Chocolate, Wine and Romance Are the Focus of Glendale’s Sweetest Festival February 8-10

The weekend before Valentine’s Day, Feb. 8-10, is a delicious delight for the senses as the Glendale Chocolate Affaire takes over downtown Glendale to create a chocolate-lover’s dream!

Chocolate purveyors from Arizona and around the nation gather in Glendale for this award-winning festival, which celebrates not only chocolate, but romance and the arts as well. Chocolate confections will include items such as fried ice cream with chocolate and strawberries, chocolate-covered bacon, chocolate-covered churros, chocolate-covered key lime pie, , chocolate-covered crepes and much more.

The Chocolate Affaire is sponsored by Arizona’s famous candy makers, Cerreta’s. The candy factory will offer tours all weekend, so visitors can get a behind-the-scenes look at how the chocolatiers create everyone’s favorite candy.

In addition, the festival has become the largest gathering of national romance novelists in the Southwest. This symposium of literary romantics offers fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with authors, as well as the chance to attend free writing workshops given by the experts.

Families with children will enjoy myriad activities, including hands-on arts and crafts, face-painting and a rock-climbing wall. Horse-drawn carriage rides will be available throughout the weekend to take couples or families on a scenic, charming ride through the historic Catlin Court district.   

Event hours are Friday 5 - 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. The event is located in the heart of Historic Downtown Glendale, in Murphy Park, located at 58th and Glendale avenues.

The Glendale Chocolate Affaire is sponsored by Cerreta’s Candy Company, ABC 15, The Arizona Republic, Valley Buick-GMC Dealers, Monster, KMLE, KOOL and JAMZ.

For more information on the Glendale Chocolate Affaire, including the entertainment lineup and a list of authors making appearances, visit our website at www.glendaleaz.com/events or call the special events hotline at 623-930-2299.

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Free Seminar for Realtors

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Park West

Park West is an open-air shopping, dining and entertainment destination located on Northern Avenue at the northwest corner of Loop 101.  It's ideally located one mile from the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale and Jobing.com Arena.   The space is anchored by a Harkins Movie Theatre, nine sit-down restaurants (that cover everything from burgers with a blue twist to brick oven-baked pizza to Fleming's, a high-end steakhouse and wine bar) and more than 30 specialty retailers.  You'll find a little bit of everything for the  particular shopper, including the latest offerings from Brighton's Collectibles, Dog's Etc. (a specialty shop for the four-legged friends back home) and Fair Oaks Cigars.  Done shopping??  Take a break amid the center's western resort feel, which includes relaxing "Bali" lounges, reflecting pools and wood shutters.  The picturesque center also features outdoor fireplaces, unique art pieces, canopy-lined walkways and beautiful landscaping.  Be sure to check out regular open-air organic farmer's markets and wine tastings to really soak up the ambiance.

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OUTSIDE AND ON-THE-GO!

WHERE TO HIKE, BIKE, WALK, RUN, BOAT AND MORE

Let our outdoors become your playground.  From urban and desert trails to water recreation respites and rolling fairways, Arizona's Western metropolitan region will leave you with life-altering outdoor experiences (and your photos will be pretty amazing too).

Stand atop any of the West Valley's mountain crests, and you'll soon learn that the climb is well worth the effort.  A clear day presents opportunities for nearly endless views of the rolling desert and bustling cities below.  Head north, west or south and suddenly you're immersed in a desert fairytale with winding trails daring you to climb, bike or meander your way higher.  Delight in the native flora and fauna or enjoy the best seat in the house for a morning sunrise.  For an up-close look or a planned excursion, talk to the folks at Arizona Scenic Tours, a company that specializes in planned excursions and customized tours.

Water seekers will find refuge just a little farther northwest at one of the state's most popular boating destinations - Lake Pleasant.  An ideal locale for a fisherman's retreat, the area is also perfect for boating exploration and high-speed water action.

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Major League Baseball

The Peoria Sports Complex was the first Major League Baseball spring training and player development facility in the country shared by two teams.  Built in 1994, the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners utilize the facility year round.  In addition to baseball tournaments, the facility hosts community events, concerts, art and trade shows, weddings and group events.

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Restaurants & Retail

Where to go when you're hungry for authentic flavors and the ultimate shopping locales
Some head to our region for a different kind of sport - the one where trophies are traded in for the pride of landing that one-of-a-kind buy or uncovering the best bargains.  Don't forget the afternoon lunch breaks, complete with chilled drinks and some of the best patios to be found.  What's on the menu, you ask?  Try everything from ethnic delights, home-style kitchens, unique Southwestern flavors, American classics and restaurants with views of everything from roaring fireplaces and waterfronts to big screens and the night sky! Not sure where to start?  Let me make a few suggestions.

Go to visitglendale.com and check out the "shop" and "dine" tabs.

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