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CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE AND MORE CHOCOLATE! 

By - Ed Sharpe -  Glendale Daily Planet  

 

This weekend before Valentine’s Day, was a delicious delight for the senses as the 17th Annual Glendale Chocolate Affaire took over downtown Glendale to create a chocolate-lover’s dream!

Chocolate purveyors from Arizona and around the nation gathered in Glendale for this award-winning festival, which celebrates not only chocolate, but romance and the arts as well. Chocolate confections will included everything from chocolate truffles, sweet potato fries with chocolate and brown sugar glaze and tropical hot chocolate, to deep-fried chocolate bars and organic dark chocolate. Who could possible say no to this scrumptious sweet tour-de force?

The Chocolate Affaire is sponsored by Arizona’s famous candy makers, Cerreta’s. The candy factory offered tours all weekend, so visitors got a behind-the-scenes look at how the chocolatiers create everyone’s favorite candy. Shuttles were available to the tours.

In addition, the festival has become the largest gathering of national romance novelists in the Southwest. This symposium of literary romantics offers fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with authors, as well as the chance to attend free writing workshops given by the experts.

From the very first Chocolate Affaire romance authors have been a part of this unique celebration. It was at that first meeting with the  merchants of Catlin Court and the  downtown Glendale, held at Espresso Garden,  that Craig Kimmell of the  Sports Group, and city personnel,  pitched the proposal for this festival that was to be unlike anything else in Arizona. Craig and his Group were rather famous in early years assisting Chandler Arizona Chamber of Commerce put on the Ostrich Festival!

Bette Sharpe, a city librarian and co-owner of the Coury House Shoppes in Catlin Court,   hearing all the elements that the event would encompass, brought up the fact that romance writers would be a perfect fit. Bette's Supervisor at the city of Glendale, Shelley Mosley who was  the branch manager of the Velma Teague Branch Library, and a romance writer herself, put the plan in place. Hours of Shelley's planning, assisted by other staff members and volunteers at the Velma Teague Library  guaranteed the success of  this endeavor.

From the very start Shelley had large groups of writers sharing ideas and giving workshops. Initially Barnes and Nobel was the book vendor, supplemented by  sales of used  romance novels that the library system had received as gifts and were duplicates and not needed for the libraries current holdings at any of the branches. This sale of duplicate material was most helpful to the library for new programs and purchase of holdings they were short on.

How did the Chocolate Affaire Start?  The short version is that Cerreta's Chocolates spent a year and  a half working with the city to formulate the concept.  The city hired the Sports Group to assist in the physical production of the event

After 5 years the City of Glendale, with an increased staff, took on ownership of total production this event and now handles all the  design and scheduling for it.

But this weekend was not just for the grown-ups! Families with children enjoyed myriad activities, including hands-on arts and crafts, face-painting and a rock-climbing wall. Horse-drawn carriage rides were available throughout the weekend to take couples or families on a scenic, charming ride through the historic Catlin Court district.        

The City of Glendale's Plein Air Painting Competition, presented by the city's Public Art Program, was held in conjunction with the Chocolate Affaire for the third year. Plein art was developed in France in the mid-19th century and means painting in the open air using available light and atmosphere. This technique allows the artists to “paint live” and capture the artist’s response to the outdoor setting. This event started in 2010 as  part of the Glendale celebration of the official anniversary of the centennial of being an incorporated city.  This is the third such event and this time, we are celebrating the Centennial of Arizona's statehood.

Martin Dickey, Special Events Division Manager highlights the  importance of this event o the festival,  "The Glendale Public Art Program’s Plein Air Painting Contest adds so much atmosphere to the festival. We had about 50 artists scattered throughout the festival, the downtown and at other sites around Glendale painting outdoors with their easels. What a treat for attendees to watch these artists create their works!"

Event hours this year were Friday 5 - 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. The event is located in the heart of Historic Downtown Glendale, in Murphy Park, located at 58^th and Glendale avenues.

The Glendale Chocolate Affaire festival was named one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the Washington Post, the Seattle Times and the American Bus Association. The event also was bestowed with the 2003 Governor’s Tourism Award for the Best Special Event in Arizona.

