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FEB/MAR '15

FEATURES

36

43

ISABELLA (BELLA) HIBBS

CUTEST PET CONTEST

From casting talent for entertainment projects to volunteering, there’s never a dull moment in her life

Enter East Valley Magazine’s Second Annual Cutest Pet Contest

BUZZ /

20 EVENTS

14 BARRETT-JACKSON

60 SUDOKU

16

EART & SOUL H LUNCHEON

61

18

ENTERTAINMENT

62 BACKSTORY

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FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015 EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

CROSSWORD

ANSWERS ON PAGE 60!


Tribute to Orson Welles

John Waters

Ed Asner

Chris Lemmon

Tab Hunter

Larry Dunn

The BEST independent films from around the world! February 21 - March 1, 2015

www.SedonaFilmFestival.org

928.282.1177

EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015

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FRESH /

BETTER /

22 ART

44 BODY

Local artist Fred Tieken

24 SKIES

A glimpse of the goddess Venus

Get on the bandwagon

46 STYLE

A subscription box concept filled with local gems

25 READS

New and noteworthy

48 BEAUTY

Facing the winter enemy

26 FUN

A trip that gives back

27 CULTURE

50 GOLF

Amp up your game with this tip

Artistry and wine combine

28 WEATHER

52 WHEELS

30 FACES

54 RELATIONSHIPS

How to keep your outdoor plants alive

Paralympic aspiration and personal inspiration

HOME /

2015 Lincoln MKC

Matters of the home and hearth

55 GEMS

15 tips for Valentine’s Day gift giving

32 CRAFTS

Art projects to show you care

34 CELEBRATIONS

Romance, with a touch of fitness

40 HISTORY

TASTE / 56 COOK

Dancing and cooking make a delightful mix

Harvey Houses

58 CHEFS 42 PETS

How to help your pet slim down

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FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015 EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

EV Chefs compete in a creative culinary challenge


EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015

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> BUZZ/OUTTAKES

WHAT

44TH ANNUAL BARRETTJACKSON SCOTTSDALE AUCTION WHERE

WestWorld 16601 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale

SEEN

A 1966 Shelby Cobra Super Snake and a Pontiac Bonneville Special Concept Car

HIGHLIGHT

A 1999 No. 24 Pepsi Chevrolet driven by Jeff Gordon auctioned off for $500,000, with all proceeds going to benefit the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation —Photos by Scott E. Whitney Photography

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EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015

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> BUZZ /OUTTAKES WHAT

6 ANNUAL HEART & SOUL LUNCHEON AND FUNDRAISER TH

WHERE

Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain 5700 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley

HONORED

Michelle King Robson received the Missy Anderson Award for Philanthropist with the Biggest Heart. The Soulful Heart Award was presented to SRP

SEEN

Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Tara Hitchcock

BENEFITING

Soul Sanctuary in the Desert —Photos by Ron Nachtwey

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FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015 EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM


EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015

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> BUZZ /ENTERTAINMENT

By Sara Goodwin

MOVIES/

TV SHOWS/

Feb.

Mar.

50 Shades of Grey

13

E. L. James’s best-selling erotic romantic novel becomes a real fantasy in its highly anticipated film version. The first book of the trilogy portrays Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) and Anastasia Steele’s (Dakota Johnson) budding “companionship.” After a chance interview with Grey for Steele’s college newspaper, the pair begins their stormy sexual affair. The book is filled with BDSM acts, so it will be interesting to see how the film documents them.

18

Mar.

Feb.

Mar.

Mar.

Cinderella

Insurgent The second film in the Divergent trilogy finds Tris (Shailene Woodley), Four (Theo James), and their companions searching for others who are willing to join their fight against Jeanine Matthews (Kate Winslet). They find the most help among the factionless, where Four also discovers that his mother (Naomi Watts), who was thought to be dead, is alive. These insurgents think of a way to break into Erudite headquarters where Jeanine is hiding something. Will they finally destroy or uncover what Jeanine has so desperately tried to protect?

The Following Fox

Broadchurch BBC America

The time-honored fairy tale follows in the footsteps of films like Snow White and the Huntsman and Maleficent, giving the 300-year-old story a modern take. As usual, the evil stepmother (Cate Blanchett) forbids Cinderella (Lily James) from attending the prince’s ball. Upon the arrival of Cinderella’s fairy godmother (Helena Bonham Carter), in the opposite direction. After dancing with Prince Charming (Richard Madden) all night, Cinderella must leave before midnight. With such a traditional story, what new twists can be brought to this old tale?

Better Call Saul AMC The hit series Breaking Bad may have ended, but fans have something to look forward to in its spin-off show, Better Call Saul, featuring Walter White’s (Bryan Cranston) shady lawyer, Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk). Set in 2002, the show follows Goodman years before he ever meets White. Producers have already renewed the show for a second season, so there is definitely a high standard for the show to live up to.

After jailing infamous serial killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) for a third time, you’d think all would be well. But of course, it can’t be. According to the season three preview, one of the opening scenes features a wedding that starts out peaceful until it appears that someone is lunging at the only person ever able to catch Carroll: Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon). Last season ended on a calm note, so what will happen now?

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8

2

4

Season one of this British crime drama begins with the murder of an 11-yearold boy in the UK. His death tears apart not only his family but also the entire town as detectives Alec Hardy (David Tennant) and Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) investigate the crime. The upcoming season focuses on how the town rebuilds itself, but producers have released little other information.


BURGERS

CONCERTS/ Feb.

4

Mar.

7

Legends in Concert Talking Stick Resort

The BoDeans Talking Stick Resort

Nearly 32 years ago, the Legends in Concert series put on its first show, and now the tradition continues. Come listen to tributes to Tina Turner, featuring Cookie Watson; Barbara Streisand, featuring Sharon Owens; Johnny Cash, featuring Paul Eve; and Michael Bublé, featuring Scott Keo. With a mix of different musical genres and a variety of dates, there should be something for everyone to enjoy.

Kurt Neumann and Sam Llanas founded this group in 1983, and by 1987, a Rolling Stone reader poll voted it the best new American band. After starting out with a Heartland rock sound, they eventually moved over to alternative rock. The band is set to release its newest album, I Can’t Stop, on April 7. Perhaps you’ll hear some of its new songs at the concert.

EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015 19 ZIN_EastValleyMag_HalfPg_3.75x9.75_Ad.indd 1 1/14/15 12:48 PM


> BUZZ /EVENTS

FEBRUARY

8 It’s been an annual tradition for 15 years: Salt River Brass is performing Braggin’ in Brass in a Big Band Era show you won’t want to miss! Ikeda Theater, Mesa Arts Center, One East Main St., Mesa. mesaartscenter.com

14–21 Belly back up to the bar for the

fourth annual Arizona Cocktail Week featuring a statewide salute to cocktails and cocktail culture. Highlighted by the allday, all-night Cocktail Carnival at the Hotel Valley Ho on Feb. 14, this poolside shindig will showcase cocktail tastings, vendor booths, and more. arizonacocktailweek.com

14–15 You’ve got to check out the

inaugural Gilbert Outdoors Expo at the Riparian Preserve! Learn new skills and check out the latest and greatest in your favorite activities including fishing, camping, hiking, and hunting. Riparian Preserve, 2757 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert. gilbertaz.gov

17– You’ll have the time of your life 22 when you see the classic story

Dirty Dancing on stage. ASU Gammage,1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe. asugammage.com

19 If the rain in Spain is your thing, through you won’t want to miss this April 4 show! Come see Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle sing and dance in My Fair Lady. The musical runs through April 4, but tickets are selling quickly! Hale Centre Theatre, 50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert. haletheatrearizona.com

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FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015 EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

Compiled by Anissa Stringer

20 The Phoenix Boys Choir appears at the Desert Botanical Garden. Check out other notable lineups by visiting their website. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix. dbg.org

21 Spend your Saturday in Gilbert’s Historic District during the Gilbert Art Walk (it runs the first and third Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from October to March). The Gilbert Farmers Market runs at the same time, so make a day of it. Water Tower Plaza, 45 W. Page Ave., Gilbert. gilbertaz.gov

21 The 21st annual Sedona through International Film Festival March 1 will feature 160 documentaries, features, shorts, Academy Award nominees, and specialty films over nine days with a special tribute celebrating the 100th birthday of director and actor Orson Welles. sedonafilmfestival.org

28 Enjoy a three-course meal and an incredible interactive show at Murder at the Masquerade! Check the website for more show dates. The Old Spaghetti Factory, 3155 W. Chandler Blvd., Ste. 9, Chandler. grimprov.com/osf-chandler

28 Nonprofit organization A New

Leaf presents Havana Nights, an evening of Cuban-inspired cocktail attire and the tropical sights, sounds, and cuisine of Havana as the organization celebrates its 31st annual Camaraderie Gala. Tickets $250 each. Firesky Resort and Spa, 4925 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale. To order tickets, call (480) 464-4648.


