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j anuary 2021
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Scottsdale
SS A RS SO ON N LLIINNCCOOLLNN AN ND DE ER 2
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WRITING WITHOUT WORDS Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Bryan Black
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COMMUNITY EVENTS Writer Joseph J. Airdo
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CHRISTOPHER’S AT WRIGLEY MANSION Writer Lynette Carrington Photography Courtesy of Wrigley Mansion
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EXPLORADORA COFFEE
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Writer Shannon Severson Cover photo by Ryan Cordwell
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ICY STREAMS Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Steven Ebright
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ROASTED LEMON CRINKLE COOKIES Writer and photographer Kyndra Kelly
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PUBLISHER Shelly Spence
MANAGING EDITOR Joseph J. Airdo
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Meaghan Hanie
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joseph J. Airdo Lynette Carrington Amanda Christmann Kyndra Kelly Shannon Severson
PHOTOGRAPHERS Bryan Black Brandon Dunham Kyndra Kelly Loralei Lazurek Carl Schultz
ADVERTISING SALES Cooper Langston 480-544-8721 cooper@imagesaz.com
Images Arizona P.O. Box 1416 Carefree, AZ. 85377 623-341-8221 imagesarizona.com
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Well, we made it. We officially survived one of the most globally challenging years that most of us have ever experienced. There has been heartache and discomfort, but we demonstrated with unbridled conviction to 2020 that our strength lies within our resilience as a community. Now, as we officially begin a brand new year, there is a universal and robust hope for a healthier and happier 2021. As most people are, I am excited for what lies ahead — especially because, more so than in years past, we will be seeing the world with not only fresh vision but renewed clarity. So many of our holidays, festivities and day-to-day routines were muted last year as we did what was necessary to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. Events were canceled, gatherings were reduced in size and hugs and handshakes disappeared from our lives. As a result, our appreciation for those things has ballooned in magnitude. It is exciting to think about all of the amazing activities, incredible connections and serendipitous possibilities that await us over the next 12 months. It is akin to standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon and breathing in the fresh air, visually observing its impressive vastness and feeling a sense of overwhelming optimism wash over you. As we finally embark on a new chapter, I am eager to take full advantage of every opportunity that lies before me. I plan to embrace my children and tell them how much I love them every chance I get. I intend to meet as many of my interesting neighbors as possible and ask them how I can make their lives more enjoyable and businesses more successful.
Submission of news for community section should be in to shelly@imagesaz.com by the 5th of the month prior to publication. Images Arizona is published by ImagesAZ Inc. Copyright Š 2020 by ImagesAZ, Inc. All rights reserved.
I aspire to make each and every one of the 365 sunrises of 2021 beautiful for not only myself but the entire community.
Reproduction, in whole or part, without permission is prohibited. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited material.
Cheers!
Local First A R I Z O NA 6
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Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221
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CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY + ART
– AARON HENRY JEWELRY– The hallmarks to Aaron Henry jewelry are design integrity, gemstone quality, fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. Each brilliant piece is hand-crafted bringing classical Old World quality to modern design.
[
February 5–6
Call for private appointment or come by to meet the designer of Aaron Henry Jewelry.
Grace Renee Gallery 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ 85377 Open Daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Open Late Thur.–Sat.until 7 p.m. 480.575.8080
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GraceReneeGallery.com
]
Aaron Henry Designs 18-karat gold with diamonds and fine gemstones. j anuary 2021
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"The Gift," 27 by 19 inches, Watercolor
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Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Submitted by Cathy Hegman
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Brushes, palette knives and stories left untold beckon Cathy Hegman into her studio. Holding a paint-splattered palette and a wash brush, she stands before a blank canvas, listening to its whispers as blended layers of pigments begin to fill the space. Her studio becomes a creative kitchen of sorts as she experiments with wax, gels and other binders, adding depth and detail to complicate the plot. As the hours go by, a woman emerges from a muted scene. She is shrouded in a haze and her featureless face leaves a Mona Lisa-like mystery surrounding her expression. Hegman is in no rush. She leaves the woman from time to time to think about who she wants to become, then returns to listen and fulfill her requests. To refer to Hegman as a painter is a misnomer. She is better defined as a writer who uses hues and texture as her language. Through her work, she is colorfully narrating a memoir with muted landscapes and ambiguous figures in starring roles, employing contrast and harmony as ongoing themes.
Though more than a century has passed since Fenimore Cooper penned beautiful compositions about the natural world around her, the two share a timeless and intimate love of nature, solitude and quietude.
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Where Fenimore Cooper wrote volumes and only occasionally expressed herself with art, Hegman has followed the opposite pattern, painting nearly constantly, but pausing to write every now and again. Still, the essence of their language is the same, and both manage to break through shackles of time and place with illimitable narratives. In 1850, in “Rural Hours,” Fenimore Cooper wrote, “Never forget the difference between things of importance and trifles; yet remember that trifles have also their value.” Whether depicted as an interaction with a bluebird in her painting, “The Gift,” or a quiet moment in the garden portrayed in “Zinnia,” Hegman echoes this sentiment in her work just as gracefully and poetically.
For 33 years, Hegman has made creating contemporary figurative art her full-time vocation. As an internationally recognized artist and a teacher, she approaches her work with a nearly palpable sense of serenity that becomes the foundation for surreal landscapes and figures.
While Fenimore Cooper wrote about her then-untamed homelands in upstate New York, Hegman’s muse is the wilds of Mississippi; its piney woodlands, magnificent wildlife, and unpredictable rivers weave their way into her visual tales. Her subject is nearly always the fundamental relationship between herself and the delicately balanced ecosystem around her.
“Events in my life are often the basis of my paintings,” Hegman says. “Almost everything I’ve ever painted is tranquil. I want my work to illuminate a feeling of peace and balance.”
She paints not to preach or compel, but to ennoble beauty. For this reason, she prefers to leave her characters, often women, anonymous in form so that the storyline is left open to interpretation.
TO ENNOBLE BEAUTY
“If you give them an entire face, you’re making them something singular. It becomes easier to enter the painting when they remain anonymous,” Hegman
Hegman’s perspective draws unmistakable parallels to the work of American writer and painter Susan Fenimore Cooper.
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“
"Zinnia," 20 by 16 inches, Oil on Canvas
"Isolate," 30 by 22 inches, Acrylic on Paper
Events in my life are often the basis of my paintings. Almost everything I’ve ever painted is tranquil. I want my work to illuminate a feeling of peace and balance. Cathy Hegman
"Red Flags," 48 by 48 inches, Acrylic on Wood
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Cathy Hegman
says. “It’s always so interesting to know what others see in my work. I’d much rather hear what they think before I tell them my intent. “I enjoy leaving out parts that aren’t necessary in my work. To me, the figure is used as an integral part of the design of the piece as well as playing a part in the narrative of the painting.” Hegman’s oeuvre hasn’t always been so unique. In her early artistic years, she tried her hand at painting portraits. “I wouldn’t do that now for love or money,” she says with a laugh. “I think everybody evolves. In the beginning of my painting journey, the more realistic I could make my paintings, the better I thought they were. Now I find it’s more about emoting feeling rather than replicating in my art that compels me.”
