Hope you lost those extra pounds you picked up over the holidays, because it’s eatin’ season here in the Valley. First to belly up to the bar is the Devoured Culinary Classic, an all-new food and wine event hosted this Saturday and Sunday at the Phoenix Art Museum. Pairing food from more than 50 local restaurants, farmers and meat purveyors, with wines from across the state and around the world, Devoured was created by the good folks at Local First Arizona. Savor cooking demos by top local chefs such as Christopher Gross (Christopher’s/Crush Lounge) and expert-led tequila tastings, as well as full access to the museum’s exhibits and galleries. (1625 N. Central Ave., 602-257-1222)

Speaking of decadent delights, the Valley’s two Morton’s Steakhouses have come up with a cutesy solution to a dilemma we didn’t even realize we were facing. How to celebrate National Pi Day on Sunday, March 14? Now don’t ask us what Pi actually means (and please don’t email us either, Mr. Smarty-pants). However, we do know it’s an endless string of numbers starting with 3.14. How do we know that? Because this Sunday, Morton’s is offering a slice of its tartly-sweet Key Lime Pie (pictured) for only $3.14. (2501 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-955-9577; 15233 N. Kierland Blvd., Scottsdale, 480-951-4440)

If you love vodka and saucy celebrity gossip, then today’s Scoop is for you because comedian, talk show host and Grey Goose enthusiast, Chelsea Handler is hitting the town. Let’s just hope it goes better than last night’s appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. (BTW what’s the deal with NBC late night hosts slipping on stage?) And speaking of the Cone Zone, did you see that he’s hitting the road with “The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour,” landing in Phoenix on April 30?

Anyhoots, the hilarious Handler will be at the awesome indie bookstore, Changing Hands today at 3:30 signing copies of her latest laugher, “Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang,” the sequel to her bestselling, “Are you There, Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea.”

Not much of a reader (except Scoop Factory, of course)? Catch Chandler’s show at the Dodge Theatre tonight, where she’ll be dishing on the joys of single life now that she’s split with former boyfriend (and current boss) Ted Herbart, aka the CEO of E Entertainment’s parent company, Comcast Corporation.

Kick up your hooves at Superstition Farm, a working dairy in far east Mesa offering a variety of farm-tastic fun. Bring the kiddies for a tour featuring a super-clean petting zoo, hay mazes and hay rides, as well as a fresh-squeezed milk bar. Big kids, meanwhile, will melt for the handcrafted butters, creams and ice creams from the farm’s award-winning Udder Delights dessert boutique.

However, we’re most intrigued by the new Chef Du MOO farm-to-table dinner series. Hosted the second Saturday of every month through June, Superstition Farm is working with fellow local farmers such as Desert Root Farm who will supply seasonal greens, veggies and fruit, as well as eggs from Hickman’s Family Farms and proteins from The Meat Shop. Starting with a 5:30 pm cocktail reception, this Saturday’s four-course dinner is prepared by Romeo’s Euro Café in Gilbert and costs $65 per person or $80 with wine pairings. Menus are subject to the whims of Mother Nature, but this preview has our mouths a’watering—smoked ham cheesecake and red chard-wrapped garlic flan, anyone?

Dairy Dreamin’: (3440 S. Hawes Rd., 602-432-6865)

Photo by the inimitable Jess Harter of The Dish

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