Save the Date: Grand Tour of Homes

Phoenix Home & Garden presents its Grand Tour of Homes, the Valley’s premier luxury home tour, benefiting the Heard Museum. Limited ticket availability and extraordinary homes ensure that each guest enjoys access to some of the most talented architects, builders and interior designers in town. Sponsors include AZ Custom Designs, Cathy’s Rum Cake Caterers, Lincoln, Paddy O’ Furniture and Xerophytic Design, Inc.
Details: November 6, in the Paradise Valley and Scottsdale area. Visit shopphgmag.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

Bacchus Wine Made Simple Closing After Ten Year

By Laura Hahnefeld Wed., Sep. 7 2011 at 11:00 AM

​Bacchus Wine Made Simple, the locally owned wine store and bar at Kierland Commons specializing in small boutique wines from around the world, is closing its doors on Friday, September 30, after ten years in the business. "We say this with a heavy heart as we must close our doors as our lease is up and will not be renewed," says Bacchus' website. "We want you all to know that you have been the most amazing customers. You really are a part of our family."
Before the doors close, Bacchus is selling everything at 25% off which includes special order wines by the case. Bacchus also plans on seeing through its last three tasting events on Wednesdays. For information, go here.

House of the Day

Michael Bay's Home for Sale
Optimus PRIME Real Estate!

Michael Bay's Santa Barbara home doesn't transform into a robot, or attack aliens ... but you'll still need a blockbuster budget to buy it -- TMZ has learned the director is selling his picturesque pad for a WHOPPING $6.8 MILLION.

The sick pad -- featured on Realtor.com -- boasts 5,400 square feet, on 1.3 acres of property -- and has 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths and two half baths, a guest house, a gorgeous infinity pool ... and STUNNING views.

On top of all the features -- the house was designed by an award-winning Santa Barbara architect.

See ... Michael Bay doesn't blow EVERY house up.

10 most fun, affordable U.S. cities: #3 Tempe and #4 Scottsdale

By Venessa Wong of Bloomberg Businessweek

Good times, low prices

It can be difficult to enjoy the wealth of dining and nightlife options in big cities such as New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco after housing and other expenses are paid. Fortunately, many areas outside of major metropolises offer both affordable homes and a variety of restaurants and bars, according to a new report from Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate. The company, with real-estate data company Onboard Informatics, evaluated 6,106 ZIP codes in which the median home price is within 20% of the state’s median home price. It then selected the 25 areas with the greatest number of bars and restaurants. The list of fun, affordable places includes tourist destinations, such as Honolulu and Myrtle Beach, S.C., which tend to have a greater number of restaurants and bars, as well as college towns, such as Wilmington, N.C., and Tempe, Ariz.  Read more