Spread Random Acts of Kindness

balloonsThe past year has brought challenges that many of us never imagined we would ever have to face. Yet, through it all, we continue to persevere. For us, one of the most important things that have kept us going is the kindness of not only friends and family, but also strangers during these challenging times. I’ve also noticed more how when I practice random acts of kindness it lifts my mood too. Challenge yourself this year and see how many random acts of kindness you can spread!

Open the door for someone.

Give balloons to the neighborhood kids.

Smile at the people you meet on the sidewalk.

Help carry groceries to a car.

Drop off a toy/game at a homeless shelter.

Offer to walk your elderly neighbor’s dog.

Rake a yard for fun.

Pick up trash in the park.

Host a movie night.

Mail a handwritten letter.

Send a small package to surprise someone.

Bring flowers to a friend.

Recycle old electronics.

Place flowers at a grave.

Bring flowers to a nursing home.

Call your parents.

Volunteer at a shelter.

Strike up a conversation with the person in line behind you.

Thank the cashier for bagging your groceries.

Run an errand for someone.

Pick up trash in your neighborhood.

Donate blood.

Give up your seat for someone else.

Leave a basket of goodies on a porch.

Cook a meal for someone.

Give encouragement to someone.

Donate food cards to a local shelter.

Pray for a family member.

Adopt a family who needs help.

Arrive on time for your appointments.

Be a safe driver.

Donate dog or cat food/supplies to a local animal shelter

Pick up litter at the park.

Buy extra school supplies and donate them to your local school.

Donate warm gloves, mittens, and scarves to a shelter.

Collect food for a food bank.

Text someone just to say hello.

Give an unexpected gift.

Help someone with a garage sale.

Bring donuts in to work to share.

Hold the door open.

Be patient waiting in line.

Use kind words.

Donate coloring pads and crayons to the Children’s Hospital.

Make someone laugh.

Mentor someone.

Be mindful and use good manners.

Call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.

Visit someone who is sick.

Bring a treat to work.

Let the person merge in front of you in traffic.

Let someone go in front of you while waiting in line.

Take a shopping cart back to the store.

Buy lemonade from a child.

Run an errand for someone.

Bake cookies and hand them out.

Donate $1 to every tip jar you see in 1 day.

Tell your postal delivery worker how much you appreciate them.

Tell a joke to make someone laugh.

Give away clothing no longer needed.

Shop at a book sale and donate books to a shelter.

Bring someone a coffee just because.

Buy a lottery ticket and hand it away.

Deliver cookies to your local fire station.

Participate in a charity run or walk.

Volunteer at an animal shelter.

Participate in a Christmas Angel program.

Tutor a student.

Bring in a neighbor’s trash cans.

Give someone a gift card you don’t intend to use.

Tip your waiter generously.

Tell someone you love them.

Invite someone to lunch and listen to them talk.

Leave quarters in a kiddie ride.

Leave quarters in a washing machine/dryer at a laundromat.

Keep bottled water in your car and hand it out on a hot day.

Leave a good book in a cafe.

Pick up the tab for a friend’s meal.

Buy a good book and then pass it on.

Compliment the stressed-out mom with little children in line.

Buy your waiter/waitress a dessert.

Say please and thank you.

Compliment when you receive good service.

Leave a sticky note for your kids to find telling them how much you love them.

Plant a tree.

Write letters to soldiers

Thank a teacher.

Use a reusable water bottle.

Leave a dollar taped to a vending machine.

Respect others.

Donate new stuffed animals to a local children’s hospital.

Spread encouragement.

Make a freezer meal and drop it off to a friend.

Wash an elderly person’s car.

Write thank you cards and drop them at the local police station.

Make a meal for a new family in your neighborhood.

Remind someone that they matter every day.

Smile.

Valley Christmas Light Displays 2020

christmas lightsThe COVID-19 pandemic has canceled some events, but not all! Everyone who eagerly looks forward to Christmas light displays will continue to get their wish this year! Here are a few of this year’s holiday lights displays around the valley.

World of Illumination

The World of Illumination drive-thru parks are located in Glendale and Tempe. They each feature almost 2 million lights that you can enjoy from the comfort and safety of your vehicle. Both shows promise to be bigger and better than ever this year and include great tunes you can listen to as you drive along the routes.

The mile-long Glendale park’s theme is “World of Illumination’s Rockin’ Christmas.” In Tempe, people can enjoy “World of Illumination’s Arctic Adventure,” featuring the 32-foot tall Sunny the Snowman and his pals.

