Scottsdale is home to “Americas Original ArtWalk”. Now in its 31^st year the Scottsdale Gallery Association holds a giant open house every Thursday, (except Thanksgiving) between 7 & 9 pm. Member Galleries open their doors to the public and exhibit the work of hundreds of world class artists.

The mix of art galleries and artistic styles runs the gamut. No matter your taste there is something for everyone, even children. Most of the Arts District is located along Main Street and Marshall Way.

There are no rules, no course to follow, just take your time and enjoy. The dress code is casual and the atmosphere is friendly. If you get tired of touring the galleries you can always stop for an adult beverage or a bite to eat at many of Downtown Scottsdale’s famous eateries and watering holes. 

Once you’ve been refreshed you can take up where you left off or sit by one of the fountains and do a little people watching.  If you’re tired of walking try a horse-drawn carriage ride or one of the trolleys.

There is an abundance of free parking and there is no cost to tour the galleries.  The next time you're looking for something fun to do in Scottsdale, without breaking the budget, check out the Scottsdale ArtWalk.

It's one of my favorite things to do. It makes for a very fun and inexpensive date night. I try to go once a month, if you see me be sure to say Hi!

For more information go to Scottsdale Galleries.com.

Whether you are buying or selling a home in the Scottsdale Area 

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- Where to Eat in Scottsdale AZ: Searsucker -

Last week, I had the opportunity to finally try Searsucker in downtown Scottsdale and I am glad we did.

If you follow TV shows like Top Chef, you may be familiar with Brian Malarkey from San Diego. Since the show, he has opened several restaurants in California and this is his first venture in Scottsdale.

Upon walking in, we were warmly greeted. The space itself is beautiful and well-designed. It is open, industrial and contemporary. Sliding curtains throughout allows the staff to create more intimate or more open spaces depending on what is going on. The large bar and lounge area is to the left and has a darker, sleek palette.

We were there for lunch, which has a different menu than dinner, but there are a few carryover items on both menus. The menu descriptions are creative if a little cryptic and our friendly server was happy to answer any and all questions.

We started with the recommended farm bird lollipops, which are a fun play on traditional hot wings. Chicken meatballs on skewers are basted with a sweet and not too spicy "snake bite" hot sauce. You can then dip the meatballs into a blue cheese fondue for a cooling effect.

For our main courses, we had two "crusts" (a.k.a. sandwiches) and one "main" (which includes salads and entrees.) The "Dip," a french dip sandwich looked delicious and filling. It was traditionally done and my dining companion really enjoyed it. I tried the "Drunken Chicken," which is a creative play on a chicken salad sandwich. It too, was quite good and another generous portion. Both our our sandwiches came with a simple and tasty green salad with vinaigrette. Our third companion tried the Cobb Salad. It was probably the most nicely composed Cobb salad I have seen. It was fresh and piled high with ingredients. Large pieces of bacon on top completed the presentation.

I had heard that the fries they serve with lunch were great so we ordered those as well as a side. They were quite good and got polished off quickly.

Another table had ordered the mussels + frites , which come with the fries I just mentioned, and it looked outstanding. I am planning to try that the next time I am in. I also want to come and try dinner as there are a lot of interesting looking dishes on the menu.

Searsucker is located adjacent to Scottsdale Fashion Square on Camelback and there is mall access from the building. Valet parking, which is complimentary at lunch, is very convenient. Or, you could always park at the mall and walk over.

More Information:
Searsucker Scottsdale
6900 East Camelback Road, Suite 110
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480.664.3777
Lunch, Happy Hour & Dinner Daily

Originally posted on Live Better in Scottsdale

- Downtown Scottsdale AZ – An Entertaining Place to Explore on Foot -

I love Scottsdale and find it to be such a unique and wonderful city. I was recently attending an outdoor art event in Old Town Scottsdale with my husband and we decided to walk through town to the Waterfront near the Scottsdale Fashion Square for a bite to eat. The weather was outstanding and things were somewhat quiet as it was late afternoon on a Sunday. Here are a few things that caught my eye as we strolled through town.

