Acclaimed author J.A. Jance and former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins will be featured in the Authors in Residence Series at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort.
The series, just one more addition to the long list of arts, culture and lifestyle events open to the public events at the resort, will anchor the creation of the new Loews Ventana Canyon Resort Authors in Residence Lending Library, featuring famous authors and poets who visit the hotel.

2 p.m. Saturday, February 21, 2009 J.A. Jance — New York Times best-selling author, J.A. Jance returns with “Cruel Intent” the new novel in the spine-tingling suspense series featuring ex-television journalist Ali Reynolds.
In “Cruel Intent” trouble comes when Ali¹s contractor¹s philandering wife is murdered on her own front lawn. Bryan, the betrayed husband, is the prime suspect but he swears he didn¹t do it and Ali is the only one who believes him. As Ali attempts to prove Bryan¹s innocence, she unwittingly attracts the attention of a ruthless serial killer, a man who specializes in a deadly game of cyber hide-and-seek. Now he¹s ³it² and Ali is next on his list.
With more than 25 million copies of her books in print, J.A. Jance knows how to deliver the heart-pounding drama and mystery millions of readers have come to love ­ and “Cruel Intent” will thrill every one of them.

6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, 2009 Billy Collins—The witty and shockingly straightforward poet will mix and mingle at this cocktail reception, which will benefit the University of Arizona Poetry Center’s education outreach program. This intimate gathering, limited to 50 people, is a chance to hear Mr. Collins up close and personal before he appears for a crowd of hundreds at the Tucson Festival of Books just two nights later. The cost of this event is $20 and all funds raised go the UA Poetry Center’s educational outreach program. www.billy-collins.com . Reservations can be made by calling 299-2020 and asking for the Concierge desk.

It’s a fact of nature – humans crave human touch. Those same endorphins that put us on cloud nine after a tough workout or after eating a divine piece of chocolate are released from our brain when we experience physical touch as well. Holding hands, a gentle touch… it all gets our hearts racing. There’s a science behind those feelings of elation when we’re snuggled up with our honey. However, this Valentine’s Day, forget about the science behind the bliss and simply relish in it.

Unwind with your valentine by booking a couple’s Swedish massage – yup, that’s one for both of you! Once your tension is soothed and you’re feeling that love buzz, enjoy a romantic three course dinner for two in the Flying V. Pump up the passion and pamper yourselves; it’s the ultimate way to celebrate this Valentine’s Day.

You have more than a day to enjoy this package, though. For the entire month of February, at $270 (tax and gratuity included), you’ll enjoy two Swedish massages, one for you and one for someone special, and a lavish 3-course dinner for two. You don’t have to be lovebirds to enjoy this spa package though - feel free to bring a friend.

Please call the Lakeside Spa at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort at (520) 529-7830 to book your spa package.

Join us for Christmas carols, photos with Santa, complimentary holiday refreshments and the 15th Annual lighting of the Christmas tree.

This year’s tree towers above the Cascade Lounge at 30 feet high. Special guest Dr. Keith Taylor, founder of a non-profit called Modest Needs, will light the tree along with the children from New Beginnings for Women and Children.

It’s the perfect time to take the family out and enjoy the holiday spirit.

Call the Concierge (520) 299-2020 for questions or details.

15th Annual Tree Lighting Event at Loews

7000 N. Resort Drive

5 - 7 p.m. TONIGHT, Tuesday Dec. 2

Ever wonder what handwriting says about you, loved ones or colleagues?

Now’s your chance to find out.

Michelle Dresbold, author of “Sex, Lies and Handwriting” is the next guest author in Loews’ Authors in Residence series.

She’s the only civilian to be invited to the United States Secret Service Advanced Documentation Analysis Examination, and she’s a world of insight into how your crossed t’s and dotted i’s show your true colors.

Check her out on the Today Show last week and see for yourself.

6:30 p.m. Friday November 21 at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. Free and Open to the Public.

join us for our ongoing series of cooking classes featuring Tohono O’odham Traditional foods prepared in contemporary recipes.

The upcoming Loews Culinary Institute: Desert Foods class will focus on mesquite flour, a local ingredient with numerous health benefits.

Our next class is on Wednesday, October 15th at 1:00 pm at the Ventana Room at Loews Ventana Resort and will feature MESQUITE.