This years Glendale Chocolate Affaire was sponsored by Cerreta’s Candy Company, ABC 15, The Arizona Republic, Valley Buick-GMC Dealers, YooHoo, KMLE, KOOL and JAMZ.

To participate as a vendor in next years event  contact the Special Events office At the City of Glendale- 623-930-2000

See separate stories on some of the individual 
events within the Chocolate Affaire in stores below.

 (Strawberry Photo Courtesy City of Glendale)

GLENDALE’S CHOCOLATE AFFAIRE 

  
Glendale Chocolate Affaire, Romance Writers 2012
By Bette Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet
Preliminary Article.

GLENDALE’S CHOCOLATE AFFAIRE 

The City of Glendale Public Art Program,
Proudly Presents:

The 2012 Glendale Plein Air Painting Event 

By Ed and Bette Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet
Preliminary Article.

 

 Plein air art was developed in France in the mid-19th century and means painting in the open air using available light and atmosphere. This technique allows the artists to “paint live” and capture the artist’s response to the outdoor setting. This event started in 2010 as  part of the Glendale celebration of the official anniversary of the centennial of being an incorporated city.  

This is the third such event, held in conjunction with the Glendale Chocolate Affaire, and this time, we are celebrating the Centennial of Arizona's statehood!

The participants in this event love to paint, but for the winners there is also cash at the end of the  event for the lucky winners.

Award categories are Purchase Awards and will be accessioned into the City of Glendale’s permanent collection upon completion of the event:

Arizona Centennial* . $1,000 award

Best of Show . $1,000 award

Second Place . $700 award

Third Place . $500 award

Honorable Mention . $300 award

Areas of Interest for the Plein Air Paint Out on February 4, 2012 were Sahuaro Ranch Park, Manistee Ranch Park, Beet Sugar Factory plus Downtown Glendale, consisting of Old Towne, with its collection of old brick buildings filled with shops and restaurants, and sidewalks lined with brick and gaslight lamps. Add to that a bit north, Caitlin Court which features early 1900s bungalows that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places with wide streets, large trees and low, white picket fences. 

For  the more modern at heart other suggestions  from the commission included , Westgate City Center and the sports venues nearby.

Martin Dickey, Special Events Division Manager highlights the  importance of this event to the Glendale Chocolate Affaire,  "The Glendale Public Art Program's Plein Air Painting Contest adds so much atmosphere to the festival. We had about 50 artists scattered throughout the festival, the downtown and at other sites around Glendale painting outdoors with their easels. What a treat for attendees to watch these artists create their works!"

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 1401. Brigitte Zuran works on her entry for the 2012 Plein Air contest.  She does not mind the noise or the crowd that surround her as she works.  The watercolor painting has the tentative title of "A Pleasant Day".  An the stature, "Old Friends" is a featured element in her work.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 1408. Painting in the middle of Murphy Park during the Glendale Chocolate Affaire did not bother Gudi Marino as she works with acrylics.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 1450.

Artist Candy Barr stands next to Jan Sitzler.  There is an image of Officer Bradley Jones in the lower right hand corner of Barr's work.  Jan Sitzler is a cousin of fallen Officer Bradley Jones.

 

 
Bette  Sharpe/Glendale/Daily Planet no.1439

Artist Candy Barr contemplates  the memorial statue...  There is an image of Officer Bradley Jones in the lower right hand corner of Barr's work.  Jan Sitzler, a cousin of the fallen officer, was on hand  during the  creation of this painting,.

For more on Officer Jones see: http://www.glendaledailyplanet.com/bradley_jones.htm

 

 

Bette  Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no.1457.

Willie Coe is back in the competition.  He is painting on the northwest corner of 58th Avenue and Palmaire Avenue.  His watercolor is colorful and playful.

   

 

And the 2012  Glendale Plein Air Painting Event winners are...

   

Photo courtesy  City of Glendale Centennial Award:  Louis Bivins $1,000 award	Photo courtesy  City of Glendale  Best of Show:  Becky Joy $1,000 award
Photo courtesy  City of Glendale Second Place:  Jelena Eros $700 award	Photo courtesy  City of Glendale Third Place:  Elena Golberg $500 award
Photo courtesy  City of Glendale Honorable Mention:  Ann Osgood $300 award	Congratulations to everyone!  City staff informs us there is a display of the  Plein Air paintings at the adult center (update)!