PURPOSEFULLY ENIGMATIC
It’s difficult to characterize Hegman by her medium; she’s not simply a watercolor, oil or acrylic painter, or even a mixed media artist. She dabbles in a little bit of everything, and she enjoys the process of learning just as much as she revels in putting the finishing touches on a piece. “I work in all mediums,” she says. “For a long time, I used to do pure watercolor. I started adding other mediums because I couldn’t get the textures I wanted. Now, I work in oil, acrylics, watercolor, cold wax, mixed media ... I’ve just never found one medium that I loved more than the others. They all have inherent qualities that I’ve grown to love.” Hegman concerns herself with value, or tonal variants, in her images. She checks her work by photographing it in black and white.
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"Yellow Fashionista I," 12 by 12 inches, Oil
"Yellow Fashionista II," 12 by 12 inches, Oil
"Yellow Fashionista III," 12 by 12 inches, Oil
"Yellow Fashionista IV," 12 by 12 inches, Oil
"Yellow Fashionista V," 12 by 12 inches, Oil
"Yellow Fashionista VI," 12 by 12 inches, Oil
“I will always photograph my work as I am painting it in black and white to see the values more clearly,” she explains. “If everything is in the same value, nothing is really important. Black and white lets me know that my design is clear and that it’s cohesive.” An apt illustration of her perfection of this is a painting called “Red Flags,” on display at Grace Renee Gallery in Carefree. Figures of three women stand together in boldly striped dresses, their faces indistinct and their wild hair flowing like billowing clouds. In white-gloved hands, each is holding a red flag that is somehow, remarkably, the most unnoticeable element of the picture. The contrast between the darker and lighter elements is so vivid that even a color as bold as red is nearly muted. Another signature component of Hegman’s paintings is the idea that people are part of, and not separate from nature. They’re often indistinguishable in her work. “For the last eight years, I have painted predominantly figures in landscapes, usually painting them as one, in order to show the codependency of the two,” she explains. “People are formed by their environment and the environment is shaped and changed by people. It’s all so intricately entwined.”
EXPERIENCE
The Art of Cathy Hegman m a g e s aGallery r i z o n a . c| o7212 m january 2 02 Road 1 E. Ho Hum #7, Carefree | 480-575-8080 | gracereneegallery.com 14GraceiRenee
An example of this is another gorgeously compelling piece called “Isolate,” which leaves the boundaries between a woman and the surrounding scene to the imagination. Foreground becomes background and background becomes facade. Like many of her other works, the only certainties in this piece are the pout of lips, the shadow of a nose and the spark of curiosity this purposefully enigmatic painting inspires. Hegman’s studio provides her with a glimpse into the deepest corners of her mind, and she continues to explore and evolve as an artist. “Lately, I’m starting to bring in more flowers,” she says. “I’m kind of doing an homage to them because they keep showing up in my work. “When I first started painting, my mother always told me she wished I painted more with flowers. All these years, flowers have not interested me. But for some reason, I did a painting and worked flowers into it. When I saw it, I thought, ‘Look at this!’ Now, flowers are finding their way into more of what I’m doing.” What she is doing, whatever it may be, is resonating with people from around the globe. She has been featured in exhibitions and galleries in the UK and Brazil, as well as across the United States. Locally, a sizable collection, including several smaller works from her Yellow Fashionista series, is available at Grace Renee Gallery. “I have to paint every day,” the artist says. “If I make something recognizable, that’s pretty cool. The most any of us can hope for is to find a job that you love and to do it most of your life. I’m fortunate because that’s exactly what I do.” gracereneegallery.com j anuary 2021
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COMMUNITY
2021 JANUARY
Writer Joseph J. Airdo
Dec. 17–March 18
SHERRY BLANCHARD STUART SOLO EXHIBITION In conjunction with the Mayo Clinic Center for Humanities in Medicine, Scottsdale artist Sherry Blanchard is being featured via a solo exhibition. Known for the richness of color that illuminates her work in both traditional and representational styles, the artist loves the American West as its history and tradition inspires and informs much of her work. Free. Mayo Clinic, Building 3 — Second Floor Hall, 5777 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. sherryblanchardstuart.com
“Downhill Run” by Sherry Blanchard Stuart
Oct. 3–Jan. 17
Oct. 3–Jan. 31
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary
Art shines a light on aspects of the
Art presents mother and daughter
Iranian experience normally hidden
artists Barbara Stauffacher Solomon
from the outside world by focusing
and Nellie King Solomon in their
on public and private spaces. The
first joint exhibition. Both artists
exhibition features the work of 10
were trained as architects but were
the most up-to-date information
essential voices in contemporary
never licensed, which might explain
at press time, some events may be
Iranian art who explore the notion
the way they establish rules, grids
of urban space as a nexus of social
or frameworks only to challenge
Keep in mind Although Images Arizona magazine has made every effort to publish
canceled or rescheduled to comply
URBAN MAPPING EXHIBITION
BEYOND EXHIBITION
communication and political
their very existence. At the heart of
with social distancing measures and
transformation — a place where
the pair’s artistic practice lies the
other factors associated with the
personal and collective identity
confident ability to think and explore
COVID-19 pandemic. Please use
converge. $10; youth, student
beyond the norm — or beyond the
and senior discounts available.
frame. $10; youth, student and senior
Wednesday–Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
discounts available. Wednesday–
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary
Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Scottsdale
Art, 7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale.
Museum of Contemporary Art, 7374
480-874-4666; smoca.org
E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-874-
the contact information provided to confirm dated details.
4666; smoca.org
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Jan. 7
CAREFREE ART WALK Stroll, shop, dine and enjoy an evening celebrating the arts in downtown Carefree while helping to support local businesses and local creativity — which makes our Arizona culture a better place to live, work and visit. Begin at any gallery, then continue on to other participating galleries. Enjoy a diverse display of artistic styles and mediums, meet the artists, enjoy refreshments and engage in conversation about art and architecture. Free. 4–8 p.m. See website for participating galleries. visitcarefree.com
Jan. 7
SCATTING WITH DIANA LEE AND DENNIS ROWLAND Legendary singers Diana Lee and Dennis Rowland will perform
Right coverage. Right price. Right here in town.
