You can be a hero for the child of a single mom this holiday season by being a sponsor in the Holiday For Heroes program for the Helping Hands for Single Moms organization, a group that helps low income single moms earn a college degree and financial independence.

After registering, shop from their wishlist, then join Helping Hands Saturday, December 17 at 9:00 a.m. for the gift wrap event at ASU West campus in Glendale. You bring the un-wrapped gifts, they’ll bring the supplies and the mom!  Together, with that mom, you’ll wrap gifts for the children.

Today is of the eve Reading Day for hard working Sun Devils who managed to make it this far into the semester. That means tomorrow is the last day to sleep in and take a break from class and hitting the books before the the grind of finals week.

College Dropouts bar is looking to help students unwind with tonight’s “Reading Day Bash.” The fiesta will include music by DJ Flare, a Beer Pong Tournament with prizes, and College Dropouts’ own “Drinkin’ with Lincoln” special, which is an offer of penny beers after paying a $5 cover charge (with college ID).

The party conveniently begins right after classes end at 9 p.m. and lasts until midnight. Or earlier if you skip that snoozer of a psychology class.

College Dropouts
560 S. College Avenue in Tempe
On the corner of College Avenue and Fifth Street

As if there weren’t enough waistline-expanding holiday treats to tempt you throughout the season, we now give you Christmas Krak from Laura’s Gourmet Granola. And yes, it’s name is based on another certain “crack” product since early customers became so addicted to the flavorful brittle.

Christmas Krak is a seasonal white chocolate and peppermint cookie brittle that retails for $7.99 for an 8 oz. bag. It’s available through the end of December on the company’s website and at local AJ’s Fine Foods.

First and foremost this week, make sure you’re signed up for our ScoopFactory daily email as our holiday Scoopstakes giveaways kick off Monday!

Here’s a look at the rest of the week that was:

We get in the holiday spirit with The Nutcracker, Holiday Pops, Glendale Glitters, an epic gingerbread village and our holiday gift guide.

We plan our rooms with the SnapShop app, check into WestHill Designs and find one of the best dog houses ever. Luxe for Less gets us into leather, new contributor Casey Hagarty takes us to Butter Toast Boutique and H&M opens a new store.

We also round up the food blogs and give chef Eddie Matney 120 Seconds. Lastly, explore Downtown Phoenix with our latest city guide.

We’re in a musical mood – not Oklahoma! or Sound of Music musical, just good music in general – so we’re rounding up some of the live acts taking the stage around the Valley this chilly weekend. Besides what we’ve got listed, be sure to also check out local venues like the Yucca Tap Room and The Rhythm Room to see their gigs.

FYI, we are also waiting for a kind soul to donate a few Roger Waters tickets to us – just sayin’. What to hear this weekend after the jump:

»READ MORE

Sure as the sun rises in the east each morning, you can be sure certain holiday traditions will be around each year. The classic Christmas tale “The Nutcracker” is one such tradition. Ballet Arizona’s performances of Tchaikovsky’s classic kick off next Friday, December 9 and run each day through Christmas Eve at Phoenix Symphony Hall.

Before the cast kicks off their 2011 campaign, a few dancers stopped by Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa yesterday for a special performance for the ill children. After the 20-minute performance, also broadcasted to the rooms of patients who could not participate in person, the cast spent time with the children at the center.

The Nutcracker at Phoenix Symphony Hall | 75 North Second Street | Phoenix, Arizona 85004

Forgive Old Town Scottsdale’s Loco Patron if they skip the cake at their 7th anniversary party this weekend. Instead, dig into their pork tacos, which recently took home the trophy in the Best Pork Taco category at the Arizona Taco Festival.

Loco will be celebrating the two feats on Saturday, December 3 with a Hawaiian luau-themed bash from 3:00 p.m. to close. As much as we love a good birthday cake, we’ll take the tacos and tequila this year.

Loco Patron | 4228 North Scottsdale Road | Scottsdale, AZ 85251 | 480-874-0033

As we first mentioned a couple weeks ago, SanTan Brewing Company and Rico’s American Grill are teaming up to host the Harvest Beer Dinner benefiting The Beer For Brains Foundation Thursday night at 6:30.