Executive Chef Marc Ehrler will demonstrate and prepare:

*Mesquite Flour Apple Beignets with Orange Balsamic Reduction

*Mesquite Flour Dusted New England Diver Scallops with Braised Fall
Vegetables

Cost: $50 per person includes tastings, a non-alcoholic beverage and a $50 gift certificate to the Ventana Room. Please call me at 520-235-4376 or the Ventana Room, 299-2020, to sign up. Hope to see you there!

ling and her group will cool off Labor Day weekend at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort.
Check her out at joycecooling.com

Tickets are $30-$40 and can be purchased at the door or at tucsonjazz.org

The Flying V Bar & Grill will be open early the day of the concert at 4:30 p.m. Come enjoy dinner before the show!

The concert details:
Sunday, August 31
7 p.m.

The Flying V Bar & Grill’s Tequila Tasting Dinner with Casa Herradura tequila sold out. Guests learned the basics of tequila, from the clean taste of a Silver tequila to the rich, complex flavors of Anejo and even toasted the end of the night with a special high-end Seleccion Suprema.

Chef Alexis Martinez prepared some of his signature dishes and modified them by infusing them with tequila.

The first course: A grilled Calamari watermelon salad with shaved Spanish chorizo, tomato garlic concasse and a Tequila Sunrise vinaigrette.

Second Course:
Tequila-glazed shrimp and duck confit cannelloni with drunken cherries

Chef’s Taste– and Wow could you taste the Herradura Silver tequila in this one– Summer fruit cocktail, spiced citrus sorbet with tequila splash and a fig crunch

And the final course, a Saint Domingue Dark Chocolate Souffle with Tequila Vanilla Creme Anglaise, was so incredibly decadent that the photographer was too distracted to take a photo.
The room fell silent. Everyone dug into the rich, smooth chocolate souffle and poured the tequila vanilla creme anglaise (which is typically made with Grand Marnier, not tequila) into the dish and reveled in the sweet and spiciness of the creme anglaise. The accompanying cocktail, a White Russian, made with Herradura Anejo, made mouths gape with awe. The flavors of the smooth, spicy drink contrasted the sweet and spicy souffle perfectly. It was the perfect ending to a perfect night.

See you next time?

Most of the time, we pair wines with foods to enhance the flavors and the experience.

Thjs Wednesday, August 6th, the Flying V Bar & Grill and Casa Herradura tequila are brining in Valdemar Cantu, a “tequila ambassador” from Guadalajara, Mexico.

He’s going to teach guests at the special dinner all about tequila, and the history of tequila. A four course meal prepared by Chef Alexis Martinez will be served and each course will be paired with a tequila.

What:Tequila Pairing Dinner at the Flying V
When: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 6th
How much: $45 per person
Reservations are required. Call 615-5495.

Tequila Tasting Menu

First:
A grilled Calamari watermelon salad with shaved Spanish chorizo, tomato garlic concasse and a tequila sunrise vinaigrette.

El Jimador Reposado

Second:
Tequila-glazed shrimp duck confit cannelloni with drunken cherries

Herradura Reposado

Chef’s Treat:
Summer fruit cocktail, spiced citrus sorbet with tequila splash and a fig crunch

Herradura Silver

Dessert:
” Saint Domingue” Dark Chocolate Souffle with Tequila Vanilla Creme Anglaise

Herradura Anejo

A quick glance at the Catalinas as you drive up Craycroft and you might think you’ve been transportated to a lush, green Hawaiian island.

Not so.

The plants, trees and flowers of the area are thriving with the monsoon rain and the gentle flow of the Ventana Wash serves as a tranquil reminder of how water does the desert good in the summer season.

Now is the time to wander the Window Walk nature trail at Loews and discover the natural flow of our 80-foot waterfall and the wide variety of indigenous plants, like the blooming Desert Hackberry, which is producing a vibrant orange mini-berry (about the size of a pencil eraser.) It’s just one of the many amazing plants that make it exciting to explore the desert.

If you’re in the neighborhood, come check out the Window Walk nature trail and all the lush greenery. It’s the perfect respite from the usual dry heat in the summer.

Happy Hiking!

Sip $6 “Bob-tinis”–that’s a gin martini named after 97.5 BOB FM– this Thursday from 5-7 p.m. While you’re here checkout promotions from Loews Lakeside Spa, Savannah MedSpa and Face Me makeup boutique, who will be exhibiting services and products at the Bob FM Happy Hour.

The promotional Happy Hour will continue for three more weeks on Thursdays.

It’s a girl’s night and a chance to register for certificates to the above-mentioned retreats for relaxation and pampering.

See you there?