Safari Drive is a very contemporary mixed-use community, with work, live, and play, all part of the environment.  Simple lines and striking architecture, coupled with amenities, set the development apart.

photo credit: Dru Bloomfield – At Home in Scottsdale

The interiors of the condos are very open, with lots of light, provided by floor to ceiling glass.  Kitchens are large and integrated with the living areas.  High end appliances. Beautiful bathrooms. Camelback views to the west.

When completed, just a few of the amenities will include three pools, spa and fitness center, market and on-site dining.  The location is ideal for a urban lifestyle.  Many additional restaurants are nearby. Fashion Square Mall just across the street.  Scottsdale Waterfront and 5th Avenue shops are within easy walking distance.  Recreational opportunities are nearby.

photo credit: Dru Bloomfield – At Home in Scottsdale

At this point, several of the residential building are complete.  Both full and part-time residents are living in the community. Business are up and running. It is at the beginnings of being a uniquely, vibrant community.

Condos range in size about 1500 to 4,000 square feet, with1 to 4 bedrooms.  Prices are currently in the the $500,000 to $1 million range.

The development’s web site has lots of information about the community and the concept.  You can also view floor plans for currently available condos.

Access to Safari Drive is via Highland Avenue, east of Scottsdale Road. If you’d like a personal tour, just let me know.

Fiesta Bowl ArtWalk

The annual “Fiesta Bowl ArtWalk” will runs from noon to 4 p.m. in the Scottsdale Arts District. Enjoy a warm, sunny afternoon visiting gallery exhibitions and artist receptions. Live music and free samples for many local residents will be part of the day.

The Scottsdale Arts District is located along Main Street, Marshall Way, Stetson and Sixth Avenue, just west of Scottsdale Road, north and south of Indian School Road. Additional information is available at. www.scottsdalegalleries.com.

Battle of the Bands: Marching Band Style

In anticipation of the Fiesta Bowl, Downtown Scottsdale will host college football’s version of “battle of the bands,” The bands from the universities of Texas and Ohio State perform from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in a simulated stadium located just south of the Nordstrom Department Store.

The University of Texas’ ”Showband of the Southwest has a famously varied repertoire ranging from the traditional “Yellow Rose of Texas” to Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.”

The Ohio State University Marching Band is one of the few all-brass and percussion bands in the country and the largest in the world and will play favorites from “Buckeye Battle Cry” to “Hang on Sloopy.”

Tickets are $25 for VIP stadium seating, $15 general admission, $10 for students, and free for those six years and younger, and can be at the Fiesta Bowl office in Downtown Scottsdale, or at the gate Saturday night.

Free parking is available at the SouthBridge garages, Waterfront garages, Nordstrom garage and at Scottsdale Fashion Square, along with the Third Street garage.

photo credit: Dru Bloomfield – At Home in Scottsdale

Looking for something different to do this weekend – Try Downtown Scottsdale.  Lots going on!

OLD TOWN FARMER’S MARKET

In addition to multiple varieties of organic and locally grown greens, carrots, potatoes, applies, herbs and processed foods including apple butter; Amish breads, canned goods, picadillies, pickles, jams, and spreads, the Saturday market includes multiple chef demonstrations, local businesses such as Via Mediterranee, which features handmade fabrics and pottery. The market is on the northwest corner of Brown Avenue and 2nd Street with plentiful underground parking and streetside parking. The market runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information here or call (480) 312-7750.

Slide show of Farmer’s Market

FESTIVAL OF THE WISE FESTIVAL

Residents and visitors are invited to a new Civic Center Mall festival that focuses on health and wellness. Titled, Festival of the Wise, this event will be held Saturday and Sunday, December 6-7, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Civic Center Mall and in the Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts. More than 100 vendors featuring a wide array of services and resources related to health and wellness. More info at: www.festivalofthwise.com

SATURDAYS ON MARSHALL

Starting this Saturday, December 6, Marshall Way merchants (located between 5th and Indian School) will be hosting a Greenwich Village style gathering with artist demonstrations, restaurant samplings, and unique vendors such as a performer preparing custom perfumes. Saturdays on Marshall will take place every Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. in the various courtyards and patios that are found throughout this tree-lined destination. For more information call: (480) 299-0313.

