Listen Read up: this one’s for the kids. Starting this month, local kids can join the spring break Bueno Book Club at Bueno Burger Mex American Grill in Scottsdale. Families may stop by and pick up a Bueno Book Club membership card at any time; participants will then have a month to read as many pages as they can. At various benchmarks in each book, parents will certify the reading efforts, and kids will be rewarded with treats and prizes. In addition the Book Club, Bueno Burger has a weekly Wednesday Study Hall – featuring treats and free lemonade – from 3 to 4:30 p.m. every Wednesday.

“Whether games or homework are on the agenda Wednesday afternoons, Bueno Burger loves our neighbors and we wanted to offer a fun after-school environment for parents and children to bond,” said Owner Gary Shaw.

Also, during the month of March, Bueno Burger will send thousands of bookmarks to Valley schools to promote reading and to reward kids in their classrooms. The bookmarks include a coupon for Bueno Bites. For more information, click here.

Bueno Burger Scottsdale | 6977 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ | 85250

It’s flu season, and while the bug seems to be lurking around every corner, there are many natural and easy things we can do to prevent getting sick. Not sure what to do? Naturopathic physician Dr. Phillip Wanzy will give a lecture involving herbs and natural remedies to stay healthy during the spring season at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 6 at TeaTime in Scottsdale. For those of us suffering from spring allergies already, the tea specialists also have a new Spring Herbal Blend to try that is made with bee pollen, eucalyptus and holy basil. To RSVP, call 480-686-8503.

Join Sutra Yoga on the SkyDeck at the Clarendon Hotel tomorrow, March 1 at 7:30 am during their complimentary Rooftop Yoga lesson and a special session of ‘Ask Oz’ with Dr. Oz.

Emmy Award-winning Yetta Gibson, Arizona Family’s 3TV correspondent, will be onsite enjoy the class and to facilitate a live session of ‘Ask Oz’ to answer any health related questions you may have. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to ask Dr. Oz about yoga, massage, allergies, ailments, alternative medicine, diet & nutrition, etc, etc, – anything you want to know!

Click here to register for the free class.

Image via Esquire

Celebrate National Nutrition Month from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Friday March 3 at both True Food Kitchen locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Dine at the restaurant for Saturday brunch and they will donate give 50% of proceeds to Kids@Core, a non-profit organization founded by CoreCrossFit to provide free exercise training and nutritional guidance to low-income children in downtown Phoenix. The children participate in structured workout programs that involve aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening and flexibility routines. They are also taught the nutritional value of different foods so they can make healthy choices. For more information, click here.

National Nutrition Month is an education campaign aimed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

True Food Kitchen | Biltmore Fashion Park | East Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ | 85016

Scottsdale Quarter | 15191 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ | 85254

Pop Traveler for USA Today posted “11 Reasons to Visit Phoenix” with a list of places by author Scott Hopkins. Here’s Scott’s list of places:

Pollack Theatres
Alice Cooperstown
Club Tattoo
Arizona Biltmore
Musical Instrument Museum
Alcor Life Extension Museum
Durant’s
Rock Star Gallery
Rhythm Room
Kazimierz World Wine Bar
Zia Records

What’s missing from the list? Do you agree with at least 5 of Scott’s top picks? Comment on what’s missing or what you agree with and we will “pic” one random commenter for a $25 iPic gift card. Comment by 12 midnight tonight!!!

Image via Pop Traveler

Whoa. We’re just hearing of a lesbian couple being asked to leave from District American Kitchen in Phoenix Sunday for kissing during their anniversary dinner. The District’s Facebook page is BLOWING up with messages and comments and of course, damage control from the restaurant itself. More details from AZ Central late last night here as well. See below:

If you live in the North Scottsdale area and you haven’t gotten your Humble Pie fix lately, then you’re in luck. As of today, the gourmet American pizza geniuses have a new location open at Kierland Village. Featuring delicious pizza creations like the B.L.T, which comes with house-made mozzarella, pancetta, prosciutto, chopped lettuce, tomato AND mayonnaise (trust us: it’s awesome!) and the simple-but-delectable Pistachio pizza with red onions and leeks, Humble Pie is definitely a DLT fave. Good thing they’re open in at 11 a.m.! We’re lining up ASAP!

