Mother’s Day Brunch at The Palette at Phoenix Art Museum / May 12^th

The Palatte is hosting a Mother’s Day brunch, the perfect idea for mom’s who want a tasty and healthy meal with the atmosphere of the museum. A four-course, organic menu filled with various dietary options (vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free) will be offered along with a wonderful desert buffet. The Palette is providing the healthiest and freshest option for a fun Mother’s Day.

To start, enjoy bruschetta, soup made with local organic carrot and ginger with toasted coconut, and salad made with organic kale, pomegranate, golden raisins, pepitas, local goat feta and ginger-lime vinaigrette.

Choose one of the following entrees:
• Asparagus, Mascarpone and Parmesan Tart with Grilled Summer Squashes
• Arizona Merlot Braised Osso Bucco with Local Carrots and Griddled Polenta
• Organic Lemon Grilled Half Chicken with Whipped Potatoes, Sautéed Baby Vegetables
• Maryland Lump Crab Benedict with Roasted Vegetable Hash

The dessert buffet will include coconut cupcakes, Orange Cake, Farm Pecan Pie, Caramel Brownies, Gourmet Cookies and Biscotti and Strawberry Shortcake with Basil Infused Syrup.

Price: $50

10:00 AM – 3:15 PM

Reservations are required for this event by calling (602)257-2191.

PHXArt.org

The Palette at Phoenix Art Museum

Phoenix AZ 85004

Offering Mom’s Everywhere a Perfectly Unique Mother’s Day Brunch

Treat Mom to an elegant brunch at the famous pecan grove this Mother’s Day. Luscious Pecan French Toast, Sweet Potato Salad and Coconut Cupcakes are among a few of the items that will wow her palate. The Canopy in the Grove is rated as one of the “Top 10 Great Places for a Leisurely Holiday Brunch” by USA Today.

Seating Times for Mother’s Day Brunch are as follows: 8:30, 9:00, 9:15, 9:30, 10:15, 10:30, 10:45, 11:15 and 11:30 a.m. Price: $49.95 for adults, $16.95 for kids 8-12, $8 for kids 2-7. 3:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Reservations are required by calling (602) 276-6360. Cancellations will not be accepted after Wednesday, May 8. For more information, please visit www.TheFarmAtSouthMountain.com

Reservations required by calling (480) 991-6887, or visiting online at PetiteMaisonAZ.com

The Canopy in the Grove at The Farm at South Mountain

Phoenix, AZ 85042

First things first, this beer is all about freshness. Brewed specifically to be on shelves at carefully selected destinations around the county within one week of leaving Stone, the date built right into the label in big bold numbers spells it all out.  Enjoy by 5.17.2013. That’s it, no ifs, ands or buts.

Secondly, with a beer this fresh the hops play a huge role in the flavour profile and the brewery does not disappoint. With nine different hops in four separate additions ending in approximately 88 IBUs believe me when I say that this brew is bitter and it doesn’t stop there.  Most of the hops are “late additions” in the boil kettle making for big bold character and extra zing.  This version is also a double IPA – and kicking up the alcohol by volume to 9.4% really drives the point home.  By the way, as you pour the beer, the aroma literally explodes and can be sensed from five feet away.  One fresh west coast partyboy.

Then of course, take Stone’s fun and interactive distribution method into account and you have the total package.  Want this brew in your home town?  You have to tell them!  Via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other various social media sites, you must spread the word and tell them firsthand how badly you want it.  How cool is that?

ARE YOU WORTHY? Only Stone Knows…..

Until Next Week, Cheers!

On February 9, 1964 the Beatles sang four of their original songs (“All My Loving, “She Loves You,” “I Saw Her Standing There” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand”) on The Ed Sullivan Show. That hour revolutionized American popular music, and it would be impossible to imagine a pop or rock group that has not been influenced in some way by its aftermath. “1964…The Tribute” recreates a Beatles concert from those touring years, from onstage banter to Ringo’s head bob. These masters of their craft have the distinction from Rolling Stone Magazine as “The Best Beatles Tribute on Earth.” They have performed on numerous TV shows including Fox News, CBS Early Show, Imus in the Morning, PM Magazine and many other programs worldwide.

John Lennon is portrayed by one of the group’s founding members Mark Benson. Drums and piano were Benson’s first instruments, but then at 17, he learned to play the guitar. He did an internship at a guitar repair shop where he learned to build, repair, and restore guitars. He went on to make guitars for Eddie Van Halen and Jackson Browne, and continues to maintain all of the instruments for 1964.

