Note: This story does not have a non-dairy happy ending

Non-dairy desserts at mostly-dairy establishments are usually  a one-way ticket to Snoozeville. First of all, there’s usually only one non-dairy flavor. Secondly, it’s almost always something fruity.

Just because milk and I aren’t copacetic, does not mean that I don’t like the same delicious flavors — chocolate, peanut butter, caramel. You know, the GOOD stuff.

Mango has it’s place, but it’s usually not in my frozen yogurt cup.

I accompanied some friends to Yogurtology in the Town & Country shopping center. It was set-up like Mojo, and from what I hear, every other yogurt place out there at the moment: big cup, self-service yogurt, plenty of usual and unusual toppings.

They had the one non-dairy flavor,  mango.

But they also had cupcake batter and oatmeal cookie and peanut butter. I don’t do dairy, but I couldn’t help having a taste, then two.

I got a bit of mango with strawberries just so I could try an additional bit of cupcake batter yogurt.

My dairy-eating friends have been back twice since our initial trip less than a week ago. They now have a rewards card. I have been back once, where I had a pretty good non-dairy flavor (orange) and side of peanut butter/chocolate.

Yogurtology
2045 E Camelback Road, Suite A16A
Phoenix, AZ 85016

FRIDAY

Get 25% off most things @ Bona Drag
For Friday only, get 25% off most items at the Bona Drag online boutique (not the With Hearts in My Eyes clothing and any prebook items).

Enter the phrase “hannah loves power tools” in the notes section, and your discount will be taken.

***

First Friday
Head downtown and checkout the art, the booths, the SCENE.

***
Titus Andronicus @ The Trunk Space
If Titus Andronicus and Vampire Weekend had a rumble, Vampire Weekend would be limbless and smeared into the ground.
Expect loud and fun at this hard-rock show.

The Trunk Space
1506 NW Grand Ave.
Phoenix, AZ
$12

The Room @ Madcap Theaters
“So bad it’s good,” is the oft heard review of Madcap-regular, The Room.
This weekend the goodness is even better, the filmmaker will be there to answer your questions.

Madcap Theaters
730 S. Mill
Tempe, AZ 85281
Friday & Saturday @ 8pm
$15 for one night, $25 for both

Fun outdoor events

Fun with Jan Brewer by Barbra Seville

Thanks to the influx of local daily coupons to the Valley, I have tried several new yoga studios, gotten a discounted massage, eaten at one of my favorite fast-food Japanese joints and joined the Botanical Gardens for half-price.

I still have coupons for a class at Trapeze U (which I’m scared to try), a day of ice skating, and a trail ride.

I have friends who have used them for laser hair removal. I’m tempted to try one for a rock climbing wall if it comes up again.

Basically, these (usually) 24-hour coupons are a good catalyst to try something new, often at half the price.

I sign up for all I can and enjoy checking my email in the morning to see what opportunities await.

• Groupon
• Dealmap
• Snag and Save
• Buy With Me
• Living Social

Am I missing any?

Artists for Action @ Marquee

Screw those Arizona-boycotting musicians. Artists for Action is putting on a free show (if you promise to vote), featuring Calexico, Miniature Tigers (above), Salvador Duran, Big Son along with some other indie and Hispanic bands.

Marquee
730 N. Mill Ave.
Tempe, AZ, 85281
Free (if you promise to vote) or $30 if you’re opposed to voting

***

Dine @ Bliss
Drink @ reBar
Try out the new downtown comfort food spot featuring delicacies like mac ‘n cheese, pot roast and BBQ chicken. Afterward, sip a drink under the stars and find out what the “swagger” is the website promises.

Bliss & reBar
901 N. 4th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007

SATURDAY

Permaculture Design Course
Learn the principles of ethically and ecologically- minded landscaping. This 5-weekend intensive class will cover the permaculture cornerstones like water harvesting, patterns in nature and design.

Saturdays and Sounds through November 13th

$750

SUNDAY

Bowl @ Lucky Strike Lanes
All the talk is coming to fruition.  CityScape is opening Lucky Strike Lanes (among other things) and now it’s a bonafide destination. Visit for bowling, bites and beer. Saturday will probably be mayhem — but you might actually get a lane and have a relaxing game on a Sunday afternoon.