Not that we need any more reasons to fuel our somewhat unhealthy shopping addictions, but it’s not like we can help it: the stores just keep comin’! We love to see the retail scene expand here in the Valley, and what better way than to watch the best of the best (i.e. Prada) dock flagship stores in our neighborhood. But don’t go running out that door just yet; great growth takes time. Be prepared and check out our list below of brand new stores coming to Scottsdale and Chandler Fashion Center  in 2012:

1. The Art of Shaving, Chandler, open in March: a store focusing on men’s grooming needs that houses a full- service barbershop.

2. Francesca’s Collections, Chandler, open in March: a unique boutique offering trendy and affordable women’s clothing, jewelry and accessories.

3. LUSH, Chandler, open in May: the home of fresh, handmade cosmetics made from organic fruit and vegetables.

4. Vera Bradley, Chandler, open in June: a leader in fashionable, colorful, handbags, accessories, luggage, and paper and gift items for women of every age.

5. Madewell, Scottsdale: modern women’s wear and accessories with a vintage, worn-in flair for the practical but super hip fashionista.

6. Make Meaning, Scottsdale, open in March: a creative retail destination (Make your own soap! Candles! Jewelry!) for all ages.

For more info, click here and here.

You’ve seen their cookbooks in bookstores, you’ve read their articles and you may have even tried a hand at their culinary masterpieces in your own kitchen – but do you really know the secrets of your favorite chef? If your answer is no, wait no longer: the Arizona Biltmore Waldorf Astoria Resort will begin their second season of “Inside the Chef’s Studio” February 18. Continuing through the last weekend of April, chefs such as Joe Yonan, Food Editor at The Washington Post and author of Serve Yourself, and Christina Tosi, author of Momofuku Milk Bar Cookbook will bring their gastronomic expertise to the Valley to teach participants how to create gourmet meals in one-of-a-kind weekend cooking classes combining demonstration and hands-on learning. Open to resort guests and non-guests alike, classes are $50 per person and include the author’s cookbook and lunch (the meal prepared during the class). Space is limited.

Get your chef’s hat dry-cleaned, your apron ironed and follow the jump for the class schedule:

»READ MORE

Yes, today is Arizona’s 100th birthday. Happy Birthday Arizona. Read more about how “The United States didn’t want Arizona” and more from AZ Central by clicking here.

Wondering this morning, do you love Arizona? Are you celebrating our state and how? Take our quiz or tell us how you feel about AZ, what you like, what you love, what you don’t like by commenting on this post.

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No time to plan an awesome work event? In celebration of their debut on Condé Nast Traveler Gold List and U.S. News & World Report’s Best U.S. Hotels Rankings for 2012, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain has introduced a Last-Minute Meeting Package, a planner-friendly bundle for groups needing an easy, worry-free way to book their meetings between March 1 and April 8, 2012. With more than 44,000 square-feet of indoor and outdoor function space, the Package lets meeting organizers focus on creating program agendas and taking care of participants, rather than on researching pricing and rushed planning logistics. Not only does the Resort also have three ballrooms of 9,000, 5,000, and 2,100 sq. feet for businesses to work with, but the hotel also boasts numerous outdoor meeting spaces with lush lawns and dramatic desert surroundings. Additional gathering options are available at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain, its restaurant and clubhouse and COPRA Golf Academy, home to a variety of group golf clinics and corporate outings.

The Package is $389 per attendee and includes the following: hotel service charge, deluxe accommodations, daily hot buffet breakfast, morning coffee break, hot buffet or plated luncheon and an afternoon refreshment break. Optional team building activities are also available to group guests and feature fun activities such as guacamole and chili cooking challenges, margarita mixology classes, evening glow golf, custom cowboy boot and Stetson hat fitting, wine-blending, group ranch adventures, evening stargazing and more.