Paul McCartney is played by Graham Alexander. At age 9, Alexander chose a career in music after seeing a video of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show. He learned to play the guitar, bass, drums and piano, and eventually formed his first band. His love for the Beatles led him to join Beatlemania Now. For the role of Sir Paul, the right-handed guitarist taught himself to play bass guitar with his left hand.

George Harrison’s double is one of the group’s founding members Tom Work. The former member of a barbershop quartet, Popular Demand, has worked in over 20 musical theatre productions both in lead roles and behind the scenes as Producer/Music Director.

Ringo Starr’s mirror image is Bobby Potter. He started taking snare lessons in the 5^th grade and got his first set of drums in the 7^th. Later, Potter made it a personal goal to be like Ringo. He went on to play in numerous bands including two other Beatles tributes. Says Potter, “In the tribute world, you can’t get any closer or higher up than this for authenticity, style and sound in the same way the Beatles performed live.”

Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets ($25 and $35) are still available at Celebrity Theatre or online at www.celebritytheatre.com. To charge by phone, call 602-267-1600 ext. 1. All tickets are subject to a surcharge. Celebrity Theatre is at 440 N. 32nd St., in Phoenix.

But one thing we wrote about in the second part of the article didn’t even exist in Arizona at the time.  We sort of threw out the challenge to Arizona female beer drinkers to start a women’s beer organization and waited to see what happened.  Well, it didn’t take long until Maureen Basenberg decided the time was right to bring a chapter of Girls Pint Out to Phoenix.  In fact, this organization just recently celebrated its third anniversary of supplying women with a testosterone free environment to discuss, learn about and enjoy beer.  With a lot of support from Alyssa Medina and Kristine Bradley (BeerKristine to you social media types) this organization has not just survived, but has flourished.

As they describe themselves, “We’re gals into grolsch. Ladies into lagers. Princesses into pilsners. Angels of ale. With a Southwestern twist!”  I think it is easy to see that they do not take themselves too seriously.  What they do is to provide opportunities for female beer drinkers to experience craft beer with other women and to learn from each other while doing so.  Clearly there are some major beer experts involved in this group, but there are also just as many novice craft drinkers involved.  That is the real charm of the group… all are welcome and encouraged. Every event is tailored so that beer expert or not, there is something to be gained…all while making new friends.

The group holds an average of two events a month. That could look like anything from a beer tasting to a tour at a local brewery or a pairing event that teaches women how to marry food and craft beer. Other events have included Happy Hours at local breweries and beer bars, Christmas cookies paired with Christmas beers, and Cheese and Beer Pairings. One of the more ambitious projects last year was a “Style Series” of meetings held at different locations, each focusing in a particular beer style, frequently with an expert to present the style.  Classes included Belgians, Porter, Ciders and more.  Attendance is frequently 30-40 ladies and a good time is had by all.

At any rate, the point of this is that Arizona Girls Pint Out is now three years old.  They celebrated their anniversary, as has become their tradition, at Sun Up Brewery just last week.  As has also become a tradition, brewmaster Uwe Boer produced a special beer which GPO gets to name.  Past brews included a Maerzen which ended up with the name “May Milestone” to signify the first anniversary of the group.  This year’s beer was a Honey Ale with tart cherries which ended up with the name, “Cherry Buzz.”

Reflecting on the three years of this group partially means to look at the support the group has had throughout the years.  For their first anniversary, the commemorative glass featured just seven sponsors, by year two it was up to nine and the three year anniversary included no less than eleven sponsors.  I am certain more were willing, but there is only so much space on the glass.  Sponsors for all three years include Sun Up Brewery, Papago Brewing, Four Peaks and World Class Beer.  Although it should be noted that newer locations like O.H.S.O Eatery and NanoBrewery, Fate Brewing and World of Beer have been involved as long as they have been open.

As we have gone through the ages, women, from the time of Ninkasi, have always been actively involved in all aspects of the brewing process. Ninkasi is an ancient Sumerian Goddess, and her purview is beer.  She brewed daily and supposedly produced some very fine beer, although there were no beer judges around back then, so who knows.  In South America, in the Amazon Rain Forest, women still chew cereal grain to introduce the enzyme ptyalin, spitting the chewed “mash” into buckets where the ptyalin begins the fermentation process.  For early mankind this beer was a valuable dietary staple, a source of protein and vitamins.  The tradition has continued and only women chew the grain to produce this unique beer.  During the times of the Pharohs of Egypt, women brewed in a part of the kitchen called “the pure”.  The beer produced was called “Hekt” and it was exported throughout the world. Through the times of Christ and beyond, women continued to brew beer.  As recently as the 13^th century, only 8 percent of the brewers in England were men.  The women would brew in their home and put a broom handle over their door to show that they had extra beer for sale.  Native African women would also put this “ale-stake” out to indicate beer available, except theirs was decorated with fresh vines and flowers.  Throughout Medieval Europe women continued to play a large role in brewing, although in an act of chauvinism, they could only hold a license in their husband’s name.  It was during these times that Saint Brigid through prayer and faith supposedly changed bath water in to beer for the benefit of a colony of thirsty lepers.

