Free Baked Bear Ice Cream, Back to School Coffee Chemistry, And More This Weekend in Metro Phoenix

Back to School Coffee Chemistry 
Friday, August 19

Even if you're past the point when the words "back to school" mean anything to you, you may still want to head to the Arizona Science Center this Friday for the Back to School Coffee Chemistry event. Attendees can drink coffee samples from High Brew and Cartel; taste Huss Brewing Koffee Kolsch, which is made with two types of coffee beans; and can chow down on caffeinated pastries, as well as play old-school computer games like Oregon Trail or take "School Picture Day" images in a photo booth. A DJ will spin hits from the '80s and '90s. Tickets for museum members cost $10 per person and cost $12 per person for nonmembers. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m., and you must be 21 or older to attend.  For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Arizona Science Center's website or the event Facebook page. 


Carlson Creek Blind Wine Tasting
Friday, August 19

Think you know wine? Well, you can test your skills at a blind tasting this Friday at Carlson Creek's Scottsdale tasting room. As you might have guessed, you'll be blindly trying similar varietals of Carlson Creek's Arizona wines to see what characteristics you can discern by taste. Co-owner and winemaker Robert Carlson III will guide and teach guests proper tasting techniques and give them a take-home packet recapping everything. To reserve a seat in class, call Carlson Creek’s Scottsdale tasting room at 480-947-0636. Tickets cost $20 per person or $10 for Carlson Creek Wine Society members. The tasting begins at 6 p.m. For more information, visit Carlson Creek's website. 

Free Ice Cream from the Baked Bear in Tempe
Saturday, August 20

If you've been wanting to try some free ice cream from the Baked Bear, you'll get your chance this weekend. The ice cream sandwich chain from San Diego is opening a Tempe location on Saturday, and from 4 to 6 p.m., you can get complimentary ice cream sandwiches. The first 15 people in line will also get a free Baked Bear hat or T-shirt. For more information, visit the Baked Bear Tempe's Facebook page. 

Fifth Annual Prickly Pear Festival in Superior 
Saturday, August 20 to Sunday, August 21

If you're up for a mini-road trip this Saturday, you might consider attending the Fifth Annual Prickly Pear Festival in Superior. Enjoy a pancake breakfast with prickly pear syrup; check out vendors selling prickly pear food and wares at the Old Superior High School; stop by a lounge selling prickly pear beer, wine, and margaritas; check out talks and demonstrations on how to use prickly pear; and sample lunchtime menus at local restaurants featuring the fruit. The festival finishes with an Edible Desert Dinner and entertainment, and best of all, admission is free, though tickets for the dinner and entertainment cost $35. You can purchase tickets from the Superior Chamber of Commerce by calling 520-689-0200. For more information, visit the event's official site. 

New Burger Menu Debuts at Zuzu at the Hotel Vally Ho 
All weekend

ZuZu at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale has unveiled a new burger menu. Guests can chow down on options like the PB + J Burger, featuring peanut butter spread, balsamic glazed onions, and merlot wine jelly or the Bayou Burger, a blackened burger served with smoked andouille sausage, red pepper chow chow, and spicy remoulade. ZuZu grinds its burgers fresh daily and serves them on buns made in-house, and offers the option to add a 16-ounce local draft from SanTan Brewing or Four Peaks Brewing Co. for $4 or a specially priced glass of wine from a selection for $9. The new burgers are only available during lunch and brunch. For more information, visit ZuZu's website.