Heather Wright Schlichting: Hi everyone! I'm Heather, PlanetEye Traveler writer who covers Phoenix and the state of Arizona, formerly The Phoenix Traveler. I'm a PR pro in Scottsdale who has grown to love my adopted state of Arizona. I enjoy food, wine tasting, live music, hiking, biking, theatre, dance, and exploring attractions in and around Phoenix. I look forward to introducing you to all the exciting and wonderful places and events that my town and the amazing state of Arizona have to offer. We're not just a desert, but a variety of awe-inspiring landscapes that include the red rocks of Sedona, the Mogollon Rim in Payson and Pine, and the Aspen trees in Flagstaff. And darn it, we’ve got the Grand Canyon, one of the top ten natural wonders of the world! If you’re a Phoenician, an Arizona resident or planning to visit our lovely state and are looking for museums, festivals, nightlife, outdoor adventures or unique getaways, then let the PlanetEye Traveler be your guide. Refer to us daily as your travel website destination and tell your friends about us. Thanks for visiting. Check me out on Twitter at @azcitychik. Heather Wright Schlichting

Katsina Dolls: A Hopi Tradition

When I first moved to Arizona, I was intrigued by everything that represented the Southwest especially Native American art. If you’re in the market, gift shops and tourist attractions alike are full of miniature dolls, dream catchers and jewelry. It becomes difficult to differentiate between the authentic native designs and the inexpensive copies. As I became more familiarized with the different art forms, I developed an appreciation for the katsina (kat-seena) dolls that are popular in many Phoenicians’...

June 8th, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

Be a Regular at Tarbell’s

Tarbell’s, a little neighborhood place where they claim “it’s the best place to be a regular” has been a culinary treasure in Phoenix since 1994. You might recognize the chef and owner Mark Tarbell who has amassed many accolades in his career; most recently he won the Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” title. Classicly trained in Paris, at age 23 Mark moved to Arizona and worked at The Boulders Resort in Carefree where he was the youngest Food & Beverage Director of any Five Diamond...

June 7th, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

Photo Friday: Camelback Mountain

The ultimate in urban hiking, Camelback Mountain is a prominent landmark in Phoenix. It divides Phoenix from the town of Paradise Valley and depicts a gigantic resting camel that stands guard as if to protect the Valley of the Sun. Hohokam Indians settled the area only to mysteriously disappear over a thousand years ago. They left behind evidence of their existence including a ceremonial cave discovered on the north side of Camelback. This ancient religious site today motivates many to refer to...

June 4th, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

Win a Vacation Getaway in Phoenix

Do you dream about relaxing poolside at one of our many beautiful resorts in Phoenix? Well, here’s your chance to make that dream a reality. Enter the 2010 Summerscapes Giveaway for one of the five packages listed below. Fill out this online form by June 30. Winners will be contacted on or around July 15, 2010. Even locals can enter for a great staycation. Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa If you’re lucky enough to win this getaway you’ll receive a one night stay for two in Ocatilla...

June 3rd, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

Gift Ideas for Phoenix Dads

Looking for the perfect gift for Dad for this Father’s Day? I’ve got a few ideas if he likes to eat out, play golf, or just laugh all night long. Give Dad a night off from the backyard barbecue and take him for a night on the town for a big juicy prime rib at Don & Charlie’s. A guy’s paradise overflowing with all types of sports memorabilia, Don & Charlie’s has been packing ‘em in since 1981. They serve everything from pasta and seafood to barbecue ribs and steaks. In honor...

June 2nd, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

Guac This Way!

Arizona is known for Mexican cuisine. But in the last few years new, award winning chefs and patrons with more sophisticated tastes are the reason why restaurants are serving up more authentic dishes with a twist. Even basic guacamole is getting a makeover to up the ante amongst local eateries. After extensive research on my own and interviewing friends, I posed the question, “What makes your guac rock?” This is what I found out. According to Phoenix Magazine and many of my friends, The...

May 28th, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

See the Light, Root for the Phoenix Suns

I’ve never mentioned this before, but I’m a Phoenix Suns fan. Even when I lived in Chicago, I was always intrigued by the Suns. All it took was seeing Charles Barkley play against Michael Jordan in person and I was smitten. I’ve also, until now never mentioned anything about the Suns 2010 playoff series in this blog. I’m very superstitious and have been afraid to mention anything for fear it would bring them bad luck. But, I can’t stay silent anymore! If you are looking for an...

May 27th, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

Caffe Boa on Mill – New Chef, New Outlook

Caffe Boa located in the “Mill Avenue District” of Tempe has moved up the culinary ladder, thanks to a new chef and new outlook. With more of a focus on local ingredients, Payton Curry, formerly the chef of Digestif, has altered the menu from offering many pasta dishes to more imaginative options. Local owners, Jay and Christine Wisniewski have had their establishment since 1994 and not only take their new menu seriously, but have committed to having all their servers take sommelier training....

May 25th, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

Walk the Red Carpet at The Arizona Biltmore

For nonstop entertainment from Memorial Day through Labor Day, walk the red carpet and enjoy the “Hollywood & Wine“ festival with celebrity bands and winemakers, movie screenings, theater productions, and a special spotlight on culinary creativity at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. The Bacon Brothers kickoff the festivities this Memorial Day weekend with live concerts on Saturday, May 29 and Sunday, May 30th. The popular folk and blues duo have been playing for 14 years and feature actor...