13–15 The Amazing Arizona Comic

MARCH 1 Support the Phoenix Zoo at

Party Safari. It’s your chance to enjoy animal encounters, sample food, listen to live music, and so much more. Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix. phoenixzoo.org

7 Let the Dog Whisperer help you build a better relationship with your pooch. Cesar Millan Live might be just what you need to turn things around if your dog walks you instead of the other way around! Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. chandlercenter.org

Con is here! Meet your favorite celebrities and characters. Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third St., Phoenix. amazingarizonacomiccon.com

14 Take part in the St. Patrick’s

Day Parade and Fair. The parade starts at 3rd and Sheridan streets and heads south to 3rd and Moreland streets. The fair takes place at Margaret Hance Park, adjacent to the Irish Cultural Center at 1106 N. Central Ave., and features three stages of Irish music, dancers, kids area, food, crafters and an exhibition at the McClelland Irish Library. Fair admission is $10 for adults, 13 and older, $8 for seniors and military and free for children. phxirish.org

7 The Chandler Symphony

Orchestra invites you to a free performance of musicians from across the Valley. Seating is first-come only. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. chandlercenter.org

11 Best-selling author J.A. Jance will talk about her work and sign books at the Tempe Public Library. Tempe Public Library, Rooms A & B, 3500 South Rural Rd., Tempe. tempe.gov

13–15 Food, music, vendors, and, of course, ostrich races are all a part of the 27th Annual Ostrich Festival. Don’t forget to visit your local Fry’s Grocery to buy tickets at a discount. The Festival runs through the 15th. Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Rd., Chandler. ostrichfestival.com

Interested in advertising? Call (623) 299-4959 Ext. 700 Today!

18– Celebrate your creativity at 22 Spark!, Mesa’s Festival of

Creativity. Come for the music, food, workshops, and more. Check the website for event hours. Mesa Arts Center, One East Main St., Mesa. mesaartscenter.com

21 he Italian Festival returns T & 22 to Scottsdale’s SouthBridge. Hosted by the Italian Association of Arizona, the event is open to the public and will feature Italian music, wine tastings, bites from 10 local Italian bistros, cooking demonstrations, and handcrafted items from vendors. $10. Children under 12, Veterans, and Italian Association members free. SouthBridge in Old Town Scottsdale. italianassociation.org

EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY || MARCH MARCH 2015 2015

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> FRESH/ART

Fred Tieken

Local artist bursts on the scene—and so do his paintings. Local artist Fred Tieken creates electric artworks that examine a variety of issues and passions important to the artist. His paintings are a burst of color, figures, and words overlapping one another, guiding the viewer through the paintings and highlighting personal subjects and experiences. At first glance, Tieken’s artwork is reminiscent of Basquiat with his love of color, bold lines, text, and layering of imagery. Tieken is a dynamic artist who has a unique painterly and expressionistic style that utilizes irony and wit to create an exceptional body of work. Recent paintings like The Collector, Hang Two, Fishing for Compliments, and Head Shop are filled with raw, emotional imagery that somehow bespeaks a genuine intimacy between his subjects and connects with his audience. He’s been exhibiting his artwork for only a few years, but he has acquired quite a resumé. Tieken recently branched out to California and maintains studios in both Arizona and California. He’s presently fresh off his exhilarating exhibition with Perihelion Arts at Aqua Art Miami and back in his studio busily preparing for several upcoming exhibitions. He’ll be taking over downtown beginning with a solo exhibition in Shade Gallery at the monOrchid in February 2015, followed up by a solo exhibition in March 2015 at Willo North Gallery. He’ll make his New York debut in the heart of the Chelsea at the Agora Gallery in May 2015. Tieken has recently self-published a 96-page book, Selected Works by Fred Tieken, that’s currently available at local bookstore Changing Hands. For information about Fred Tieken, visit fredtieken.com.

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FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015 EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

By Nicole Royse

Nicole Royse is an artist and the curator at The Willo North Gallery and also curates Shade Projects at the monOrchild gallery. To see her work, visit nicoleroyse.com.

IT’S A GREAT TIME TO EXPLORE THE LOCAL ARTS! Head to the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, which will kick off their new season on Feb. 13 with a fantastic public reception from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The museum is featuring several engaging exhibitions including Insectographia: Drawing in Enamel, the biologically inspired enamels of Virginia artist Charity Hall, on view through March 1. Meanwhile, Beaded, Not Broken, the artwork of Minnesota artist Brenda Brousseau, who uses beads to convey her journey of spiritual growth and healing inspired by traditional Native American beadwork, is on view Feb. 13 until April 12, and the 36th Annual National Juried Contemporary Crafts Exhibition runs Feb. 13 until April 5. For more information, visit mesaartscenter.com.



> FRESH/SKIES

By Steve Kates

Hot and Heavy Look to the February and March skies for a glimpse of the goddess! With 2015 well underway, it’s time to look to our Arizona skies for some amazing sights. The month of February is that special time, when our thoughts turn to romance and images of love! Look no farther than the southwest sky, as the true goddess of love and beauty, Venus, is now visible just after sunset! Venus puts on a great show for us in the evening sky for most of 2015 as she begins a long trek around the sun and will soon be seen by millions of people worldwide. To the ancients, Venus was known by many different names, and few had the knowledge to know that what they saw in the morning and evening skies was one and the same object. In Greek mythology, the evening star is simply known as Hesperus, and the morning star was called as Phosphorus. Hesperus was the son of the dawn goddess Eos, and Phosphorus’s father was the star god Astraios. The first use of the terms evening star and morning star goes back to the German philosopher Gottlob Frege, who started to use these terms in the late 1800s. Venus is the second planet from the sun and is named after the great Roman goddess of love and beauty. She was Aphrodite to the Greeks. With all her magical charm, the planet Venus is anything but charming. Venus is a hostile planet for life as we know it to survive. The surface of the planet is well over 900 degrees Fahrenheit and has a surface pressure over 92 times that of Earth. Venus shines bright in our Arizona skies because the planet is covered in clouds and they reflect back into space most of the light that strikes it. Venus is the ultimate greenhouse! The moon starts its journey in our February skies as it reaches its full phase on Feb. 3—the Full Snow Moon. The moon moves on to last quarter on the 15th and then on to new on Feb. 18. The cycle begins once again as the moon waxes and returns to first quarter on the 25th.

A great photo opportunity takes place on the evening of Feb. 20 as Venus, Mars, and the thin crescent moon form a tight group in the southwest sky right after sunset. As mentioned above, you can see Venus low in the southwest sky after sunset. Venus is easy to see, as she’s a bright, white ball of blazing light. With twilight turning to darkness, get set for the next amazing planet to appear. Jupiter, the giant planet of the solar system, comes to opposition in early February. He’ll rise at sunset in the constellation of Cancer on Feb. 6. At this opposition, Jupiter will be some 400 million miles away from us and shine at magnitude 2.6, which is very bright indeed. Jupiter will glow in our evening sky until he reaches conjunction with the sun on Aug. 26. During 2015, we get some great conjunctions of Jupiter and other planets. Venus and Jupiter will form a very tight conjunction in the evening sky on the night of July 1 and before dawn on Oct. 26. Our March skies also have some great objects to see. Venus continues her march above the western horizon after sunset. Jupiter remains the bright planet of the post-twilight sky and now offers up some great viewing in a small telescope. You will get to see the basic moons of Jupiter in a small telescope. Ganymede is the largest of the moons of Jupiter and is bigger than the planet Mercury. Jupiter is well over 88,000 miles in diameter and some 45 light minutes away. The moon shows its face in March in many different configurations. Look for the Full Sap Moon on March 5, followed by the lastquarter moon on March 13. Then we move on to the darkest time of the month, a good time to view faint star clusters and galaxies as we reach new moon on March 20 with the arrival of the vernal equinox and a firstquarter moon on March 27 as the moon again waxes!

DID YOU KNOW? VENUS

Venus is the s e c o n d planet from the sun.

Venus has a day longer than its year! Venus takes

243 Earth days to rotate and takes

225 Earth days to orbit the sun!

Venus rotates

backward on its axis.

Venus has no known moons.

2015 will be a great year for as the New Horizons spacecraft will reach in July!

Pluto

A radio and television personality, Steve Kates (aka Dr. Sky®) has been engaged in the science of astronomy for over 30 years. Tune in to the Dr. Sky Show on News Talk 92.3 FM, KTAR, on Saturday mornings at 3 a.m. for the full sky tour, or visit drsky.com. 24

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015 EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

<

planetary exploration,


<

> FRESH/READS

By Julie Carlson

3

MORE BOOKS TO TRY Feed By Mira Grant

ONE KICK By Chelsea Cain

RED RISING By Pierce Brown

Known for her serial killer thrillers, New York Times bestselling author Chelsea Cain has a new series and heroine for her fans. It’s the first book featuring Kick Lannigan, who was abducted as a little girl before being rescued by the FBI. In the following years, Kick deals with a variety of issues, including PTSD. During her abduction, she was trained by her captors to fight, handle various weapons, and master other skills she wouldn’t have learned in kindergarten. She uses this to her advantage, especially when she’s hired by an ex-cop to locate missing children. Kick isn’t sure she wants to take on something like that, as it brings up issues from her past. Of course, she ends up on the case. Kick is strong and fearless, and you definitely don’t want to get on her bad—err, dangerous side. One Kick is filled with heart-pounding moments and fraught with tension. It also features some emotionally draining flashbacks of Kick’s life with her captors. Definitely add One Kick to your list!