a melodic improvisation of scat jazz. Chandler Center for the Arts will present the performance in partnership with West Valley Arts Council as part of its CCA Anywhere Series. Free. 7 p.m. chandlercenter.org
Jan. 8–10
SURPRISE FINE ART AND WINE FESTIVAL
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Thunderbird Artists will host a festival that boasts original pieces of fine art in a variety of mediums and subject matters — including stone sculptors Jerry and Marshall Locke. More than 40 different domestic and imported wines, as well as flavored spirits and local microbrews, will be available for tasting for a $10 fee, which includes an engraved souvenir wine glass and six tickets. Additional tickets may be purchased for $1. Food booths will also be on-site with a wide variety of delectable sweets, treats and more. Flutist Vibhas Kendzia will provide entertainment. $3. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mark Coronado Park, 15960 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise. 480-837-5637; thunderbirdartists.com
Jan. 9
GOLDEN REEF STAMP MILL DEMONSTRATION Arizona’s only fully operational ten-stamp ore crushing mill will run several outdoor demonstrations at Cave Creek Museum. Watch history come alive as the ten 1,000-pound stamps slam down in synchronized precision and hear the pounding echo against the desert foothills — just as it did more than 140 years
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ago. Also on exhibit outdoors on the museum campus are various pieces of equipment from the early mining days of Arizona and many agricultural tools used at local farms and ranches. See website for times. Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E. Skyline Drive, Cave Creek. 480-488-2764; cavecreekmuseum.org
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Jan. 15–March 28
ARIZONA FINE ART EXPO Organizers will transform North Scottsdale into Arizona’s premier venue for collecting fine art during the 10-week Arizona Fine Art Expo. The event will feature 124 patron-friendly artist studios in a 44,000-square-foot space, where guests have a rare chance to meet the artists, see them in action and learn about their journey, inspiration and techniques. $10 season passes; senior, military and youth discounts available. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 26540 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-837-7163; arizonafineartexpo.com
Jan. 14
GINA CHAVEZ IN CONCERT
ceramic potter Hong Rubinstein.
See website for times. The Holland
A vast array of domestic and
Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale.
imported wines as well as ice-cold
480-488-1981; dftheater.org
microbrews and flavored spirits will
Part of Chandler Center for the
be available for tasting for a $10
Arts’ CCA Anywhere Series, Latin
fee, which includes an engraved
Grammy-nominee Gina Chavez will
souvenir wine glass and six tickets.
blend the sounds of the Americas
Additional tickets may be purchased
with tension and grace. She will wind
for $1. AfterGlow, specializing in
LUNCH AND LEARN: MINESTRONE WITH CROSTINI
together versatile bilingual verses
high-energy contemporary jazz
Marcellino Ristorante will host a
with cumbia, indie-folk, blues and
and funk tunes, will provide the
cooking class during which chef
Latin pop with rhythms influenced
entertainment. $3. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Marcellino Verzino will demonstrate
by Latin America and personal lyrics
Downtown Carefree, 101 Easy
cooking a hearty winter soup created
inspired by her Latin roots and her
Street, Carefree. 480-837-5637;
with fresh vegetables, toasted Italian
life in Austin, Texas. Free. 7 p.m.
thunderbirdartists.com
bread points and Parmigiano.
chandlercenter.org
Jan 15–17
CAREFREE FINE ART AND WINE FESTIVAL
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Jan. 18
After the class, guests will enjoy a
Jan. 15–24
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND
delectable lunch of the chef’s dish, a fresh organic salad and Marcellino’s delicious biscotti. $50. 1 p.m. RSVP.
Desert Foothills Theater will present its
Marcellino Ristorante, 7114 E.
production of “Once on This Island,”
Stetson Drive, Scottsdale. 480-990-
Thunderbird Artists will host a
an exciting Broadway musical inspired
9500; marcellinoristorante.com
festival that boasts 150 meticulously
by Hans Christian Andersen’s “The
juried fine artists exhibiting a wide
Little Mermaid” with themes of social
range of mediums — including
classes, dreams, family and love. $25.
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m january 2 02 1
Jan. 19
CELEBRATING BEETHOVEN Acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Siegel will commemorate the 250th birthday of composer Ludwig van Beethoven during which the audience will learn about and listen to the beloved “Moonlight Sonata” and Sonata op. 110, written after deafness engulfed the legendary composer. $25+. 7:30 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org
Jan. 19–28
T.A. BURROWS IN CONCERT Herberger Theater Center will present vocalist T.A. Burrows in a concert that includes some of his favorite pop hits and standards. Between the tunes, Burrows will share hilarious anecdotes reflecting
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his amazing career as a professional entertainer. $7. 12:10 p.m. Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix. 602-2528497; herbergertheater.org
Jan. 22–Feb. 14
THE ODD COUPLE Desert Stages Theatre will present its production of Neil Simon’s classic comedy “The Odd Couple.” See website for times and price.
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Desert Stages Theatre, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 0586, Scottsdale. 480-483-1664; desertstages.org
Jan. 26–Feb. 7 GET HAPPY
The Phoenix Theatre Company will present Angela Ingersoll in a concert of Judy Garland classics. See website for prices. 7 p.m. Central United Methodist Church, 1875 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-254-2151; phoenixtheatre.com
Jan. 27
BROOKLYN RIDER WITH VADYM KHOLODENKO Hailed as the future of chamber music, Brooklyn Rider will perform a concert of eclectic repertoire with pianist Vadym Kholodenko. $69+. 7:30 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org
Jan. 29 and 30
ALONZO KING LINES BALLET Alonzo King LINES Ballet will bring two new works to Scottdale Center for the Performing Arts — “The Personal Element,” which premiered in August 2019 at the Vail Dance Festival in Colorado, and “AZOTH,” which debuted at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco in October 2019. $35+. 8 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org j anuary 2021
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Feb. 5 and 6
AARON HENRY JEWELRY Grace Renee Gallery will welcome the designer of Aaron Henry Jewelry during an event that showcases the brand's brilliant pieces — each of which is hand-crafted, bringing classical Old World quality to modern design. The hallmarks of Aaron Henry Jewelry's lines are design integrity, gemstone quality, fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. Free. 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, Suite 7, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com
Jan. 29–Feb. 21
WALKIN’ THE LINE
the Holland Center — a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing
Feb. 2
Arizona Broadway Theatre will
area. Free. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The Holland
ASU CHAMBER WINDS
present a tribute show during which
Community Center, 34250 N. 60th St.,
Jason Thompson will conduct
audiences can relive the amazing songs
Scottsdale. 480-488-1090; azfcf.org
an uplifting evening of music
arts, education and community in the
of Johnny Cash. The show will feature
and song with Arizona State
Scott Moreau, who starred as Cash in
University’s Chamber Winds. $10.
the national tour of the Broadway hit
Jan. 31
7:30 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the
“Million Dollar Quartet.” See website
ON WINGS OF HOPE
for price and times. Arizona Broadway
MusicaNova Orchestra will present
St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587;
Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria.