So, based on this amazing history of women and beer, it is only logical that we have come to the point where one of the most active beer groups in the state revolves around women.  Or, to quote Arizona Girls Pint Out founder, Basenberg, “Baby, we’re back.  It’s time to celebrate our return.”

Join the Girls Pint Out group for a Beer Brunch on Sunday, May 26^th at 10:00 AM at Vintage 95 in Chandler or check them out at azgirlspintout.com.  There are no membership fees to join.  Everything is event based, just pay as you go.  And by the way, it’s not Girls Pint Night Out, just Girls Pint Out.

Friday, May 10^that 7:30pm

Outdoors in Scottsdale Civic Center Amphitheater

With his uniquely expressive sound and soaring musical imagination, trumpeter Chris Botti has thoroughly established himself as one of the most innovative figures of the contemporary music world. Now a major artist in his own right, performing worldwide, selling more than 3 million albums, he has found a form of creative expression that begins in jazz and expands beyond the limits of any single genre. Botti earned the 2013 Grammy Award for “Best Pop Instrumental Album” for his latest release Impressions.

Bring a blanket or low-rise chair and enjoy an evening of great outdoor entertainment. Picnic foods and beverages are available for cash purchase. Pets and outside food and beverages may not be brought into the Amphitheater grounds. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets: $35 Package / $39 Single. Package-Priced Tickets – Discounted seating when you purchase four or more Package-priced events in one order. Visit www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org for more information.

Will Clipman has recorded over sixty albums, including over thirty for Canyon Records, where he is regarded as the house percussionist. A six-time GRAMMY nominee and three-time Native American Music Award winner, Clipman has mastered a pan-global palette of over one hundred percussion instruments. “The haunting sound of the Native American flute is gaining more widespread appeal in recent years, and R. Carlos Nakai is the reason for it.” –Billboard

Tickets: $32.50–$37.50; Circle of Friends donors who give $500+ annually are eligible for 10% off concert tickets. Call 480.478.6000 or visit www.themim.org for more information.

The karaoke system and showroom are available for private parties as well so you can be your own DJ!  Bring your personal song list on your mp3 or iPod or use the extensive song list from Golden Pin Lanes.  The system also plays DVD’s for movie theater style entertainment.  Come join in the fun on Wednesday nights or contact us at 888-4272 to host your own Karaoke Party.  Golden Pin Lanes is conveniently located on Miracle Mile between I-10 and Oracle Road at 1010 W. Miracle Mile.

The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures in Tucson is a 15,560 square foot, state-of-the-art museum displaying an entertaining and interactive array of antique and contemporary miniatures as well as enchanting artifacts. This Tucson museum styles itself as a miniature time machine, by which the visitor sets off on a self-guided tour through different lands and times both real and imagined. Over 275 miniature houses, room boxes and enchanting collectibles are part of the extraordinary collection in this educational and magical environment, appealing to visitors of all ages, interests and talents.

There is no entry fee to participate in the Seeing is Believing video contest.  All videos must be in English. HD is strongly preferred. Submission deadline is Friday, May 17^th 2013 / 10pm MST.  The contest winner will be announced by Friday, June 7^th. For detailed submission guidelines and official contest rules, please visit The Mini Time Machine on facebook at www.facebook.com/MiniTimeMachine.  Also, be sure to visit them on the web at www.theminitimemachine.org

The Mini Time Machine

4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive

Tucson, AZ

520-881-0606

9am – 4pm

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tucson will receive a percentage of the beer sales at the new music venue, T.O.P. the “Top of Pennington” Garage.  Admission is free to hear the great local classic rock band Five Way Street.  Take the elevator to the rooftop for a sunset/city lights view to enjoy classic rock, food and beer from Borderlands Brewery, a Tucson-based microbrewery producing quality beers in traditional Southwestern style will be selling beer during their performance.  Doors open at 6pm and music starts at 7pm.

Congress St. is open to automobile traffic. You can easily visit your favorite restaurant or bar. There will be a lot to see and do on all the downtown streets.