There’re plenty of dystopian stories on bookshelves. This genre is trending, which is awesome for fans! Many of these books are set in a futuristic version of Earth. Red Rising is set on Mars and gives a new meaning to the term Martians. The Earth is dying, and humans have begun to settle Mars. Mars isn’t the greatest place to live. People are split into different groups—the Reds and the Golds. The Reds are slaves to the Golds. When a group asks Darrow, a miner in the Red group, to infiltrate the Golds, he steps up to the plate. But soon, Darrow finds that the elite command school he’s now enrolled in is brewing for war. Red Rising is gritty, unique, and set in a highly imaginative world. Darrow is a captivating voice and is surrounded by a world familiar and yet unfamiliar to humankind and history. There’re tons of unique gadgets and lingo. If you like books like The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner, then Red Rising is for you.

THE BONE CLOCKS By David Mitchell The Bone Clocks is a novel from the author of the celebrated Cloud Atlas. It blends fantasy with reality and spans different continents and multiple storylines. It involves 15-year old Holly Sykes from England, who runs away from home after her heart is broken. She also wants to get away from her overbearing parents and just be on her own, but little does she know what that means at such a young age. Her excursion into the English countryside gives her more adventure than she ever imagined. The Bone Clocks is told in various stages of Holly’s life starting in the ’80s and on to the distant future, and the protagonist learns throughout how running away has affected everyone in her life. Holly’s voice is clear and distinct, with a rich English flavor that pops. Though The Bone Clocks might not be for everyone, it’s the kind of novel that stays long with you after you turn the final page.

There may be zombies in it, but Feed goes beyond gore to explore the right to information and free speech, the role of journalists, and the political and personal price of a widespreading disease.

How We Decide By Jonah Lehrer What goes on inside our minds to help us make decisions? Author Jonah Lehrer tackles the subject in an entrancing read that explores how the human mind can make better choices in all aspects of our lives.

Yes Please By Amy Poehler Known for her effortless humor and spot-on delivery, Amy Poehler brings it with her latest book, Yes Please. It’s like hanging out with your funniest girlfriend times four.

EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015

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> FRESH/FUN

By Anissa Stringer

Hard Labor

LOCATION:

Writer Anissa Stringer experiences a trip that gives back.

This year’s mission location to be announced.

The idea of going on a mission trip can be intimidating. You know that you’re doing a lot of good, but you’re surrounded by people who speak a different language and presented with food you aren’t used to, and let’s not forget about the hard work. Most mission trips require some serious hard labor! But when my daughter wanted to participate in one that Mountain View Lutheran Church in Ahwatukee hosted in partnership with Amor Ministries, I promised her I’d go, too. Mission San Carlos benefits the San Carlos Apache Nation located near Globe, so the drive was only about an hour and a half long. As our group’s van pulled into the campsite, though, I wondered what the heck I’d gotten myself into. The ground was bare, there were no showers, and the toilets consisted of a row of Porta Pottys. It took everyone (there were nearly 60 of us) to get camp set up, but we managed to do it before dark. “Okay,” I thought. “I can handle this.” The first morning began early. Blearyeyed teenagers tripped out of their tents while the adults and a few of the teens helped set up breakfast and a lunch-making station. Within a few hours, everyone was dressed and fed, lunches were packed, and we were off to our sites. Each vanload of people worked on a different house. One was ready for painting, but most of the others, including the one we were involved with, required stuccoing. We learned to mix it, slap it on the walls, smooth it out, and wipe it down. Those who had been on the trip before gave the newbies tips—it was an amazing thing to see so many kids stepping into leadership roles to help those of us who were clueless or just a little hesitant. By the end of the first day, we were all

CONTACT INFO:

experts at stuccoing, but we were also covered with it and were hungry and tired, too. We’d been advised to pack solar showers for the trip, but I had my doubts. I mean, just how clean can you get with a couple of gallons of lukewarm water? The answer, it turns out, is: pretty darn clean! The water was scalding hot and went much further than you’d expect. There was plenty of food to help us refuel, too—snacks when we returned to camp and then dinner soon thereafter. We met in small groups and also in a larger one where we shared highs and lows for the day. My high? Discovering the joy of taking a solar shower! Each subsequent day was a repeat of Day One except that we were all more tired and sore—so sore! The trip was a study in manual labor, but it wasn’t all work—we went to a nearby park for a cookout one evening and stopped for snow cones another day. The kids often spent the evenings playing spoons, and on the last night, most of them stayed up until dawn, which was especially nice for the adults since it meant that we had a very quiet ride home. (In our van, every last teenager fell asleep!) One of the highlights of the trip was getting to meet people who received homes from Amor. One family served us Apache tacos for dinner while they told us how receiving their home had changed their lives. Mountain View is in the process of selecting the location for this year’s mission trip, and my daughter can’t wait! If I can get the time off from work, you’ll see me there, too! I hope you’ll join us—the work is hard, but it’s well worth it! Do you have a fun or unique activity in the East Valley that you’d like to see featured here? Email me at astringer@cox.net and tell me about it!

HELPING TO BUILD LIVES

Local pastors find and evaluate potential recipients of Amor homes, but Amor Ministries does much more than build houses! Amor also provides families with food, water filters, clothing and blankets, school supplies, and Christmas presents. You can learn more by visiting amore.org. Read their blog to learn more about the happenings at specific sites. 26

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015 EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

Pastor Ambright Leland at Mountain View Lutheran Church (larmbright@mvluthern.org). COST: The cost will vary depending on the location. In the past, the cost was $350 per person with a cap of $1,000 per family. ACTIVITY LEVEL: Extreme—you’ll be lifting, shoveling, climbing ladders, and more. SUITABLE FOR: Ninth-graders may attend without parents. Younger children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults without children are welcome as well. WHAT TO WEAR/ BRING: You’ll get a packing list at the first meeting, but you’ll bring your own basic camping gear. You’ll probably be able to borrow the items you don’t already own. THE LEAST YOU SHOULD KNOW: The next mission trip is scheduled for May 24 to 29. Even though the trip is only five days long, you may experience a bit of disorientation when you step back into to your own comfortable home again!

Anissa Stringer is an aspiring fiction writer from the East Valley and especially enjoys writing for young-adult audiences.


> FRESH/CULTURE

By Julie Carlson

Julie Carlson is a local freelance writer and an aspiring screenwriter.

GET THE PAINTING PARTY STARTED

Paint & Sip

Writer Julie Carlson on a hot new trend that combines artistry and wine. Are you tired of doing the same old thing on date night or girls’ night out? Maybe you’ve been wanting to put a different twist on an upcoming birthday party, a wedding anniversary, or a bachelorette party. If so, then a paint-and-sip outing may be just what you were looking for. The paint-and-sip concept has been in existence for about 10 years, and it’s recently become popular in the Valley. Now, a handful of art studios offer adults over 21 the experience of a group painting class

complete with step-by-step instruction on how to create a masterpiece, all while enjoying a glass of vino. “Paint-and-sip studios are becoming popular because it’s a great platform for a night out,” says Samantha BordelonKarim, director of fun for Pinot’s Palette in Paradise Valley. “You can socialize with your friends while doing an activity, all while enjoying your beverage of choice, whether alcoholic or not. Painting is one of those activities that people may be intimated by, so if they need a little liquid courage to encourage them, it’s a great introduction to art.” Bordelon-Karim says that Pinot’s Palette takes pride in hiring local artists as employees. “They should be able to not only paint and instruct well but be an entertainer,” she says. “Art can be thought of as boring, so the last thing you need is barebones instruction.” People of all artistic levels will feel comfortable at a paint-and-sip studio, including expert painters who just come for the experience alone. This is mainly because it’s not

Pinot’s Palette

10625 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite D142 Phoenix pinotspalette.com

The Brush Bar

4165 N. Craftsman Court Scottsdale thebrushbar.com

Painting with a Twist

219 E. Baseline, Ste. H3 Tempe paintingwithatwist.com

Party with Paint

4444 E. University Dr., #109 Mesa partywithpaint.com

an art class—you don’t have to worry that you’ll make a mistake or look as if you can’t even draw a stick figure because everyone is there to have an enjoyable evening out and walk away with a painting they created. If you’d like to bring the younger set, various paint-and-sip studios also offer days for kids, families, and seniors. Typically, these events include the 16 x 20 canvas, aprons, acrylic paints, easel, and brushes in the base price. Alcohol is usually sold separately unless the studio offers a BYOB option. So, grab a group of friends or come alone, and take part in an awesome experience—you'll never think of painting the same way again! EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015

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> FRESH/FACES

By Anissa Stringer

Rodie uses his story of perseverance to inspire, motivate, uplift, and empower others. Find out how you can help sponsor his mission by visiting jasonrodie.org.