We were on Main Street near the Civic Park when I saw a young lady demonstrating “something” to a customer.  I was intrigued and went into her store, Del Sol, to see what was so interesting. The charming young lady took one of their T-shirts from the rack. In the first photo, she’s holding up this pink T-shirt with a drawing on it. However, when the T-shirt was exposed to sunlight …..Surprise!  The sun triggered it to color in the drawing and we now have a beautiful mermaid.  The store is filled with items utilizing this technology.  How about nail polish that is silver when inside and turns red when you go out in the sun? Or a hair clip? There are way too many things to mention, so stop by if you have a chance.

Next door to Del Sol was an art store that had a couple of “whimsies” in the window about 5 inches high.  Couldn’t resist a quick shot of the small, glass peppers doing the “Salsa”, but I think they were somewhat outclassed by the bananas doing what appeared to be a “Tango”.

As we neared the Waterfront, I was admiring the statue in the round-about called the Horse Fountain that was done by Bob Parks in 1988.  It’s a beautiful piece of art featuring five champion Arabian horses.

As I started to step off the curb, I fortunately looked both ways as a tour group on Segways came whizzing by. It looked like a lot of fun and a novel way to see the town.

After having an iced tea and salad at Olive and Ivy on the waterfront, we were heading back to the bridge when I spotted “Willy”.  Willy is a 6 week old pig who was having a great time frolicking on the grass by the waterway.  His owners said he’s a great pet, will grow to be about 20 pounds and is already “house broken”.  It wasn’t an easy task to get a picture as Willy was having too much fun running through the grass and entertaining the many folks who stopped to give him a pat on the head.  Too cute!

I don’t think I’ve ever walked through Downtown Scottsdale without seeing something new and interesting.  That’s where I head when I have a little time as it’s always entertaining and a relaxing time.

Hotel Valley Ho was cool back in 1956 when it first opened its doors, before Downtown Scottsdale was downtown. It's every bit as chic now, after a meticulous renovation.

This mid-century modern landmark offers posh, playful rooms and suites, fab fare at ZuZu, and VH Spa for Vitality + Health. Centrally located in Downtown Scottsdale, the hotel is just a short walk from shops, restaurants, and Old Town's renowned art galleries.

The seven-story Tower is the artful hotel within a hotel. It offers spacious one- and two-bedroom Tower Suites with complete kitchens, as well as spacious Tower Signature Guest Rooms. Here, the rooms are distinctly designed as light, bright havens with sweeping panoramic views.

Hotel Valley Ho. The evolution of cool.

ABOUT THIS VERY SPECIAL TOWER RESIDENCE at HOTEL VALLEY HO -

This stunning loft has a gorgeous soft contemporary feel. It’s an absolutely exquisite two story with soaring ceilings and top of the line finishes. The city and mountain views are beautifully framed by the floor to ceiling picture windows and create a truly serene setting. Each awe-inspiring room is designed to perfection! This loft is modern and dramatic and offers true city living, as it is walking distance to some of Scottsdale’s best dining and shopping! 24-hour room service and maintenance, housekeeping, valet, concierge, spa, and fitness studio are all included with this perfect lock and leave condo. It is truly something special!

Offered for Sale $999,000.

Features 1995sf of chic loft style living, and has 2 master suites, and 2.5 baths

For this and other Scottsdale Urban Style properties please visit ScottsdaleUrban.com

CONSIDERING SELLING YOUR HOME?

Have your home listed with quality and care, call me for more information about marketing for your home for sale. When you list your home for sale with Brian Dunshie of Russ Lyon | Sotheby's International Realty, you can count on a very unique marketing campaign. Discover the difference between the standard listing, and the way Brian Dunshie creates a buzz about your home. Please follow this link "Quality Marketing" 

Stay in touch on my Facebook Professional Page - Please consider this an official invitation to follow me, by clicking on the "LIKE" button on my page. 

 QUICK LINK : http://ow.ly/czdUi

Thank you, Brian Dunshie | 480.522.6818

Russ Lyon | Sotheby's International Realty

Specializing in Phoenix, Arcadia, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale

http://ArizonaLuxuryExchange.com

Brian's Trade Mark Slogan " Specializing In YOU...and Your Next Castle!!! "

- Things to See in Scottsdale: The Soleri Bridge and Plaza-

If you are down at the Scottsdale Waterfront, you will certainly come across a beautifully crafted, but functional art installation called the Soleri Bridge and Plaza. The bridge connects downtown Scottsdale with Old Town Scottsdale.