RULES FOR THE EVENT:
1. Painting Area: An artist may paint any subject or scene outdoors that he/she chooses, as long as
it is within the boundaries of the City of Glendale. (Please see attached map, along with a list of
potential sites.)

2. All canvas/panels/paper must be stamped PRIOR to painting. NO unstamped art will be
accepted. An unlimited number may be stamped but no more than two (2) can be submitted for
the competition.

3. Painting Time Period: Each work of art must be started and completed "en plein air" on
Saturday, February 4, 2012, during the event times stated.

4. The event will be held rain or shine, so come prepared.

5. Only the following mediums will be accepted: oils, watercolor, acrylics, and pastels.

6. Size of unframed artwork is not to exceed 16" x 20".

7. All artists must be 18 years of age and older.

8. Artists must provide their own materials and a sturdy easel(s) for display during the
judging process. Artists, or artist designated representative, will be required to remain
with their easels during this time and will be responsible for the safety of their paintings.
The Glendale Arts Commission/City of Glendale shall assume no responsibility for loss or
damage to any work, display or person during this event.

REQUIRED REGISTRATION:
All artists must register and have their canvas, panels or paper stamped prior to any work being done.
(No exceptions). Registration will be set up from 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at the Promenade on
Palmaire, located in Downtown Glendale at 5835 W Palmaire Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301.
Note: The registration table will not be manned from 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
SUBMISSION and JURY PROCESS:
1. Paintings must be delivered to the judging site by 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2012.
There will no late entries accepted, so plan your return trip accordingly.
2. Each artist may submit no more than two (2) finished paintings for the competition.
3. Each finished painting submitted must be signed on the front.
4. The "Plein Air Stamp" provided at registration must be visible on the back of each painting at the
time of submission.

5. Framing is an integral part of a finished painting. It is important that all paintings be
appropriately framed, mounted and have a secure wire for hanging. We reserve the right to
refuse any painting improperly framed or wired (i.e., no unframed wrapped canvases, stained
mats, alligator or saw tooth hangers, masking tape, duct tape etc.).
6. Paintings must remain on display from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
7. Judging results will be announced at 5:30 p.m.
8. All judging is final during the competition.

GLENDALE’S CHOCOLATE AFFAIRE 

Glendale Chocolate Affaire, Critic's Choice Sweet Tooth Award 2012
By Bette Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet
Preliminary Article .

.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 1386

Channel 15 (ABC) Meterologist Rich Dahlquist, Shirley Rowley, (Mr. Fudge-First Place).Gérald Cretton (Le Napeleón-Second Place), Leah and Dale Cartwright (Kreative Kupcakes-Third Place.).

Second Place Le Napeleón 15820 N. 35th Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85053 602-978-2479 http://www.azpastries.com/index.html

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 1412.

"Arizona Peaches" were the Le Napeleón entry for the 2012 Critic's Choice Sweet Tooth Award.  Their "Peanut Butter and Raspberry Cheese Cake Mousse Cone Dipped in Dark

Below - Frame Pulls below from  video by Ed Sharpe -  Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV

Frame Pulls below from  video by Ed Sharpe -  Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV

Frame Pulls below from  video by Ed Sharpe -  Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV

Added  Frame Pulls below from  video by Ed Sharpe -  Glendale Daily Planet / KKAT-IPTV

Glendale Chocolate Affaire - Event Information

The weekend before Valentine’s Day, Feb. 3-5, is a delicious delight for the senses as the Glendale Chocolate Affaire takes over downtown Glendale to create a chocolate-lover’s dream!

• Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, 5 - 10 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, Noon - 5 p.m.
• Watch Video
  

Chocolate purveyors from Arizona and around the nation gather in Glendale for this award-winning festival, which celebrates not only chocolate, but romance and the arts as well. Chocolate confections will include items such as chocolate-covered bacon, chocolate-covered churros, chocolate-covered twinkies, chocolate-covered key lime pie, fried ice cream with chocolate and strawberries, chocolate-covered crepes and much more.