Paralympic Aspiration and Personal Inspiration Afflicted with cerebral palsy, Gilbert’s Jason Rodie refuses to let his condition hold him back. We all face challenges in our lives, and Jason Rodie of Gilbert has had more than his fair share. After being dropped on his head as a newborn, Rodie developed cerebral palsy. He’s had skin cancer, issues with his liver, and at one point was even told he had just three months to live. As difficult as those times were, Rodie says that the most challenging point in his life was during his early teen years when so many things felt out of reach and nothing seemed to be going right. He wanted to play basketball, was starting to become interested in girls, and often got beaten up for being different. But he persevered. At first, rather than feel sorry for himself, Rodie got mad. His prevailing thought was often “I’m gonna show them!” He grew up

telling himself “I can do that. I will do that!” but it wasn’t until he had another series of health scares that he realized that there was a purpose behind the difficulties he’d lived through and that he was alive for a reason. That purpose? “To use my cerebral palsy to show that you can overcome anything,” he says. In fact, one of the defining moments of Rodie’s life was when he met a kid at physical therapy who was using a walker for cerebral palsy in his legs. Rodie talked to him for a bit but didn’t think much more about it after his session was over. A few weeks later, he learned that the boy had begun to make huge strides in therapy since Rodie had talked to him and had progressed to the point of using a cane instead of a walker. “I realized then that I could be motivational and

“I have to practice being positive. It’s a practice—every day.” —JASON RODIE

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inspirational for others,” Rodie says. This realization led him to found the J. Rodie Hope Alliance, which aims to educate the public about cerebral palsy. One way that the foundation does this is through Rodie’s motivational speaking engagements at schools—something he’d like to do more often. One common misconception he often clears up is the cause of cerebral palsy. The condition is not genetic, he explains, but instead is usually caused by serious problems during labor and delivery. It can also occur before labor or, as in his case, soon after birth. Through the Alliance, he has provided supplies like wheelchairs and crutches to those who need them. While his work with the Alliance has waxed and waned, Rodie envisions a time when it’s a consistent resource in the community. Today, at the age of 35, Rodie continues to fulfill his purpose on a daily basis. Right now, he’s training full time in hope of qualifying for the long jump, 100 meter, and shot put in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics in Brazil. To be in the running, he must meet certain qualifying distances and times specific to the classifications that match his abilities. He’ll also have to demonstrate that his performance is consistent and compete in at least seven events before Team USA will consider picking him up. To prove himself, Rodie intends to participate in as many local competitions as possible, but some will require travel across the country and overseas. Many organizations have already stepped in to sponsor this costly endeavor, but he still needs more donations to reach his goal. “I love pushing my body, and I would love to represent our country,” Rodie says, but more than that, he’s determined

“I love pushing my body, and I would love to represent our country.” to show others that no matter what challenges they face, they can achieve great things. He is the first to admit that such dedication isn’t always easy. “Every morning, my body just doesn’t want to move,” he says. Although each person’s experience

with cerebral palsy is different, Rodie explains that the stretches he does to improve his range of motion are very painful and that skipping even a day of them causes his body to regress. “I have to practice being positive. It’s a practice—every day,” he says.

You can learn more about Jason Rodie’s journey at jasonrodie.org. Visit gofundme.com/jrodiehope if you’d like to make a donation to help him reach his goal. Interested in advertising? Call (623) 299-4959 Ext. 700 Today!

EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY || MARCH MARCH 2015 2015

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> HOME/CRAFTS Made with

Local crafty mom Shannon Fisher talks handmade art projects to show you care. Love is in the air! This is a great month to make things that show your love to family and friends.

Love

Love Canvas

Love Note Jar

This makes a cute gift or a family keepsake. Take a canvas that’s eight by 10 inches or larger. (We used a 16-by-20 since my kids are older and have bigger hands and feet.) Choose a background color, and use acrylic paint on the whole background. Use a lighter color to paint the letter L, and then use a painted left hand to stamp an O. Next, use feet for the V, and last, paint the E. Such a fun and easy craft to keep or share with someone you love!

To keep the love going all year long, start with a nice cookie or Mason jar to keep love notes in. We used an old clear cookie jar and added a sticker that says love notes. Keep in a place where your family can write daily, weekly, or random notes of love to each other. We keep a pad of paper next to it to make it easy to write on, fold, and place in the jar. You can do this just for February or keep it going the whole year. It’s a great way to make time to sit and read the notes together and feel the love your family has for one another.

Shannon Fisher is a local mother of two girls and owner of Shannon Fisher Photography. She has taught elementary and high school art and in her spare time now volunteers with Girl Scouts and teaches photography workshops to parents and kids.

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Photos by Shannon Fisher Photography

Valentine Wreath

Love Rocks

To make a Valentine wreath, we found a foam circle at the Dollar Store. (You can also find them at craft stores.) We then wrapped the circle in yarn by hot-gluing the end down and then wrapping each strand of yarn very tightly next to the one next to it without overlapping. You can use ribbon and wrap the wreath as well if you want to spend less time. Hot-glue the end when you’re done wrapping all the way around. Last, add some string to the top to hang, and decorate your wreath with embellishments like hearts, old Valentine-card pieces, candy hearts, or anything else you can find around your home. This is a fun way to decorate without spending a lot of time or money!

Children all seem to love collecting rocks or small trinkets. I have been given many rocks, leaves, and sticks by my kids through the years. I love the quote by author Dean Jackson: “When a child gives you a gift, even if it is just a rock they picked up, exude gratitude. It may be the only thing they have to give and they have chosen to give it to you.” Family and friends can be given a small painted rock with a love note on the bottom. Take a smooth stone you have found (we bought some at the Dollar Store in a mesh bag). Paint the rock a solid color with acrylic paint and then add hearts or designs on the top with a small brush. Allow to dry thoroughly. Now you can use a paint pen or a permanent marker to write a love note or message on the bottom of your rock. I hope you have a month full of creating love and happiness!

EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015

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> HOME/CELEBRATIONS

VENDOR CREDITS

Romance, with a Touch of Fitness

Parties On Purpose: Valentine’s table concept Mindful Minnies Yoga: Yoga Studio

Party planner Jamila Watson sets the stage for a romantic homespun Valentine’s Day.

A Bake Shop: Macarons Photos by Scott E. Whitney Photography

A LOVE AND FITNESS VALENTINE

Ah, Valentine’s Day! Are you looking for a new way to celebrate with your loved one? Why not do it in a way that shows your love for each other and gets you healthier at the same time? I put together some fun ideas to help spark a little romance and get you healthy in style!

COUPLES YOGA

Here in Arizona, it’s all about having a healthy lifestyle, and you can incorporate this into your Valentine’s Day plans. Couples yoga is a great way to spend time together and get healthy at the same time. Andrea Westfall, the owner of kids yoga studio Mindful Minnies, extends her knowledge of the practice of yoga to adults. “Couples yoga builds stronger communication and intimacy in any relationship,” Andrea says. “It also builds trust, whether it’s a friendship, family member or spouse. Yoga cleanses both the mind and body.” 34

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Jamila Watson runs partiesonpurpose.com, a children’s party and event entertainment company.

VALENTINES TREATS

Ok, let me first state that I love chocolate and it has become part of my everyday life! That said, why not try macarons! They’re such a delightful, elegant mini-dessert and are perfect for two. A Bake Shop made these adorable macarons with a cute heart to symbolize Valentine’s Day.

ROMANTIC TABLE DÉCOR

If you’re planning on staying home and preparing a special dinner for or with your loved one, don’t forget that Valentine’s dinner starts with a romantic setting. Flowers are always a favorite for Valentine’s Day and form the perfect centerpiece for your romantic table. Gold is still a hot trend right now, so I added gold chargers and candles with pretty pink pops of color. We used black-andwhite-striped linen for contrast and stayed with white china from Cost Plus World Market to add brightness to our table. Wishing you all a Happy Valentine’s Day! EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015

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Aiming

HIGH By Anissa Stringer Shot on location at Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy, az.houseofcomedy.net

A

t 22, many young women are still trying to find their places in the world. Isabella (Bella) Hibbs isn’t one of them. Despite her age, she’s already accomplished more than many women who are a decade older than she is. Hibbs is currently an associate casting director at Good Faith Casting, a company started by her mother, Faith, nearly 15 years ago. While her mother’s business provided Hibbs with an in to the industry, her success is something she’s earned herself. Hibbs began working part-time at Good Faith nearly four years ago, and she started out at the bottom, assisting with administration duties and paperwork. “Over time, I started taking on more responsibilities, and Faith offered me an associate casting director position,” she says. In this role, Hibbs’s responsibilities are many and varied. One of her favorite parts of the job is the casting days that are an integral part of the business. On a typical casting day, she and her mother may see 36

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015 EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

more than 100 people, and the day doesn’t end after the actors go home, since casting talent is only part of providing an excellent finished product for the client. Good Faith’s productions are comprised of well-known clients and quality productions, including commercials for APS and PetSmart. Hibbs recently was involved with a web video for Skittles with Kurt Warner, an Arizona Office of Tourism Print Campaign, and a comedy film, Highly Functional, which filmed in New Mexico and features Bruce Campbell and James Frecheville. The job is certainly not all light fun. “A person needs to be able to get inside the director or creator’s head and really think about what they want to see from talent,” Hibbs says. “You also have to have thick skin, since it is a very high pressure environment.” Hibbs believes she has been so successful in part because she has such excellent time-management and organizational skills and because she’s able to stay calm in stressful situations. That sort of high-level work is far beyond

