Howdy Partners!

A visiting wrangler from New Mexico sat with me on the deck of the Jersey Lilly Saloon Sunday, sipping a brew and watching Dogtoberfest spill over the Plaza (more dogs than humans, I'll wager) when he told me he never comes to Prescott without his camera.

I understood. This Prescott Cowgirl carries hers nearly everywhere, everyday, because we have such beautiful light in our mountain city and even on the rare days there's not an event in historic downtown Prescott, there's always a beguiling Kodak moment. I start this blog with two from our Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza--one I call Autumn Rose and the other, our Bubbling Fountain at Noon. Beauty.

Speaking of beauty, the grounds of Sharlot Hall Museum are always photo-worthy, but you'll find even more this Saturday and Sunday at the 31st Annual Folk Music Festival--our state's oldest continual folk music gathering.

This year more than 150 of the state's best folk music performers will deliver a wide-ranging array of styles, including our State Historian and well-revered musician/humorist Marshall Trimble, pictured here. Other groups such as Howlin' at the Moon, Prescott Playboys and others join soloist Katie Lee who celebrates her 90th birthday on Saturday!

Come delight to great folk music amidst the shaded grounds daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and take in some workshops in dulcimers, mandolin, musical saws, and more. An instrument swap meet Sunday and impromptu jam sessions add to the fun.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for members and free for children under 18. And kids aren't forgotten with family-friendly music including the Super Silliest Band!

Two more incredible deals for duffers have been announced. First: now through October 15, two people playing golf at StoneRidge Golf Course stay free at the less-than-year-old Comfort Suites in Prescott Valley where each of the 100 suites have double queen or king beds, refrigerator, microwave, other amenities and provide a hot breakfast and wireless Internet.

And, as the infomercial kings love to say, "Wait! There's More!"
Book your room and golf Sunday through Thursday and you pay only $69 each (plus tax) which includes practice balls and golf cart equipped with GPS. The 7,052 yard, par-72 StoneRidge is stunning with its ponderosa and pinon pines, native grasses and granite rock formations and more than a 350 foot elevation change. This will go fast, so call StoneRidge now for your Stay Free/Golf for Less package at 928-772-6500.

And then, from now through October 31, enjoy "Golf and Grill"-- 18 holes of golf and breakfast or lunch from the StoneRidge Grill-- you select from the menu. Sunday through Friday is only $39.95; Saturday $49.95, plus tax. Please mention Golf and Grill and The Prescott Cowgirl when you call for reservations.

Also don't forget the ongoing golf deal at Antelope Hills Golf Course: free golf for two with the purchase of two or more nights (double occupancy) at 13 area hotels. Follow this link to learn more.  

October and pumpkins just go together, and Chino Valley's Pumpkin Festival is a wondrous way to ease into the fall season.

Every Saturday and Sunday throughout October at Windmill Farms at JC Ranch in Chino Valley, thousands of visitors troop to celebrate fall in this beautiful rural setting. In its third year, it includes family activities like tractor hay rides, a petting zoo, pie eating contests, pumpkin painting contests, arts and crafts, food, beverages, live music, dancing and more. Cost is only $2, or $5 for an all-day (9:00 am to 5:00 pm) events pass. For more information, phone 928-899-3561 or go online to www.jcranchaz.com. JC Ranch is located at 1460 West Road 4 North in Chino Valley and Windmill Farms has numerous lakeside walking paths to further enjoy the day.

Fall also brings out the bargains--and the beautiful and award-winning Pleasant Street Inn Bed & Breakfast in historic downtown Prescott is offering a free third night with a two-night stay in their Terrace Suite with private deck or the luxurious Pine View Suite with fireplace shown here. Owner/Innkeeper Jeanne Watkins is making this valid every day through Nov. 15 so book now for a romantic getaway in one of Arizona's 10 Best B & B's (Phoenix Magazine), an easy walk to the Plaza, surrounding shops, restaurants and Sharlot Hall Museum. For more info on Pleasant Street, visit their website at www.PleasantBandB.com or phone 877-226-7128.

At Prescott Valley's Civic Center is an ongoing and extraordinary art exhibit few locals know about--the Solon H. Borglum sculpture display. If you're a fan of the iconic Captain Buckey O'Neill sculpture on the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza done by Borglum, brother to Mount Rushmore sculptor Gutzon Borglum, you'll enjoy this display, from finely-crafted bronze sculptures to plaster models on the four floors of PVCC. Expect to see some other of his works in the new Prescott Valley Public Library to be dedicated Saturday, Oct. 10 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Prescott Valley Civic Center is at 7501 Civic Circle.

 

Until We Meet Again,

 Happy Trails!

 

 

The Prescott Cowgirl

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Howdy All! Yep, our calendars may say September, but we know Mother Nature has her own idea of when fall starts, and she says it's still summer, as Valley temperatures readily reflect. 

So if you'd like a break from the heat, take some advice from the Prescott Cowgirl and come on up to mile-high Prescott, where this weekend we're celebrating Labor Day with our Faire on the Square and the Chino Valley Territorial Days.

And, starting next week, the good folks at a dozen local hotels and B & Bs are offering you a free round of golf for two at our beautiful Antelope Hills Golf Course when you stay two nights or more.

This is a deal I'm proud to share with you, and I hope you can take advantage of it!

All the details are being finalized, but I'll give you a hint: book two or more nights, Sunday through Wednesday (from Sept. 7 through Oct. 28), and you can enjoy savings for your stay and FREE GOLF! As they used to say on the cowboy shows: tune in next week, Partners!

There's a lot going on this Labor Day weekend in beautiful Chino Valley at their Territorial Days Celebration.

And plenty of history here--from the 23rd annual Territorial parade at 9:30 Saturday morning to the 61st annual F.F.A. Corn dinner from 3:00 to 7:00 pm.

Saturday gets off to a running start at 6:00 am with the 11th Annual Territorial 10K and 2 mile fun run at Memory Park (I never run two miles for fun but some folks sure do!)

Also from 6:00 to 9:30 am is Chino Valley's Lions Club Pancake breakfast held at the Senior Center.

For nearly two decades, these dedicated Lions Club members have gathered before dawn to prepare this breakfast that benefits local charities. On hand this year is 200 pounds of ham, 100 pounds of pancake mix and more than 40 gallons of orange juice, not to mention the pounds of coffee. Tasty, tasty, trust me!

Meanwhile, over at Yavapai College Agribusiness & Science Technology Center (at 2275 Old Home Manor Drive), you'll find the two-day High Plains Adventure starting with the 4D Barrel Race and Youth Gymkhana starting at 1:00 pm. You'll find a plethora of fun things to see and do including goat tying contests, dummy roping, horseshoeing demos, hydroponics workshop and an educational petting zoo. Competitions for kids 3 to 18 have nominal fees but the rest, including parking, is free.

Saturday afternoon from 3:00 to 7:00 pm marks the 61st annual Chino Valley F.F.A. Alumni Corn Dinner, held at Del Rio School.

Sunday, 8:30 am to 3:00 pm is the Yavapai College English and Western Horse Show, held at their new equestrian center. Again, admission and parking is free. Find more information on www.chinovalley.org and www.yc.edu/HPA.

Back in Prescott, it's time for our 24th annual Faire on The Square, a three-day arts and crafts show at which each item has been made or significantly embellished by the artists.

Strolling under the towering shade trees of the Prescott Courthouse Plaza, you'll find everything from art to clothing to home décor at one of the finest arts and craft shows of the season. Actually, I like the way Festivals.com said it: "One of the most outstanding in the Southwest!"

Making that happen are artist families, like Mel and Lucy Mendez of Prescott Valley, who will display their hand-loomed Zapotec woven rugs. Besides colorful displays like that shown here, they also demonstrate weaving on their wooden loom.

One of Prescott's more famous monikers is "Everybody's Hometown" and those of us living here know it's more than a catchy slogan.

Case in point is Saturday's Fundraiser event at Coyote Joe's (214 S. Montezuma St.) to help the family of Jonathan Green, a 27-year-old student suffering from bone cancer which metastasized, requiring the amputation of his left leg. His mother, Prescott resident Deborah Renee needs to be by her son's side at U.C. Davis, but as a self-employed woman, she can't afford time off and still pay her bills.

Enter Coyote Joe's and numerous local businesses who've donated gift certificates and merchandise for a silent auction and raffle Saturday. The restaurant/bar is open to all ages until 6:00 pm, then 21 and older only. The event ends at 8:00 pm, so stop in and help a neighbor.

And don't forget Saturday at Newman Gallery on Montezuma for the premiere "Los Tres Artisanos," featuring folk art by Dawn Elliott, jewelry by R.D. (Bubba) Shackelford, and gallery owner and Prescott artist Dave Newman with his renowned mixed media and paintings (ever see his wall-size piece at The Palace?). Refreshments on hand and a raffle by each artist means you will want to mosey in between 3:00 and 8:00 pm!

Looking ahead: next week's inaugural Prescott BBQ Days is shaping up to be a tasty time. Sponsored by the Sunup Rotary Club and held on the Prescott Rodeo grounds, this is a family event with contests for kids and adults. Friday is a dinner dance, while Saturday is the day for amateurs and professionals to show us their best barbeque!

Check out www.prescottbbqdays.com for more information, and know I'll give you a look "behind the scenes" next week.

 

 

 

     Until then, Happy Trails!

        The Prescott Cowgirl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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JAZZ!

America's original art form is celebrated this weekend at the 9th annual Prescott Jazz Summit, starting with a free noon-hour concert Friday on the Prescott Courthouse Plaza.

The sound of music will continue at various venues in Prescott through Sunday afternoon.

Friday night epitomizes the Summit's core commitment with the Scholarship Fundraising Dinner with the Musicians at 5:30 pm, held at the historic Hassayampa Inn. It's followed by Festive Night at the Hassayampa, with music resounding in the Arizona and Marina ballrooms.

Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 4:30, enjoy the musicians of tomorrow at jazz clinics and workshops for teen musicians at the Ruth Street Theater.

Few folks realize how the annual Jazz Summit benefits young area musicians, raising funds for local high school music departments.

"We give at least a few hundred dollars to each area schools every year," said Summit director (and performer) Mike Vax, speaking of donations made to Prescott High School music and drama department, and both Chino Valley High School and Bradshaw Mountain High School's music departments. "I think locally we've given $15,000 over the years directly to schools or through scholarships."

 

Vax also said more than 800 music students had been tutored by Jazz Summit professional musicians at no cost to them or their schools. Pictured here is musician Reggie Thomas with workshop students.

 

Saturday night's 7:30 Gala Concert at Ruth Street Theater featuring Prescott's own Toni Tennille and the All-Star Band is nearly completely sold out but worth a try for tickets just in case, but there's another opportunity to meet and greet musicians at Sunday morning's Jazz Brunch at the Hassayampa with seating at 9:30 am or 12:15 pm.

This year's Jazz Summit climax is the 2:30 pm Sunday afternoon concert at Mile High Middle School's Hendrix auditorium, where all attendees 18 and under are admitted free!

Vax, soon to be a full-time Prescott resident, has gathered a stellar line-up of internationally-known jazz musicians again this year and any of these venues will showcase some of the finest jazz around. For more information on tickets, visit www.prescottjazz.com.

No doubt when you've visited historic Prescott, you've admired and perhaps wondered about the history behind some of the wonderful Nob Hill mansions, the Whiskey Row establishments, the 1927 Hassayampa Inn and other sites.

Well, it's easy to learn a lot more when you take one of the free Historic Downtown Walking Tours, Friday through Sundays at 10:00 am (except for weekends, when festivals occur on the Plaza like the upcoming Faire on the Square Sep. 5-7 and the Fallfest in The Park, Oct. 10 & 11) when the tour is Friday mornings only.

Sponsored by the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, the 90 minute historic walking tours are led by Sharlot Hall Museum trained guides--like Jerri Olson, pictured here--who know the interesting if often odd tidbits on history of local hotels, historic buildings and even the crosswalk on Whiskey Row and the plaque to "Friendly Dog Mike" on the courthouse lawn.

Call ahead or drop by the Chamber office at 117 W. Goodwin Street to learn more about the free tours-informative and fun for visitors and hometown folk, too! Tours continue through Oct. 25.

With summer's close at hand, it's a perfect time for a Beach Party and the Prescott Valley Entertainment District is happy to oblige. This Saturday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm is the Fourth Annual Beach Party, and like years past, more than 200 tons of sand is imported and water features incorporated to make Main Street beachy-keen.

Contests like the Redneck Tan Line, the Bikini Contest for Tiny People (babies!) and the Hairy Leg Contest add to the hilarity of the day-providing fun and entertainment for the whole family. Special guest Mac Daddy presents a concert from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.

Also at the Entertainment District Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm is the very forward-looking Creative Energy Fair Kickoff with Prescott Valley-based NEST engineering's portable solar/wind generator not only on display but working to provide power to supply music and pop popcorn! Representatives from APS, Home Depot and local contractors will be on hand to answer questions about solar and wind power and how to adapt it for home use. The Creative Energy Fair is Saturday, Sep. 26 at Tim's Toyota Center.

Speaking of looking ahead: next weekend is Chino Valley's Territorial Capital Days with a passel of events including the 23rd Annual Territorial Capital Days Parade at 9:30 am Saturday. We'll be tellin' you a lot more about this in next week's blog, including a bit on the history behind the 61st annual F.F.A. Alumni Corn Dinner, held Saturday afternoon from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

 

Until then, friends, Happy Trails!
The Prescott Cowgirl

 *Beach Party photo courtesy of Stew Schrauger

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