The event will begin with an appetizer reception, followed by a four-course dinner paired expertly with SanTan’s seasonal craft beers – including their new featured seasonal, 12 Daze Caramel Spiced Ale. Before each course, Rico’s executive chef Ken Arneson and a representative from SanTan will describe the dish and beer pairing.

The Peoria-based Beer For Brains Foundation raises public awareness about brain cancer, engenders compassion for its victims and helps fund groundbreaking research leading to a cure.

The event is $59 per person, plus tax and gratuity, and requires reservations which can be made by calling Rico’s at 602.997.5850.

Image via caranddriver.com

We’ve never been totally sold on the Nissan Juke as we see them driving along Valley streets. The SUV crossover from Nissan seems harmless enough, but it’s never motivated us to look over our shoulder for a second glimpse, and its 188-horsepower engine doesn’t exactly get the heart racing.

But what happens when you mix the beastly Nissan GT-R with the modest Juke? You get the Juke-R and its 485-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-6 engine and all-wheel-drive system. Now that’s a ride we can excited for.

The Juke-R is still in the concept stage but we’re hoping Nissan gets it into production at some point. We just hope the standard-issue Jukes don’t get jealous when their brawny cousin comes to town.

The Capitol Steps troupe has been traveling the country to satirize our country’s politicians for three decades now and they’ll be bringing their up-to-the-minute repertoire to Scottsdale tonight.

Set to popular music, the group’s political satire pokes fun at all sides of the issues, from left to right. You can bet we’ll see ‘guest appearances’ by President Barack Obama, Speaker of the House John Boehner and assorted presidential candidates. Lord knows they have plenty material to work with, so who knows what else we’ll see from them come Friday. Rick Perry, maybe?

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Friday, Nov. 25, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 26, at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. 

Tickets are available for $49 or $59 online at www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org or through the Patron Services Box Office at (480) 499-TKTS (8587). 

If it’s time for the holidays in the Valley, it’s time for ZooLights. The annual holiday tradition kicks off its 20th year lighting up the Phoenix Zoo with 3.5 million lights and more than 600 glittering displays powered with SRP EarthWise energy.

New this year is a gigantic 3D praying mantis and the “Music in Motion” dancing tree show alongside old favorites like Jengo the talking giraffe. Back for a second year is the first simulated snow tubing in the Southwest, the 160-foot long Polar Slides!

Coming December, ring in the new year with the first ever Zoo Year’s Eve event with ZooLights open until 12:30 a.m. December 31st.

Head to the zoo’s website for more info or purchase your tickets here or at participating Fry’s stores.

November 24, 2011 – January 8, 2012
6 to 10 p.m. nightly 

Phoenix Zoo | 455 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, 85008 | 602.273.1341

Christmas shopping starts on Friday and we’ve got an item for the top of our list. Mercedes-Benz is revealing their new super SUV, the 2012 ML63 AMG at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Mercedes keeps their luxury SUV tradition alive by improving the ML63′s fuel efficiency by an estimated 33% while the 518-horsepower engine is an increase of 15 horsepower over the 2011 model. And not that you’d ever try this on Valley streets, but it can go from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and has a top speed of 174 mph.

Check out the official AMG website for more info.

The night before Thanksgiving is usually one of the best nights of the year to hit the town. Everyone is off work the next day, friends and family are in town (or you’re on vacation out of town), bars are open late, and no one wants to sit around the house watching the turkey thaw out.

Here’s a roundup of some spots around the Valley getting your Turkey Day festivities off to an early start:

‘Twas The Night Before Thanksgiving Celebration at Montelucia 
Both hotel guests and locals are invited to the celebration in the courtyard featuring music by Elvis Before Noon from 7 p.m.- 10 p.m. The event is from 5 p.m. to midnight and the entry fee is $5 per person with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the 100 Club of Arizona, supporting families of fallen law enforcement and public safety officers.