KIIM/KHIT Scott Ave. Stage at the corner of Scott and Congress

6:30pm-7:45pm: Aztral Folk (Ethno Psychedelic Fusion)
7:45pm-8pm: Belly Dance Tucson

8pm-9:15pm: Kevin Pakulis & Coyote Supperclub

9:15pm-9:30pm: Belly Dance Tucson

9:30pm-10:30pm: Atom Heart Mother (Pink Floyd Tribute)

T.O.P. Top of Pennington Garage 110 E. Pennington / Free Admission

7-9pm 5 Way Street (Classic Rock), beer for sale with a percentage of beer sales donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Historic neighborhood carriage rides will be offered by Good Shepherd Ranch. These carriage rides will introduce you to some of Tucson’s oldest neighborhoods. The carriages can hold 4-12 people.  Cost is minimal. See 2ndsaturdays.com for specifics.

The Fire Truck Adventure Zone Kids’ Area has a fire truck for exploring, 3 jumping houses, free photos of the kids and other activities. Cinderella will be shown as the FREE movie at 7pm.   The kids’ area is open from 5-8pm.

The Fox Theatre 17 W. Congress FREE

7pm: 2013 BFA Thesis Films: I DREAM IN WIDESCREEN (From the UA School of Theatre, Film, and Television)

Rialto Theatre: 318 E. Congress, check for tickets/prices

TBA

Hotel Congress: 311 E. Congress FREE

7pm: Charlie Faye

TUCSON SOCCER: Ronstadt Transit Center 6th Ave. and Congress St. FREE

5-9pm FC Tucson is hosting 2nd Saturdays Street Soccer—street soccer fun for all ages and levels

2nd Saturdays Downtown runs from 5pm to 10pm.  For more details, a full schedule and parking maps and directions go to www.2ndsaturdays.com

FIVE WAY STREET TO PERFORM AT 2^nd SATURDAYS’ NEW ROOFTOP MUSIC VENUE ON MAY 11^TH

Tucson’s favorite music festival is filling Congress Street with music, street performers, food, many new vendors and promenade strollers. The Fire Truck Adventure Zone and the Kids’ Area have a new home at the Old Pueblo Parking Lot, 43 E. Congress. The Kids’ Area hours are from 5-8pm.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tucson will receive a percentage of the beer sales at the new music venue, T.O.P. the “Top of Pennington” Garage.  Admission is free to hear the great local classic rock band Five Way Street.  Take the elevator to the rooftop for a sunset/city lights view to enjoy classic rock, food and beer from Borderlands Brewery, a Tucson-based microbrewery producing quality beers in traditional Southwestern style will be selling beer during their performance.  Doors open at 6pm and music starts at 7pm.

Congress St. is open to automobile traffic. You can easily visit your favorite restaurant or bar. There will be a lot to see and do on all the downtown streets.

KIIM/KHIT Scott Ave. Stage at the corner of Scott and Congress

6:30pm-7:45pm: Aztral Folk (Ethno Psychedelic Fusion)
7:45pm-8pm: Belly Dance Tucson

8pm-9:15pm: Kevin Pakulis & Coyote Supperclub

9:15pm-9:30pm: Belly Dance Tucson

9:30pm-10:30pm: Atom Heart Mother (Pink Floyd Tribute)

T.O.P. Top of Pennington Garage 110 E. Pennington / Free Admission

7-9pm 5 Way Street (Classic Rock), beer for sale with a percentage of beer sales donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Historic neighborhood carriage rides will be offered by Good Shepherd Ranch. These carriage rides will introduce you to some of Tucson’s oldest neighborhoods. The carriages can hold 4-12 people.  Cost is minimal. See 2ndsaturdays.com for specifics.

The Fire Truck Adventure Zone Kids’ Area has a fire truck for exploring, 3 jumping houses, free photos of the kids and other activities. Cinderella will be shown as the FREE movie at 7pm.   The kids’ area is open from 5-8pm.

The Fox Theatre 17 W. Congress FREE

7pm: 2013 BFA Thesis Films: I DREAM IN WIDESCREEN (From the UA School of Theatre, Film, and Television)

Rialto Theatre: 318 E. Congress, check for tickets/prices

TBA

Hotel Congress: 311 E. Congress FREE

7pm: Charlie Faye

TUCSON SOCCER: Ronstadt Transit Center 6th Ave. and Congress St. FREE

5-9pm FC Tucson is hosting 2nd Saturdays Street Soccer—street soccer fun for all ages and levels

2nd Saturdays Downtown runs from 5pm to 10pm.  For more details, a full schedule and parking maps and directions go to www.2ndsaturdays.com