5TH AVENUE FREE UNPLUGGED SOLO MUSIC SERIES 

The historic Fifth Avenue shopping district has long promoted local musicians as a way to enhance its pedestrian environment. In keeping with this musical heritage, the city of Scottsdale Downtown Office in conjunction with the Fifth Avenue merchants association is hosting a series of live performances including several original artists who began their musical careers on 5th Avenue. These free, live performances will take place on Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m., in various locations along Fifth Avenue (which is just west of Scottsdale Road and south of the canal. This week’s performer is Michael V. Additional Fifth Avenue information and event listings are available at www.virtual5thavenue.com 

OLD TOWN PIMA PLAZA FEATURES LIVE MUSIC SERIES

Starting December 6, 2008, Old Town’s Pima Plaza, located on the southwest corner of 1st Avenue and Brown Ave. (just east of Scottsdale Road) will be hosting free, live performances on Saturdays, from noon to 3 p.m.  This Saturday, listen to the top 40 sounds of Chris Putrino.

DIVAS & DOGS 2008 DOG FASHION SHOW

FEATURES MUSIC, PRIZES AND A PERCENTAGE OF SALES TO BE DONATED TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY. The 2nd annual Divas & Dogs Fashion Show will take place Saturday, December 6 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. in front of dog boutique Classy Jazzy, which is located at 7111 5th Ave. Owners can register their dogs by calling (480) 970-1894 or by visiting www.classyjazzy.com

“MIMOSA SUNDAYS” COME TO SCOTTSDALE ARTWALK

Fine artists, awesome galleries, great people watching – and complimentary mimosas! It’s the new thing at Scottsdale ArtWalk® on Sunday afternoons through March. The public is invited to “ArtWalk the Line” the length and breadth of the Scottsdale Arts District to seek out special “Mimosa Sundays” happenings featuring champagne mimosas, delicious cheeses, and other special treats.

Time: Sundays, noon to 4 p.m., through March 2009
Where: Along Main Street
Contact: www.ScottsdaleGalleries.com

Enjoy!

photo credit: Ruth L

The weather is gorgeous, and the Scottsdale Old Town Farmer’s Market is back in business on Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Highlights:

• Best local growers from the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix / Scottsdale and all the surrounding area) providing a variety of organic fruit and vegetables.
• More that 40 vendors that will also be selling flowers, herbs, coffee, and baked goods.
• Live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, and free health screening

The market is located at the Old Town surface parking lot on the northwest corner of Brown Street and Second Street.
 

View Larger Map

Looking for other Farmer’s markets around the valley, check out the Arizona Community Farmers Markets calendar.

Today, the City of Scottsdale emailed out these links to walking paths in the Downtown Scottsale area. 

• Canal Bank Loop 1 mile
• Artwalk  1.25 miles (one way)
• Old Town – Civic Center Loop

Great ideas for a change of scenery, if you don’t happen to live in the downtown area. And while you are out, there are lots of restaurants, stores, and galleries to stop in and visit.

And now there are four more video updates to add to the collection:

Old Town Scottsdale - An eclectic mix of shops, with an old west flavor.  Many of the shop buildings were built in the 1920′s.

The Waterfront - The “new” west, south of Fashion Square, and north of 5th Avenue.

Scottsdale’s Fifth Avenue - Steeped in history, shops, studios, and restaurants with an eclectic feel

Downtown Arts District - Galleries, the Art Walk, and the renovated Valley Ho

If you’d like to see the previous videos:

Fashion Square

Southbridge

And, just in case you are a number’s person, here are some the details of this vibrant downtown area, courtesy of the City of Scottsdale.

DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE BY THE NUMBERS:

• 786 acres
• Free trolley service – 7 days/week, 12 months/year
• Year-round Thursday Art Walk events, 7-9 p.m.
• Signature events including Fashion Week, Savor Scottsdale, and Via Colori
• Free downtown parking
• 2,500 residential units
• 3,300+ hotel rooms in 20+ hotels
• 100+ art galleries
• 50+ lounges, bars and nightclubs
• 85+ restaurants
• More than 50 public artworks
• 30,000+ visitors on any given weekend night, year-round

There’s always something to do in downtown Scottsdale, whether you live here or are just visiting.

If you are curious about housing prices and trends for the area, check out the latest market reports for zip codes 85250 and 85251, with homes of many styles and price ranges.  Many are within walking distance or close to the free trolley routes for easy access to vibrant downtown Scottsdale.