Photo courtesy of http://www.beonmarketstreet.com

If you live in DC Ranch or in the North Scottsdale area, you’ve probably passed by Market Street at DC Ranch more times than you can count. Even if you’re new to the area or looking to buy a new home, the high-class shopping complex near the beautiful McDowell Mountains should be on your list of places to see! Located off of Pima Road and Thompson Peak Parkway, the complex is designed to look like a rustic small-town center with stunning architecture thrown in. It’s home to excellent restaurants, unique retail stores and businesses. Market Street also houses weekly and monthly events for both residents and visitors including the popular Passport to Art: Artist Expo. Purchase the DC Ranch Loyalty Card good for shopping and dining at Market Street, DC Ranch Crossing and Canyon Village centers as well participating merchants and offices throughout DC Ranch.

Photo courtesy of http://www.silverleaf.com

One of the award-winning Market Street restaurants is its namesake, Market Street Kitchen. Opened just a few months ago in September 2012 by famous restaurateur and chef Robert McGrath, the eatery has quickly developed a large following. In late March 2013, MSK appointed Chef de Cuisine Matt Taylor the new Executive Chef, and with him comes new lunch, dinner and drink menus. MSK also announced that McGrath was moving from his role as former Executive Chef to a development consultant for Keeler Hospitality Group, the management team that owns MSK and many other restaurants, with a seasoned Taylor taking his place.

Photo courtesy of http://www.marketstreetkitchen.com

Market Street Kitchen’s menu has a unique Southern flair, and Taylor puts his own spin on Southern classics such as fried green tomatoes and pork chops. Taylor began his cooking career at 15 and has cooked in assorted restaurants for many different chefs, from Calgary to Las Vegas to New Orleans. He previously worked with McGrath at Pischke’s Blue Ribbon in Scottsdale that has since closed. Now Taylor is happy and settled in DC Ranch and ready to impress guests with his creative delicious food! Head to MSK Monday through Sunday for dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Lunch is served Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Happy Hour takes place Monday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Photo courtesy of http://www.dcranch.com/InDCRanch/News/Market_Street_Kitchen_announces_new_chef__menu.htm

Windgate Ranch is located off of Thompson Peak Parkway in North Scottsdale. Nestled in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, the neighborhood offers luxurious homes in a beautiful desert landscape. The community is new and still growing with homes going up every day, so head out this weekend to check out both the neighborhood and the car show. About 5000 visitors attended the event last year alone!

If you’re an automobile collector, show off your luxury cars at the Windgate Ranch Clubhouse in the heart of the neighborhood. There’s a $35 donation fee to display your vehicles, but all proceeds go to the 100 Club of Arizona, a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to families of public safety officers such as firefighters and police officers killed or injured in the line of duty. If you decide to display your beautiful car, you’ll also receive a free lunch courtesy of Toll Brothers! Even if you’re just coming to check out the festival, enjoy the warm spring weather and meet new friends while seeing the best cars from around the world. This is a once-a-year event, so don’t miss out!

Courtesy of http://www.aztourist.com

Are you an avid art collector or enjoy looking at the beautiful Arizona landscape on canvas? Are you looking for something to do this weekend other than celebrating St. Patrick’s Day? Check out the Made in Arizona 2013  all this weekend. More than 100 local artists and vendors will display their work in downtown Scottsdale’s fabulous Arts District  on 5^th Avenue between Scottsdale Road and Goldwater Boulevard. With free parking and admission, it’s a no brainer to head out to the arts celebration from 10am to 5 pm Friday through Sunday!

Courtesy of 888artfest.com

There’s more than just art at this annual festival! Talented musicians from all around the state will be performing their hits. From jazz to country, more than 45 acts are scheduled to play throughout the weekend.  If you’re a reader, check out the 70 authors displaying their work this weekend! Purchase their work or talk to the authors who are at the show. If you get hungry, local Arizona eateries and vendors will be selling their sweet treats and savory bites.

Courtesy of http://www.888artfest.com

Before you head out to the festival, fill out the ArtFest survey  to win $100 in ArtsFest Bucks! This prize money can be used towards purchasing artwork such as photography, jewelry, pottery, paintings, sculptures and more. The survey is only a couple questions, and if you win you can use it for the Made in Arizona festival or other events such as the ArtsFest of Fifth Avenue or the ArtsFest of Scottsdale both happening in fall 2013. It’s free to enter and could result in $100 worth of free artwork this weekend! You can only apply once, so enter now then head out to Made in Arizona this weekend and get your artistic side on!

