Lots to see and learn here, and guided tours available at scheduled times, though I preferred to…read moreroam the museum at my own pace. Posters and film clips of westerns like A Man Called Horse (1970) and Clint Eastwood's The Outlaw Josie Wells (1976). Handcuffs of all kinds on display (more accurately described as "retaining devices") in a western themed set. Mac Schweitzer's impressive collection of artworks, including depictions of desert animals and the wild west, especially a multitude of horse pieces. Countless paintings and artifacts on the second level, portraying native american history, the buffalo, and the evolution of american west landscapes. Scenes of collective work in western life among cowboys, herders, and traders. I found Eddie Basha's cottonwood tree root carvings interesting. And I was especially a fan of "Rabbit Hunt" by Loren Phillips (Hopi). Fistful of Colors in the north gallery explored the diverse meanings of color, such as the term "feeling blue", and how colors tell stories, evoke emotions, and create connections. The room transitioned into displays of movie posters, explaining why those from different countries vary in the way they are presented. Interactive exhibits throughout allow visitors to learn about Shakespeare in the Old West, women of the rodeo, even a scavenger hunt to find "escaped animals" in the museum. I was amused by fun facts like the first circus (Ryland's traveling show) taking place in Tombstone Arizona Territory in 1880, or how the full saying of "Ay Chihuahua" translates to "Yikes! How many Apache Indians are there without sandals!", referring to Apache raiders like Geronimo invading northern mexico wearing calf-high deerskin moccasins. There was also a small sculpture garden outside and gift shop worth checking out before leaving.

One of my goals this year is to be more like a tourist even though I'm a resident. Meaning hitting…read moreup the types of spots that tourists would visit in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Case in point: Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West. I stopped by on a Sunday afternoon with my mom to check out this museum that specializes in Western and Native American art. Here's what I really like: complimentary docent-led tours three times daily. We got to participate in two of them. They're a great way to get a more in-depth view of the museum. With that being said, even if you explore the museum on your own, you'll have a great time doing it. It's a two-level museum and there's plenty to read about and check out. We spent roughly three hours there and probably got through about 50% of the museum. Here's what I didn't like: they have two back-to-back video presentations in the small theater. They unfortunately weren't happening when I was there due to a private event. Bad luck on my part. Also, general admission is a bit pricey. Outside of the price, it's a fantastic museum. There's a complimentary parking lot across from the museum or you can find street parking. And it's a few blocks away from the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. You'll see Arizona's landscape represented in paintings, Native American artwork, Western movies, and much, much more. I'll definitely be back again!

The Phoenix 20/30 guys really know how to throw a party! This year was the 25th year for this…read moreevent, and I believe they had record attendance and money raised for it as well. I was impressed with how well organized the event was from start to finish. The moment you valet your car in the parking lot, there is a trolley waiting to take you up to the Wrigley Mansion for the event. (Well, this is ideally how it goes but we did have to wait a good 10 minutes for our trolley). I was lucky enough to attend a special VIP dinner reception before the general admission began, and it was fantastic. The VIP dinner was outside on the north side of the Wrigley Mansion with incredible views, service, whiskey tasting, and more... Once inside when the general event started at 7pm, I was blown away by the fact that they had an open bar, live entertainment, and all kinds of food to sample... all from high end restaurants too! The mansion was open for guests to explore and in all of the rooms were different restaurants offering tastes to the guests. I didn't get to stay so late since I had the triathlon the next morning, but if not for that, I am sure I would've stayed until the very end! The crowd was diverse, friendly and fun. The silent auction was one of the biggest I've seen. The Phoenix 20/30 guys were all running around making sure the attendees were having fun. Special thanks to BK, Marcus, Will, Kyle, and Nick for looking out for me and for giving Yelp a presence at the event as well. I took the trolley back down to my car around 9:30 and the guests were still pouring in. This may have been my first Noche de Gourmet event, but it will not be my last!

