It’s tamale time! Made from masa filled with a variety of shredded meats, cheeses, vegetables and chiles, tamales are wrapped in corn husks and then steamed. The savory packets originated in Mesoamerica (central Mexico through northern Costa Rica) and have been made and eaten for thousands of years. Tamales are more abundant around Christmas because they’re part of the celebration of Las Posadas, the commemoration of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter. You can make your own, but the Valley is home to many...
Opinion columnist Jim Sharpe puts things into perspective this holiday season.
The demise of her favorite Christmastime tradition puts our columnist in a holiday funk – and makes her fret over the future of local business.
Swing by these festive spots to snap a holiday selfie! North Phoenix Creative Holiday Chalk Art at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort Check out this huge 3D sleigh chalk art piece, which is located at the resort’s Falls Water Village. This installation was created by local husband and wife team, Rather Be Chalking. The display has been getting a lot of attention from guests and locals alike, and will be available for “sleigh rides” until the end...
Valley nonprofit one•n•ten has teamed up with local chefs to curate a holiday cookbook that showcases diversity while celebrating community. The e-book, Now Serving: Everyone, features recipes from 15 award-winning Arizona chefs including Christopher Gross, Bernie Kantak, Tandy Peterson, Jeremy Pachecho and Gio Osso. All proceeds from the book will benefit one•n•ten, which helps LGBTQ youth and young adults with housing, employment and social opportunities. “We enhance their lives by providing empowering social and service...
Interactive art installations are popping up everywhere, from candy-coated exhibits to taco-themed wonderlands. At Tempe Marketplace, guests can enjoy a holiday-themed installation called Candy Cane Lane, which features more than 100 pieces including 7-foot tall gingerbread men, 6-foot-tall lollipops, a huge hot cocoa mug with marshmallow seats, enormous Hershey’s Kisses and a giant gumball machine that blows around plastic balls. “I think people are looking for more experiences when they’re coming to centers and having...