Details: Both locations are open 6-10pm daily through Sunday, January 3rd. 6797 N. 93rd Ave., Glendale, and 2200 W. Alameda Drive, Tempe. Weekday tickets are $29 plus taxes and fees per vehicle; weekend and holiday tickets are $39 plus taxes and fees per vehicle. worldofillumination.com.

Holiday Lights at Salt River Fields

Celebrate the season with a sparkling 1.2-mile drive-thru experience at Salt River Fields. The attraction features more than 5 million lights that will dance to music you can enjoy from your car, thanks to a designated FM radio signal, or on an electric carriage.

Details: 5:45-10pm daily through Thursday, December 31st. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, on the Salt River Reservation near Scottsdale. Ticket prices vary depending on day, type of vehicle and in-car or carriage option; check website for details. 480-656-9940, holidaylightssrf.com.

ZooLights

ZooLights is offering two options this holiday season for people to enjoy the millions of lights, animal sculptures and Wildlife Lantern Safari with 66 creatures including peacocks and polar bears: Cruise ZooLights and ZooLights Walk-Thru. Expanded trails and new sights and sounds are featured at the event, and holiday treats like kettle corn and cocoa are available for purchase. The ZooLights Walk-Thru option will be closed to foot traffic on the drive-thru Cruise ZooLights nights.

Details: 5:30-10:30pm through Sunday, January 31st. Check website for which days you can walk and which are drive-thru. Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway. Cruise ZooLights is $75 per car; Zoo Lights Walk-Thru is $20 per person. 602-286-3800, phoenixzoo.org.

Glendale Glitters

The popular annual display has been scaled back this year, but there still will be plenty of festive lights to help get you into the holiday spirit. Sixteen blocks in downtown Glendale are decorated with 1.7 million lights. The lights will twinkle every night throughout the holiday season and will include some new designs. Most merchants and restaurants will be open.

Details: 5-10pm daily through Saturday, January 9th. Downtown Glendale, 58th and Glendale avenues. Free. glendaleaz.com.

We wish you and your family a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season! -Chris & Cheryl

Christmas Drive-In Movies

Movie-going has without a doubt changed this year, but don’t let COVID-19 restrictions limit your holiday movie spirit! Enjoy your favorite classic Christmas movies at the “Moonlight Christmas Movie Nights” drive-in at Sonora Village at 15515 N Hayden Road in Scottsdale. Tickets are $20 to $30 per car.

Elf – December 5 at 6:30pm
Scrooged – December 5 at 8:30pm
The Grinch – December 6 at 6:30pm
Eight Crazy Nights – December 10 at 6:30pm
Home Alone – December 11 at 6:30pm
The Polar Express – December 12 at 6:30pm
A Christmas Story – December 13 6:30pm
Christmas Vacation – December 19 at 6:30pm
The Grinch Stole Christmas – December 20 at 6:30pm

drive in movie

Guide to the Best Pumpkin Patches

This Halloween will be looking different than years past, but Valley pumpkin patches are open to keep the Halloween spirit alive! Here is your guide for everything you need to know about the best local pumpkin patches, but we suggest calling each Pumpkin Patch for hours and admission prices before planning your trip because as we have learned this year, things can change quickly!

MacDonald’s Ranch
Annual Pumpkin Festival

26540 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-585-0239
Open October 3rd – November 1st

A longtime North Valley favorite, this patch is located in North Scottsdale. Take a train or hayride out to the pumpkin patch to pick your pumpkins and enjoy the activities.

Pioneer Living History Museum
All Hallows’ Eve Trick-or-Treat

3901 W. Pioneer Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85086
623-465-1052
Open October 24th

Enjoy spooky Halloween fun at Pioneer Living History Museum. Trick-or-treat in the decorated village, take a haunted trolley ride, and so much more!

Vertuccio Farms
Corn Maze and Fall Festival

4011 S. Power Rd. Mesa, AZ 85212
480-882-1482
Open October 1st – November 1st
With a 7-acre corn maze, duck races, train rides, a petting zoo, giant jump pad, and much more, there is plenty to keep the entire family entertained.

Schnepf Farms
Pumpkin and Chili Party

24610 S. Rittenhouse Rd. Queen Creek, AZ 85142
480-987-3100
Open Every Thursday – Sunday in October

Throughout October, Schnepf Farms will offer fun fall activities such as hayrides, a 4-acre corn maze, a pumpkin patch, pig races and, of course, chili. Fireworks light up the sky Friday and Saturday nights.