FROM CASTING TALENT FOR ENTERTAINMENT PROJECTS TO VOLUNTEERING, THERE’S NEVER A DULL MOMENT FOR LOCAL BELLA HIBBS.

the capabilities of many young adults, but it’s all just part of a typical day for Hibbs. While her age has occasionally been an obstacle, Hibbs chooses to see the positive— mostly her youth, which she says gives her the advantage of a fresh outlook on situations and bringing new ideas to the table. This perspective has led to some recent changes in the company. Since she came on board, the company has engaged in volunteer work around the community more frequently. “We have held very successful food drives for the past two years,” she says. “When actors came to audition, they would bring canned food for St. Mary’s Food Bank.” She also organized Good Faith Casting’s first annual blood drive in 2013. Many actors came out and donated blood for Halloween, Hibbs says that many of them now donate on a regular basis. Despite the demands of her job, Hibbs’s passion for giving back to the community doesn’t stop when her long workdays end. In her spare time, she also volunteers with the




Scottsdale Community College’s mentoring program for foreign exchange students, something she values in part because it allows her to counsel other young women. Hibbs and her sister, Jordan, also find the time to volunteer for several other organizations, including Red Means Stop Traffic Safety Alliance, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Human Rights Campaign, and United Blood Services. She’s particularly passionate about equal rights. “During the 2014 election, I helped educate voters in Tempe about Prop 475, which made Tempe the first city in Arizona to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status in their city charter as protected classes from employment discrimination of any kind,” she says. With two years of college behind her now, Hibbs has a little more time on her hands, and she’s planning some fun things for the year. She’s currently training for her first-ever bikini competition and hopes to enter a pageant as well. Some might find it curious that a young woman who is so passionate about equal rights would participate in contests and pageants that some consider sexist, but Hibbs says that she often noticed during castings that many of the most confident and professional women she saw were former pageant girls. “I value equal rights, and that means that everyone should have the option to choose what they want to do in life,” she says. “But there are common misconceptions about what equal rights for women look like. For example, equal rights doesn’t say that a women shouldn’t be a stay-at-home mom, but rather it says that women have the right to choose what they want to do in life. It is all about giving people the right to live their life, no matter their gender, race, sexual orientation, or other background.” Hibbs’s plans for 2015 include further developing her public speaking and leadership skills through the pageant and competition venues and by continuing her career at Good Faith Casting, where she plans to stay for now. Given Hibbs’s busy and fulfilling life, it shouldn’t be surprising that her friends and colleagues often call her a superwoman. That description doesn’t seem to be far off the mark! “I really enjoy the fast-paced nature of the job and the fact that there is never a dull moment,” she says. “I can honestly say I love my job, and I am grateful to be able to meet so many amazing and talented people every day.”

BELLA BEHIND THE CAMERA PHOTOS PROVIDED BY BELLA

EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015

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> HOME/HISTORY

By Marshall Trimble

Harvey Houses

State historian Marshall Trimble recalls the man who kept the West in food and wives. I was 8 years old in 1947 when we moved to the little railroad town of Ash Fork. My father had just hired out for the Santa Fe Railroad and this would be our home for the next eight years. Steam locomotives pulling passenger trains still chuffed through town several times a day, blowing their lonesome whistles as they began their long winding climb to Williams at the foot of Bill Williams Mountain. Standing next to the tracks was the city-block-long Harvey House, the most spectacular building in northern Arizona, complete with restaurant, curio shop, newsstand, lounge, and hotel. Back before the days of railroad dining cars, passengers were forced to eat in the local hash houses wherever the train happened to stop. The food was terrible and the service was even worse. Often times the passengers would rush in, place an order and just about the time the food was served the conductor would shout, “All aboard.” Meal tickets were sold to the passengers by the trainmen prior to stopping and it is not unlikely they received a kickback on meal tickets when the meal was not eaten. It’s conceivable that same meal might be sold more than once and probably was. When it came to meals and lodging, travelers were at the mercy of local restaurants and flea-infested hotels. It took a gentleman from England named Fred Harvey to bring real cuisine to the American Southwest. After experiencing some of the deplorable eating conditions along the rail lines of America, Harvey approached the Santa Fe Railroad in the early 1870s with the visionary idea of providing the passengers with attractive surroundings, superior service, and above all, good food. The company accepted his proposal enthusiastically as food services had been one of the most serious problems plaguing all the railroads. The Santa Fe agreed to build and supply, along with transporting of food furnishings and personnel for what would become world-famous as “Harvey Houses.” All of this at no charge to Harvey. In addition, he was to receive all the profits from the enterprise. Evidently the Englishman was not only a good restaurant man, but a shrewd bargainer as well.

HARVEY GIRLS

ASH FORK HARVEY HOUSE

The first Harvey House opened for business at Topeka, Kansas, in the spring of 1876 and was an immediate success. French chefs were hired away from prominent restaurants in the East and paid handsome salaries. During the next 20 years Harvey opened his Spanish-style restaurant-hotels at intervals throughout the Southwest from Kansas to California. It was said that they were spaced several miles apart so they would keep “western traffic from settling in one place where Harvey served his meals.” Arizona had five Harvey Houses along the main line in those early days located at Winslow, Williams, Ash Fork, Seligman, and Kingman. The grandest of these was the Escalante in the junction town of Ash Fork. It wasn’t just the excellent food that attracted the Southwesterners to his establishments in droves. Harvey added one more ingredient, the feminine touch. In a land where women were scarce, he provided the area with as wholesome a group of young women as had yet been seen in that region. The so-called Harvey Girls were recruited in the eastern part of the country through newspaper advertisements which read:

Arizona’s official state historian, Marshall Trimble, is a cowboy singer, a humorist, and a storyteller.

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“Young women 18 to 30 years of age, of good character, attractive and intelligent as waitresses in Harvey Eating Houses in the West. Good wages with room and meals furnished.” For young women, with limited career opportunities, hoping to escape from the hometown doldrums or with hopes of acting out some romantic adventure, the ad sounded like a dream come true. And for many that’s what it became. They were a welcome sight to lonely railroaders, cattlemen, cowboys, and miners. Few of them remained single very long. Although their contract was for one year, many broke the agreement to get married. Harvey didn’t mind as there was always a long waiting line of applicants anxious to go West and work as a Harvey Girl. He’d even throw a wedding party for the new bride. The pay was only $17.50 a month and the girls were required to live in dormitories similar to that of a very conservative college sorority house. They had to be in by 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11:30 p.m. on Saturdays. A matronly housemother saw to it the ladies always obeyed Mr. Harvey’s strict rules of conduct. There’s little doubt, the Harvey Houses and those Harvey Girls played a significant role in bringing class and culture to the rough and tumble towns along the Santa Fe Railroad line. Humorist Will Rogers said it best when he quipped, “Fred Harvey kept the West in food and wives.” The Harvey system was the amalgamation of efficiency, cuisine, service, and feminine charm. Prior to reaching the station, a porter would take orders and then wire the information ahead. When the train was a mile away from the station it would blow its whistle. Upon hearing the whistle scream, a uniformed employee would ring a gong which signaled the waitresses to set up the first course. By the time the train arrived and the hungry passengers were ushered in, the meal was ready to serve. Everything on the table had to be set in a prescribed manner. The water glasses, silverware, salt and pepper shakers all had their proper place. Conversation between the girls was forbidden while the train was in the station. They communicated through the use of signals and codes. The “drink girl” who poured the drinks knew that if the customer’s cup was turned upside down it meant they wanted tea. When it was upright in the

saucer it meant coffee. If the cup was taken away they wanted milk. Around the turn of the century one could be served a breakfast consisting of cereal or fruit, eggs riding atop a steak, hash browns, and a stack of six large pancakes with butter and maple syrup, topped off with apple pie and coffee, all for 50 cents. Dinners went for a quarter more and always included a fancy gourmet dish or wild game.

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EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY || MARCH MARCH 2015 2015

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> HOME/PETS

By Roberta Gottlieb

Fat Fido?

Human obesity is reflected in our pets. Here’s what you can do to help your dog or cat slim down. The media runs stories every day alerting us about the health dangers of human obesity, the multiple diseases associated with it, and the potential for a shortened life-span. Guess what? As pet owners, we have been in denial about the obesity of our family pets. Fifty-three percent of household dogs are overweight or obese, and almost one fourth of these pets’ owners are under the impression that their dog’s weight is normal. An even higher percentage of household cats are overweight or obese—55 percent! Unlike human obesity, dogs and cats cannot be blamed for their dilemma since the type and amount of food they eat is controlled entirely by us—their pet parents. Pay attention, because if you fail to intervene, this is what your pet’s future may include: • Joint problems and arthritis. • Daily stress on multiple organ systems: a. cardiovascular b. renal (kidneys) c. respiratory (lungs) • Extreme stress on joints, which causes damage and increases the risk of injury and osteoarthritis. • Diabetes

Roberta’s mission is to educate people about responsible pet ownership and to raise the public’s awareness of animal neglect and abuse. Follow her rescue at facebook.com/ chiquitachihuahuarescue.