The bridge and plaza were designed by Paolo Soleri, a well-known and award-winning Italian architect who settled in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley in the 1950's.

Paolo Soleri's background is fascinating and varied. He got his architectural education in Italy and then came to the United States to do a fellowship with Frank Lloyd Wright. He returned to Italy where developed some of his trademark design items like bronze and ceramic windbells and siltcast structures. In the mid-1950's, he returned to Arizona and settled in Scottsdale.

One of his most significant contributions is his concept of "Arcology" which blends architecture and ecology. This concept what drove the development of the Arcosanti community. The construction of Arcosanti began in 1970 about 70 miles outside of Phoenix. The vision for Arcosanti was a town of 5,000 people that combined a dense population base sharing and maximizing resources while having plenty of access to the natural world. Building is still taking place at Arcosanti and many students and visitors come to stay and explore the fascinating, conceptual town.

In 2008, the design for the Soleri Bridge and Plaza was approved and it debuted in 2010, when Soleri was 91. What makes this bridge so special is that Soleri had been designing bridges for over 60 years and winning awards for those designs, but this is the first bridge of his that was actually constructed.

The bridge itself is a 130 foot long, cable stay bridge. Two 64 foot pylons anchor one end with two other shorter pylons in the plaza area. Soleri's aesthetic is represented by the fact that the bridge pylons act as a solar calendar. The 6 inch gap between them allows for a shaft of light to change with the time of day and virtually every day during the solar noon period, a shadow is cast. On the summer solstice, there is no shadow and on the winter solstice, you will find the longest shadow of the year.

The adjoining plaza is 22,000 square feet and features siltcast structures, such as the large carved decorated panels, each weighing 3,500 pounds. In addition to the panels, you will also see some of Soleri's iconic bells. The Goldwater Bell assembly, created in 1969, decorates the plaza area and highlights some of his best work.

Originally posted on Live Better in Scottsdale

Hotel Valley Ho was cool back in 1956 when it first opened its doors, before Downtown Scottsdale was downtown. It's every bit as chic now, after a meticulous renovation.

This mid-century modern landmark offers posh, playful rooms and suites, fab fare at ZuZu, and VH Spa for Vitality + Health. Centrally located in Downtown Scottsdale, the hotel is just a short walk from shops, restaurants, and Old Town's renowned art galleries.

The seven-story Tower is the artful hotel within a hotel. It offers spacious one- and two-bedroom Tower Suites with complete kitchens, as well as spacious Tower Signature Guest Rooms. Here, the rooms are distinctly designed as light, bright havens with sweeping panoramic views.

Hotel Valley Ho. The evolution of cool.

ABOUT THIS VERY SPECIAL TOWER RESIDENCE at HOTEL VALLEY HO -

This stunning loft has a gorgeous soft contemporary feel. It’s an absolutely exquisite two story with soaring ceilings and top of the line finishes. The city and mountain views are beautifully framed by the floor to ceiling picture windows and create a truly serene setting. Each awe-inspiring room is designed to perfection! This loft is modern and dramatic and offers true city living, as it is walking distance to some of Scottsdale’s best dining and shopping! 24-hour room service and maintenance, housekeeping, valet, concierge, spa, and fitness studio are all included with this perfect lock and leave condo. It is truly something special!

Offered for Sale $999,000.

Features 1995sf of chic loft style living, and has 2 master suites, and 2.5 baths

For this and other Scottsdale Urban Style properties please visit ScottsdaleUrban.com

CONSIDERING SELLING YOUR HOME?

Have your home listed with quality and care, call me for more information about marketing for your home for sale. When you list your home for sale with Brian Dunshie of Russ Lyon | Sotheby's International Realty, you can count on a very unique marketing campaign. Discover the difference between the standard listing, and the way Brian Dunshie creates a buzz about your home. Please follow this link "Quality Marketing" 

Stay in touch on my Facebook Professional Page - Please consider this an official invitation to follow me, by clicking on the "LIKE" button on my page. 

 QUICK LINK : http://ow.ly/czdUi

Thank you, Brian Dunshie | 480.522.6818

Russ Lyon | Sotheby's International Realty

Specializing in Phoenix, Arcadia, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale

http://ArizonaLuxuryExchange.com

Brian's Trade Mark Slogan " Specializing In YOU...and Your Next Castle!!! "