Mother Nature’s Farm
Halloween Pumpkin Patch

1663 E. Baseline Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85233
480-892-5874
Open September 26th – October 31st

A pumpkin with every child’s admission at this family-owned farm! After decorating their pumpkin, kids can enjoy the air bounce, a hayride, straw bounce, feeding the animals, and Alexander’s Adventure Maze. You are also able to bring in your own picnic lunch if you don’t wish to purchase food.

Tolmachoff Farms
Corn Maze & Pumpkin Days

5726 N. 75th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85303
602-999-3276
Open October 1st – November 1st

This West Valley farm has something for the whole family. Admission includes a family & mini maze, petting zoo, play areas, jumping pillow, bounce house and optional train rides.

Rocker 7 Farms
Farm Patch Fun

19601 W. Broadway Rd. Buckeye, AZ 85326
623-208-8676
Open October 9th – October 31st

This family-owned pumpkin patch boasts a crop maze, sunflower field, hay wagon ride, an educational barn and a kid-friendly activity area.  Enjoy a day of not only playing in a pumpkin patch but learn all about farming and agriculture!

4th of July at the Scottsdale Princess

fireworksThe Fairmont Scottsdale Princess continues its annual Freedom Fest for July 4th while complying with Arizona’s coronavirus safety precautions. The 10th Annual Freedom Fest will take place July 2nd through the 4th.

To help keep guests and staff healthy, additional safety precautions will be in effect:



Capacities – The resort has limited the capacity of guestrooms available and occupancy of restaurants and pools to ensure physical distancing is adhered to. Dining parties will be limited to ten or fewer per table to adhere with all orders.

Physical distancing during the fireworks – The resort is painting eight foot circles spread six feet apart to clearly and easily allow guests to physically distance on the resort’s lawns while enjoying fireworks and movies.


Face coverings – The resort will comply with the City of Scottsdale’s emergency order requiring the wearing of face coverings while in public, when physical distancing is not able to be reasonably practiced.

Pools – The resort pools will remain open at a controlled capacity, and will comply with CDC, state and local mandates. Dive-in movies will continue as planned, with increased security to enforce distancing.

Dip Your Toes in the Greater Phoenix Lakes

The Greater Phoenix lakes are beatiful location to enjoy Arizona’s beautiful desert and dip your toes in the water to cool off in the summer heat!

canyon lake

Saguaro Lake

Saguaro Lake is a beautiful spot for spending a day on the boat. Located 40 miles east of downtown Phoenix past Fountain Hills, Saguaro Lake is a great Arizona lake for water-skiers and wakeboarders or those looking for a relaxing day of fishing. No boat? No problem! Leave the captaining to Desert Belle paddle boat for a guided tour of the lake.

Bartlett Lake

Bartlett Lake is just 45 miles from downtown Phoenix and east of Carefree, it is the second-largest lake in the Tonto National Forest. No worries if you don’t have a boat, Bartlett Lake offers aqua lodge rentals and a party yacht that accommodates up to 20 guests.

Lake Pleasant

Lake Pleasant is located north of Glendale in the north west valley about 45 minutes from downtown Phoenix. The 10,000-acre lake is always busy with a variety of water sports such as windsurfers, boaters, sailors, water and jet skiers, and fishermen. Lake Pleasant Regional Park also offers camping and trails for mountain biking and hiking.

Roosevelt Lake

Roosevelt Lake is about 80 miles northeast of Phoenix and is the largest of the lakes just outside the Greater Phoenix region. Like other lakes in the Greater Phoenix area, Roosevelt Lake provides plenty of space for a variety of watersports and boating activity. There is also 110 miles of shoreline with peaceful coves for those wishing to find a quiet spot to spend a day.

Canyon Lake

Located past Mesa in the Superstition Wilderness of Tonto National Forest, Canyon Lake (pictured) is about 50 miles east of Phoenix. The 950-acre lake is a great place for a variety of watersports, as well as camping and hiking. Boat rentals are available and the lake has a popular day-use campground with a large grass area, ramadas and a swimming-only section of the lake.

Apache Lake

Apache Lake is also located in the Tonto National Forest and is a good lake for boating, fishing and the scenic canyon walls that surround parts of the lake. Boat rentals are available and for those looking to explore the lake.

Virtual Concerts Online April 24th-26th

concertAs concerts continue to be canceled due to the coronavirus shutdown, musicians are taking to social and streaming platforms to play live for their fans!