Courtesy of http://www.888artfest.com

Courtesy of http://www.raceplaceevents.com

Want to get some exercise this weekend but also make a difference? Get your body moving while supporting a great cause! This Sunday March 3, our very own DC Ranch is hosting the ninth annual Run for Ryan’s House. Go for a scenic run and enjoy the sights and sounds of the beautiful DC Ranch views starting at 7 a.m. Compete in the half marathon, 5K race, 10K race or 1 mile family run right on Market Street. It’s perfect for all ages and experience levels and will help you work up a sweat while doing a good deed for the community!

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Proceeds from the race go to Ryan’s House, a local Arizona organization that benefits families caring for children with life-threatening illnesses. The house opened in 2010 after the Cottor family recognized a need for a children’s comforting care home in the Southwest after dealing with their own son Ryan’s devastating illness.  The house gives families a place to stay while their children receive treatment. The organization holds events such as the race to raise awareness and let Arizonans know there is a special place for children and families dealing with illness!

Courtesy of http://www.ryanhouse.org

There’s more than one way to get involved on Sunday. If you’re a runner, form your own race team. Once your team is formed, create your very own fundraising page to recruit family and friends. You can win prizes and incentives just for earning money! If you’re more into walking, register for the 5K, or if you have a whole family of wannabe athletes, compete in the one-mile fun run. And of course, you don’t have to have teammates to participate! The 5K is available for individual participates to walk or run.

Sign up online or print out a registration form for any of the events to make sure you receive a spot. Remember, pre-registration ends Thursday February 28 at 6a.m.! It does cost money to sign up, but remember it’s for an excellent cause. Awards will be given out to the top finishers, but everyone’s a winner for supporting Ryan’s House. For more information or to see if you can help volunteer, contact Tempe Ligett at 480.538.3540 or Tempe.Ligett@DCRanchinc.com.

Race Schedule:

Friday, March 1, 2013: Packet Pick-up / Late Registration

• Noon to 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 2, 2013: Race Day

• 5 a.m. Parking Opens
• 5:30 a.m. Packet Pick-up / Late Registration opens
• 7 a.m. Half Marathon Start
• 7:15 a.m. 5K Start
• 7:25 a.m. 10K Start
• 8 to 11 a.m. Race Expo
• 8:30 a.m. Family Fun Run

Courtesy of http://www.indiewire.com

This Sunday, February 24 is the Academy Awards annual broadcast, but the fun starts as early as this week. Cast your own vote at the DC Ranch Film Club Academy Awards Party! On Thursday, February 21 from 5:30-7:00pm at the Desert Camp Community Center, you can enter for the chance to win movie tickets and prizes while discussing the nominees you think will win. Film producer and neighborhood resident, Fred Green, will also share his insights on Oscar nominations. Appetizers, wine and other beverages will be served, so you must be 21 or older to attend! Please RSVP in advance.

Get the red carpet treatment and check out the “Oscar Experience” at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn in Phoenix on Oscar Sunday. Starting at 5pm, pretend you’re a famous celebrity by getting your hair and makeup done, eating gourmet food and getting your photo snapped by the paparazzi. Call 602 212-9900 for admission info.

Courtesy of http://www.telegraph.co.uk

If you’re looking for old Hollywood glitz and glamour, check out Filmbar’s Oscar Viewing Costume Party in downtown Phoenix. For only $10, you’re invited get dressed up in your favorite Great Gatsby gear. Get your picture snapped in the photo booth and enjoy complimentary champagne while watching the Oscar ceremony in the theater! The event starts at 5:30pm sharp this Sunday.

For a low-key but memorable experience, head to UltraStar UltraLuxe Cinemas in Scottsdale! Watch the preshow and ceremony while enjoying food and beverage service at your seat. Dress to impress to win the many giveaways given out throughout the night, including free movies for a year! The party starts Sunday at 5pm.

Courtesy of http://www.ultrastarmovies.com

Bring the red carpet to your own front door by holding your own Oscar party. It’s easy to plan a fun event to entertain your friends! Play Academy Awards bingo, and have each guest bring a tray of finger food or a sparkling cocktail to get the party started. Print out your own Oscar ballots to have every guest pick a winner!

Whether you decide to hit the town in your fanciest ball gown or watch the broadcast at home in your pj’s, watch the 85^th Annual Academy Awards this Sunday starting at 5:00pm mountain time.