Lucky Strike Lanes
CityScape
50 W. Jefferson St.
Phoenix, AZ
Open on Saturday until 2 a.m.

CRACKING GOOD SHOPPING

Native + You @ Heard Museum
If you’re looking for a little culture in your weekend, check out drums, dancing accompanied by tacos. This free event will feature performances from 7 – 9 p.m., shopping from 6 – 8 p.m. and a $5 taco bar. Mmmmm.

Heard Museum

2301 N. Central Avenue

Phoenix, Arizona 85004

Free

Biscuits and Gravy @ Essence Bakery
The special for Saturday: Homemade buttermilk biscuits topped with special sausage gravy made with local pork, hyerbs and sauteed mushrooms, served with fried eggs for $8.95. If that doesn’t sound utterly delicious to you — I question whether or not you have a soul. Or taste.

Essence Bakery
825 W. University Dr.
Tempe, Arizona
(480) 966-2745
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

***

Free Block Party on Melrose
Go garden!  Tempe Starving Artist Magazine presents this outdoor show featuring a variety of local bands (Kirkwood Dellinger, Kid Sampson, and more) to raise awareness for a community garden.

702 W. Montecito
Phoenix, AZ 85013
5 p.m. – 11p.m.

***

“Blood into Wine” screening & Wine tasting @ Arizona Biltmore
I’ve heard good things about this movie. Follow Maynard James Keenan, member of rock-band Tool, as he takes the difficult path  from rocker to Northern Arizona wine maker, then taste some of his AZ Stronghold wines.

Arizona Biltmore
2400 E. Missouri Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Aztec Room
Free

***

Unskinny Bop @ Skye in Peoria
If you like Poison, you’ll love the tribute band, Unskinny Bop. They don’t just sing the songs (those amazing songs!), they have the costumes, the moves, the attitude.

Skye
16844 N. Arrowhead Fountain Center Dr.
Peoria, AZ 85382
7:30 p.m.
$10 – $45

I joined a CSA last year.

I love the idea of supporting local farms, but it practice, the compost pile got as much out of it as I did.

Sure I picked up items I could use and I tried recipes I would have never attempted had I not been given turnips, radishes and lentils. The regular fresh-cut flowers always kept my home looking cheery.  But each week I picked up a variety of unnecessary foods: loads of greens (I rarely make salads), herbs (I have an herb garden) and eggplant (my husband doesn’t like the texture).

Once I got some mystery greenery. “It tastes great sauteed in butter and garlic,” said the girl who handed over my weekly bag of goods.

What doesn’t taste great in butter and garlic?

As much as I wanted to support a local farm, I couldn’t financially rationalize continuing the CSA for another season.

Now, however, I have another alternative.

The Community Supported Market (CSM) card at Phoenix Public Market is basically a rewards program for local food. You purchase a card for a certain dollar value, $50, $100, $250, $500. The higher the card value, the better your discount.

Buy a $100 card for $95.

Buy a $250 card $225.

Buy a $250 card for $225.

Buy a $500 card for $425.

Use the card to buy anything you want from Urban Grocery and Wine Bar, including the Farmer’s Market. It could be greens, it could be fruit, it could be grass-fed beef, or a sandwich from the counter. Each week the website features deals especially for card-holders.

You choose which locally-grown/made product you buy, which means less waste.

You’ll have to find a new solution for the compost pile.

Phoenix Public Market
14 E. Pierce St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004

Poor Little Rich Girl (PLRG) a women’s-wear consignment store,  is located right around the corner from my house.

I saw it go in several months ago, but didn’t give it much thought until a friend raved about it, “I got my new favorite dress for $8!”

With that ringing endorsement, it could no longer be ignored.

PLRG, located in the Sunbrite strip mall next to Luci’s and the old Richardson’s, specializes in casual clothing and accessories and carries brand names like DKNY, Ann Taylor, Brooks Brothers, and other popular, classic brands. The items are nearly new — don’t plan on selling your well-worn kicks and ratty clothing here.

The store is small, but well-organized. Shirts and sweaters are arranged by size along the wall. On the shelf above, shoes are lined from small to large. Hanging on the wall are some of the standout outfits and bags. Racks of dresses are scattered around the store. There are several areas dedicated to accessories: necklaces, bangles, flower pins, etc.

The prices are reasonable ($14 for a top or $24 for a dress) and their deals are a steal (blue tagged items are currently 75% off).

Put your clothes on consignment and get 40% of the sale price in cash or 50%  in PLRG credit, which is good at both locations. Take a look at their list of acceptable items; they are currently only buying up fall items.

The best thing, since the store is consignment, there’s an ever-changing rotation of clothes. I plan on stopping by frequently.

Poor Little Rich Girl
1576 E Bethany Home Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

OR

3730 E. Indian School Rd.
Phoenix, AZ
Open Monday – Friday from 1 – 8 p.m.
Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday from 12 – 5 p.m.

FRIDAY

Hausu @ Madcap Theaters
The craziest horror movie you might ever see. This Japanese masterpiece follows several girls to a friend’s aunt’s house. While there — mayhem and hilarity ensues. (View the trailer).

Madcap Theaters
730 South Mill Ave
Tempe, AZ 85281
Thursday at 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday at 6, 8 and 10 p.m.
$8

***

…or for more conventional tastes, maybe you want to watch

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

SATURDAY

Walk or Jog One Mile in Downtown Phoenix
A less rigorous more social solution to getting in shape. Meet a handful of people at the market and walk or jog the one-mile loop that ends back at the grocery store. Fairly painless — and you can reward yourself with a treat afterward.

Downtown Phoenix Public Market Urban Grocery & Wine Bar
14 E. Pierce St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
7 a.m.
Free

***

Flashlight Tour @ Desert Botanical Gardens
Experience the magic of the desert by flashlight. Meander through the garden trails and see the birds, insects and flowers that only show up at night.

Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 941-1225
7 – 9 p.m.
$15 for adults, $7.50 for students, $5 for children.

***

Obscura @ Rips
Britpop, indie, new wave  — DJs Roya & Funkfinger do it up dance-style.
All this and $2 house pints, $3 wells, $5 calls all night. Go! Dance!
Rips Ales & Cocktails
3045 N. 16th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
$5

SUNDAY

Civic Space Jam
DJs, B-boys and beats combine for a free event downtown. Raffle tickets will be on sale ($4 each) benefitting Fair Trade organizations.

424 N Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ
5 – 9 p.m.

Visit the Arizona Costume Institute’s “Are you a Rosie?” event and learn to make a headdress in the vein of Rosie the Riveter (see right) — or get inspired by the  current 1940′s-era displays in the In the Mood exhibition at Phoenix Art Museum.

The event is free and materials are provided — all you need to bring is a little creativity and a willingness to learn about the history of fashion.

Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004-1685
Free to the public
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Clearance sale @ Blueberry Deluxe Vintage
So many deals! Save up to 75% off vintage, 10-15% off necklaces and headbands, 15% off handmade clothing…and more.

Blueberry Deluxe Vintage
702 W. Montecito Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85013
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Kayaking @ Salt River
I’m hardly an outdoorsy person, but after seeing a pair of kayaks on sale at Costco, I thought, “Hmmm, that could be fun.” Find out (without the buyers remorse and storage problems) at Saguaro Lake Ranch, where you can choose from a 2 hour or a 4.5 hour, 13 mile trip.

Saguaro Lake Ranch
13020 Bush Highway
Mesa, AZ 85215
$35 for a 2-hour trip, $60 for a 4.5-hour trip.
(480) 984-2194

***

Write it Down Dog @ Metta Yoga
Apparently Kundalini yoga helps unlock your inner writer, or so believes Kate Gotsis, who is teaching this writing/yoga class.

Metta Yoga
3742 E. Indian School Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85018
2-5 p.m.
$29

Jason Hill’s “This City is Cool” show @ Lux Coffeebar
This time of year, it get more difficult to feel like Phoenix is cool. First, it’s hot outside. Second, due to aforementioned heat, there’s not a whole lot going on. Jason Hill’s photography of various spots in the Valley might re-ignite your love of the city.

Lux Coffeebar
4404 North Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ
Through the month of August

This is a really hungry pomeranian puppy