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• Liver disease • Pancreatitis Just in case that list doesn’t have your attention, there’s a proven shortened lifespan averaging two years, and chances are those last few years won’t be healthy, vibrant ones. According to Dr. Kirsten Young of Daisy Mountain Vet Hospital, “obesity is the number-one health problem presented to veterinarians today.” The good news is that by making some simple interventions, you can make a huge difference and return your pet to a healthy weight. We can imagine how it starts: Your cat or dog is overfed and underexercised to the point at which the caloric intake exceeds the animal’s energy needs. Where to begin? Make an appointment with your vet so that you can have an accurate weight and health assessment. Blood tests for certain conditions such as Cushing’s syndrome or hypothyroidism that may cause obesity may be recommended. Bring your current pet food with you. (Bet you didn’t know that quality pet foods not only have feeding guidelines on the bag but also the calorie count!) Companies frequently suggest feeding more volume than is required per weight, and as your pet ages, the volume of food should also be decreased. Your veterinarian can determine how many calories your particular dog or cat should be consuming daily. By having your specific food calorie count, you can leave knowing exactly what volume to feed daily. In the beginning, it’s frequently necessary to decrease the recommended caloric intake by 10 percent. Frozen green beans in every meal add some bulk and will help your pet feel full while he or she is losing weight. Changing to a weight-loss formula food is most often unnecessary—just follow your vet’s recommendations and always use a high-quality food. Make sure that the first six ingredients are mostly meat or fish as well as complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes. Take the time to read the labels—you may be unpleas-

antly surprised that your current food has one meat source and the rest of the meal consists of rice, potatoes, and tons of other starches. Remember, treats add bunches of calories, so it’s best to forgo all treats. Instead, you can offer the frozen green beans, mini carrots, and apple bites in small amounts to your dogs and small pieces of lean meat to cats. Catnip’s a treat as well and is fun for all, including the pet owner. Chew treats like pig’s ears for your dog are comparable to the equivalent of a human consuming six cans of soda. Say absolutely no to any table scraps. Exercise is next on the agenda. If your pet is extremely obese, you will have to start very slowly. Your veterinarian, after assessing the overall physical condition of your pet, is the best source to recommend the beginning program. It’s important to be consistent but not overdo it since your pet is at increased risk of injury during this time. As your pet begins to lose weight, you will notice less labored breathing and fatigue and more enthusiasm for activity. The physique of a healthy animal will enable you to easily feel its ribs, but the ribs should not be visible. When viewing your pet from above, you should be able to see a visible waist located where the rib cage ends. Seeing the physical and behavioral changes in your pet will be gratifying. As pet parents, it’s our responsibility to do our best for these beloved family members. Just like our elderly relatives, we want our senior dogs and cats to live out their last years feeling happy and vibrant.



> BETTER/BODY Get on the Bandwagon

By Kim Miller and Shannon Dougherty, The Fit Mom Diet Team, FitMomDiet.com Model: Nicole Matthews Photography by Allan Adler

The Fit Mom Diet duo offers up a versatile resistance band workout. Exercising with resistance bands offers a tremendous amount of benefits that include versatility and convenience. Bands are extremely cost effective and are easily packable, making them a great item this year to utilize within

your fitness routine. Bands can be purchased at many local sporting goods stores and come in a variety of resistance levels. This lower body workout is designed to strengthen and tone your glutes and legs.

Shannon and Kim are the Fit Mom Diet Team. They’re nationally published health experts, and they also advocate locally on wellness at fitmomdiet.com.

BAND BRIDGE Setup: Lie on the ground with your knees bent, feet shoulder width apart, and band around legs. Keep arms by your side and abdominal muscles in tight. Action: Press through your heels, keeping tension on the band and lifting your pelvis up toward the ceiling. Hold at the top and squeeze your glutes (butt) for 3 seconds before lowering to start position. Perform 3 sets of 12–15 reps.

SIDE-TO-SIDE TUBE WALKING Setup: Position band around calves with feet pointing straight shoulder width apart and with knees slightly bent. Action: Lower into the squat position and take a step to your right. Step the left foot in, keeping tension on the band. Take 10 steps to the right and then 10 steps to the left.

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BAND LEG LIFTS Setup: Lie flat on your back with legs extended out in front of you and the band positioned around your lower calves. Keep your hands down flat on the ground near your sides, with your palms down. Action: Keep your legs straight and raise them until your calves are at a 45 degree angle. Make sure your abdominals are contracted as you slowly lower your legs to a few inches off the floor. Repeat 12–15 reps.

BAND KICKBACKS Setup: Position the band around your ankle on one side and inner foot on the other, keeping your feet close together and a slight bend in your knees. Action: Balance on the left foot and extend your right leg to perform a kickback. Straighten your right leg as much as possible and squeeze the glute at the end of the movement. Return to starting position and complete 12–15 reps. Repeat on the other leg.

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don’t know where to find such treasures or don’t have time to truck around the city to find the hot spot for small markets. In this curated collection of five amazing locally made items, you might find a shirt from State Forty Eight, which is a label formed by three guys from Chandler who recently participated in Phoenix Fashion Week’s Emerging Designer program. Stephan, Nicholas, and Michael made it as far as top four, which brought a lot of exposure to the new brand. Stating the obvious—Arizona is the 48th state—has made selling the shirts easy, and anyone who lives here should love them. The trio is very active on Instagram @statefortyeight, which has helped grow the brand quickly. We chose the black-on-black V-neck women’s shirt for the box because its logo is subtle and gives it a dressier look. Artist Andrea is a painter whose palette is bright with surreal themes and figures. She has her work for sale in Wilde Meyer Gallery in Scottsdale as well as on Etsy. We included her painted pouch in the box because it’s whimsical and bold. The Zen Bird’s Be You Band is a two-in-one fabric headband with different-patterned fabrics on each side. Marian, the designer

and also a schoolteacher, creates the Be You Bands to help us all embrace our uniqueness. She sells them all year long at the Phoenix Public Market as well as many other venues around the Valley. HerInspiration is another brand in the Love Local box. Sara, the designer, creates hand-stamped jewelry, which is a big trend right now. Her copper-colored arrow pendant necklace was a perfect addition to the box. The final item in our first box is Pure Life’s three-strand beaded bracelet. We love the delicate nature of this piece of jewelry. Jenny, who creates the pieces, sells on Etsy as well as various markets. Tanori and I, as well as each of the designers, share a passion for locally made items and want to share them with the world. The Love Local box is available now, and sales have been steady. A new box will be released in March. We create these boxes out of a passion for locally made, creative items, and we’re confident there are many others who feel the same way! For more information and to order your Love Local box, go to clothesmindedaz.com/love-local.

Kim Kendall is a mom who is passionate about fashion. She owns Clothes Minded Women’s Boutique in Ahwatukee. Follow her at clothesmindedaz.com, facebook.com/clothesmindedaz and on Twitter @clothesmindedaz.

shannon campbell style

WARDROBE STYLIST

PERSONAL SHOPPER

CLOSET MAKE-OVERS

IMAGE CONSULTANT

www.shannoncampbellstylist.com shancamp@gmail.com 480.553.3392 EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015

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> BETTER/BEAUTY

Facing the Winter Enemy Local beauty expert Jacqueline Starr-Hubert talks dry skin. For many of us in Arizona, the cold, clear days of winter are a tremendous relief. However, this dry climate can bring more than just a rosy glow to the cheeks. It also brings uncomfortable dryness to the skin of the face, hands, and feet. For some people, the problem is worse than just a general tight, dry feeling. Their skin can get so dry that it results in flaking, cracking, and even eczema, in which the skin becomes inflamed. These conditions are exacerbated once we click on our heaters or stock our fireplaces. Dry air takes away the thin layer of oil that traps moisture in the skin, causing itchy and painful conditions such as psoriasis, severe dry skin, and again, eczema. If we stop producing moisture or if heat48

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015 EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

ing sucks it out of the skin, little cracks will appear that affect the barrier of the skin, particularly if that moisture isn’t replaced. Who wants lizard skin in February? Certainly, going to an esthetician or a dermatologist even once is a good investment. Such specialists can analyze your skin type, troubleshoot your current skincare regimen, and give you advice on the skin-care products you should be using. Let me save you the time and money of going to your local drugstore or discount emporium and tediously reading product labels or looking for advice from a wellintended clerk. Concerns related to your face should be discussed with a professional. Here’s my action plan to keep your

Jacqueline StarrHubert, ME, MLT, is a Valley resident who's a medical esthetician/ laser technician and makeup artist. body, hands, and feet comfortable and flare-up free Bathe—briefly • Keep the shower and bath as brief as possible, and use lukewarm, not hot, water.