This year - 2012 - was my first Noche de Gourmet event! The 29th Annual Event. This year it was,…read moreonce again (according to Gabi's 2008 review) extremely well organized and this year, once again, held at the Wrigley Mansion. I once heard that guys in their 20s & 30s were still trying to find themselves . . . don't believe it if the Phoenix 20/30 Club membership is any indication. These guys were absolutely on task, prepared and super organized. I've attended a lot of large events and they usually all have a few snafus that should not have happened. The only snafu all evening was that it rained for 5 minutes. And I don't think the 20/30 Club could have predicted or controlled the small change in the weather. Besides it cooled everything off nicely (maybe it was planned too?) and cleared the night sky. The night view from the Wrigley Mansion was a sea of twinkling city lights. Food was fantastic, drinks were wonderful, and the music made you want to take your shoes off and dance. What a great fundraising event for the Children in Need Foundation - (www.cinfaz.org) Trivia: Did you know the 20/30 Club was founded by Barry Goldwater? If you get an opportunity to attend the 30th Noche de Gourmet in 2013, don't pass it up! It will be an evening of fond memories!

Sure, I love the LOVE sculpture in Old Town, and I've wondered about some of the statues around,…read morebut until today, when I finally explored the Soleri Bridge and Plaza, I didn't really give the art around my neighborhood much thought. But after venturing down to see the Soleri Bridge and Plaza, I was really impressed, and my experience even prompted me to do a little bit of research on where all of this art comes from. Here's what I found (on the Scottsdale Public Art facebook page): Scottsdale Public Art is a percent for art program of the City of Scottsdale, managed by the Scottsdale Cultural Council, a private nonprofit 501 (c)(3) agency that administers the arts and cultural affairs of the City, as well as the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Interesting, huh? I thought so... and from now on, I'm going to pay a lot more attention to the beautiful public art that surrounds me. Add that to my new year's resolution list! Happy new year, all!

While I am sure one could argue for or against the utility of the Soleri Bridge and Plaza, I will…read morefocus my review on the aesthetics of the structure. While I am not an expert in art or architecture, I really like this bridge. I went to the dedication a couple weeks ago and walked around amongst the throngs of spectators. I heard many comment on how the industrial, silver appearance doesn't really mesh with other old town architectural elements. And that is exactly what I like most about this bridge. It stands apart. It forces your eye to recognize the structure and wonder why it's there, who designed it, and maybe draw you there to walk across. Hopefully, the owners and developers of the surrounding properties will use this piece of public art to their advantage. I want to say to them..."We have built it, and people will come, now what are you going to do about it?" I have hope for the future of Old Town Scottsdale, and works like the Soleri Bridge reinforce that optimism.

Best exsperence I had. It's not your regular car show, lot to see and lots of burn outs from all…read moresorts of cars. Had a great time.

Over the years, I have visited the ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus and Civic Space Park on a regular…read morebasis. While there have been different people, different roles, and even different buildings, one consistency has been the "Her Secret is Patience" sculpture in the park. In fact, almost 13 years ago, I even did a photo shoot under the sculpture. The sculpture is in the Civic Space Park, where there is a nice, grassy area, some tables, and chairs right next to the US Post Office and ASU Student Center. I have seen groups of students and even community members holding events in the park either in front of the Student Center entrance at the tables and chairs (gatherings by students or staff), on the grassy lawn area (community members playing soccer, frisbee, or having a picnic), or even on the south side of the walkway (though the lighting wasn't very good in the evening in that area). "Her Secret Is Patience" is a public art sculpture commission designed by artist Janet Echelman for the City of Phoenix. The sculpture consists of painted, galvanized steel, polyester twine netting, and colored lights. It is 145 feet tall and suspended as an aerial sculpture. It is monumental yet soft, fixed in place but constantly in motion. It dances gently in the air, choreographed by the flux of desert winds. During the day, the sculpture hovers high above heads, treetops, and buildings. The sculpture creates what the artist calls "shadow drawings," which she says are inspired by Phoenix's cloud shadows that captivated her from the first site visit. At night, the illumination changes color gradually through the seasons. The goal in selecting the colors is to provide residents some small climate relief through color, adding cool hues in summer, and warm tones in winter. The lighting design also changes what portion of the sculpture is illuminated, leaving parts obscured in mystery, much like the phases of the moon. I've heard students and staff at ASU discussing how the artist was supposedly inspired by monsoon cloud formations and the shadows they cast, in addition to forms found in desert flora. Now that I work only a short walk away from the sculpture, I see it almost every day at work!