an inspirational concert that
scottsdaleperformingarts.org
623-776-8400; azbroadway.org
includes Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man,” Schreker’s heroic
Jan. 30
“Ekkehard Overture” and Sibelius’
Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second
Feb. 5
Fifth Symphony with its swan theme
DORRANCE DANCE
representing humanity’s ability to
Founded by Michelle Dorrance,
rise above adversity. In-person and
Dorrance Dance will perform a
The Holland Center will host its 6th
livestream ticketing options are
program featuring the exhilarating
annual event during which attendees
available. $27+. 2 p.m. Scottsdale
“Myelination,” the Bessie Award-
will be able to purchase works of art
Center for the Performing Arts,
winning “Three to One” and the
from a variety of mediums — including
7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale.
whimsical “Jungle Blues.” $25+.
painting, jewelry, glass art and more.
musicanovaaz.org
8 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the
ARIZONA SAGE ART MARKET
Thirty juried artists will participate in
Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second
the event, which shares proceeds with
St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org
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Feb. 6
BROADWAY PERSPECTIVES: A CONCERT CELEBRATING DIVERSITY Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will present a brandnew Broadway cabaret in a unique recognition of Black History Month. The show will feature some of Broadway’s top Black artists performing their signature works as well as roles that Black artists have not traditionally played. $28+. 8 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org
KIWANIS AWARDS $165,000 TO ORGANIZATIONS The Kiwanis Club and Foundation of Carefree recently presented checks to a wide range of local organizations in its continued recognition of their wonderful community programs. More than $165,000 was awarded to Cave Creek Unified School District, Rancho Milagro Foundation, Desert Foothills Theater, Annunciation Catholic School, Lone Mountain Elementary School, Cactus Shadows High School, Jubilate Conservatory of Music, Scott Foundation, Desert Foothills Land Trust, Spirit in the Desert, Upscale Singers and Veterans Memorial. kiwaniscarefree.org
PHOENIX CHORALE CEO ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE Phoenix Chorale CEO Jen Rogers will step down from her position after almost 15 years working with the organization. During her
Kindergarten
Black Mountain Elementary School PERFORMING ARTS SPANISH PRE-K-6
time with the organization, Rogers focused her effort to propel the Phoenix Chorale into the 21st century — leading new initiatives in marketing, box office, fundraising and infrastructure. Rogers plans to expand her earlier work as a consultant for artists and arts organizations, advising across a variety of areas. The Phoenix Chorale’s board of directors has launched a plan to place an interim CEO in advance of conducting a nationwide search for Rogers’ successor. phoenixchorale.org
PHOENIX COMMUNITY ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES HONOREES Phoenix Community Alliance last month presented its Center City Awards, which recognizes outstanding individuals for their personal contributions in advancing the quality of life for all residents within the area and furthering downtown Phoenix’s renaissance. The 2020 Center City Champion, Dr. Sheila Harris, has assisted in the development of affordable housing for more
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of Smart State Initiatives at the Arizona Commerce Authority — received the first-ever Center City Newcomer award for his
Lone Mountain Elementary School
work as a pioneer in the intersection of technology and local government. phoenixcommunityalliance.com
480.575.2000 www.CCUSD93.org j anuary 2021
STEM PROGRAM CHINESE PRE-K-6
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Writer Joseph J. Airdo
Two decades ago, Beth Ames Swartz had the idea to bring Arizona artists together to develop not only their professional practices but also their bonds with one another. Since then, the group has grown to more than 180 participants who — as informal members of Artists' Breakfast Club — attend monthly events with the intention of artistic cooperation, mutual support and community. Scottsdale Public Art is celebrating the spirit of community and support among the group with a virtual exhibition of is participants’ creative works poignantly titled Artists' Breakfast Club: 20 Years. Wendy Raisanen, curator of collections and exhibitions for Scottsdale Public Art, calls the community that Swartz and her fellow artists have created incredible. “The guidance they have given each other is, in part, a reason for their artistic success,” Raisanen says. “Artmaking is tough; you never know if you're going to get anywhere with it. What anyone needs is some advice and encouragement — and that is what they are offering each other.”
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This was a way to bring people together in a cooperative, collaborative, warm and loving way every month. Beth Ames Swartz
“Distant Future” by Jill Friedberg
“And so, it was I entered the broken world to trace the visionary company of love” by Beth Ames Swartz
AN AMORPHOUS GROUP
Artists from all over Arizona — from Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa and Tempe to as far away as Tucson, Gold Canyon and Oracle — attend monthly events that feature museum curators, university deans and professors, top gallery directors, technical experts and other individuals who inspire and support them.
“Everything was just so spread out and artists were working all alone,” Swartz says.
“I think of it as an extension of my art practice, which is all about interpreting different religions and wisdom systems and gleaning the commonalities in order to show that we are all connected and to help evoke a common compassion among people,” says Swartz, noting that she has often heard artists state that they crave connection. “This was a way to bring people together in a cooperative, collaborative, warm and loving way every month.”
Swartz moved to New York for her career in the late 1980s and enjoyed being part of a breakfast club for artists during her time there. The experience inspired her to start a similar gathering in Phoenix — a place she believed was in dire need of such a thing.
In 2000, Swartz enlisted the assistance of her friend and fellow artist Jon Haddock and they invited six other artists to begin meeting for breakfast on a regular basis. Initially, Artists’ Breakfast Club relied on word-of-mouth, with artists finding out about it one way or another and simply showing up to the meetings. Eventually, a mailing list facilitated better communication and organization. Attendees would bring a friend or two and those friends would later bring their friends until the group grew to more than 180 participants. “It is a very amorphous group,” Swartz says. “There is no real structure to it and we do not necessarily meet for breakfast.”
NO LONGER STRANGERS IN PARADISE
Artists’ Breakfast Club evolved over the years as Swartz thought about how it could most greatly benefit her fellow artists, with between 20 and 60 attending each event depending on their particular need and interest.
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Scottsdale Public Art is celebrating the spirit of community and support among Artists’ Breakfast Club with a virtual exhibition of is participants’ creative works. The physical works were on display at Civic Center Public Gallery inside Scottsdale Civic Center Library late last year. // Photos Courtesy of Scottsdale Arts
“We meet in all kinds of places — from FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel to people’s homes and museums,” Swartz says. “I have introduced our artists to all of the museum curators and directors. I think that it has been very helpful. It gives them access where they otherwise might not have had access.” Jill Friedberg, who has been attending Artists’ Breakfast Club’s events since shortly after moving from Chicago to North Scottsdale in 2002, says that access and the experiences it has afforded her have been invaluable. “Including artists of many disciplines, Artists’ Breakfast Club has provided me with a seemingly endless variety of artist discussions, studio visits, exhibitions and other stimulating events — each advancing my creation of meaningful art,” Friedberg says. Swartz adds that Artists’ Breakfast Club attendees have made a lot of friends through the group, which has also led to a lot of interesting collaborations. Art Levy can attest to that. He joined Artists’ Breakfast Club about 17 years ago after he met Swartz at an Aspen, Colorado art gallery. “This chance meeting opened the door to joining the breakfast club and becoming part of this diverse and remarkably talented art community,” says Levy, who had moved from Atlanta to North Scottsdale after retirement from a 27-year career as a cardio-thoracic surgeon. Being a new arrival to Arizona, Levy felt “like a stranger in paradise” until Artists’ Breakfast Club altered the dynamic, introducing him to friendships, support, education and exhibits.