Courtesy of http://www.blogs.babble.com

Cookies by AJ’s Fine Foods

Valentine’s Day will be here on Thursday, with that said how will you be treating your Sweetheart? Frosted cookies from Aj’s Fine Foods? Dinner and a movie at iPic? A thoughtful little DIY gift?

Whether you are one of those people who loves to celebrate this holiday or you hope for it to pass quickly, here are a few suggestions to make the day easier to plan so you can focus on more important things…your loved ones!

If you haven’t made your dinner reservations, what are you waiting for?  Not sure where to go or simply don’t have time to Google restaurants in your area?  Try this neat little website, opentable.com, they tell you the availability, pricing and what’s on the menu, the site also allows you to book your reservation.  Pretty slick, eh?!

Or maybe you have hit a writer’s block and have no idea what to get your loved ones…have no fear, Pinterest is here!  There are more great ideas than you will know what to do with.  (Hint:Try searching “Valentine’s Day gifts, you won’t be disappointed.)

Browns Ranch, also called Upper Ranch, was located just north of Pinnacle Peak in Scottsdale (Photo courtesy of the Scottsdale Public Library).

You’ve probably driven by the beautiful homes, mountain scenery and peaceful DC Ranch community, but did you know that the area was once a working cattle ranch? Since the late 1990s, residents have been enjoying life in DC Ranch, but the legendary neighborhood has been actually been around for over a century.

DC Ranch gets its name from businessman Doc Crosby who established his Desert Camp cattle brand in 1895. Wisconsin entrepreneur E.O. Brown arrived in Scottsdale in 1901 and bought the brand from Crosby. In just two decades, he turned it into a nearly 43,000-acre ranch. Brown also ran the town’s general store, water company, icehouse and cotton gin. The Brown family lived in the first house built on the ranch, but it was hardly as luxurious as the houses we see today! The Browns lived in a one-story wooden house that also housed staff and a storage barn.

In the 1940’s, Brown’s son E.E. “Big Brownie” Brown formed the DC Ranch Company with partner and childhood friend Kemper Marley. The two men bought land holdings in California and traded this with the government in exchange for public land in Scottsdale. The deal bought them the area we now know as North Scottsdale. Water pipelines and roads were put in thanks to their many cattle drives throughout the land.

Then in the 1980’s, the landowners partnered with DMB Associates Inc. to create a new housing development that would showcase the surrounding desert. Teaming up with the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy and the City of Scottsdale, modern DC Ranch was created. The DC Ranch philosophy is to preserve the Sonoran Desert, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s one-time apprentice, Vernon D. Swaback, designed the community to combine both nature and architecture while showing off the character of the Scottsdale desert. DC Ranch continues to thrive and welcome new residents. As Swaback says, “A living community is never finished!”

So here you have it folks, the true beginnings of DC Ranch! It now houses more than 25 neighborhoods and villages, but it was once the humble beginnings of DC Ranch’s first Anglo settler 100 years ago. It remains to be seen what the next 100 years will bring to this ever-growing community, but one thing is certain- the natural beauty of the desert landscape will continue to play a part!

Check out these other photos from Scottsdale’s olden days:

 2012 was quite an active year for the DC Ranch real estate market. In 2012, 201 homes sold in DC Ranch and Silverleaf. Here are some interesting numbers on these 2012 home sales:

• The homes ranged in price from $128,000 to $4,900,000, with a median price of $600,000
• Price per square feet ranged from $126.11 to $631.98, with a median price per square feet of $230.44
• The number of bedrooms ranged from 1 to 7, with 3-bedroom homes being the most common
• The number of bathrooms ranged from 1 to 8, with 3-bathroom homes being the most common
• Sold properties ranged from 1,015 to 10, 423  square feet, with the median square feet of 3,000
• 69 percent of the homes were single-family homes; The rest of the sales: 20% townhomes, 10% patio homes, 1% other

In 2012, The Matheson Team sold 23 homes in DC Ranch, ranging in price from $385,000 to $1,150,000.

We look forward to a promising year in DC Ranch in 2013!

During October, 18 homes sold in DC Ranch, ranging in price from $395,000 to $2,250,000. To view all properties sold during the month of October 2012, click here.

During September, 14 homes sold in DC Ranch. The sold prices of these DC Ranch homes ranged from $350,000 to $2,250,000. To view all properties sold during the month of September 2012, click here.