This is one of the most eye-catching pieces of public art that I have had the pleasure of seeing…read more It is located in the Civic Space Park and is the work of artist Janet Echelman who made the piece in 2009. Echelman got the name of the piece from a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. It is constructed of painted, galvanized steel, polyester twine netting, and an assortment of ground mounted colored lights that give the nets its color. The piece is not cheap though and costed $2.5 million. The massive piece starts at 38 feet off the ground and extends to 100 feet in the air. To give it more perspective, the piece's largest ring is about 100 feet wide. The piece is intended to resemble a cumulus clouds. However, I see a tornado or jelly fish when I looked at it. It was given the title of Best Public Art by the Phoenix New Times. The wonderful mix of blue, orange and purple just draws you in like a moth to a flame. It is cool to visit during the day, but is amazing at night. The color of the piece changes constantly with the seasons throughout the year. The piece is not without its critics. Many people question the cost of the piece and whether that money could have been used elsewhere. Additionally, the piece's nets and lighting has to be replaced every five years, which makes this piece a gift that keeps on costing. It is unknown how much this periodic maintenance costs the city. This piece has metered street parking located within a reasonable walking distance, as well as commercial parking lots. There is also a train stop right in front of the piece, if you are plan on taking public transportation to get there. I really like this piece. It is a marvel, but I too am a critic of the price tag and reassuring maintenance fee. This piece can rally become the face of the city and one of its iconic images. It is very picturesque and Instagramable. Anyway, as with most public art that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 10 minutes. So, you may want to consider making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip. You can start with Civic Space park, where the piece is located.

The Willo home tour is absolutely fantastic!!! The vibe, the amazing historical homes, the food…read moretrucks,the LIVE MUSIC everywhere and the craft booths and antique car street- WILLO has it all!!! Also beer is available!

If you can, go early and move fast, as the lines get painfully long by noon. That's a good thing…read morefor enthusiasm for home restoration, right? There are free trolleys that run in loops around the tour sites, for times when the experience starts seeming a little... vigorous. The 2015 tour had 10 houses plus some art studios. The highlight was the historic firehouse because really, what else is as cool as an old firehouse? Not that there aren't fascinating features to the regular houses -- it's a kitchen, bath, and patio extravaganza with many nifty features. Home ages this year ranged from 1930 into the early 1940s, plus one 1999 "new old" house. Like some of the 2013 reviewers, I thought I remembered there being more houses, with more variety, in previous years; but it's still really cool. There's also a street fair (in which literally 1 in 5 passersby was telling a companion how street fairs are different in Minnesota) and food trucks. It's a pleasant walk, and one gets to feel smug about how, though street fairs in Minnesota might be larger, in February, they would be buried under the snow.

If you're into murals, stop by Roosevelt Row (otherwise known as RoRo)!…read more I loved checking out the alley that had various murals from different local muralists. The area also has art galleries, boutiques, and various eateries. Easily accessible via the bus or the light rail. +murals

Welcome to the colorful urban area of Roosevelt Row of Phoenix. Here you will find small funky…read morebusinesses, plenty of graffiti and restaurants throughout the area. The area has undergone some gentrification with shiny new bars and eateries popping up here and there. You can still find free street and metered parking. Fewer galleries now than before. All in all, it's a cool hangout for a beverage Al fresco. This is also the First Fridays art walk where vendors will take over the streets selling their goods. Past issues during First Fridays has caused the event to shrink in size.

These folks need to learn the basics of customer service. They canceled the reservation last…read moreminute, by text no less, their phone voicemail was full, and they never called the confirm the morning of the reservation as they had committed to doing. No phone call, no apology, and at the last minute. Worst customer experience we've ever had for any service. Truly AMAZING. Completely unprofessional, ruined my celebration for my wife's birthday, and they don't even deserve 1 star (lowest rating provided). To future business owners: There is ONLY 1 Carriage Service in Scottsdale. Someone should start another horse carriage iservice to give the community options, get contracts with local resorts, and provide the community with a top-notch service.

We took an hour long ride through Old Scottsdale for my wife's birthday. The driver picked us up at…read moreCien Agave restaurant and was on time and ready for our party of four. I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife and they were of a very high quality. The seats were comfortable and a blanket was provided in case it was a little chilly. The driver allowed us to talk amongst ourselves and only spoke when we asked questions. The clickety-clack of the horse's hooves were soothing and the cool night was perfect for the ride. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience.