Collection
what, where, when and why

Heartbeat on Canal Street
Downtowners can enjoy an elegant night of fashion, music and glamour on Canal Bridge during Belvedere Vodka’s HeartBeat on Canal Street, on Oct. 18 at 6 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Supporters will fill the gorgeous Anacapri setting where the Waterfront meets SouthBridge to enjoy live entertainment by renowned DJ Rod Carrillo.

Decadent gifts are being provided by Burberry, Cartier, Neiman Marcus and Royal Palms Resort & Spa, as well as trips to Grand Wailea Resort Maui, Napa Valley, and the Sky Hotel Aspen. Savory cuisine by SouthBridge restaurants will be featured, along with aperitifs in The Moet & Chandon Champagne Lounge, The Belvedere Vodka Lounge, and The Mojito Lounge. Proceeds will benefit the local chapter of the American Heart Association. Tickets for the event are $250 per person, while sponsorships start at $5,000. For more information, visit www.heartbeatoncanalstreet2008.com.

Night Lights
The Scottsdale Public Art Program presents a series of art events called Night Lights on the Arizona Canal in downtown. On third Thursdays (Oct. 16, Nov. 20, and Dec. 18), artists will transform the Scottsdale Waterfront sunset to midnight, with light-based installations and music performances. In addition to the Night Lights series, Arizona artist Mary Lucking will create an interactive work featuring a projection onto the water’s surface in the Arizona Canal, running nightly October through December.

Tour de Scottsdale
At 7 a.m. on Sunday, October 5, participants in the fifth annual Tour de Scottsdale will begin an extraordinary cycling adventure that will circumnavigate the beautiful McDowell Mountains in North Scottsdale. The race benefits The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, an organization committed to preserving the Sonoran desert and its mountains for the benefit of this and all future generations.

Get Your Purr On
With dogs getting plenty of attention in downtown, Leanne Simonson plans on evening the score in favor of the cats. Simonson is excited to take over ownership of Purr-Suasions, located at 7121 E. Fifth Ave., Ste. 3, and previously owned by Dolores Borgens since 1991.

“There are not many stores that cater exclusively to cat lovers. Purr-Suasions is unique in that regard,” says Simonson. “Having the opportunity to carry on the Purr-Suasions tradition is both a challenge and privilege.”

Located in the historic Kiva Center (corner of Fifth Ave. and Craftsman Ct.), Purr-Suasions continues to offer cat art, collectibles, and apparel. Simonson plans on bringing another facet to the business in adding a number of new and exciting products. “Also, I intend to help educate people as to the importance of spaying and neutering with a goal to help control the cat and dog population. Then all of our furry friends can have a good home,” says Simonson.

As owner of Fiesta Southwest Gifts, Simonson (a cat lover) developed a friendship with Borgens. “We both discovered our mutual love for kitties and things kitty related. With Dolores’ pending retirement, it would have been sad for me, as well as her many loyal customers, to see the store close. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to continue Dolores’ good work,” Simonson says.

With Purr-Suasions Grand Re-Opening scheduled for Oct. 4, the store continues its regular hours of operation Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Simonson plans on having cat-related events for Downtowners. “While all dogs have their day, it’s time for cats to start sharing the limelight,” says Simonson. “I plan on getting the community to start celebrating cats, too.”

As You Like It
The Arizona Shakespeare Festival presents a free performance of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, on Oct. 11 at 4 p.m., at the Waterfront amphitheater. As a part of an 18 city tour, the Prescott-based Shakespeare company stops in Scottsdale to provide this family-friendly romantic comedy in an outdoor setting. For more information, visit www.azshakes.com.

Cork Popping at the W Hotel
W Scottsdale Hotel & Residences opened its doors as champagne corks popped into a blue sky. On Sept. 6, the hotel had its official opening with speeches given by Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross, Principal of Triyar Companies Steven Yari, CEO of Triyar Companies Michael Mahoney, and General Manager of W Scottsdale Leon Young. The event welcomed a first peek at the estimated $110 million project, which started construction in 2005.

Originally projected to open this past spring, the city waited all summer in anticipation for the Los Angeles-based Starwood Hotel brand (W Hotel) to light up downtown. With other W Hotels located in Hong Kong, San Francisco, and Chicago, the hotel’s presence continues to propel downtown into the sphere of upscale nightclub and resort destinations.

The September celebration revealed the hotel’s second floor entertainment deck, which included WETSM pool, with its four, giant portholes located at the bottom. It also opened the doors of W Scottsdale’s destination bars, SUNSET.BEACH and SHADE.