For more information, call 520-572-3100 or click here.

The Saguaro’s hot new restaurant Distrito wants to celebrate its new home, and you’re invited!  From 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, February 11 the colorful eatery will have an “I Heart Arizona” party to rejoice about all things AZ, just in time for Valentine’s Day and our beloved state’s 100^th Birthday. From 5 to 7 p.m. there will be a special reception with live music from The Tony Martinez Band, a 1912 pop-up shop with “I Heart AZ” tees; an Arizona wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres made with local ingredients and a charity kissing booth with some well-loved locals. In addition, 3 Car Pile Up will present a special art show. Cost is $10 for the reception and free for party-goers after 7 p.m. After the reception, DJ Melo will be spinnin’ the night away. For more info, click here.

Just in time for spring shopping, local favorite Scottsdale Jean Company has relocated to The SHOPS at Gainey Village, giving shoppers 8,000 brand-new sq. ft of men’s and women’s designer jeans, tops and casual wear. Celebrating their Grand Opening this Thursday, February 9, the store will also feature the full line of Kiehl’s skin, hair and body care products, a full sunglass shop, a customer lounge area and a children’s playroom.  “It was time for a new home for Scottsdale Jean Company after more than six years at our current location,” says owner Steven Koeppel. “As a destination retail establishment, our customers seek us out for our unbeatable selection and unparalleled customer service, featuring experts trained in finding the right size and style for any body type.” The Company will also soon unveil a new website that will emulate the in-store shopping experience.

If designer duds aren’t enough reason to spend an entire day at the Village, perhaps the area’s assortment of chic new shops and contemporary eateries will be. Opening in the former Bloom space in January, local restauranteurs Jerry Tingle and Chef Brian Fierstein’s Cask 63 American Eatery & Wine Bar offers eclectic American cuisine, an excellent wine menu and relaxed outdoor seating – great for taking a break between shopping destinations such as furniture showroom Kreiss; handcrafted clothing, accessory and houseware boutique A Cool Breeze, and del Adora, the Valley’s go-to source for luxury linens and bedding. At their second location, del Adora allows clients to choose from a huge selection of luxury fabrics to customize their homes, also offering a sumptuous collection of bath accessories, towels, fragrance and skin care products.

Before the day is done, complete the experience with a stop at healthy-takeout masters My Fit Foods, which just opened its first Valley location. For more information, click here.

The SHOPS Gainey Village | 8787 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ |

Don’t have a Valentine? Don’t feel sad; there are plenty of ways to share your love this holiday. This Valentine’s Day, extend your affection with an E-listed dog, or dogs that are scheduled to be euthanized, at “Happy Valen’Tails,” an unparalleled adoption event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. February 11 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. February 12 at Kiwanis Park in Tempe. Sponsored by Panacea Animal Wellness Sanctuary, Ronnie Lapenson, Animal Advocate and Event Organizer and P.A.W.S (Pound Animals Worth Saving FUR THE CAUSE, Mesa), dogs of all breeds, sizes and ages will be transported from shelters all over the state, with various rescue groups and pet foster parents participating. Dogs will be adoption-ready and excited for a new home, having been spayed/neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped. »READ MORE

Chef Charleen Badman and Pavle Milic of Valley favorite FnB will add three new food and wine hot spots to the Scottsdale dining scene this week. The trio of openings include Baratin Cafe – a small dining spot, AZ Wine Merchants – a boutique wine shop, and Bodega – a green grocer and market, converging at the palm tree-lined courtyard of the Kiva Center in Old Town Scottsdale.

Housed in a wonderful 50s-era building with mosiacs, high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, the three venues will be much like FnB -  small, charming, light-filled and unique. Find Arizona Wine Merchants  to the left, Baratin in the middle and Bodega to the right, each with its own entrance but each accessible to the other from the inside.