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From left, Artists’ Breakfast Club participants Linda Margaret Kilgore, Diane Silver, Jill Freiberg, Beth Ames Swartz and Nancy Reinker meet with the intention of artistic cooperation, mutual support and community. Photo Courtesy of Beth Ames Swartz
“Working alone in my studio could be quite isolating,” he explains. “Artists’ Breakfast Club became an important part of my community and social life.”
Artists’ Breakfast Club participants tour Arizona State University’s Grant Street Studios in Phoenix’s downtown warehouse district. Photo Courtesy of Beth Ames Swartz
Swarts says Artists’ Breakfast Club has helped her as well. The 84-year-old Paradise Valley resident lives her life by the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam — performing acts of kindness to repair the world. “I just get a lot of joy and pleasure out of it,” she explains. “It helps me to feel connected to the community. And I feel like I have been building community. It also allows me to exercise my creativity as I wrack my brain to figure out things that will be interesting to the artists that will also keep them inspired and engaged.” Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Swartz has been inspiring and engaging Arizona artists through virtual Zoom tours of New York artists’ studios — including those of her daughter and her son-in-law.
KINDNESS AND COOPERATION
Swartz says the lineup of artists whose work is represented as part of Scottsdale Public Art’s Artists’ Breakfast Club: 20 Years virtual exhibition includes everything from accomplished artists to younger, less prominent ones — a pairing that illustrates the kindness and cooperation of the participants. “We need that kindness and cooperation in the world today,” Swartz says. “There is so much dissension and anger. It is like a bomb to the soul when you go through this show and read all of the artists’ statements.” Levy’s piece — “Cultured” — is based on his interest in cellular life, both form and function. Featuring 1,500 cells, varied colors
and forms layered in wax, the encaustic artwork took him two months to complete. “Although I was an art student in undergrad school, I had always planned to go on to medical school,” he says. “Histology — the study of cellular form and function — became a secondary interest. I was always amazed by the beauty of stained specimens and wanted to express this concept as an artist.” Friedberg also has a piece featured in the exhibition. “‘Distant Future’ expresses concern for humanity endangered by current struggles in our tumultuous world,” Friedberg says. “It is composed of photomontage and acrylic paint with textiles and thread on a shaped canvas, which represents a future haven of peace and safety.” Swartz’s entry — “And so, it was I entered the broken world to trace the visionary company of love” — is one of 12 paintings that the artist completed while practicing social distancing this year. She says that although artists are competitive, operating with kindness and cooperation is the only way they can stay afloat nowadays. “It is a struggle to be an artist in this culture — to do the work of your own vision, of your own heart and of your own soul,” she explains. “And I am not talking about people who do art just to sell to or please other people. I am talking about people who do art when they feel called to be creative and to produce art from their inner beings. So it is great to see this happening.” scottsdalepublicart.org
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Christopher's at Wrigley Mansion provides a nighttime spectacle.
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Christopher's at Wrigley Mansion offers an intimate dining experience.
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Chef and culinary mastermind Christopher Gross has never been one to let the grass grow under his feet. The James Beard Award-winning chef is constantly working on new menu items, his restaurant concepts and being an integral part of the gastronomy landscape of Arizona. For many years, Gross's company Gastronomy headed up Wrigley Mansion with the chef’s business partner Paolo Embry having reworked the wine program and managing a bit. Since joining the iconic property, Gross has revamped and breathed new life into the culinary program at Geordie’s at Wrigley Mansion — one of the finest dining establishments in Arizona. Gross's duties will soon shift toward Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion — the chef’s latest venture that is set to open this month. He has focused his culinary vision and created a new concept built on the site of a prior outdoor patio and terrace that was used somewhat infrequently. The resulting structure is a dramatic and aesthetically stunning restaurant constructed of glass surrounds and a retractable roof punctuated with design element ideas that Gross has collected over the past several years from some of his favorite restaurants around the world. He has even incorporated some fun design ideas into the restroom. “We went through several searches for architects,” says Gross, noting that he spoke with his life partner and Wrigley Mansion owner Jamie Hormel about utilizing nationally and internationally renowned architects that live in the Valley. They selected Wendell Burnette, whose other highprofile projects include Jervis Inlet Resort and Amangiri. “I also wanted to be able to cook in front of everybody on a big wood hearth and we found a company that builds them all over the United States,” adds Gross,
noting that the restaurant is set up as an elongated triangle and allows for an intimate dining experience where he can see all of his guests. “I’m going to get to see everyone again and that is what I love about it.” Whereas Geordie’s has a bit of a Mediterranean influence to its menu, Christopher’s will have a different feel that hearkens back a bit to the Christopher’s of the 1990s. “I did a play on some branding,” Gross explains. “Last Christmas, we had that little side room of about 10 that had higher bar-type seating and you could look into the kitchen, enclosed in glass as well. It was called C144. That was sort of our chef’s table. ‘C ‘could be for ‘chef’ or ‘Christopher’ and ‘144’ is 12-dozen, which is called a ‘gross’ — and that’s my last name. This is imagining we took our chef’s table, brought it up to the mansion and just made it a little larger.” The restaurant flow is designed to handle no more than eight people per half-hour, keeping it a more intimate dining experience. “We’ll be open five nights a week and we’re having a different type of service,” Gross says. “We’ll be cooking for you and serving you. There are no waiters; the cook is the waiter as well. The person who made your first course will be bringing it out to you. They’ll know everything about the dish and you’ll never hear, ‘I’m sorry about the wait; the kitchen was backed up.’” One specific reason Gross chose this unique approach was to engage diners and teach the culinary crew. “So many young culinarians get into the business and they get to be a cook or chef but then they know nothing about the dining room,” he explains. “Then they go out and open their own place and they don’t have a clue, sometimes. Or they know nothing about wine or proper service.”
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C144 is a unique branding to Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion with a special meaning to chef Christopher Gross.
Christopher Gross’ duties will soon shift toward Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion — the James Beard Award-winning chef’s latest venture that is set to open this month. Photo Courtesy of Amaes Photography
Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion is a dramatic and aesthetically stunning restaurant constructed of glass surrounds and a retractable roof punctuated with design element ideas that chef Christopher Gross has collected over the past several years from some of his favorite restaurants around the world.
