The OVM Blog
Ask the Valley Girl October 7th
Reader Questions:
1. Hi Valley Girl! I am new in town and looking for a hair stylist. I am looking for a fresh start highlights & a hip cut. Any suggestions? Kate, OV
Kate, I know how important it is to find that perfect hair stylist! I have 2 salons I recommend. Shear Expressions, located at 10509 N. Oracle Rd., Suite 109 is great! Melissa Eike, my personal stylist, is fab. She is a Redken-trained colorist — wonderful for cuts & highlights. Call 591.4561 to book an appointment. If Melissa is booked, the other stylists are great too.
Gadabout Salon Spas located 8303 N. Oracle Rd. is the other salon I recommend. There’s plenty of skilled stylists to choose from and a real hip, urban feel. Call 742.0000 for an appointment. Gadabout is closed on Mondays. You will for sure look fresh when you leave either of these places!
2. Where could I host my daughter's 7th Birthday party? She is a super girly girl and loves doing fun things with her friends? Gillian E, OV
Gillian, I too am the mom of a girly girl. Based on experience, a great place to try is Justice, located at the Foothills Mall on La Cholla Blvd. My 8 year old had her party there last year. The girls loved it! Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers music played while cute teenage store gals helped "beautify them." They get makeup to put on, their hair done, and get to design little purses, and dance and sing.
3. Where can my children go in the evening for a fun time while my husband and I go out to eat? I have two boys (8 & 6). Lisa H, OV
Lisa, My Gym, located 7366 N. Oracle Rd., has parent's night out every other Saturday. October 17th is the next one coming up. From 6–10 pm it’s four hours of fun for the kids, and you and your husband. Pizza and drinks are included in the price. Cost is $45 for non-members, and $35 for My Gym members. Each additional child is $10. Call My Gym at 519.9192 for information.
4. I am interested in learning how to salsa dance! Where can I start a class? Joan R. OV
Joan, Shall We Dance offers salsa classes. The NW location is located at 2850 W. Ina Rd. (Ina & Shannon). Currently, every Tuesday evening at 7 pm there is a Latin, rhythm and dance for beginners being offered. The class meets for one hour and is 10 weeks long. Cost is $15 per class.
Private salsa classes are offered as well. A 30-minute private class is $25. Call 229.3202 to set up classes and start your salsa! I hear it's great exercise!
To Do:
Singer/Songwriter Colbie Caillat will be gracing Tucson on October 26. Showtime is 8 pm at the historic Rialto Theatre. This is Caillat 's first stop in Tucson. Her debut single, "Bubbly," made her an instant hit on the radio. Her voice is angelic. She has toured with the likes of John Mayer and Jason Mraz. For more information on this show and for tickets, call 740.1000 or check out The Rialto Theatre's Web site. Rialto is located at 318 E. Congress St. Get ready for a great ladies night out!
Tip from The Valley Girl!
Many of my friends call me a Product Junkie. I'm fine with that. I love and enjoy great makeup, hair and skin products. I can walk aimlessly through Blue Mercury and Sephora for hours.
After years of trying different face soaps, lotions, even magic potions, I found a set by Philosophy called Age Control Advanced Makeup Optional Skin at Sephora. Cost is $98 for a set of five products. Your face will be radiant after only 5–7 days. Smooth lines and wrinkles will start to vanish man it evens skin discoloration and tightens pores. You can purchase it at Sephora.com or at The Tucson Mall. It was even featured on Oprah. :)
Ask Valley Girl August 7th
Q. I would like to plan a birthday party for my 5-year-old son but am tired of hosting it at our home or the typical spots. Any suggestions?
A. My Gym located on N. Oracle Rd. is fantastic! The parties range in time from 1 1/2 to 2 hours long and it’s non-stop fun for the kids with experienced My Gym teachers handling everything. Just show up and watch the kids have a blast. Activities include gymnastics, a space flight, puppets and songs. On Sept. 12th from 9-5 My Gym will be holding an open house so you can check it out for yourself free of charge! Call My Gym at 520.519.9192.
Q. Can you recommend a good place to enjoy a glass of wine?
A. You’re in luck. there are numerous places. If you are looking for a fun urban atmosphere try Armitage located at La Encantada on Skyline Drive. Happy hour is 4-6 everyday and there’s live jazz on Saturday nights!
Harvest Restaurant, located on the corner of La Cañada & Lambert, is a perfect spot to cozy up to the bar and enjoy the great wine list. Its cool paint colors, cement floors and dark wood tables, and the open kitchen gives it a ‘Happenin’ air.’
The Loop — formerly Pizzeria Uno — on Oracle has a great vibe. Plus, mention the “Valley Girl” and you'll get your first glass of wine for only $5. off any wine by the glass. Love this place!
Q. My family and I are new to the area. Can you recommend at least two quality restaurants for us that are kid friendly?
A. Try Sauce at Casas Adobes Plaza at Ina and Oracle. You and the kiddos will enjoy everything from gourmet pizzas to salads to good old mac & cheese. Take advantage of the $20 "Summer Sampler" — 1 pizza, 1 salad and 2 glasses of wine — from now until August 31. Sit on the cozy dining patio with misters to keep somewhat cool during this summer heat!
I also recommend a fun old west feel restaurant in Marana called The Steak Out located on Tangerine Rd. The food is good and the atmosphere is lots of fun. A perfect family spot.
Q. I am in need of a good photographer to take portraits of my two young boys. I am looking more for a private photographer. Any suggestions or recommendations?
A. I highly recommend Shelley Welander. She is a custom photographer who captures the true essence your child & family. She is amazing. Shelley's studio is located at 8444 N. Oracle Rd., suite 150. You can find samples of her work at ShelleyWelander.com. Prices start at $100. Call 520.742.0441 for an appointment.
Valley Girl’s Calendar
Interesting in seeing live music? La Encantada Concert series is great. Located downstairs in the courtyard, shows begin at 7:30 and cost $10 per person.
August 8th, check out Descarga a ten-piece Latin upbeat band.
August 22nd, Big Band with Chip Ritter. This musician is a drum soloist and is known to bring audiences immediately to their feet.
Purchase tickets by calling 520-797-3959 or go online to GOVAC.org
Enjoy music under the old pueblo stars!
The Historic Rialto Theatre (my personal very favorite venue in Tucson) will be hosting Ryanhood August 22nd, 8 pm showtime. Enjoy the indie rock acoustic guitar duo. From Humble Tucson beginnings Ryanhood has been quoted by critics to "be one of the hottest new bands on the college market." Side note: No, you don't have to be in college to enjoy them.
Also, plan ahead because this one is sure to sell out! Michael Franti & Spearhead will be gracing Tucson Sept. 16th. Showtime is 8pm and price for a single ticket is $30. He is a true talent with a fun reggae feel to his music. Purchase tickets online at www.rialtotheatre.com
Exercise for a great cause. Start getting in shape now for the September 20th Ben's Bells El Tour 10k or 5k walk/run in Marana. 6:30 am at Ora Mae Harn District Park. This is a wonderful Tucson charity. "The message behind Ben's Bells is to inspire, educate & motivate each other to realize the impact of intentional kindness and to empower individuals to act according to that awareness thereby changing our world" so celebrate kindness and work out for a great cause! For more information and registration info, visit www.bensbells.org.
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