Kids Back in School? Here’s Some Ways to Treat Yourself; Dad’s Edition 

By Lauren Wong 

As summer is winding down to an end and you find yourself having more free time as kids are going back to school, set aside some time to treat yourself.

Mixology Class:

When: 6:30 – 9 p.m. Aug. 6
Where: City Buzz Studio, Phoenix
Cost: $25

Whether you’re a beginner, or are looking to perfect your skills, this is the perfect class for you. Bring your own bar kit and be ready to learn all about mixing drinks and perfecting your presentation. You’ll even get to work side by side with the Master Mixologist to create your very own signature drink! Everyone who completes the class will get a certification to prove their new skills.

Gourmet Couples:

When: 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Aug. 12
Where: Sweet Basil Cooking School, Scottsdale
Cost: $180

Get ready for the perfect date night! With your partner, you’ll learn how to prepare a delicious three-course gourmet dinner. The menu will be divided among all the couples. By the end of the night you’ll be stuffed from an array of flavors and perfectly paired wine.

The first dish is Chorizo Taquito Amuse with fresh Orange Salsa and Iceberg Wedge Salad with Bacon, Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing and Cracked Black Pepper, paired with Sauvignon Blanc. Your entree of Flame Cooked Brazilian Spice Salmon with Curry Aioli; Slow Simmered Black Beans with Cumin and Chili; Crispy Bacon Fried Rice, and Roasted Beets and Carrots with Dijon Butter and fresh Dill will be served with Zinfandel.

And, of course, you can’t forget about dessert! After your meal you’ll make Bananas Foster Flambé with homemade Vanilla Ice Cream!

If you can’t make the Aug. 12 date, there are plenty of cooking classes available throughout the week as well as more Gourmet Couple classes.

Phoenix City Tour – Troon North Golf Club Pinnacle:
When: 12 p.m. Aug. 21
Where: Troon North Pinnacle #1 Tee, Scottsdale
Cost: $139, price increases on Aug. 11

Calling all amatuer golfers 21 and up, the Nextgengolf City Tour is in Scottsdale! Sign up as a team with 4 – 6 players or sign up solo and be put on a random team. There’s also a tournament at Camelback Golf Club on Sept. 12, and at McCormick Ranch Golf Club on Oct. 15.

Play to win! The best teams from the tournaments will represent their city at the City Tour Championship coming in the fall. There are two tournament formats to choose from. You can either sign up for Best Ball, which is more serious, or Scramble, the more relaxed option.

Late-Day Play:

When: Evenings

Where: Mountain Shadows, Paradise Valley
Cost: Call 480-624-5433 for pricing and tee times

If you’re flexible, book your 9 hole tee time at Mountain Shadow’s Short Course later in the day for 30% off. Before or after your golf outing, enjoy some refreshers at Rusty’s! From 3 – 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, take advantage of their happy hour prices. Select wines are only $7, and draft beers go for $5.

Maverick Men’s Facial:

Where: Hotel Valley Ho, Scottsdale
Cost: $170

Using MVRCK brand products, this 60-minute facial is bound to bring you satisfactory results. As the room fills with an agave-citrus scent, feel your whole body relax. With cooling menthol their Skin Tonic will leave you feeling completely refreshed. During the facial you’ll get all your impurities extracted, and a hand and arm massage. MVRCK’s Skin & Beard Lotion will be applied at the end to keep and restore your skin’s hydration and condition your beard.

Rock and Roll Car Show:

When: Every Saturday beginning 3 – 8 p.m. rain or shine

Where: 9120 East Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale

Cost: Free

If you love cars and haven’t been to the Longest Consecutive Saturday Cruise-In Event in the USA, then you’re missing out. This event is free to both spectators and entrants (no registration is required to display/arrive one hour early to be placed). Stop in to admire the cars, or rev yours up to display! Foreign and domestic examples of classic cars, sports cars, trucks, and even exotics can be spotted at this show that launched in April of 1990.