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The fully integrated style of Christopher’s offers a unique level of service rarely seen elsewhere. Reservations are taken exclusively through Tock and dinner is pre-paid via the app, allowing for more quality time to be spent at the restaurant. “Theoretically, you could walk out without handling a bill,” Gross says. “But if you said, ‘I want to choose a bottle of wine,’ then that’s the only service fee built-in on top of what you ordered. Basically, there’s no tipping — except for the service fee from anything you order on-site, and then that all goes to the team, right down to the dishwasher. Everyone working can take pride in everything they do.” Art is also incorporated into Christopher’s, including works by Rotraut Klein-Moquay. One special artistic touch comes via Cosanti — the world-famous maker of bells. Cosanti has designed custom domes for some of the food that will be served at the restaurant, adding an extra touch of distinction. On Monday and Tuesday nights, the restaurant transforms into a concept showcasing Gross’s classic and previously award-winning or TVfeatured dishes at a lesser price point. Reservations will also be made via Tock. “We’re trying to book all of your senses in the restaurant,” Gross says. “You’ll smell the wood-burning fire, you’ll see the stars and the historic mansion and you’ll be surrounded by art in a structure that architect Wendell Burnette built off my vision.” Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion 2501 E. Telawa Trail, Phoenix 602-955-4079 wrigleymansion.com/christophers
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As founders of Exploradora Coffee, Alison Anderson (pictured) and her daughter, Wade Johnson, decided to create a company and product that connects the people who drink it with the people — specifically women — who grow it and to those in need right here in the United States. Photo Courtesy of Ryan Cordwell
Writer Shannon Severson
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Coffee is more than just a hot, delicious drink to sip while wearing pajamas in the kitchen or while fashionably dressed at a Parisian sidewalk café. Coffee is connection. It brings together friends, family and even strangers. As founders of Exploradora Coffee, Alison Anderson and her daughter, Wade Johnson, decided to create a company and product that connects the people who drink it with the people — specifically women — who grow it and to those in need right here in the United States. “Even in tough times, people tend to hold onto small indulgences like coffee and now they are brewing more at home,” Anderson says. “Coffee fosters a sense of community and connection with family, co-workers and friends. In a time of polarization, we are drawn to it and place extra value on things we may have taken for granted before.” As the COVID-19 pandemic set in this past spring and Americans began to live life in a smaller sphere, Anderson felt a creative spark had been ignited and she began discussing it with her daughters. “We felt like, because coffee is primarily grown in countries that are male-dominated [and] there was no coffee brand with a singular focus on female coffee growers, there was an opportunity,” Anderson says. “Wade was on board right away. My other daughter, Hollis, a pre-med college student, stays pretty busy but still supports us with photography, editing, the website and social media.” Anderson and Johnson named their venture Exploradora Coffee after their beloved wire fox terrier, Scout. (Exploradora is the feminine version of the word scout in Spanish.) Though Anderson and Johnson have their own full-time jobs, the venture quickly became their passion project and has been brewing up a dedicated following in local businesses, on their website and at their kiosk at Roastery of Cave Creek. Johnson says that her mother’s idea for Exploradora Coffee stemmed from her desire to connect with people. They then began to brainstorm how they could use coffee to accomplish that.
“We knew we could create a successful company and we wanted to then share that opportunity,” says Johnson, who currently lives in North Carolina. “We want to share that privilege with other folks. We are fortunate to have resources and feel it is a responsibility to give back.” This is why Exploradora Coffee has partnered with nonprofit organization Springboard to Opportunities, donating $1 from every purchase to support economic development and to help provide resources for underserved communities here in the U.S.
PREMIUM PARTNERSHIPS YIELD PREMIUM PRODUCT
Coffee is ubiquitous, but it’s also a highly competitive industry. Americans enjoy their java to the tune of 2.7 cups per day, on average, amounting to 140 billion cups per year, according to The Motley Fool. With knowledge of the terrain and a heart for community and quality, Johnson and Anderson have found a previously untapped niche. Anderson’s husband, Dave, is the founder and owner of Roastery of Cave Creek. While it is a totally separate business, that connection provided an avenue for Exploradora Coffee to source small samples and to roast the beans. Partnering with the Roastery of Cave Creek kept all employees working through the COVID-19 pandemic and excited about a fresh, new challenge. Anderson says that Exploradora Coffee benefits from its amazing import partner — Sustainable Harvest out of Portland — and its lead sourcing agent, Monica Terveer. “She has been an incredible resource for what product is available from specialty women growers, has provided samples and ultimately helped us design our first product launch,” Anderson explains. “As a startup, piggybacking on Dave’s infrastructure has also been a great benefit and provided the backbone of our operation.” Exploradora works with women co-ops in Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Rwanda and presently offers six different coffees — Organic Guatemalan Bold Roast, Fair Trade, Organic Mexico Light Roast, Fair Trade,
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Photo Courtesy of Sustainable Harvest
An essential and permanent part of Exploradora Coffee is its charitable Blue Foot Fund. Having taken the lead to find just the right cause to support, Wade Johnson discovered nonprofit organization Springboard To Opportunities. i m a g e sofa rBev i z oGray n a . c o m january 2 02 1 Photo Courtesy
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Photo Courtesy of Sustainable Harvest
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Even in tough times, people tend to hold onto small indulgences like coffee and now they are brewing more at home. Coffee fosters a sense of community and connection with family, co-workers and friends. Alison Anderson
Organic Honduran Medium Roast, Fair Trade Rwandan Medium Roast, Around the World Blend Medium Roast and Blue Foot Decaf. The company is looking to add product from Peru, Colombia and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the future.
Tankless Water Heaters
“As a buyer, we pay a premium for these coffees,” Anderson says. “The specialty coffee market depends on this fair rate. Our per-pound rate is higher than is typical and that additional money goes back to the communities for things like water systems and schools. Our criteria for who we work with is that they use their expertise to support these farmers.”
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Coffee production is labor-intensive because the “cherries” on each bush ripen at different times. Women are better pickers because they are more precise. The beans then must be dried, milled and placed in burlap bags for shipping. At Exploradora Coffee’s Cave Creek facility, Anderson and her lead roaster, Keith Bohne, experiment with different roasting temperatures, the entire process plotted carefully on specialized computer software. “We roast in small batches and have cuppings to determine where the coffee shows up the best,” she explains. “We don’t want an underdone, grassy flavor or an over-roasted, burnt flavor.”
