebrates the Dia De Los Muertos holiday featuring Day of the Dead Art and Imagery by four local artists and festive live music by Louis Castro on the courtyard stage. View unique, hand-crafted works of art such as paintings, custom-made sugar skulls and jewelry showing the holiday’s famous skeletons. Specialty margaritas will be available in addition to homemade “Pan de Muertos” (Day of the Dead Bread) by Chef Christine Wieland. Admission is free.

And to finish off your spooky night, attend The Fairmont Scottsdale’s Haunted Hotel Halloween Ball at Stone Rose Lounge. Starting at 9 p.m. on Oct. 31 Scottsdale’s most sophisticated Halloween event begins featuring music, classic cocktails, celebrity guests and the Valley’s best costume contest with a variety of cash and prizes. The Haunted Hotel Halloween Ball in partnership with 944 Magazine offers a lavish twist on classic Halloween festivities with a decadent “Haunted Hotel” theme hosted by one of Scottsdale’s hottest outdoor nightlife destinations. Fortunetellers and tarot card readers will entertain partygoers throughout the evening along with a surprise live act by performance artists, and the best part is – admission is free!

1971 Plymouth Cuda Convertible 440/6 Offered at Russo and Steele

Josh Kenzer — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:07:28 +0000

One of Seventeen 1971 Plymouth Cuda Convertible 440/6 Offered at Russo and Steele’s 10th Anniversary Scottsdale Auction

Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auctions, one of the nation’s premier collector car auctions, specializing in European sports cars, American muscle cars, hot rods and customs will be celebrating its tenth anniversary this January 20-24, 2010. It held its first auction event in January 2001 with only 45 automobiles; today it offers over 600 of the finest automobiles in Scottsdale over a five day span.

This 1971 Plymouth Cuda 2003 underwent a nut & bolt, rotisserie restoration to factory specs and retains all of its rare, correct parts. The original, matching numbers motor, transmission and Dana rear-end were professionally built to factory specs. Since its creation, this automobile has always been totally rust-free and, to this day, still has all of its original body panels, floor, trunk, doors and sheet metal. In fact, it still wears its original convertible top and rear glass!

This 1971 Plymouth Cuda Convertible is one of only seventeen 440-6pak Cuda convertibles built in 1971 and the only one finished in Tawny gold. It is also the highest optioned Six Pack Cuda Convertible known to exist and one of only two that came from the factory with the highly desirable shaker hood and bill-board stripes! Aside from the history and provenance on this car, it is further distinguished by the preserved original paperwork that fully documents how this automobile was delivered from the factory. A part of this original documentation is the original build sheet, the original window sticker, original fender tags and the original invoice from the dealership that sold the car new! To further add value to this particular automobile, consider that it has gone through a complete bumper-to-bumper inspection by Mopar expert Galen Govier. Mr. Govier authenticated it as a complete, matching numbers, fully documented, ’71 Six Pack Cuda Convertible and a genuine 1 of a kind car! With its superior quality restoration and bullet proof documentation, this is truly one of the most significant Mopars ever produced and certainly one of the most coveted collector cars in the world!

The tenth anniversary celebration will be held at Russo and Steele’s traditional auction site located at the intersection of the North loop 101 freeway and North Scottsdale Road. In honor of this momentous occasion, Russo and Steele is inviting everyone out whether you are a bidder, consignor or fellow enthusiasts for what is going to be the biggest celebration in Scottsdale this January 20-24, 2010. Check the Russo and Steele website for updates and additional information.

The Pink Light District

Josh Kenzer — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:00:09 +0000

Photo by Josh Kenzer.

For the month of October, the Scottsdale Southbridge at the Waterfront is awash in pink lights. Named The Pink Light District, this display is a fund raiser to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness. For more information or to donate, please visit their official website.

Be sure to get out to downtown Scottsdale and take in the colors and raise awareness.

Other Images from the Bridge:

My Visit to the Heard Museum

Mitchell Tay — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:09:35 +0000

As an Arizona native it was sad for me to say that I’ve never been to the Heard Museum. It’s almost as bad as saying that you live in Arizona but have never been to the Grand Canyon. The Heard Museum is all about the Native American culture and covers everything from history to contemporary art. It is a fairly large museum with permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary exhibits (make sure you grab a map). Their signature exhibit is Home: Native People in the Southwest. A guided tour is offered for this exhibit, which lasts around an hour, that shows the history and culture of the Native American people. I definitely recommend going through this exhibit with a docent as they are very knowledgeable and go through an eight month training program to become fully educated about the Native American culture. The rest of the museum you’re free to roam around the museum. Another exhibit I recommend you definitely check out is Remembering Our Indian School Days: The Boarding School Experience. This is a very moving exhibit that chronicles the controversial experience of Native American children being placed in boarding schools to educate and assimilate them. There are many other exhibits at the Heard including paintings and sculptures. Additionally there are childrens’ activities, which of course always makes learning fun. There’s even a gift shop which you can purchase pieces of art from the creators themselves!

The Heard Museum also hosts many unique events at their site such as the Spanish Market, 52nd Annual Indian Fair and Market, and Native + You.

Overall, my experience at the Heard of Native American culture and experiencing the many beautiful pieces of art was enjoyable. I could have easily spent a half day there and am glad I finally made a trip to the Heard Museum. =)

Bajada Nature Trail Opening

Josh Kenzer — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:11:18 +0000

What: A formal dedication of the Bajada Nature Trail begins at 8 a.m., hosted by Ruthie Carll, Executive Director of the McDowell
Sonoran Conservancy, speakers include Mayor Jim Lane and representatives from the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission. Various activities will take place throughout the morning.

