© Bill Timmerman

Completed in 2007, local architect Eric Weber was given a great opportunity while working at Will Bruder+PARTNERS. Asked to create a mid-century private modern residence that would serve its occupants as a “vessel of personal discovery,” Weber took the challenge and delivered the Jarson Residence. The result, this beautiful Paradise Valley home that gracefully embraces its desert surrounds in a uniquely modern way, complete with McDowell Mountain views via it’s large glass walls.

Don’t worry guys, we didn’t forget about you. We’ve put together a 4th of July fashion guide for you also. We combined classic, All-American looks with some must-have festive pieces. No American Flag ties here. Check out the fashions after the jump.

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While your making plans for Independence Day don’t forget you need the perfect red, white and blue ensemble for the occasion. Although it’s going to be wicked hot, don’t compromise (our nice way of saying, please don’t go overboard) fashion when trying to add stars and strips to your outfit. Instead check out these subtle, patriotic and affordable pieces that are perfect for any 4th of July festivity after the jump.

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As the film submission deadline has passed for the “Clips of Faith” Beer and Film Tour, it’s time for Flagstaff to reap the benefits of the hard working film making finalists and take in some flicks with a nice cold one in hand. The second annual tour, presented  by New Belgium Brewing (makers of Fat Tire), will include comedic shorts, adventure documentaries and music animation with 14 of their most esoteric beer offerings.

With the 18 city tour already underway, the film fest will be making its way down to Flagstaff, Friday, July 8, at 7 p.m. As admission is free, tasty 3 Oz. samples will be available for $1.25 along with 12 Oz. $5. With the intent of  proceeds going to a local, non profit organization based around bicycling at each tour destination, proceeds from the Flagstaff stop will go to Flagstaff Biking Organization. However, biking under the influence is not recommended (but super fun).

As for the night of entrainment under the stars, be prepared to treat your taste buds to Belgium-inspired brews, complete with talking beer bottles and Wisconsin lizard wranglers. No, this wont be your drunken hallucinations, but rather what you may find on the big-screen. In other words, get ready to be entertained yet again Flagstaff, as there’s nothing better then a nice refreshing brew on a hot summer evening while catching an entertaining flick.

In the mood for some fall-off-the-bone pork spare ribs and warm corn bread? The Adobe Restaurant at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club will be hosting BBQ Saturdays all summer long featuring irresistible All-American favorites. Brought to you by former participant of the Food Network’s Iron Chef, Jim Gallen, the three course meal will include an appetizer, entree, side and dessert for $19.95 per person. This Texas sized meal will fill you to the brim and you’ll be raving about the southern fried pickles for weeks. Check out the menu and call 602-468-9160 for reservations.

Yes, it’s that time of year again. Time to kiss off the English and celebrate our democratic right once again. In true American fashion, this year’s Fourth of July will consist of nothing less then barbecues, beers, and blinding fireworks. With a long list of events in and around the valley, get out and celebrate, do John Hancock proud, sweat a little for your country, and party like its 1776. After the jump of course.

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If you’re currently planning on breaking your lease in order to move into Tempe’s West 6th condos (who isn’t?), breathe easy as you have until December. The newest luxury property to hit Tempe is now accepting reservations for Tower 2, anticipating a holiday season move-in. As the taller of the two buildings, it’s posh pads are more spacious and come complete with breathtaking views of Camelback Mountain and Papago Park. With West 6th welcoming lucky residents to Tower 1 this August, it’s almost guaranteed anyone who visits will want a spot in Tower 2. Great news for all, as this earlier then expected December move in date will finally(!) complete this iconic project.

Heading to L.A. this weekend? Stop by the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and pick up this star spangled jacket. A lot patriotic and a little bit ironic, given that designer Shepard Fairey’s Obey line is built on “sticking it to the man,” we’re completely obsessed. Retailing for $250, there are only 50 of the Shepard Fairey for Levi’s x MOCA jackets, and they go on sale this Saturday, July 2nd at MOCA and MOCA online. People will salute you when you walk down the street, and it will be awesome.