BREWING COFFEE, COMMUNITY AND GOODWILL
Locally, Exploradora is sold at La Grande Orange in Phoenix and Sweet Dee’s Bakery in Scottsdale. As consumers enjoy connecting over these perfectly roasted beans, they can feel good about the source and that a portion of the proceeds are going to financially empower women and families here in the U.S. An essential and permanent part of Exploradora Coffee is its charitable Blue Foot Fund, named for the rare blue-footed booby. The bird, which also serves as the brand’s logo, is only found in the Galapagos Islands and is symbolic of adventure and resilience. Having taken the lead to find just the right cause to support, Johnson discovered Springboard
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Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Marie Photography i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m january 2 02 1
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To Opportunities — a nonprofit organization that works with lowincome families and gives cash to African American mothers who need a helping hand to alleviate their own situations, start a business or go back to school. “They donate $1,000 per month per family for an entire year,” Johnson says. “This is a radically residentdriven program that truly empowers women and works with them to create programs that they decide will benefit their community the most. When we found them, we knew it was exactly what we wanted. And it is based in Mississippi, where my mom and I were born. It is a perfect fit.” With this feel-good combination of coffee, community and goodwill, Exploradora Coffee has created ready-to-gift packages that include an assortment of coffees and merchandise — like logo drink tumblers, totes and cozy socks adorned with the blue-footed booby — that can be sustainably wrapped in the style of Japanese Furoshiki. “Since we don’t get to shop in stores as much these days, having a proper unveiling is a fun and unique experience for people,” says Anderson, whose career is in the packaging industry. These packages can be customized for individual or corporate gifts and shipped anywhere in the country. It’s just another way that Exploradora Coffee uses its unique perspective to connect and delight consumers with a top-quality brew that makes a difference in the world. Exploradora Coffee 7003 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek 480-235-3407 exploradoracoffee.com
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Writer Joseph J. Airdo
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Writer Joseph J. Airdo | Photography by Steven Ebright
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Arizona transplants often balk at natives who bundle up with jackets, scarves and gloves this time of the year. It is the same sort of thing that happens when people who have lived in the Valley their entire lives express panic at even the lightest rainfall, rushing from their cars to store entrances with umbrellas overhead. One’s attire in the winter is a fairly good indication of where they are from. For those who have lived in other states that exhibit more traditional characteristics of the season, Arizona winters are mild. Phoenix and its surrounding communities rarely see snow and low temperatures tend to hover in the 40s. Nonetheless, cold is cold and everyone’s perception is perfectly valid. More importantly, our temperatures this time of the year are cherished when you take our state’s scorching summers into consideration — especially our most recent one. If you want to experience the more traditional characteristics of winter, there are plenty of
opportunities to do so in the northern parts of our state. Gilbert resident Steven Ebright especially enjoys the White Mountains and Mogollon Rim areas, where he captures on camera some of the most sublime snowy settings that you will ever see. A particularly prepossessing sight can be found in the forests, where icy streams flow betwixt snowy hillsides. Upon bravely dipping the tip of your toe into the water, you might wonder how such an ice-cold current continues to rush along without freezing. Regardless of where you are from, Arizona’s winters are aesthetic triumphs. They truly offer some of the most gorgeous sights imaginable, as evidenced by Ebright’s beautiful work featured in Images Arizona’s photo essay this month. As with all things, winter is but a temporary state. Soon, the snow will melt, the water will warm and our temperatures will increase — quite significantly, might I add — exchanging this beauty for another. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to appreciate it before it vanishes for yet another year.
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Arizona has so many opportunities outside of the desert Phoenix metro area to get out into nature. We as Arizonans are really blessed with a wide variety of different climates throughout the year. Steven Ebright
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I have a four-wheel-drive Jeep that I use a lot off-road to get to the places that I need to shoot. There are some dangers with that in the winter. One time, I was stuck for four hours in the snow. But that is just part of the process. Steven Ebright
Fall and winter are my favorite times to be out and winter is my favorite time to shoot. There is something special about being in the mountains and acquiring images in the snowy time — especially if it actually is snowing while I am shooting — that is really fulfilling. Steven Ebright
PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPLORATION Steven Ebright approaches his work as an artist differently than most Arizona photographers. “I am not interested in the desert scene as much as I am the smaller, more intimate images of the landscape where I am not getting a vast expanse all at once,” Ebright says. Having explored the world through photography for more than 20 years, Ebright usually has an idea of what he is looking for when he shoots — with preplanning and pre-visualization being important parts of his process. However, he admits that not everything may come to fruition. He is perfectly OK with that, though, as he knows that he is merely an observer. “For me, it has always been about photographic exploration,” he explains. “It is about continuing to develop the look and the eye that I have. That is something that I continue to think through even when I am not out as I prepare for the next trip.” Acknowledging that art is a critical lifestyle endeavor for each individual’s pursuit of creative speech, Ebright has developed his own working philosophy regarding the focus and use of his nature photography. “As someone who believes in and who follows the God described in the Bible, I want to illustrate His reality and truth as the Creator through my images of His creation,” Ebright says. My main goal is to credit God for the beauty of His creation — and I hope people will be drawn to that.” j anuary 2021
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ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER Twenty-five years ago, Steven Ebright purchased his first point-and-shoot camera out of a desire to photographically document his hiking trips. He was immediately drawn to the quest of image composition. As he developed his own style of seeing the Arizona landscape, Ebright — who was born in California but grew up in Mesa — moved up to an SLR camera and began to learn photography through trial and error and by reading books on the subject. “In those days, I was shooting Fujifilm Velia 50 slide film and several different black and white negative films,” the photographer says. “There was a certain nostalgia to my regiment of purchasing film and the subsequent processing at Tempe Camera. These were formative years that I will always remember with fondness.” Over the years, Ebright fine-tuned his technique and his vision. However, a key factor remained consistent as the photographer found places in the Arizona landscape to practice his craft — many of which have become cherished places that he returns to year after year. “I always look back at the year prior to see the dates I was at a place to anticipate that, hopefully, the weather is going to be similar,” he explains. “It is usually very close in terms of storms that come in so I can hit the places I was at the year prior and see what new images I can get from those same locations.” Today, Ebright lives in Gilbert with his wife and son. When he is not working at a small construction company, he is enjoying hobbies like woodworking, electronics and mountain biking. However, photography remains the main thrust of his artistic expression. 500px.com/stevenebrightphotography
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Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Rob Mains Photography
The only thing about which North Scottdale resident Alpio Barbara is more passionate than cars is community. That is why more than three years ago he began organizing Cars and Coffee at Pinnacle Peak — a monthly event that not only brings the community together to appreciate automotive excellence but also raises money for a very important cause. “It started as just a bunch of car guys who got together and wanted to do something on a Saturday morning for a couple of hours,” Barbara says. Now, for three hours on the second Saturday of each month, Barbara hosts the event which has become about so much more as it is a vehicle for humanitarianism — making a much-needed difference in the lives of children. Barbara owns and operates Alpio’s at Troon — a unique event venue that has been used for weddings, birthday parties, club meetings and parties, business and association socials, bachelorette parties, holiday parties and more.