Baratin opens today and Arizona Wine Merchants and Bodega are set to open tomorrow.

Baratin, AZ Wine Merchants and Bodega | 7125 E. Fifth Avenue, Suite 29 | Scottsdale, Arizona 85251

You hear the word “bitch” thrown around a lot these days. That girl in the SUV who cut you off with the cell phone attached to her ear? Bitch. That woman scoffing at her waiter because her salad has too much dressing? Bitch. That super cool chick who bakes cookies from scratch using organic ingredients and then sells them at your favorite local coffee shop or ships them to your door? Bitch. Yeah, you read that correctly. Cat Slye is The Cookie Bitch and she’s proud to peddle a name that has had negative connotations in the past. After all, isn’t it time for a new definition? For Slye (and Urban Dictionary), “a bitch is a confident, attractive woman that tells everything straight up. A successful woman. She works hard, she plays hard and she cares,” and we couldn’t agree more, especially after tasting one of her delicious creations. Read on to get the details about the biz from The Bitch herself… »READ MORE

Before you order that Brazilian Butt Lift off late night TV, check out Arizona’s first licensed SPX Fitness studio, The Body Lab, in its newest location. The Body Lab now open in North Scottsdale was created by international trainer Sebastien Lagree. The SPX Fitness regime is the workout of choice by Hollywood’s elite and professional athletes, combining pilates, cardio and strength training. Now with two locations, you’ve run out of reasons to skip that workout.

The Body Lab – Scottsdale Studio | 20511 North Hayden Road | Scottsdale, AZ 85255 

Local pasta sauce, herb and oil company Costantino’s Kitchen is bringing the authentic taste of Italy to your kitchen, just like Grandma used to make! We love it on spaghetti squash and can’t wait to try the Angie’s Meatballs recipe below. Find the sauce at a local farmer’s market here and hopefully soon to Chow Locally. 

Angie’s Meatballs

Yield: 12 Meatballs

1 jar Costantino’s Kitchen Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce
4 oz ground beef
4 oz ground pork
1/4  cup Italian breadcrumbs
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
2.5 tbsp minced onion
2 tbsp milk
1 egg
1 clove minced garlic
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Preparation:

Heat sauce over medium-high heat.

Combine beef, pork, breadcrumbs, cheese, onion, milk, egg, garlic and pepper. Shape into 12, 1-inch meatballs. Cook in skillet over medium heat until brown on all sides. Move to oven and cook at 350 degrees for 10 minutes until cooked throughout. Serve over pasta with a generous portion of Costantino’s Kitchen Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce.

We’re clapping furiously for the local foundation, Act One (part of the ON Media Publications family), for hosting 300 high school students January 25 for the Arizona Opera’s Community Night showing of Madama Butterfly. 300 kids sponsored by Act One joined over 2,000 high school students from Valley Title 1 schools, a Federal designation for underserved school populations, who would otherwise not be able to afford the student rate and travel expenses of such life-enriching events. ON Media’s publishers Russ and Linda ‘Mac’ Perlich started the Act One foundation to allow such students access to experiential arts learning. Foundation sponsorships underwrite the costs of school buses, performance tickets and distribution of study guides and other supplementary materials for pre- and post performance in-classroom instruction. The first year, Act One scheduled over 17 events for close to 7,000 K-12 students.

If you would like to participate or for more information, contact Colin Columna, Director of Act One at ccolumna@act1az.org.

Send the U.S. Armed Forces a little more love than usual– it will soon be Valentine’s Day, after all, and they deserve it most of all. From now through February 14, the Chandler-based romance retailer Fascinations is collaborating with Packages From Home, a Phoenix non-profit that sends boxes of much-needed love (aka food and toiletries) to U.S. troops overseas. Purchase a box of Lindor truffles for just $5 at any Fascinations location or on their website as a gift or a gift add-on, and proceeds of the special Valentine’s chocolates will be donated to Packages from Home. Participating customers who give will then receive a $5.00 coupon towards their next purchase in store or online.