Why: We constructed the Bajada Trail for the enjoyment of all — from young children to the elderly, and for those with physical challenges. The half-mile trail exceeds many ADA standards. It offers an innovative, interactive nature experience for those who want to learn more about Arizona’s unique Sonoran Desert.

When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 7 to 10 a.m.

Where: At The Gateway to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
18333 N. Thompson Peak Parkway
(east of Thompson Peak Parkway
between Bell Road and Union Hills Drive.
The formal dedication begins at 8 a.m.)

How: The Bajada Trail was made possible through the generous support of longtime McDowell Sonoran Preserve advocates, the Richard and Christine Kovach Family and the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. For more information, contact the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy at (480) 998-7971.

Printable Bajada Nature trail Invite

Taliesin West Flickr Gallery

Josh Kenzer — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:17:03 +0000

taliesin west, originally uploaded by shawnwall.

View 18 stunning photos of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West.

Taliesin West was built by Frank Lloyd Wright and his apprentices in the 1930s and was constantly expanded and modified by the architect until his death in 1959. Wright and his apprentices literally created Taliesin West out of the desert by gathering rocks from the desert floor and sand from the washes to keep the design in balance with the surrounding environment. The site, considered one of the Wright’s greatest masterpieces, was designed to serve as Wright’s personal home, studio and architectural laboratory. Today, visitors can choose from a broad range of tours that showcase Wright’s brilliant ability to integrate indoor and outdoor space. Tours in German are available with a two-week notice.

More information on Taliesin West

Scottsdale Public Art Flickr Gallery

Josh Kenzer — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:43:53 +0000

LOVE, originally uploaded by Dave Gorman.

Take a photo tour of some of Scottsdale’s public art installations. These are must sees for all visitors to Scottsdale – well, at least those that love public art.

Desert Botanical Garden works to preserve the Sonoran Desert

Kelly Tope — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:56:22 +0000

Since 1939, the Desert Botanical Garden has been home to one of the finest and most diverse collections of succulent plants, including rare, threatened and endangered species from around the Southwest. It is the only botanical garden in the world whose mission, from its early inception, was to focus solely on desert plants and one of only a few whose collections comprise a library, herbarium, living specimens and rare and endangered plants.

Mrs. Gertrude Divine Webster, an environmentalist ahead of her time, founded the Desert Botanical Garden in 1939. Mrs. Webster, in conjunction with a small group of Valley citizens, gathered in Papago Park to create a botanical garden whose precepts would encourage an understanding, appreciation and promotion of the uniqueness of the world’s deserts, particularly the Sonoran Desert. They foresaw the Valley’s potential and unique identity, envisioning the need to conserve their beautiful desert environment. The Desert Botanical Garden, since its inception in 1939, continues to be a testament to their vision.

The Desert Botanical Garden sits on 145 acres and has more than 50,000 plants on display including a Living Collection (including more than 21,000 accessioned plants) and a Rare and Endangered Collection (including more than 328 seeds and 213 plants). Through the research department’s partnership with educational institutions and government agencies, research staff is working to ensure the plants of the Sonoran Desert are conserved and preserved for generations to come.

The Garden acts with the environment as its priority and is continually implementing best practices to achieve this – a task that is never truly complete. As new information and technologies become available, the Garden will evaluate and if feasible, implement these practices. Current initiatives include energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling and composting.

Energy Use

Using renewable energy to meet 100% of the Garden’s electricity needs. Solar panels on Dorrance Hall supply up to 8% of these needs
Started to changing incandescent light bulbs to Compact Fluorescent Lights and other lower-energy bulbs.
Staff turns off monitors each night and computer updates have been moved to a mid-week time frame.

Water Use
The Garden’s utilization of native landscaping assists in minimizing water usage.

Recycling

The Garden recycles #1 & #2 plastics, paper, cardboard, aluminum, steel and glass. Receptacles have bee installed throughout the Garden that separate waste and recyclable materials.
Four out of six of print vendors use Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards.
All copy machine default settings are for double-sided printing.
Encouraging catering companies to be environmentally conscious encouraging reusable, recyclable, or decomposable materials whenever possible.

Composting
The Garden delivers all green waste for composting to Singh Farms. In addition, the Garden purchases this compost for use in the Garden.

If you are interested in learning more about sustainability, the Garden teaches the community sustainable environmental practices through educational programs and outreach and the Desert Landscaper School, which focuses on xeriscape and native plants. Come check out the beauty of Desert Botanical Garden – you’ll see not only the unique flora of the Sonoran Desert, but how the Garden is working to preserve that environment!

Looking for a Night Out while your Kids Hike?

Josh Kenzer — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:54:07 +0000

Take a Hike Arizona is offering a night hike for kids aged 5 – 12. The hike, from 6 – 10 pm, will feature a scavenger hunt, scorpion hunt and a ton of other activities. It’s the perfect opportunity for your kids to experience and learn about the desert while you enjoy a Scottsdale fine dining experience or other nightlife activity.

Click here for details on the Parents’ Night Out Promotion.

Desert Wolf Tours Featured in TravelNews24.de

Josh Kenzer — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:28:49 +0000

Zev from Desert Wolf Tours shows Sven Klawunder the Desert

This video was shot while Sven Klawunder, TravelNews24.de, was experiencing Desert Wolf Tours. You may remember Desert Wolf Tours from a post Mitchell did earlier this year. Clicking on the video will take you into the video 1 minute 30 seconds. Most the video is in German, so if you speak German, enjoy. If not, the part featuring Deset Wolf Tours is in English.

Drive Tomcars with Desert Wolf Tours