• Switch to less aggressive, moisture-rich soaps made for sensitive skin, such as those made by Dove and Aveeno. • Gently pat yourself dry to avoid traumatizing or overdrying the skin. Avoid overdoing it with scrubs and other exfoliating products. • Therapeutic baths such as oatmeal or sea salt may help, but they tend to take time. Some salt treatments can also be drying. • People tend to wash their hands more often in the winter to rid themselves of potentially harmful germs. If you clean your hands frequently, hand sanitizers are a good alternative. It’s also a good idea to apply hand cream after each hand washing. Moisturize, moisturize • The best time to apply moisturizer is right after you bathe. • Your summer and spring lotions work great for that time of year but are insufficient for winter dryness. Avoid lotions, and stick to natural oils, creams, or ointments. Find an ointment moisturizer that’s oil-based rather than water-based, as the oil will create a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion. (Hint: Many lotions labeled as night creams are oil-based.) • Natural oils are products that easily penetrate the outer layer of your skin and help seal in your own natural moisture. Specifically do not use baby oil or mineral-based oils.

Recommendation: Immediately after showering or bathing, apply a thin layer of oil and follow it up with a good body cream (this is not recommended for faces). SPF, SPF, SPF! No, sunscreen isn’t just for summertime. Winter sun can still damage your skin. Try applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and your hands, if they’re exposed, about 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply frequently if you stay outside a long time. Don’t forget your hands The skin on your hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands. That means that it’s harder to keep your hands moist, especially in cold, dry weather. This can lead to itchiness and cracking. Wear gloves when you go outside. If you need to wear wool to keep your hands warm, slip on a thin cotton glove first to avoid any irritation the wool might cause. Hook Up the Humidifier Central heating systems and space heaters) blast hot, dry air throughout our homes and offices. Humidifiers send more moisture into the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out. Place several small humidifiers throughout your home—they help disperse the moisture more evenly. You can minimize the toll that the colder months take on your skin by preparing now. Relieving winter dryness doesn’t have to be expensive or inconvenient. You may need to try a few products, but this simple plan will save your skin from winter dryness.

Drew NoreeN

HAIR - MAKEUP EDITORIAL - SPECIAL EVENTS PUCCI SALON 480.443.3030 SOCIAL MEDIA: @DREWJNOREEN DREWJNOREEN@GMAIL.COM

EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015

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> BETTER/GOLF

By Scott Sackett

Factors Influencing Compression Golf pro Scott Sackett discusses an important element of your golf game. There are many factors that influence compression. I’m going to briefly explain the components. Compression is a summation of an equation with variables coming from both vertical and horizontal parts of how the golf club is moving. Let’s start with vertical. To keep things simple, we are going to discuss two of the vertical components influencing compression: attack angle and dynamic loft. Attack angle (AA) is the amount of up or down swings at the shot, and dynamic loft (DL) is how much loft is actually delivered to the ball at impact. The difference between these two variables is called spin loft. In the image, the blue line represents AA and the red line represents DL. The tighter these two lines are together, the better opportunity a player has for maximum compression. Average spin lofts start around 10 degrees for a driver and can work up to about 60 degrees with a lob wedge. A driver will for the most part have the highest compression and the lob wedge the lowest. One thing to keep in mind is that compression is relative. Each golf club and resulting spin loft have a ma ximum amount of compression that can occur based on the speed at which the player is swinging the club and the contact point on the face. The horizontal components influencing compression are club face angle and club path. The difference or lack thereof between the two will either increase or decrease the amount of energy that is transferred into the golf ball. A differential between face (where the face is pointed) and path (direction the club is traveling) tilts the axis of the golf ball, creating curvature. The greater

“Golf is like a love affair. If you don’t take it seriously, it’s no fun; if you do take it seriously, it breaks your heart.” —ARTHUR DALEY 50

the difference between face and path, the more the axis of the golf ball is titled, resulting in less energy transfer between club and ball. Now let’s bring vertical and horizontal together. As the spin loft decreases, a one-degree difference between face and path tilts the axis of the golf ball more. As spin loft increases, each single degree between face and path tilts the axis of the golf ball less and less. In order to create the maximum compression possible with each shot, two things need to happen: The spin loft needs to be as low as possible for the club you are hitting, and the difference between face and path needs to be minimal. The closer to zero, the better. This is a topic I could go into great length discussing; however, I wanted to highlight the key points for everyone to start to grasp how compression is created.

Scott Sackett, a GOLF Magazine Top 100 Teacher since 1999, was recently voted as one of Golf Digest’s best teachers in Arizona for the fifth year in a row. Reach him via scottsackett.com or youtube.com/scottsackettgolf.

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015 EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM



> BETTER/WHEELS

2015 Lincoln MKC This all-new model holds its own against worldwide competition, says auto writer Greg Rubenstein. There was a time—and not too long ago—when the notion that a Lincoln could compete against a BMW, an Audi, a Lexus, a MercedesBenz, or an Acura was theoretically possible but credibly implausible. That time is no more, and Ford’s Dearborn, Michigan-based luxury brand produces American-made products that are athletic, well appointed, fun to drive, and capable of holding their own against worldwide competition. Gone too are the badge-engineered Lincolns—thinly veiled Ford models offering little more than alternate names and leather-stitched seats. Case in point is the all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC, the latest entry in a burgeoning field of luxury compact sport-utility vehicles. The MKC’s array of driver safety aids and navigation support make travel to the office, golf course, or cabin getaway a breeze. High among these features are both driver- and passenger-side blind-spot monitoring—with multiple options for audible, tactile, and visual alerts—as well as a cross-traffic system that provides warning for moving objects as the vehicle backs out of a parking space.

Greg Rubenstein is a freelance automotive journalist and deputy editor for izoom.com, an autoenthusiast website. He’s been writing about and racing cars for 25 years. 52

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Besides seven standard airbags, including a driver’s-knee airbag exclusive to the segment, other occupant-safety-technology systems include collision warning with brake support, driver-assisted lane keeping, and active park-assist capabilities for both getting into as well as out of tight parallel or other cramped parking spots. The MKC is available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations and is powered by one of two four-cylinder turbocharged engines. The standard 2.0-liter engine produces 240 horsepower, while the 2.3-liter version cranks out a robust 285 horsepower. All versions come with a six-speed automatic transmission. The tested sample came with AWD and the larger engine, which proved to be extremely smooth and flexible, ticking off highway miles at a 75 mph clip while returning an as-advertised 26 mpg. The EPA estimates the MKC will return 18/26/21 mpg for city, highway, and combined economy respectively. Pricing for the MKC with the 2.0-liter engine starts at $33,995, and the AWD version with 2.3 liter engine starts at $41,040. The tested model checked in at $49,265, a price that included just about every option box checked. Most notable among the add-ons were cooled front seats—a feature often lacking enough oomph to make a real difference, but in the MKC you’ll find a best-in-the-business seat-cooling system that performs as it should—along with rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated steering wheel, and a hands-free lift gate that opens at the swipe of a foot under the rear bumper. Inside, occupants are greeted by a panoramic glass sunroof that stretches back to the rear cargo area. The instrument panel is set apart by Lincoln’s unique push-button gear-select system. It takes just a mo-



> BETTER/RELATIONSHIPS

Ask Dirk

224 million

A guy’s perspective on matters of the heart and hearth. Dear Dirk, First off, let me say thank you for all of the cheap laughs. I’m not expecting much from you in the way of a real answer as I have seen your perspective in past columns, but I’m desperate for a solution—or at least a laugh at your expense, so here it goes. My husband and I have a history of tragic Valentine’s Day outings. We just can’t seem to get it right—correction, he can’t seem to get it right. We’ve gone to the shooting range (no), we went to Dave and Buster’s and played video games (hell, no), we even went to a fancy restaurant one year and sat for 75 minutes out front waiting for a table because he thought he was connected like the Godfather and didn’t make a reservation (kill me now). I have been dropping hints, but I don’t know if he’s picking up what I’ve been laying down. Please help me avoid the imminent train wreck. —Romantically Jaded Jenny Hi Jaded Jenny, Great to hear from you! I got your previous emails, BTW, asking for my resignation and calling me a misogynistic caveman. Lucky for you, I’m still around to dole out winning advice to troubled dames in distress or even dudes in a dress—I don’t judge unless it's white and after Labor Day. Let me start by saying I detest Valentine’s Day! And it’s not because I’m not romantic. On the contrary, it’s because I’m a hopeless romantic that this day boils my blood. It’s not romance you yearn for; it’s a “me too” or “look at me” moment that you can relay in excruciating detail to your friends or coworkers the next day or via your social media. You want to see those flowers on your desk when you get back from lunch so that other people see them. Well, maybe not you, but that’s how Valentine’s Day comes across to me. And contrary to your presumptions, I was raised by a single mom, live with a wife and two daughters, and even have a girl cat named Girl Kitty, so I understand women to a better degree than most guys. It has helped me understand men better as well because I know what you girls are wondering. Solution: You’re not the only one dropping hints. If he’s bad at Valentine’s Day every year, take a hint and be a modern woman: plan the damn thing yourself! Obviously, he should shower you with affection and buy you nice things from time to time, and everyone likes to get flowers on their desk, but the idea of having to have it perfect for one night and battle against all the other ill-prepareds is just too stressful. Romance is not a competition unless you’re seeing someone who is seeing someone else. Either tell him exactly what you want to do and make sure there is time and accommodations to pack it all in, or just stay in, watch a Hugh Grant movie, and eat a box of chocolates under the covers together. Keep ‘em coming—I like the back-and-forth. —Dirk

>>

THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF ROSES GROWN FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

$18.6 billion The total spending that will be reached by Valentine’s Day

40.7%

The percentage of people who will use their Smartphone to purchase Valentine’s gifts

151 million

THE APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF CARDS THAT ARE EXCHANGED ON VALENTINE’S DAY

To submit a question about your relationship, e-mail askdirk@northvalleymagazine.com. [Editor’s note: The opinions and advice given in this column in no way reflect those of the editorial staff—at least those that we’d express openly!]