The Chocolate Affaire is sponsored by Arizona’s famous candy makers, Cerreta’s. The candy factory will offer tours all weekend, so visitors can get a behind-the-scenes look at how the chocolatiers create everyone’s favorite candy.

In addition, the festival has become the largest gathering of national romance novelists in the Southwest. This symposium of literary romantics offers fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with authors, as well as the chance to attend free writing workshops given by the experts.

Families with children will enjoy myriad activities, including hands-on arts and crafts, face-painting and a rock-climbing wall. Horse-drawn carriage rides will be available throughout the weekend to take couples or families on a scenic, charming ride through the historic Catlin Court district.    

Event hours are Friday 5 - 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. The event is located in the heart of Historic Downtown Glendale, in Murphy Park, located at 58th and Glendale avenues.

The Glendale Chocolate Affaire festival was named one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the Washington Post, the Seattle Times and the American Bus Association. The event also was bestowed with the 2003 Governor’s Tourism Award for the Best Special Event in Arizona.

The Glendale Chocolate Affaire is sponsored by Cerreta’s Candy Company, ABC 15, The Arizona Republic, Valley Buick-GMC Dealers, YooHoo, KMLE, KOOL and JAMZ.

Entertainment Line-up

Romance Novelist Workshop Schedule

Romance Cover Model Jimmy Thomas

Though Jimmy Thomas can be seen in fitness magazines, on television and in music videos, his most active modeling venue has been romance novel covers. To date he has been on over 2,000 book covers, since participating in the "2002 Mr. Romance Cover Model" contest. Jimmy Thomas has surpassed Fabio five times over, making him the undisputed #1 cover model in history. A brilliant entrepreneur, Jimmy creates and sells cover images and pre-designed book covers to authors and publishers on his website www.romancenovelcovers.com.

Artist Opportunity: Glendale Plein Air Painting Event

The City of Glendale’s Public Art Program in conjunction with Special Events, will sponsor the 2012 Plein Air Painting Event at the Glendale Chocolate Affaire. It will be held during the popular festival in downtown Glendale, on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012. We invite artists to participate.Event Details (pdf) | See the winners from 2011

“The Science of Chocolate” & “Ex-Static” at ASU New College

“The Science of Chocolate”

Come experience the science and medicinal properties of chocolate with Dr. Francisco Villarreal, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego at the Glendale Chocolate Affair. This presentation will be complemented all day by Arizona SciTech Festival science of chocolate booth.

Date: February 5, 2012 - two sessions
Times are 5 and 6 p.m. in Diamond B at the Glendale Civic Center. 5 p.m. is Spanish presentation, 6 p.m. is English.

“Ex-Static” at ASU New College

A state-wide challenge to students, faculty, staff, and community partners to showcase the very best examples of innovative research and practice in scientific, technological and artistic endeavors.

Date: Saturday, February 25,2012
Time: 1-5pm
ASU West, 4701 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale

To learn more about The Science of Chocolate and other SciTech festival events, visit azscitechfest.org or click here (pdf)

CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE AND MORE CHOCOLATE DOMINATE DOWNTOWN GLENDALE FEBRUARY 3-5

   GLENDALE, Ariz. –The weekend before Valentine’s Day, Feb. 3-5, is a delicious delight for the senses as the Glendale Chocolate Affaire takes over downtown Glendale to create a chocolate-lover’s dream!

Chocolate purveyors from Arizona and around the nation gather in Glendale for this award-winning festival, which celebrates not only chocolate, but romance and the arts as well. Chocolate confections will include items such as chocolate-covered bacon, chocolate-covered churros, chocolate-covered twinkies, chocolate-covered key lime pie, fried ice cream with chocolate and strawberries, chocolate-covered crepes and much more.

The Chocolate Affaire is sponsored by Arizona’s famous candy makers, Cerreta’s. The candy factory will offer tours all weekend, so visitors can get a behind-the-scenes look at how the chocolatiers create everyone’s favorite candy.

In addition, the festival has become the largest gathering of national romance novelists in the Southwest. This symposium of literary romantics offers fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with authors, as well as the chance to attend free writing workshops given by the experts.