April 24

CLASSICAL

The Metropolitan Opera: VerdiLa Traviata
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Met Opera

New York City Ballet: Justin Peck’s Rotunda
Time: 5 p.m.
NYC Ballet

The Violin Channel: Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Times: 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Facebook / Instagram

Joshua Bell, violin
Time: 10 a.m.
The Greene Space

The Kanneh-Mason Family
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Facebook

Judith Ingolfsson, violin and Vladimir Stoupel, piano
Time: 10 a.m.
YouTube

JAZZ

SFJAZZ Fridays At Five: Zakir Hussain, Dave Holland and Chris Potter
Time: 5 p.m.
SF Jazz

Stephane Wrembel plays Django Reinhardt
Time: 12 p.m.
Facebook

Toshiko Akiyoshi and Manuel Valera
Time: 5 p.m.
Vermont Jazz Center

MULTI-GENRE

Under One Roof Music Festival
Time: 5 p.m.
Facebook / Twitch

Room Service Music Festival
Time: 12 p.m.
Room Service Fest

Together, We Breathe Hope: OneRepublic, Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers, Michael Franti and Clare Bowen
Time: 5 p.m.
National Jewish Health

HIP-HOP

Big Freedia
Time: 6 p.m.
Instagram

INDIE

Pickathon Presents a Concert a Day: Andrew Bird
Time: 1 p.m.
Link: YouTube / Twitch / Facebook

ROCK

Forever Honey EP Release Party
Time: 4 p.m.
Instagram

R&B / SOUL

Lincoln Center at Home: Vintage Trouble
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Facebook

FOLK

MaMuse
Time: 12 p.m.
Facebook

COUNTRY / AMERICANA

Americana Highways: Matt Harlan, Renee Wahl, Greg Klyma, Jefferson Berry
Time: 4 p.m.
Facebook

April 25

CLASSICAL

New York Philharmonic: Young People’s Concert with Leonard Bernstein
Time: 11 a.m.
Facebook

Bolshoi Theater: Demutsky A Hero Of Our Time
Time: 10 a.m.
Bolshoi

Alone, Together: 21 Composers Play New Pieces
Time: 4 p.m.
Facebook / Instagram

JAZZ

Badi Assad
Time: 5 p.m. ET
Event Brite

MULTI-GENRE

Under One Roof Music Festival
Time: 5 p.m.
Facebook / Twitch

Room Service Music Festival
Time: 12 p.m.
Room Service Fest

Block by Blockwest: Pussy Riot, The Wrecks, Grandson, Hunny and more
Time: 12 p.m.
Block By Blockwest

Stonewall Gives Back: Cyndi Lauper, Troye Sivan, Rufus Wainwright, Kim Petras and more
Time: 5 p.m.
YouTube

IPSY Spring Social: Doja Cat, Sasha Keable, DJ Hannah Bronfman
Time: 5 – 7 p.m.
Instagram

COUNTRY / AMERICANA

Pickathon Presents a Concert a Day: Willie Watson
Time: 1 p.m.
YouTube / Twitch / Facebook

Americana Highways: Charlie Roth, James Lee Baker, Paul Burch, Stoll Vaughan
Time: 4 p.m.
Facebook

ROCK

Michael McDermott
Time: 12:3o p.m.
Stage It

Bad Bad Hats
Time: 2 p.m.
YouTube

POP

Mikhael Paskalev
Time: 10 a.m.
Instagram

April 26

CLASSICAL

The Metropolitan Opera: Rossini’s La Cenerentola
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Met Opera

JAZZ

WWOZ Jazz Festing In Place: Archival Sets From New Orleans Jazz Fest
Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
WWOZ

MULTI-GENRE

Under One Roof Music Festival
Time: 5 p.m.
Facebook / Twitch

Pathway to Paris: Patti Smith, Michael Stipe of R.E.M., Cat Power, Flea and more
Time: 1 p.m.
Instagram

Room Service Music Festival
Time: 12 p.m.
Room Service Fest

COUNTRY / AMERICANA

Luck Reunion: Hello Walls: Hosted by John Paul White
Time: 6 p.m.
Twitch

Pickathon Presents a Concert a Day: The Lone Bellow
Time: 1 p.m.
YouTube / Twitch / Facebook

CHILDREN’S MUSIC

Lincoln Center at Home: Falu
Time: 8 a.m.
Facebook

Local Farmers Markets – Spring 2020

vegetablesSome local farmers markets have chosen to temporarily close during the coronavirus, but several are still open! In order to help keep vendors and shoppers healthy, new shopping standards have been implemented:

-Only vendors can touch their own products.
-All products selected by vendors, bagged, and then handed to the customer.
-Shoppers may pay vendors with a credit card, inserted by the customer into the square mobile device, no signature.
-No onsite cooking. Prepared foods must be in covered containers ready to go for take out.