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The success of this event shows me that there are a lot of people out there in our community who really care. They have the same passion that I have. Alpio Barbara
About five years ago, Barbara bought a building in the Villages at Pinnacle Peak shopping center and designed it to resemble a classic 1950s diner with the intention of using it to store and display his incredible collection of cars and motorcycles. The venue also features several life-size mannequins of the era’s celebrities — such as Marilyn Monroe and members of the Rat Pack — as well as vintage gas pumps, large-scale models of military aircraft and neon signs. People from clubs and organizations heard about the unique setting and approached Barbara about renting it for themed events. A double mezzanine level provides lounge seating and a pool table as well as video and pinball games. Barbara offers to handle catering or the renter can provide their own. Barbara is also a member of the North Scottsdale Coffee Group, a handful of car enthusiasts who get together at AJ’s Fine Foods twice a week to “shoot the breeze” and enjoy some java. During one such gathering, Barbara proposed starting a monthly automotive event at his venue. He knew that between the six or eight of them, they would be able to get at least 20 cars together for such an event. The North Scottsdale Coffee Group put Barbara’s idea into action in November 2017 with the intention of simply giving the car enthusiast community a place to mix and mingle. Of course, some refreshments were needed and Platinum Companies, Inc. — a custom home builder, luxury home renovation
company and commercial and residential property maintenance company — graciously offered to provide complimentary coffee during the event. Meanwhile, Kimberly Adams of Remy Grey Insurance offered to supply complimentary doughnut holes. When one attendee offered Sue Pille — Platinum Companies’ director of property maintenance — a $2 tip, she assured him that it was not necessary. He left it anyway, prompting Barbara to make a tip jar a permanent fixture at the event with all proceeds going to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation via Golf-Fore-Charity, which Platinum Companies had supported for several years. Barbara also offered to match all funds. “At that first event, we raised $64,” Barbara says. “I matched that so it turned into $128. The first year, we raised $7,777. Last year, we did $40,000.” During the Dec. 12 Cars and Coffee at Pinnacle Peak event, Barbara and Pille presented the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation with a check in excess of $53,000 for 2020 — a remarkable figure considering the year’s unique obstacles. Matching donations has become the norm for Cars and Coffee at Pinnacle Peak, with real estate agent Mike Dobbins, Cactus Tint and Bob Smith with Burger King being just a few of the community members who have done so in the past.
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“We have a lot of community people who help us sponsor this event,” Barbara says. “There are a lot of moving parts. We are all doing it together. I just happen to have the location.” Other notable individuals who have contributed to the success of Cars and Coffee at Pinnacle Peak’s charitable efforts include two gentlemen who donated a bunch of memorabilia and car parts to the cause. Last March, Barbara organized a breakfast auction of the items and raised $28,413. In October, racecar driver and entrepreneur Kevin Buckler helped to host an auction of his Adobe Road wines from which $7,500 was raised. Speed painter Katie Von Kral donated a pair of paintings — one of Buckler’s racecar and one of late actor Steve McQueen — to be auctioned off. Paul Phillips of Toy Barn Storage bought the Steve McQueen painting and donated it back to Barbara so that he could auction it off again next year. Barbara had begun organizing a formal dinner auction for the third Thursday in March but those plans are currently on hold, awaiting an update on the health and safety restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Pille notes that Barbara’s charity extends far beyond Cars and Coffee at Pinnacle Peak. He also organizes car rides via North Scottsdale Coffee Group throughout the year. “Everyone puts in $20 and eight or 10 cars go on a road trip for the day, eat lunch and come back,” Pille explains. “All of that money goes to the Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation fund. Alpio has got a big heart. He has a passion for kids, cars and the community.” She adds that the growth of Cars and Coffee at Pinnacle Peak over the past three years has been truly tremendous. “There are a lot of car enthusiasts in Scottsdale,” Pille says. “It is huge. There were more than 185 participants at the November [2020] event.” Barbara encourages people to continue to come out to Cars and Coffee at Pinnacle Peak 7–10 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month to support the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation. He is also seeking more sponsors to match funds. “The success of this event shows me that there are a lot of people out there in our community who really care,” Barbara says. “They have the same passion that I have. We are so privileged. We are out driving around in our nice cars and these poor children need our help. We are fortunate that we are able to do this kind of stuff while helping them.”
EXPERIENCE
alpiosattroon.com
Cars and Coffee at Pinnacle Peak i mSaturday agesarizon c o m Month january 2 02 a.m. 1 ofa .Each | 7–10 | Alpio’s at Troon | 10452 E. Jomax Road, Scottsdale | Free | 650-955-4653 | alpiosattroon.com 44Second
Roasted Lemon Crinkle Cookies Roasting lemons beforehand gives these cookies a great depth of flavor. Rolling the dough in sugar before powdered sugar helps to create the “crinkle” effect. Prep time: 20 minutes Rest time: 2 hours Cook time: 12 minutes
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 tablespoon honey 2 lemons 2 cups flour 2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon zest 1 teaspoon lemon extract Yellow gel food coloring (optional) 10 tablespoons butter (room temperature) Powdered sugar and sugar (for rolling)
Directions: Zest lemons and set zest aside. Cut lemons in half, removing all seeds. In a skillet, heat olive oil and honey until bubbling. Place lemons, face-down, in skillet and let roast for 2–3 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a mixer with a paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, scraping down the bowl after each one. Juice roasted lemons. Then add the juice, zest and food coloring (if desired) to the bowl, mixing just until blended. With mixer on low, add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours. (This prevents the dough from being too sticky when rolling.) When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment.
Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly
kyndraclaire.com
Pour 1/2–1 cup of powdered sugar into a bowl or plate and 1/2–1 cup of sugar into a separate bowl or plate. Using a 1-3/4-inch cookie scoop, begin to scoop out dough and roll into a ball. Roll each ball in sugar then roll again in powdered sugar. Place on baking sheet, leaving room for spreading. Bake for 10–13 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on a cooling rack before serving. j anuary 2021
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Salmon Cakes and Greens This light, healthy dinner leaves you feeling full and satisfied. Plus, it is a great way to use up any canned salmon that you may have in your pantry. Makes: 8 cakes Serves: 4–6
Ingredients: 2 7-ounce cans wild-caught salmon 1/2 cup sweet potato (cooked and mashed) 3 strips bacon (cooked and crumbled) 2 tablespoon finely minced green onion 1/2 teaspoon dried or fresh dill 1⁄4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne (depending on preference) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon dijon mustard 2 tablespoon almond flour 1/4 cup chopped cilantro or parsley 1 egg (lightly beaten) 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs (regular or gluten-free)
Directions: Drain the salmon and discard any bones/skin. Crumble into a medium bowl. Add to the bowl the sweet potato, bacon, green onion, dill, cayenne, salt, pepper, lemon juice, dijon mustard, almond flour and cilantro/parsley. Mix lightly then add beaten egg and mix again, until incorporated. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a 1–2 tablespoons of butter, olive oil or ghee. Spead bread crumbs onto a plate. Using a large cookie scoop (about 1/4 cup), shape mixture into patties and coat both sides in the bread crumbs. Place a few patties into prepared skillet/griddle and fry on both sides until lightly golden. Repeat until all are done, adding more oil to pan as necessary. Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly
kyndraclaire.com
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Serve over lightly dressed greens, or on their own.
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David Van Omen Associate Broker, Senior Partner David@BVOLuxury.com
(480) 999-5460 | www.BVOLuxury.com