We all love Scottsdale. From the beautiful weather, the rich history and all that comes with it. But do you really know about the architecture, the history of what happened in that building before our generation? Most of us would say no. Which is where Scottsdale residents Irina and Igor Ilyinski are to help. These two entrepreneurs launched Listen Up, an app to tell you about where you are.    Calendar of Events  Animals After Dark, Cirque ShowThis adult’s only evening at the Phoenix Zoo is sure to be groovy. This Friday, March 24 from 6-830. Dress in your favorite 70’s gear whistle watching acrobats, jugglers and animals in the night. Tickets can be purchased from the link in the description of this episode.    Summer Camp Info Session @ McCormick-Stillman RailroadParents, it’s actually time to start thinking about summer camps. No time to waste and many of them fill up FAST.  That’s why this Sunday, March 25 from 9-1pm you should go to the Railroad park where camps, museums and more will all be there to showcase their camps for the summer. So while the kids play, you can plan your summer!   

Sam Baker has lived a life. At the young age of 100-years-old he’s determined to make reading fun for the younger generation. He’s a WWII Vet, worked at NASA, raised a family and decided to add published author to his resume. Learning to read wasn’t easy for Sam. So he’s making it his mission to make at least 1 child learn to love to read. And for him, it starts with a good story.    Happy Spring Break to all the kids out there. Most of the Valley is on a break but there is still plenty of fun to be had.    Tanya Tucker @ Talking Stick Friday, March 17 go see classic country star Tanya Tucker sing some of her classics. There’s still tickets available.    Spring TrainingFor all you baseball fans this is your time to shine! No matter which team you’re cheering for, you are sure to have great weather and good times.  SuperHero Festival @ AZ BoardwalkBring your little superhero’s out for a day of fun on  March 18. From 10am-2pm kids can enjoy free events from ziplining, slides, bounce houses and more.

Play ball! That’s right Scottsdale, Spring training has officially begun! Formed in 1961, The Scottsdale Charros are an all-volunteer, nonprofit group of business and civic leaders that help build our community by supporting youth sports, education and charitable causes. Scottsdale Charro Bob Weston is here to tell us how the Charros helped bring the SF Giants to Scottsdale and what we can expect this year. Calendar of Events  Spring TrainingFor all you baseball fans this is your time to shine! No matter which team you’re cheering for, you are sure to have great weather and good times.    Rodeo Scottsdale @ WestWorldHappening this weekend March 9-12. Heading into it’s 70th year, Parada Del Sol Rodeo is sure to be fun for the whole family.  Best Picture Fest @ Harkins Theaters Calling all movie buffs. For $40, come and see all the best picture nominees this week at Harkins theaters.

Tequila is the game and Tezcazul is the name. A new brand of tequila is in town and I’m here to introduce you to one of the men behind the brand, David Fox. David’s friend Mike Rowe has always had a passion for tequila. Between Mike’s passion and David’s expertise in distribution, the two came together to bring us, Tezcazul. A  handcrafted, artisanal tequila, made from organically farmed, sustainable, 100% blue agave. Here to tell us more about this one-of-a-kind tequila is David Fox, of International Brands and Beverages. The sole distributor of Tezcazul, located here in Scottsdale. We also have our favorite State Farm agent, Jeremy Mueller and Dr. Rob DiVito of AZ Center for Laser Dentistry at the table. We talk about our favorite Scottsdale Super Season memories and of course, tequila.    Calendar of Events  Italian Festival in PHXHappening this weekend at Heritage Square. Plenty of food, music and Italian wine beer for you to enjoy 2 days worth of fun. Spring TrainingFor all you baseball fans this is your time to shine! No matter which team you’re cheering for, you sure to have great weather and good times.  Old Town Art WalkThis week’s art walk is dedicated to the Native Spirit, encompassing our heritage and homeland. Happens from 630-9pm. Get an evening stroll in while seeing artists and the galleries glow in the desert nightlife.

Let's start with our favorite Scottsdale Realtor, Shawn Shackelton. We dive into the maket, interest rates and what Scottsdale can look forward to. (this episode was recorded earlier and some numbers / stats may not be up-to-date)  Experience Scottsdale is a one-stop shop to learn about all the great events and places in Scottsdale, besides this podcast of course. The leader is none other than Rachel Sacco, President and CEO of Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau for over 30 years. Actually the owner leader of Experience Scottsdale. She’s a Scottsdale Hall of Fame inductee as well as Drinkwater Leadership Award Winner from Scottsdale Leadership. When it comes to Scottsdale, AZ  Rachel and her team at Experience Scottsdale put us on the map.    Calendar of Events Jet Center FoundationThe Jet Center Event is a benefit for local charities and includes a silent auction offering trips, gift baskets, artwork, spirits, a wine pull and something for all price ranges and interests. Local benefactor organizations include Angel Flight West who provide free medical transportation to people in need, Lost Our Home pet rescue that provides compassionate service to animals in crisis, and Kettey’s Exchange funding orphanages in Ghana and Mexico. The event is this Saturday Feb 25 with Ticket pricing  starting at $195.  Arabian Horse ShowThe largest Arabian Horse show in the world is still going on this week. Events happening everyday until 6pm. Don’t forget to listen to last week’s episode with Cathy Vecsey to hear more.  Spring TrainingIt’s time!! Spring Training is officially starting this week. Games throughout the days for your favorite teams.   