If you didn’t make it out to this year’s Electric Daisy Carnival because of crowds, expensive ticket prices or because raves just straight up scare you, you’ll get the chance to experience it from the comfort of your local movie theater. On August 4th NCM Fathom and Manifest/Insomniac Productions is bringing the  Electric Daisy Carnival Experience to 250 theaters across the nation. This cinematic tour de force will feature captured live performances from the world’s most famous DJs including David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia,Benny Benassi, Steve Aoki and Deadmau5 and give viewers a behind the scenes look into the fascinating world of electronic music culture. This one-time showing will be held at 9pm local time and theater locations and tickets can be found online at fathomevents.com

We were going to theme this week’s Chow Down all things red, white and blue in honor of the rapidly approaching holiday (like these Patriotic Pops from Honey Moon Sweets pictured), but then we decided: what’s more American than a vast array of foods from all over the globe, amazing deals on where to spend your happiest hour and a good, stiff cocktail? Nothing, right? With that in mind, here’s a redux of this week’s happenings in our favorite food blogs:

In the interest of getting straight to the point, the point being alcohol consumption, EaterAZ flagged down one of Tempe’s simplest happy hours at Canteen Modern Tequila Bar. Now, what I mean by “simple” is the one with the least amount of math involved to figure out what your bill will be and, for Canteen, this means half off. Just a simple divide by two situation here. Yep, from 4:00-6:00 pm everyday you can get half off “just about everything you can drink and a pretty good selection of menu items” AND half off tequila. Yeah, you can drink the real good stuff, the stuff you wish you could buy to impress random people during regular drinking hours, for just half of its ridiculous bar mark up. And this is not just a singular happy hour, it’s two so you can enjoy every sip twice as long for half the price. »READ MORE

Come one, come all, and clear out the kitchen of local restaurant El Chorro Lodge during their ALL NIGHT HAPPY HOUR. The renown valley restaurant will be closing their doors for the month of July to complete renovations so everything must go. In other words, do yourself a favor and complete this week’s hump day and prepare for the weekend TONIGHT, June 29, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The competition is on! The National Pastry Team Championship is taking place right here in Phoenix at the JW Marriot Desert Ridge Resort July 8-9th. Twelve teams of three contestants each from around the country will have 13 hours to complete a lengthly list of desserts while keeping the “your favorite book” theme in mind. Teams will be judged by a panel of experts on artistry and technical merit, work ethic and hygiene and degustation. This intense competition is no amateur bake-off! Participants have the chance to win up to $24,000 cash prize and go on to represent the USA in the World Pastry Team Championship in 2012. Notable competitors include Meegan Lancaster from the Tropicana in Vegas and Vanessa Bogojel of the Arizona Grand Resort. For tickets to the event visit the website.

Sushi, Scottsdale and Sumo have become unanimous with the opening of Stingray Sushi’s newest location on South Street at Scottsdale Quarter. Yes, you read that right, sumo wrestlers and sushi. What else would you expect from the Japanese pop-culture loving Stingray?

Considering this is the first sushi restaurant to open in the area in over 10 years, it is fitting that they do something BIG. Over 1,000 pounds of big to be exact, as three World Champion Sumo Wrestlers gave a demonstration Sunday and Monday to stunned shoppers. This was the kick-off of five VIP events in two days to celebrate the new location, and along with multiple job fairs for their various concepts (Stingray Sushi, Spanish Fly, Jimmy Woo’s and Geisha A Go Go), the Old Town Group continues to expand. This time it’s in North Scottsdale’s quickly growing hot spot.

Known for their out-of-the-box sushi combinations and killer happy hour, (seriously if you haven’t been, it’s awesome) the contemporary, high energy Japanese restaurant will open it’s third location to the public today. With signature dishes such as Chilean Sea Bass and specialty rolls, including the Lollipop Roll (Stingray’s chef Andrew Nam is credited with it’s invention) and Godzilla Roll, along with a complete list of sakes and cocktails, you’d be crazy to not stop in.

So raise your chopsticks at the newest location of Stingray Sushi. As they say, ‘It’s the Way of the Ray.’

With the heat rising well above the 100 degree mark, we are providing your ears and musical yearning soul with yet again, another mix tape masterpiece by the one and only DJ William F-ing Reed. So crank up the AC, blast those tunes, wipe away heat induced sweat and feel free to jam out. Now thats music to our ears.