“We believe very strongly in showing support to our military personnel and the service they perform for our country, so we wanted to give something back,” stated Pat Jagos, Fascinations General Manager. “Valentine’s Day is one of our busiest shopping seasons of the year so it seemed the perfect time to launch a partnership to not only raise funds, but awareness for the great work PFH does.”

Packages from Home has sent over 130,000 boxes to U.S. troops since it was founded in 2004.  While PFH is based out of Phoenix, the organization sends packages to soldiers from all areas of the country and all branches of the service.

Visit any one of the following Fascinations locations to purchase a box of chocolates:

10242 N. 19th Ave. Suite 1-7, Phoenix, AZ 85021
16428 N. 32nd St. Suite 105-107, Phoenix, AZ 85032
14747 N. Northsight Blvd. Suite 107, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
2302 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85257
7337 E. Shea Blvd. Suite 120, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
5930 W. Greenway Rd. Suite 1, Glendale, AZ 85306
411 S. Mill Ave. Suite 101, Tempe, AZ 85281
838 W. Elliot Rd., Tempe, AZ 85284
8367 W. McDowell Rd., Tolleson, AZ 85353
3658 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85716

20% discount online (www.funlove.com) or in-store with promo code: VDAY. Disclaimer: Expires 02/18/2012. Limit one per person. Not combinable with other offers or discounts. Some restrictions apply.

As chosen by you, here are the top stories of ALL TIME aka last week just in case you missed them.

Well this is pretty crappy!

Kohler Academy, Scottsdale’s premier cosmetology and skin therapy school with an awesome student salon and spa, was recently forced by the powerhouse of housing fixtures, Kohler, yes the glamourous makers of toilets and plumbing fixtures, to change their name citing “trademark infringement,” aka we are the only ones who think we can use the name “Kohler.” The past Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Small Business winner, Kohler Academy, decided to flush the KA moniker and change their name to Penrose Academy this month, rather than take on the big business bully. Academy owners Jill and Burt Kohler, obviously no relation to the aforementioned toileteria company, said, “As small business owners we were unwilling to participate in a legal battle that we feel we would ultimately win, yet would take time, money and our focus away from our goal of preparing students for a successful career in the Professional Beauty industry.” Kudos to the Kohlers for taking the high road while doing their business.

Penrose Academy will still offer awesome student services in their student salon and student spa. Sign up for their newsletter monthly featured services here for even better deals like 30% off all Menu pricing through January. Kohler Penrose Academy is also a retailer of Dermalogica, bareMinerals, CND and Bumble and bumble products, and now offering the new LiLash Purified Eyelash Serum.

Penrose Academy | 13402 N. Scottsdale Road, Ste. B160 | Scottsdale, AZ 85254 | 480.222.9540

Today Danny’s Family Car Wash will be washing cars for free from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to directly benefit the family of fallen Sheriff Deputy William Coleman. Deputy Coleman was a 20-year veteran of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

The car wash is free at the 3rd Avenue and Bell Road location and 100% of the donations will go to the Coleman family. For more than 10 years, Danny’s Family Car wash has offered free car washes to raise funds for the families of fallen officers.

If you cannot make the car wash, donations can be made at a memorial fund that has been established at Desert Schools Federal Credit Union, under the name of Deputy Coleman Memorial Fund, account # 6000123586.

Danny’s Family Car Wash | 315 W. Bell Road | Phoenix, AZ 85023 | 602-564-0000

Well this is pretty crappy!