You can also skip over to the Montelucia’s MBar for drink specials from 4 to 8 p.m.
»READ MORE

Fresh Start Women’s Foundation in Phoenix recently added a low-cost yoga series to its self-esteem services for women. The following classes are coming up soon at the Jewell McFarland Lewis Women’s Resource Center, located at 1130 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85006.

Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga with Erin Buggy
Second and Fourth Wednesday of the Month (next class is Nov. 30)
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Restorative Yoga with Carrie Sweeney
First and Third Wednesday of the Month (next class is Dec. 7)
6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.

All Levels Yoga with Thomas Lofy
Every Saturday
9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Yoga y Meditacion with Jose Garcia
Every Thursday from 5 :00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Meditation with Lisa Mckenzie
First and Third Tuesday of the Month (next class is Dec. 6)
1:00 p.m – 3:00 p.m.

All classes in this series are $5 each. For more information call 602.252.8494.

Guess who’s getting ready to pack on the holiday pounds? Apparently we are, as proven by the week that was:

We stuff ourselves with pumpkin pie creme brulee, Luci’s Thanksgiving pies, Honey Moon Sweets Bakery pies, Sprinkles Cupcakes, butternut squash soup, tamales, Scottsdale on a bun, and turkey sausage stuffing. Wash all that down with the AZ Wine Fest happening right now then read about more food in the weekly food blog roundup.

Tory Burch interviews our fashionable boss man, we give Jason Reeves 120 Seconds, our Bachelor takes a hilariously depressing look at the big 3-0, Michelle Branch lights up the Outlets at Anthem tonight, we Take 5 with Talking Makeup, and the ladies put a twinkle in their toes and get their holiday dresses ready.

See you next week!

No need to shed a tear for the 42,000 pie tins that became homeless after all the Marie Callendar’s in Arizona went belly up earlier this year. The tins have a new lease on life thanks to Honey Moon Sweets Bakery which will be using the tins for their holiday treats this season.

Fruit and cream pies are $13 and nut varieties $16. Pie orders can be made at 480.517.9520. Order ahead to ensure your favorite pie will be available.

FLAVORS: Pumpkin, Apple Cranberry, Sweet Potato, Mince Streusel, Shaved Chocolate Mint Cream, Bourbon Pecan Pie, Baked Coconut Custard, Cherry Lattice

We love our seasonal brews here at DLT, so we’re excited to hear the local SanTan Brewing Company is unveiling their new 12 Daze Caramel Spiced Amber Ale – a strong American amber ale, lightly spiced with a fresh, local Chai Tea blend of 12 unique herbs and spices.

The brewery is teaming with Rico’s American Grill at the Squaw Peak Resort for tonight’s launch party. The party will be filled with music, giveaways, and beer sampling by the SanTan team and is also promoting the Harvest Beer Dinner for The Beer for Brains Foundation on December 1.

The party kicks off at 6:30 p.m and guests that make reservations for the Harvest Beer Dinner during the launch party will receive an exclusive $10 discount to the December event!

We’re always happy to see the Valley get some love from the national media, but we’re not sure if this is the love we’re looking for.

On tonight’s episode – filmed last month – of Travel Channel‘s Man v. Food Nation, six of Scottsdale’s finest (three firemen and three policemen) will attempt to take down the gargantuan “Leg of Beast Feast” at Scottsdale’s Big Earl’s BBQ in just 30 minutes. The “Beast” is aptly named, as it’s 17 pounds of food including a bone-in pork butt, five cheese ‘n mac, collard greens, potato salad, corn bread and wedge salad. No gluttonous feast can end without dessert, so of course there will be some homemade pecan pie to top it off. »READ MORE

It’s not exactly the Kentucky Derby, but you can still wear your favorite fancy hat when you head out to Turf Paradise on November 19 for a day of fine wine, food and horse racing at Vine Fest.