The Yerger House, by local architecture magicians Chen + Suchart Studio LLC have provided a drool worthy home to feed all of our modern architecture fantasies. Not new to valley, but definitely noteworthy, this house of large volumes, sunken spaces, and great emphasis on privacy is at the top of our local valley dream home list. With an open plan living space,  a wall of a sliding glass opens up to create a feeling of being adjoined with Camelback mountain. Complete with a negative edge pool, it creates a division of the homes public and private spaces while creating a relaxing place to escape the heat. Encasing it all with rustic steel and a concrete exterior, luxurious interior materials, and one of a kind views, the home is complete with it’s emphasis on privacy.

Yerger House 1

Yerger House

Yerger House 2

Yerger House 3

Yerger House 4

Pinnacle Peak has seen it all, from the times of cowboys and Indians, to urban sprawl, and to the now mini-mansions that surround it. You’ll find this and more inside the glossy pages of  Pinnacle Peak. It’s 128 pages of photos reveal a multitude of events the mighty mountain has endured. An entertaining and educational read indeed as the stunning photographs reveal the changing life and landscape. Available at local retailers, online bookstores, or through Arcadia Publishing.

Oakville Grocery at CityScape will open this Thursday. We’re rooting for the new location to be a hit. With a now-shuttered Scottsdale Quarter location, the Napa Valley based gourmet market was only open for about a year before shutting its doors. Maybe the retail-centered location was to blame for the closure and if so, here’s hoping the downtown dwellers will be able to sustain the new CityScape location. Offering most of the same products (except now they carry toilet paper, which was a common complaint with the SQ branch) they’ll also be keeping it local with Arizona farmed dairy and meat products. The selection of handmade cheeses, sandwiches, fire-baked oven pizzas and unique wines separate Oakville Grocery from the rest of mainstream groceries out there. The store will kick off its grand opening this Thursday at 10am with a Summer Water Drive benefiting St. Mary’s Food Bank.

If you’re planning a trip to the Salt River this 4th of July weekend, don’t forget a trash bag. For every bag of trash tubers pick up they will receive a coupon for a $5 tube rental (normally $15) good for any day of the week until August when the tubing season ends.  Last year 12 tons of trash were collected from tubers during ‘Bag it for Bucks.’ For more info check out their website.

This Thursday, June 30 is SMoCA’s (Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art) Annual Summer Family Night, in conjunction with the comic book based Us versus Them and Masters of Collective Reality exhibit as well as the Art + Architecture: Extended Collapse display. Starting at 5:15 P.M., family based activities and tours will be available for an art filled evening for the youngsters. With this years theme, “Imaginary Worlds,” the night will involve creature making, giant bubble blowing, singing and dancing with live music from Jeff Jones and the Earthtones. Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit and towel for the popular outdoor water fountain. As pre-registration is required, click here for more information.

There’s nothing more blissful than relaxing with a glass of wine in the comfort of your own home. How about enjoying that same experience complete with a waiter, live music and some to die for food? The Living Room Wine Cafe & Lounge in Chandler can make that happen. The cozy couches, rustic coffee tables and the all around homey atmosphere will make the Living Room feel just like your own. Enjoy sharable plates of bruschetta or cheese for $13 or the caprese sandwich and a bowl of minestrone soup for $10. Happy hour is offered from 11am-6pm daily including $5 glasses of wine or martinis, $3 well drinks and $2.50 drafts. Live, laugh and lounge when you make a reservation at 480-855-2848

Skip the messy paint and try these new retro-chic tapestries from Urban Outfitters. They’ll spruce up any room and hide those boring white walls. With over 20 to choose from at just $39, they are affordable and an easy room makeover.

Look familiar? First Umbra came out with that super cool Fish Hotel and now birds can feed fashionable in the Bird Cafe Feeder ($25). It’s just perfect for your rooftop terrace or summer garden.

We couldn’t not share these hilarious photos from Terry Border’s new exhibit at After Hours Gallery. Bent Objects: The Photographs of Terry Border is a dark and twisty exhibit filled with gems like these. Remember when you were little and use to think everything had a personality? Well, now you can watch your fantasy come to life (sort of) right before your eyes.

Now you can meet the man himself this First Friday, July 1 from 6-9 pm at After Hours Gallery for a special reception and  book signings. Finally, all those burning questions you have will be answered.

Meanwhile back East on a little street called Mercer Street, the bar/restaurant owned by Karl Kopp (AZ88 here) had a little accident this morning while loading in some fresh steal beamage to the roof.   We are not sure what special art project this steal is going to be used for but knowing Kopp it must be good.

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