If only there was a way to follow all the latest style trends without having to read all those magazines or wade through all those websites. Hey wait, that’s our job. Which is why we were excited to hear about Neiman Marcus’ new Style Radar, and it’s dedicated Phoenix homepage. Updated every Wednesday, this online hotlist breaks down the latest obsessions across 12 US markets, including our little Vale.

Take this week’s update, which highlights new offerings such as this papaya-colored Prada Hobo purse, as well as local favs such as this Stella McCartney stunner (pictured) and True Religion’s Billy Dark Drifter jeans. (On a side note, with names like hobo and drifter, can Will Ferrell’s Derelict brand from the movie “Zoolander” be far behind?)

Not looking to look like your neighbors? Style Radar also features personal fashion categories, ranging from Charming Ingénue and Indie Chic, to Uptown Luxe and Coal Miner’s Son. Guess which one of those we made up?

In case you missed the news, there was a real shocker this weekend. And no, we’re not talking about “The Hurt Locker” upsetting “Avatar” for Oscar gold. Although we’re tickled pink that the director of the so-bad-it’s-great, Keanu Reeves surf-cop flick, “Point Break” is now Hollywood royalty. (Vaya con Dios, Patrick Swayze.)

No, we’re talking about the Valley’s best upscale Italian eatery announcing it will close its doors after a successful seven year run. But fear not, Marcellino Ristorante is simply moving into a high profile space in the heart of downtown Scottsdale’s SouthBridge development. Yes, Sima Verzino—who runs this classy mom and pop shop with her husband/chef, Marcellino Verzino—called us this weekend to confirm that the famed pasta shop is moving into the stylish canal-side space formerly occupied by Tutto (and Digestif before that).

As first reported by those intrepid instigators at Eater AZ, the new-and-improved Marcellino Ristorante is set to open in mid April. Until then, we’ll be getting our fill of the old location (1301 E. Northern Ave., 602-216-0004), where this Italian-born chef cranks out an ever-changing  selection of house-made pastas and Roman countryside classics.

The Italian Job: 7114 E. Stetson Dr.

There’s something for everyone this weekend, provided you like hot dogs and haute hops, that is. Let’s start with the brewing brouhaha that is the 22nd annual Great Arizona Beer Festival at Tempe Beach Park. Sample from more than 200 craft brews, and then challenge your friends to a tipsy game of ‘virtual paintball’ (aka laser tag) or Cornhole, which despite the saucy name is actually just a beanbag toss. Most important, the Designated Driver pavilion features free massages, non-alcoholic drinks provided by The Pop Shop, and designated parking for those sober superheroes. And be sure to say hi to our friends from Draft Magazine, who will be there to judge the best of the fest. (620 N. Mill Ave.)

For a more family-friendly affair, drop by the Fiesta Cluster Dog Show at WestWorld of Scottsdale. This furry, four-day, four-legged affair (stop us before we alliterate again) combines a traditional all-breed judging competition with obedience and agility trials. We’re not exactly sure what all that means, but if we learned anything from the classic mock-umentary, “Best in Show,” never bet against a terrier. (16601 N. Pima Rd.)

Image © 2000 - Castle Rock Entertainment - All Rights Reserved

Next week, artists from around the globe will descend on downtown Scottsdale’s world-renowned arts district for the 40th Annual Scottsdale Arts Festival. Today, however, we wanted to put the spotlight on a boutique gallery in the heart of downtown Phoenix’s wild, wacky Roosevelt Arts District. Housed inside the super-cool, historic monOrchid studio, Bokeh Gallery was founded by professional photographers, Jacques Barbey and Wayne Rainey, to showcase the best and brightest image makers in the field.

Running through April 15, Bokeh’s latest show is an exhibit by NY-based photographer and tutu aficionado, Bob Carey. Art critics say his work is a raw, introspective and playful nod to famed artists such as Marcel Duchamp’s alter ego Rrose Selavy, as photographed by Man Ray. We say, anyone who’s willing to run barefoot in the snow wearing nothing but a pink tutu has got brass, um, tacks.

What About Bob: 214 E. Roosevelt St., 602-281-4490

After feeling cooped up by the wet weekend, we decided to take a field trip yesterday to check out one of the Valley’s sneaky-cool hot spots. Located just south of the 51 Freeway, the intersection of 16th St. and Bethany Home is suddenly tres-chic thanks to an eclectic collection of BBQ joints, healthful diners and day drinkin’ lounges. First stop was The Vig, a new spinoff of the popular Arcadia tavern (pictured) that’s scheduled to open later this month. Housed inside a former bank designed by famed local Modernist, Ralph Haver, this handsome space looks like a carbon copy of the original, but since when is that a bad thing?

Of course, that’s just scratching the surface of this hip hood, which is also home to Dick’s Hideaway and the soon-to-reopen Richardson’s. Not to mention Luci’s Healthy Marketplace, classic Chicago-style BBQ, an old school Chinese palace replete with giant gongs and an even older-school butcher shop. And that’s just one corner. Other nearby favorites include the underrated gem, Phoenix City Grille and the country-fried classic that is TEXAZ Grill, still going strong some 700,000 chicken-fried-steaks later.

If the words ‘home tour’ bring back painful memories of being stuck in the backseat of your parents’ station wagon while being dragged on an endless loop of boring tract-homes, ModernPhoenix.net has the solution. This popular portal for all things sleek and stylish recently rolled out the itinerary for its sixth annual Home Tour + Expo. Held April 10 – 11, this two-day extravaganza highlights everything that’s cool and classic in a town awash with cookie-cutter design, including the lowly bank building.

