West of Western Culinary Festival, an annual culinary event bringing together some of the most renowned chefs in Arizona for a weekend of fine food, education, and entertainment, announced today its blockbuster line-up of participating chefs and scheduled programming.  Presented by Phoenix Art Museum and Whole Foods Market, the Festival takes place March 15-16, 2008 at its inviting new location as Phoenix Art Museum hosts the fourth annual event.

This year’s Festival will feature more than 50 of Arizona’s most acclaimed executive chefs, chefs de cuisine, pastry chefs, and their crews, all hailing from the state’s top restaurants and resorts. Each chef will prepare a variety of inspired fare, representative of their background and training. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to sample and enjoy the finest food from each of these leading culinary artists and establishments as they watch the flurry of activity as they prepare and cook their specialties.

The Festival is scheduled to take place during one of Phoenix Art Museum’s most anticipated exhibitions, Masterpiece Replayed: Monet, Matisse and More, which explores the concept of repetition in 19th and 20th century French artwork. General admission to the Museum is included in the Festival ticket price and several of the Festival’s educational programs
will reflect the theme of this unique exhibition.

for much more info, visit www.westofwestern.com

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Celebrating 25 years in Phoenix

The Phoenix St. Patrick's Day Parade began in 1984. Its purpose is to preserve and enhance the heritage and traditions of the Irish Culture as well as share that culture with the citizens of Arizona.

This year will be the 25th Anniversary. The Parade has marching bands, Irish step dancers, bagpipers, police and fire vehicles, government dignitaries, floats, the 2007 Arizona Irish Colleen with her Court and a whole lot more.  This years parade is Saturday, March 15, 2008. This year's Grand Marshall is Jimmy O'Connor from County Galway and the Irishperson of the Year is Peter McAvinney from County Monaghan.

The Irish Family Faire takes place immediately after the Parade and runs until 5:00p.m. at the Irish Cultural Center which is located in Margaret T. Hance Park at 1106 North Central Ave. in Phoenix. The location is on the west side of Central.

The Faire Admission $10.00 for Adults (12 & over), $1.00 for Kids 6 – 12 Kids under 6 FREE! Staging on 3rd street between Thomas and Virginia, de-staging at Hance Park and on East Moreland Street.

Parade starts at 10:00 a.m. 3rd Street Virginia south to Hance Park.

Get complete info online

This is a fun event, happening this coming Saturday, March 15th from 3 to 9 PM.  Last year, 7th Ave was closed from Indian School, north to Campbell and Vendor Booths graced the middle of 7th Ave as well as many "classic cars".  There was "live music" and many of the stores on both sides of the street were open. 

The 7th Avenue Merchants' Association will host vendor booths for handcrafted, not mass-produced goods including ceramics, glass, jewelry, metalwork, mixed media (2-D & 3-D), painting, photography, sculpture, wearable art, and woodwork as well as food/snacks and information-only booths.

Melrose on 7th website