Vine Fest features a day of wine sampling with over 15 different vinos to choose from and food stations featuring items like sushi and tenderloin. Before chowing down, get ready to place some perfect bets on the ponies with a brief lesson from track announcer and handicapper Michael Chamberlain. The first live race will head out the gates at 12:30 p.m. Get tickets and the days schedule after the jump: »READ MORE

Do you have a business you’re looking to take “green,” but you still looking for the tools and inspiration to do so? The GoGreen Conference is a one-day sustainability conference for business professionals that will feature regionally-targeted panel sessions and statewide sustainable business leaders. GoGreen will provide actionable steps for businesses looking to green their organizations with profitability in mind.

Some of the panel sessions include Smart Water: Managing Water Resources for Business, Overcoming Barriers to Sustainability: Strategies for Leading the Change, Financing Sustainability Initiatives: How to Fund Green Programs, and others.

The conference take places Tuesday, November 15 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the LEED Silver Certified Phoenix Convention Center West Building. A high-powered hosted networking session will take place immediately following. Tickets can be purchased here for $125 for a full-day pass or $100 for two or more tickets.

As chosen by you, here are the most popular stories OF ALL TIME (aka last week). Just in case you missed it.

Pizza, golf and a helping out a good cause make for a pretty good day. Join Spinato’s Pizzeria on Saturday, November 19 for the Inaugural Kenneth A. Spinato Golf Classic to benefit Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Sentinels of Freedom.

The entry fee is $150 per player and includes a day of golf at The Foothills Golf Club, a $50 Spinato’s Pizzeria gift certificate, lunch and goodie bag. Awards will be given for the 1st, 2nd and third place teams, longest drive, closest to the pin and hole-in-one. There will also be raffle prizes and silent auction items to benefit the selected organizations. »READ MORE

Enjoy a peach-apple cobbler-in-a-glass and browse through the week that was at DLT:

Iron Chef winner Jose Garces opens two new joints at The Saguaro, we show you were to dine out on Turkey Day, we’re in the midst of date season, we check in with Sushi Roku chef Shin Toyoda, and another dinner-and-a-movie joint opens up in the Valley.

On the fashion front, the ladies go with fashionable faux fur, we look to win a Ted Baker shopping spree, Pink Slip Style slips us into leopard print and we get ready to dress the little ones in Harajuku Mini for Target.

We tell you where to escape for happy hour downtown and how loco for locals we are. Finally, we’re getting sweaty and sweet this weekend at the Chiles & Chocolate fest.

See ya Monday!

Compliments of DJ William F-ing Reed, make like Spinal Tap and crank this week’s Mix Tape up to 11 on 11/11/11:

Tennis – Origins
Cloud Nothings – No Future/No Past
Twin Sister – Kimmi in a Rice Field (Balam Acab Remix)
The Antlers – VCR (the xx cover)
Death Cab for Cutie – Codes And Keys [Yeasayer Remix]

If you missed seeing Richard “The King” Petty behind the wheel back when he was one of the greatest race car drivers ever, you’ll get another chance on Saturday. Granted, he’ll be driving much slower than his old NASCAR days, but it will still be a sight.

Petty will be personally delivering a custom Superbird, similar to the car he made famous in his racing days, designed by Petty’s Garage to Jim and Toni Ballard, owners of Window World of Phoenix. The Ballards won the vehicle through a fundraiser benefitting Window World Cares, the charitable foundation that funds causes such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Veterans Airlift Command.

Go see the King and his limited-edition ride at the Window World store located at 4844 South 40th Street in Phoenix with the celebration scheduled for 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Go loco for local at the 7th Annual Local First Fall Festival this Saturday, November 12. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Duck and Decanter near 16th Street and Camelback Road, over 60 local vendors will have booths set up with various activities. Local breweries and vineyards will be providing cocktails in the beer and wine garden and many local vendors will also be offering non-alcoholic drinks.

There will be live music, free food, a bouncy castle thingy for the kids and a raffle and silent auction to raise funds for Local First. Plus, the first 500 attendees receive gift bags!

Participating local companies include Bookmans, All About Books and Comics, Four Peaks Brewing Co., DLT-approved Scottsdale Cat Clinic and many others. Check out the event website for full details.