May 24th, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

Hike the Peak in North Scottsdale

Now, that we’ve officially hit our first 100 degree day, hikers either need to rise much earlier in the morning to beat the heat or hit the trails later in the day after sunset. One of the most picturesque hikes in the Valley is Pinnacle Peak, a 150-acre park in the Troon area of North Scottsdale. The route is a moderate hike with an elevation gain of approximately 1,300 feet. The park is an ideal habitat for a variety of native plants such as saguaros, cholla cactus, and for creatures such...

May 23rd, 2010 | Phoenix, Photo Highlights | Read More

The Fab Four are Back and in Phoenix

The ladies from the wildly popular “Sex and the City” series are back with their fabulous shoes, chic cocktails and sassy attitudes. Their next film comes out May 27, and it seems that “SATC” fever has caught on in the Valley with larger-than-life parties for you and your best gal pal. Anyone worth their Manolo Blahniks wouldn’t dare miss the following soirees to celebrate this highly anticipated sequel. Macy’s – Monday, May 24 Sip dirty blonde cocktails at Impulse,...

May 22nd, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

Start Your Engines at the Penske Racing Museum

Get up to speed on the fast and famous racecars of Indy and NASCAR lore at the Penske Racing Museum in North Scottsdale. The museum, one of the area’s best-kept secrets, is located within the Scottsdale 101 Auto Collection, between the Jaguar and Bentley dealerships. It contains a collection of Indy 500 winning cars surpassed only by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. And according to Pat Hozza, the museum curator, gives speed car fans an up-close and personal experience...

May 21st, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

Doors Wide Open in Bisbee, Arizona

Bisbee is a unique mining town; a picturesque getaway with charming, restored Victorian homes perched high on the outlying hillsides and a downtown center filled with gift shops, antique stores, cafes, museums, and art galleries. Once one of the richest mineral sites in the world, Bisbee is now an architectural masterpiece of historic buildings and rambling hillside streets; an ideal place to explore and step back in time. Doors Wide Open Tour If you’re looking for an excuse to take a day trip...

May 20th, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

Free Golf for Kids at Phoenix Courses

Are you looking for an activity to keep your kids busy this summer? Try the “Kids Play Free” golf program for kids 17 and under. Introduced by The City of Phoenix, this program is designed to encourage more families to enjoy the sport of golf and in particular introduce junior golf to local children. Kids ages 17 and under will play for free this summer when accompanied by a paid adult. Golfers can enjoy “Kids Play Free” from June 1 through August 31. This program is an extension of the...

May 19th, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

Sunset Over the McDowells

A magical view of the sun setting over the McDowell Mountains, one of the Valley’s largest mountain ranges, from The Club balcony at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Northeast Phoenix. The resort boasts the largest ballroom in Arizona, champion golf at Wildfire and award-winning restaurants like Roy’s. Such a wonderful place to wrap up another work week. JW Marriott Desert Ridge (map) 5350 E. Marriott Drive, Phoenix 480-293-5000

May 14th, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

Underwater Fantasy Opens in the Valley

Phoenix may be hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean, but on Friday, May 14 Phoenicians will be face to face with tiger sharks, eels, sea horses, an octopus and thousands of tropical fish. Arizona Mills mall (map) in Tempe will open its doors to the Sea Life Arizona Aquarium, the only dedicated aquarium in the state designed to provide a fun, interactive and educational experience for kids. Once you’ve made the rounds of the many discount stores available at Arizona Mills I suggest you check...

May 13th, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

Arizona’s Other Grand Canyon

Rafting season at Arizona’s spectacular Salt River Canyon is coming to a close this June. It began in March, where boaters launched into the river to run white-water rapids between high walls of sandstone and granite. Due to 9,000 cubic feet per second of rushing water flowing into Roosevelt Lake, this season is considered one of our best, comparable with the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Paddle through an incredible 2000-foot deep rock canyon as you take on rapids such as “Wall...

May 11th, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

Restaurants Harvest Desert for Extreme Locavore Menu

A new trend for Phoenix area restaurants has been to create menus based on local and sustainable foods. The Tonto Bar & Grill and its sister restaurant Cartwright’s Sonoran Ranch House and Lounge have been leaders in sustainable and locavore dining for many years. A locavore or localvore is defined as someone who eats food grown or produced locally or within a certain radius such as 50, 100, or 150 miles. The locavore movement encourages consumers to buy from farmers’ markets or even to produce...

May 10th, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

Rainbow Bridge in Lake Powell Celebrates Centennial

Looking for an unforgettable outdoor adventure for Memorial Day weekend? Lake Powell is the ultimate playground for hikers, boaters and water skiers. An enormous body of water over 500 feet deep and 186 miles long, Lake Powell’s shoreline is made up of 96 major canyons and countless smaller ones that can be explored by powerboat and kayak. There are also amazing one-of-a-kind natural wonders including the Rainbow Bridge, the largest natural bridge in the world. Celebrating its 100th year on Sunday, May...

May 7th, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More

Go Native in Phoenix

Okay, so our real estate prices have fallen, our educational system needs help and our politics have caused much debate. But, what we’re good at is developing the most magnificent resorts that are not just havens for the weary traveler but for those who crave award-winning restaurants, crystal blue pools and non-stop pampering at reasonable prices. One of my favorites is the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass (map) in Chandler, Arizona. Located on the ancient Tribal lands of the Gila River Indian Community,...

May 6th, 2010 | Phoenix | Read More