Kohler Academy, Scottsdale’s premier cosmetology and skin therapy school with an awesome student salon and spa, was recently forced by the powerhouse of housing fixtures, Kohler, yes the glamourous makers of toilets and plumbing fixtures, to change their name citing “trademark infringement,” aka we are the only ones who think we can use the name “Kohler.” The past Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Small Business winner, Kohler Academy, decided to flush the KA moniker and change their name to Penrose Academy this month, rather than take on the big business bully. Academy owners Jill and Burt Kohler, obviously no relation to the aforementioned toileteria company, said, “As small business owners we were unwilling to participate in a legal battle that we feel we would ultimately win, yet would take time, money and our focus away from our goal of preparing students for a successful career in the Professional Beauty industry.” Kudos to the Kohlers for taking the high road while doing their business.

Penrose Academy will still offer awesome student services in their student salon and student spa. Sign up for their newsletter monthly featured services here for even better deals like 30% off all Menu pricing through January. Kohler Penrose Academy is also a retailer of Dermalogica, bareMinerals, CND and Bumble and bumble products, and now offering the new LiLash Purified Eyelash Serum.

 Penrose Academy | 13402 N. Scottsdale Road, Ste. B160 | Scottsdale, AZ 85254 |  480.222.9540

Global Family Philanthropy’s Pop-Up Charity at Scottsdale Waterfront will continue this weekend’s appearance with special hours today Monday, January 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The charity, which was founded in 2009 by Paradise Valley resident Lori Goldberg to provide basic needs for impoverished children in Haiti, teamed up with Cardinals Safety Adrian Wilson, Youth Against Poverty founder Shawn Esmaili and Scottsdale Waterfront to sell brand new children’s, women’s and men’s athletic shoes from brands like Puma, Converse, Vans, Nike and Adidas at prices as low as $20 – the proceeds of which will benefit a medical clinic in Haiti. “In Haiti,” says Goldberg, “medical care is non-existent, except for the extremely wealthy. When we reach our goal of raising $100,000, we will break ground on a free health care facility that will interface with medical teams from the local hospital.”

Along with Esmaili, Adrian Wilson, who owns High Point Shoes at the Waterfront, donated over 2,500 pairs of shoes. He will appear at the pop-up from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 20 to sign free autographs with every purchase, which are tax deductible.

Miss our interview with Adrian Wilson? Click here.

Global Family Philanthropy Pop-Up Charity is between Sauce and High Point Shoes at Scottsdale Waterfront. Hours for next weekend are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. January 20 and 21, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. January 22.

High Point Shoes | 7135 E. Camelback Rd. Suite 175 | Scottsdale, AZ | 85251

Former Mayor of Tempe and activist Neil Guiliano will interview Hollywood Director Bryan Singer at the Chandler Center for the Arts, January 14. The event, which takes place at 7:00 p.m., will raise funds for the new Holocaust & Tolerance Museum currently being constructed in Chandler, of which both Guiliano and Singer are proponents.

“I am proud to support the museum’s success,” quotes Singer, who not only serves as an executive producer for House and Dirty Sexy Money but who directed several films relating to the Holocaust such as Apt Pupil and Valkyrie, as well as blockbusters such as The Usual Suspects, X-Men and X-2: X-Men United. “You don’t tell stories like Valkyrie or Apt Pupil without it impacting you in a very personal way. It’s critically important for us to honor Holocaust victims and survivors and the unimaginable experiences they endured. It is only by remembering that we can strive to prevent anything like that to happen again.”

Guiliano remarks that “it’s a special opportunity to be able to interview a huge talent like Bryan Singer, but even more important to be involved with a project like the Holocaust & Tolerance museum. Arizona doesn’t have anything like this museum, which will use the lessons of the Holocaust to ensure a world without hate.”

The Chandler Holocaust & Tolerance museum, which will educate the public about the importance of diversity and to combat prejudice at a community and global level, will be one of only five such museums in the country. The museum is a project of the East Valley Jewish Community Center.

To purchase tickets or for more information, click here.

Chandler Center for the Arts | 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ | 85225

Comment on this post your favorite Brian Singer movie and one lucky random reader will win 2 tickets to SATURDAY’S event! The winner will be selected and announced at 3 p.m. today!