Director of the Arabian Horse Association of AZ, Cathy Vecsey has been a part of the Arabian horse community for decades. She’s been competing at the national level since the early 80s. In 2017, Cathy and her husband made the cross-country trip from Connecticut to Arizona with 14 animals in tow. 10 of which being her beloved horses. She is now sits as a Dir on the board of the Arabian Horse Association of AZ, is the trainer for Hawk Haven Farms and still competes as an amatuer.   Arabian Horse Show  Happening at WestWorld from Feb 16-26. Check online for certain tickets deals and discounts  such as Military day on Tuesday.  Arizona Fine Art ExpoTickets start at $12. A beautiful event where artist from around the world come to showcase their work and even do a little work themselves while you watch.

It is here!!! The WM Open and Super Bowl week officaly begins, right now! While we're all excited to join in on the many festivites, and I mean many, the people working behind the scenes are the real heros. There is a lot to take in and consider when it comes to keeping us and our great city safe during the cfrazy week.  Capt. David Folio has been with the SFD for 32 years. He’s a father of 5, saved countless lives, put out fires but I’d be willing to bet all that doesn't add up to the chaos he and his team are about to see when it comes to Scottsdale and the Valley, this week. Pulling out the playbook from 2015, the last time The WM Open and Super Bowl were in town together, is a good start. But, times have changed and so have the safety measures. David joins me at the table to tell us how to prepare for a week of fun and hopefully not too many Shenanigans.    We also have Dr. Rob DiVito with AZ Center for Laser Denistry at the table. He tells us about what he's most looking forward to this week. Concerts, golf, huge crowds and lots of pretty smiles.    Calendar of Events  It is officially Scottsdale’s Week to Shine! WM OPENFree to the Public M-W. GA tickets start at $60 on Thursday/Sunday and $75 for Friday/Saturday. Remember to be prepared, be patient and have fun. It’s going to be a big one.    AZ Super Bowl Week There are more activities happening than I think one person can attend. From the Super Bowl Experience at Phoenix Convention Center, ESPN in Old Town in front of Rusty Spur, endless amounts of parties & concerts and of course the Big Game out in Glendale. Plenty of fun to be had with friends or family. 

Parada del Sol Parade and Trail’s End Festival is in its 69th year. Scottsdale’s Western Week kicks off the week’s long festivities. Parades, the Hashknife Pony Express, Native American festivals, gold mining, live music, and museum exhibits are just some of the events happening this week. All wrapped up with the Parada del Sol Parade on Saturday Feb 4. Dr. Joe Deka is this year’s Parada Boss leading this year’s Parada del Sol Parade, hosted by the Scottsdale Charros. And I’m excited to hear how this week is going to stand out.   Calendar of Events    Scottsdale Western WeekHappening right now. Events each night this week so check the link for details. The Parade is happening on Sat, Feb 4 and if you can’t make it in person or you can always catch it on TV.    WM OPENFree to the Public M-W. GA tickets start at $60 on Thursday/Sunday and $75 for Friday/Saturday. Remember to be prepared, be patient and have fun. It’s going to be a big one.    AZ Super Bowl Week There are more activities happening than I think one person can attend. From the Super Bowl Experience at Phoenix Convention Center, ESPN in Old Town in front of Rusty Spur, endless amounts of parties & concerts and of course the Big Game out in Glendale. Plenty of fun to be had with friends or family. 

Started in 1954,The Boys & Girls Club of greater Scottsdale now has 9 area locations. It’s a safe place for kids to attend camps, after school activities, award winning scholarships and more. President and CEO Ivan Gilreath joins me at the table to talk about the benefits of Boys & Girls Club, how we can support the kids in our community and what’s ahead.   Calendar of Events  To learn more about Scottsdale Boys & Girls Club and how you can help support our kids https://bgcs.org/   Street Eats Food Truck Festival Happening this Saturday & Sunday at Salt River Fields, come and enjoy dozens of food trucks from around the Valley. From 11am-5pm tickets start at $12 for General Admission. Buy ahead to get a discount and kids 12 and under are FREE.   Barett-Jackson Car ShowDon’t forget to check out the Barrett-Jackson car show happening this week. Buy tickets online to save a few bucks, and remember, it is a family fun event! Listen to last week’s episode to hear more from Craig Jackson himself.  Scottsdale Western WeekStarts this weekend Jan 28-Feb 5. Events all week long starting with Museum of the West, taking a tour of all the Parada del Sol events, a Western Themed Art Walk on Thursday night and of course the Parada del Sol parade to cap off the week on Feb 4. 

CEO and name sake Craig Jackson is gearing up for this week’s Barrett-Jackson car show at WestWorld. Over 50 years and this show seems to be bigger than year’s past bringing in more people, more cars and more fun. The premier car show in the world, Craig Jackson has put Scottsdale and Barrett-Jackson on the map. So how is going to top himself this year?   Calendar of Events Barrett-Jackson Happening this weekend Jan 21-29 at WestWorld. Tickets are $28 at the door with military discounts. And kids 12 and under are FREE with an adult ticket. It’s a great opportunity to go have some family fun and see some one-of-a-kind cars. You don’t need to be a car fan to enjoy this show.    Celebration of Fine ArtsJan 14- March 26, this show brings artists from around the world. You can see them work first hand and even see other works for purchase.    Zoo Move & 5K Phoenix zoo is having a night time 5k race this Saturday, Jan 21. Race starts at 5pm, you can buy online before hand or at the door. This year’s race benefits The Arizona Center for Nature Conservation/ Phoenix Zoo.