Families with children will enjoy myriad activities, including hands-on arts and crafts, face-painting and a rock-climbing wall. Horse-drawn carriage rides will be available throughout the weekend to take couples or families on a scenic, charming ride through the historic Catlin Court district.    

Event hours are Friday 5 - 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. The event is located in the heart of Historic Downtown Glendale, in Murphy Park, located at 58^th and Glendale avenues.

The Glendale Chocolate Affaire festival was named one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the Washington Post, the Seattle Times and the American Bus Association. The event also was bestowed with the 2003 Governor’s Tourism Award for the Best Special Event in Arizona.

The Glendale Chocolate Affaire is sponsored by Cerreta’s Candy Company, ABC 15, The Arizona Republic, Valley Buick-GMC Dealers, YooHoo, KMLE, KOOL and JAMZ.

GLENDALE’S CHOCOLATE AFFAIRE 
OFFERS MORE THAN SWEET CONFECTIONS

   GLENDALE, Ariz. – Chocolate is the star of the Glendale Chocolate Affaire, however, you’ll find more to see and do than just eating at this award-winning, three-day festival! From history and science to a romance novel cover model, Glendale’s got it all Feb. 3-5.

With more than 30 chocolatiers, how do you know what to taste first? Event planners can help with that; on Friday evening, the second annual SweetTooth contest will determine which delicious confection is the best. Visitors can watch the competition with special guest judges, and can find the winner noted with special recognition on Saturday and Sunday.

Event sponsor Cerreta Candy Company annually contributes to a fundraiser for the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Commission (MYAC). This year, students will  sell candy bars, 50 of which will have special golden tickets. Just like the movie, the golden tickets will get winners a personal behind-the-scenes tour of the factory along with candy, of course.

Did you know that this event features the largest gathering of national romance novelists in the Southwest? This event features many different genres within romance fiction, including paranormal, historical, young adult, fantasy, sci-fi, romantic comedy and more. The book signings and writing workshops with authors are complemented by a special appearance by Jimmy Thomas, who can be seen in fitness magazines, on television and in music videos, but his most active modeling venue has been romance novel covers. To date he has been featured on more than 2,000 book covers, since participating in the "2002 Mr. Romance Cover Model" contest. He will appear Saturday, Feb. 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

A unique element of the event this year will be “The Science of Chocolate.” Come learn about and experience the science and medicinal properties of chocolate with Dr. Francisco Villarreal, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego, on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 5 p.m. (Spanish) and 6 p.m. (English) in Diamond B at the Glendale Civic Center. In addition, the Arizona SciTech Festival will have a Science of Chocolate booth during all event hours.

            With Glendale’s Chocolate Affaire being an officially-sanctioned Arizona Centennial event, history will be part of this celebration. State Historian Marshall Trimble will be featured in the lineup of writer’s workshops, giving a presentation on Arizona history on Saturday at 1 p.m. Also, the Glendale Arts Commission will put on a Plein Air painting contest with artists from all over the state coming to compete at this event. This year a major part of the competition instructions  include painting historical subjects from the West Valley to acknowledge or salute the centennial, creating artwork to display tie-ins to the centennial such as Sahuaro Ranch, Beet Sugar Factory, First United Methodist Church and Murphy Park, all destinations that are more than 100 years old.     

Event hours are Friday 5 - 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. The event is located in the heart of Historic Downtown Glendale, in Murphy Park, located at 58^th and Glendale avenues.

The Glendale Chocolate Affaire is sponsored by Cerreta’s Candy Company, ABC 15, The Arizona Republic, Valley Buick-GMC Dealers, YooHoo, KMLE, KOOL and JAMZ, Sedona Pines, Pacific Monarch, Residence Inn-Springhill Suites Glendale, Phoenix Coyotes, the Glendale Arts Commission and Arizona SciTech Festival.

For more information on the Glendale Chocolate Affaire, including the entertainment lineup and a list of authors making appearances, visit our website at www.glendaleaz.com/events or call our special events hotline at 623-930-2299.

See Full Event List Further Down The List - Ed#