Open farmers market include:

-Carefree Farmers Market – Open Fridays
-Old Town Scottsdale – Open Saturdays
-Verrado Farmers Market – Open Sundays
-Roadrunner Farmers Market – Open Saturdays

Stay healthy during the coronavirus by purchasing fresh fruit and vegetables while supporting local businesses!

Eating-In Instead of Out During the Coronavirus

restaurant table and chairsWhile all of our favorite restaurants may be closed for dine-in eating, most are still open for take-out! After chatting with friends and co-workers, we complied a list of everyone’s favorite local restaurants for take-out:

HAMBURGERS
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
11055 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
Hopdoddy Burger Bar is open for curbside pickup and delivery via Uber Eats (free delivery), Postmates, and DoorDash.
hopdoddy.com

TACOS
Joyride Taco House
Multiple Valley Locations
Joyride Taco House has shifted to a to-go operation, serving guests through curbside pickup and delivery. Order through UberEats for free delivery.
joyridetacohouse.com

BREAKFAST
Breakfast Kitchen Bar
15147 North Scottsdale Road, Suite H133, Scottsdale
The Breakfast Kitchen Bar at Scottsdale Quarter is offering a carry-out menu of $8 breakfast items and $20 mimosa kits. Customers also get a free coffee with purchase of entrée.
breakfastkitchenbar.com

CHINESE
Autumn Court Chinese Restaurant
Autumn Court Chinese Restaurant is offering its entire menu for takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Delivery is also available through Postmates, Grubhub, DoorDash, and Uber Eats.3752 East Indian School Road
autumncourt.com

ITALIAN
Casa Mia Cucina Italiana
11675 North 136th Street, #107, Scottsdale
Casa Mia Cucina is offering takeout and delivery directly from the restaurant off a limited menu.
casamiamarblehead.com

FRENCH
Sapiens Paleo Kitchen
10411 East McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, #120, Scottsdale
480-771-5123
Sapiens Paleo Kitchen is offering its full menu of French paleo cuisine for takeout and curbside pickup from 4 to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Dinner packages and weekly meal preps are also available.
sapienskitchen.com

DESSERT
Unbaked Edible Cookie Dough & Ice Cream
3712 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 105, Scottsdale
Unbaked Edible Cookie Dough & Ice Cream is offering curbside pick up and delivery for everyone’s sweet tooth!
getunbaked.com

Do you have a favorite restaurant that should be added to our list? Let us know, we would love to try something new! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

Spring Training – 2020

spring training baseballSwing, batter, batter, swing! Spring Training 2020 is in full swing! From the West Valley to the East Valley, there are 10 stadiums to visit and 15 teams to root for in the Cactus League. With more than 100 Cactus League baseball games scheduled between February 21st and March 24th, there are plenty of opportunities to catch a game!

Who plays at each stadium?

-American Family Fields of Phoenix, 3805 N. 53rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85031 : Milwaukee Brewers
-Camelback Ranch – Glendale, 10710 W. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85037 : Chicago White Sox & Los Angeles Dodgers
-Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338 : Cleveland Indians & Cincinnati Reds
-Hohokam Stadium, 1235 N. Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201 : Oakland Athletics
-Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N 83rd Ave., Peoria, AZ 85382 : Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres
-Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 : Arizona Diamondbacks & Colorado Rockies
-Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 East Osborn Road., Scottsdale, AZ 85251 : San Francisco Giants
-Sloan Park, 2330 W. Rio Salado Pkwy, Mesa, AZ 85201 : Chicago Cubs
-Surprise Stadium, 15850 N. Bullard Ave. Surprise AZ, 85374 : Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals

What’s new at the Scottsdale stadiums this year?

Scottsdale Stadium- Scottsdale Stadium in Old Town Scottsdale underwent extensive renovations, including building a new 43,000 clubhouse, renovating the front plaza, an added shade structure, updates to the bleachers in Right Field and pavilion, as well as implementing public Wi-Fi.

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick- New food items this year include: Philly Cheesesteak (Section 210 & 216); Nashville Hot Burger Basket (Section 101 and 219), and Beyond Meat Burger (sold at Home Plate Hot Dogs). Mustache Pretzels has also opened a location at Salt River Fields, an updated LED scoreboard has been installed, and the team shop has been remodeled.

After watching the pros hit a home run, give us a call to find your new home! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477