Not so long ago bank branches were showstoppers, a physical representation of the bank’s financial might, brimming with custom artwork and grandiose, marble-lined lobbies. Today, unfortunately, banks are about as architecturally impressive as your neighborhood Quizno’s. That said, the Valley is still home to a world-class collection of Modern masterpieces, such as the famed ‘Mushroom Bank’ at 44th St. and Camelback (pictured). Learn more at “Creating a New Image: Phoenix Mid-Century Branch Banks,” a free seminar hosted by Donna Reiner Ph.D, as part of the Modern Phoenix Expo inside the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. You’ll never look at waiting in line at the bank the same way again.

Picture by Walt Lockley via ModernPhoenix.net

It’s a free-for-all at the Herberger Theatre as the Arizona Theatre Company presents Stage Combat classes. Hosted this Thursday as part of the ATC’s Actor’s Lab workshops, this seminar helps aspiring actors safely use stage combat to help tell the story of the play. In other words, get ready to rumble as instructor, Sean William Dupont demonstrates how to realistically use fists, slaps, falls, knees, chokes, hair pulls, elbows, bites and more, effectively within a scene. Open to any high school and college-aged students, the classes are $35.

Looking for a little less brawling and a little more laughing? Check out the ATC’s presentation of [title of show]. That’s not a typo; it’s the name of a tongue-in-cheek production about two hyper-talented young songwriters in New York trying to write a new musical about two hyper-talented young songwriters in New York trying to write a new musical! Running through this Sunday, stick around after the Thursday show to meet the creators and original stars themselves, Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell, as well as the show’s original keyboardist and musical arranger, Larry Pressgrove.

Direct a Donnybrook: 222 E. Monroe St., 602-256-6899

If the closest you’ve ever come to Scotland is watching Fat Bastard wrestle with Austin Powers, you won’t want to miss the 46th annual Arizona Scottish Highland Games and Celtic Gathering. Held this weekend at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix, this outdoor festival will feature plenty of bagpipe playing, Highland Fling dancing and single malt sipping. And for better or worse, it might be your only chance all year to experience the famed Scottish delicacy, haggis, or sheep’s stomach stuffed with sheep’s heart, liver and lungs. We’d say don’t knock it ’till you try it, but we’re too terrified to try it. That said, we’ll be here to knock back Kilt Lifter beers and watch some seriously burly, be-kilted athletes tossing cabers, or giant tree trunks. (300 E. Indian School Rd., 602-431-0095)

Can’t make it to the Highland Games? Savor a taste of the UK at these traditional British pubs. A Valley institution since 1995, The George & Dragon is a true British ale house, i.e. dark, dank and filled to the rafters with soccer memorabilia. Skip the strip mall spinoff at 48th St. and Broadway, and hit the original on Central Ave. to enjoy bang-up bangers and mash and plenty of frothy draught ales. (4240 N. Central Ave., 602-241-0018) Over in south Scottsdale, The British Open is a charmingly-cozy pub serving up hearty UK fare and live soccer matches on multiple TVs. Last but not least, the meat pie specialists at Cornish Pastry Company in Tempe were recently named one of the Valley’s best bargain’s. (960 W. University Dr., 480-894-6261)

Is Fido a fashionista? Is Astro into astrology? Then the following events are right up your alley. First up is the 10th annual Gabriel’s Angels Doggie Beach Party, held this Saturday on the grassy lawns of the Franciscan Renewal Center. Slap a swimsuit on Princess and take home the title of Best Doggie Beachwear, or enter fun contests such as Doggie Limbo, Best Dog Costume and the ever-popular Dog/Owner Lookalike contest. Even better, your shameless doggie love supports a worthy cause: Gabriel’s Angels, a nonprofit organization that uses pet therapy to help heal abused, neglected and at-risk children. (5802 E. Lincoln Dr., 602-266-0875)

Also celebrating its 10th anniversary, Beauty to the RESCUE is a fashion-forward event hosted at the upscale Mane Attraction Salon on Sunday, March 7. Here, animal lovers and their pets enjoy a posh beauty treatment while raising funds for RESCUE, a local nonprofit animal rescue organization. For a minimum donation, salon guests will be treated to a variety of beauty services, while their pooches are pampered by mobile dog groomer, Aussie Mobile Pet Grooming. Enjoy live music and BBQ sandwiches, and don’t forget to get a reading from the on-site pet psychics. Don’t worry, we won’t judge.  (3156 E. Camelback Rd., 602-956-2996)

If South Florida is considered the unofficial sixth borough of New York City, then the Valley of the Sun has always been a magnate for Midwesterners. From Chicagoans to Columbusians (or is it Columbi?), Greater Phoenix is awash with formerly-frozen transplants from our nation’s heartland. Even better, they’ve brought their Italian beef sandwiches and frozen custards with ’em.

Most recently, we learned that the famed Chicagoland sandwich shop, Al’s Beef is coming to North Scottsdale. Opening next month in the same strip mall that housed the late, sometimes-great Prickly Pear Fresh Mexican, Al’s has been serving up its signature thin-sliced, jus-dipped beef hoagies since 1938. Named one of America’s best sandwiches by both Travel & Leisure and Esquire, top this delicious dietitian’s-nightmare with Al’s homemade Giardiniera mix and pair it with some fresh, hand-cut French fries. Can’t wait for a month? Satisfy your Italian beef cravings today at longtime Valley fav, Luke’s of Chicago with locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Meanwhile, Wisconsinites are all churned up about the recent arrival of Culver’s here in the Valley. Famed for its cooked-to-order butter burgers and frozen custard sundaes, Culver’s has been described as the Midwestern version of In-N-Out Burger. We won’t go that far, but it is darned good (except for the crinkle cut fries, which look and taste just like Ore Ida oven fries). Instead, make like a true cheesehead and order a side of Dairyland Cheese Curds, a deep-fried delicacy that literally squeals when you pop it your mouth.