Valentine’s Day— by the numbers* 54

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$4.4

BILLION

The amount people will spend on diamonds, gold, and silver

4.52

$

The average amount pet owners spent on their pets on Valentine’s Day in 2012

$1.6 billion The amount people will spend on candy Source: CNN Library


> BETTER/GEMS

By Scott Bohall

Symbols of Love Jewelry expert Scott Bohall offers 15 tips for Valentine’s Day gift giving. Jewelry can be the best gift someone can get on Valentine’s Day, so here are some things to keep in mind when you shop for that special bauble.

1. If your loved one is selective about hairstyle, clothes, shampoo, or perfume, don’t buy the thing that’s mass-advertised on TV.

2. If the object of your affection isn’t currently wearing a birthstone gem, maybe he or she doesn’t care about it and would prefer something that is in a favorite color instead. 3. Make sure that you’re buying something that can be returned if it isn’t appreciated or if your loved one likes another item in that store. 4. Don’t buy man-made gems. Get something as real as your love is.

5. Pay attention to whether your loved one is currently wearing silver-color or yellow-gold-color metal. If everything he or she wears is yellow and you bring home silver, white gold, or platinum, your sweetie may not want to combine colors. 6. If your beloved is passionate about living in Arizona, try an Arizona gem made by an Arizona artist or jeweler.

7. If a store is trying to sell you a warranty to go with jewelry you are purchasing, find another jeweler. 8. Take cell phone pictures of anything you’re considering and send the photo to someone whose opinion you trust before you purchase it.

9. Ask where the jewelry is made. If you have a problem with it, you don’t want it sent back to China for repair. 10. If the purchase is over $200, ask if any of the gems are treated and get the answer in writing. It’s a federal law that all gem treatments must be disclosed

if they affect value. There are more and more treatments of cheap gems to make them look expensive, and many of them are not stable. You don’t want something that looks pretty until the treatment wears off. Ruby is the gem to pay the most attention to. Many $5 rubies have been sold for hundreds of dollars in department stores and by corporate jewelers over the past few years.

11. Ask someone similar in size and shape of your loved one to try the jewelry on to get an idea of how it looks when worn.

America (GIA), the American Gem Society (AGS), or the Gem Certification and Assurance Lab (GCAL) with them. You can also have an independent appraiser verify the grade of the diamond before you give it as a gift.

15. Think about whether this is fashion jewelry or a future heirloom. If the gem might be passed down to the next generation, go for quality of gems and workmanship rather than what’s on sale.

12. Don’t have something engraved unless you’re sure that your sweetheart will like it. If you’re sure, engraving is a very nice touch. 13. If you don’t understand a term, ask. Clad and overlay mean plated, which is not the best quality to buy. Lab created means man-made. Enhanced sounds good, but it’s actually a synthetic treatment to make a gem appear more valuable. Doublet means two pieces glued together. Many other terms that may be applied don’t make it on to the receipt.

14. If you’re buying diamonds over half a carat in size, it’s best to have a certificate from the Gemological Institute of

Scott Bohall is a member of the Arizona Jewelers Association. The owner of Treasures Jewelers, he travels the world to find exceptional gems. EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015

55


> TASTE/COOK

Moves like Jagger Chef Matthew Grunwald combines dancing and cooking for a delightful mix. Cooking is all about personality and the expression of freedom. I find that dancing and cooking are very similar because for me, they have the same capacity to create whatever 56

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015 EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

emotion I’m feeling. Giving who you are to either of the arts is required. Why? Anyone can cook a recipe or dance to choreography, but when you add your own f lair, it truly

becomes a unique art that describes who you are and what you’re all about. I’ve met a lot of chefs, and I bet you that if I asked a handful of them to cook their interpretation of pasta carbonara, I would get five very different dishes. Everyone sees and tastes different things and is trained differently—that’s a beautiful thing. Same thing


By Matthew Grunwald

Chef Matt’s Kung Pao Chili Relleno 4 3 1 2 2 2 1 ½ ½ 4 1

poblano peppers Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil pound chicken, boneless, skinless (medium diced) kosher salt freshly ground black pepper tsp. ginger, peeled and minced cloves garlic, peeled and minced carrots, peeled and shredded cup snap peas, cleaned and halved cup peanuts, chopped and toasted cup hoisin Tbsp. soy sauce lime, juiced manchego cheese to garnish, shredded

> Preheat the broiler to high. Place the poblano peppers under the broiler and roast for 3 minutes on each side until blistered and softened. Remove from the oven and place in a bowl covered with plastic wrap. > Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Brown in the skillet for 4 minutes. Add the ginger, garlic, carrots, snap peas, and peanuts. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender and the ginger and garlic are fragrant. > Add the hoisin, soy sauce, and lime juice and cook until the sauce is hot. Take off the heat and set aside. > Remove the peppers from the bowl and slice a slit at the top of the pepper. > Remove the seeds and discard. Fill each pepper evenly with the kung pao filling. Garnish with manchego cheese.

with dance, whether it be contemporary, the Latin moves that my sister enjoys, tap, jazz, musical theater, or the urban dancing that I participate in. Each genre has its own moves, but the flow and life come from the individual. It’s glorious. When I dance, I feel free. I listen to the beats, find the pockets of the song, and hit it hard. Going hard is my favorite. After a long shift of hustle at work or an intense choreography session, I can always count on a perceptiveness of fulfillment. Here’s something that I think is so important for everyone to grasp: If you’re doing what you love, you’re going to be good at it. That’s why I have such joy when I dance or cook—it’s like puzzle pieces being glued into place. This style of cooking is Southwestern-Asian fusion. What’s your style, be it cooking, dance, or whatever moves you?

Matthew Grunwald regularly whips up original recipes for a television audience on Arizona Midday and Valley Dish segments.

EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015

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> TASTE/CHEFS

Writer Alison Bailin Batz has a lot to say on all things local. Just try to stop her @twitter.com/abailin.

Cookie-toCookie Local East Valley chefs compete in a creative Girl Scout culinary challenge.

An eye-popping 59 million women in America enjoyed Girl Scouts during their childhood, and that number will continue to grow as the Girl Scouts of the United States continues to inspire, challenge, and empower girls everywhere. “Locally, our Council serves more than 25,000 girls in grades K–12 with the help of more than 11,000 adult members who act as troop leaders, mentors, program assistants, consultants, and board members,” says Susan de Queljoe of the local Council. De Queljoe additionally estimates that more than 7,500 girls in the Southeast Valley are Girl Scouts, which makes up about 30 percent of all local Girl Scouts membership! “Through the Girl Scouts, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together, de Queljoe says. “Through a myriad of enriching experiences such as extraordinary field trips, sports skillbuilding clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardships, girls grow courageous and strong.” The Girl Scouts state their aims for young girls as follows: • Discover and develop their full individual potential • Relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect 58

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• Develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision making • Contribute to the improvement of their community through service projects, using their abilities and leadership skills. To increase its ability to serve girls, the Council has undertaken the Campaign for Girls in Arizona, which will enable them to serve more girls, train more adult volunteers, expand its programs, and transform the organization’s Camp Sombrero into a new Leadership Center in the Valley. “Our comprehensive campaign goal is to raise $15 million in philanthropic support," de Queljoe says, “This will enable us to significantly expand and enhance the Girl Scout experience for more East Valley girls, including transforming Camp Sombrero into a Leadership Center for Girls and Women.”. De Queljoe says that the campaign has realized half of the fund-raising goal for the camp and looks forward to beginning the construction in the coming months.

How the Cookie Will Crumble

Along with several fund-raising and campaign elements, the Council is working toward the camp’s transformation with some unique Valley leaders—local chefs! “For the second year in a row, we’ve partnered with more than two dozen local restaurants for a Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge, where chefs from popular local restaurants reimagine one of the six flavors of Girl Scout cookies into a custom dessert menu item,” de Queljoe says. Each restaurant is featuring its own special item on its menu from Feb. 1 to Feb. 28 with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the transformation of Camp Sombrero. When the Girl Scouts reach their 2015 cookie sales goal with the help of the chefs, they will have raised more than $1 million for the Campaign for Girls.


By Alison Bailin Batz

Here’s a peek at some of the creative culinary creations East Valley chefs are whipping up. Venue: The Melting Pot in Ahwatukee CHEF: Jon Boggs ASSIGNED COOKIE: Thin Mints DESSERT: Melting Pot Dark Chocolate Mojito Fondue

Venue: Over Easy in Mesa and Gilbert CHEF: Aaron May ASSIGNED COOKIE: Do-Si-Dos DESSERT: Chocolate Do-Si-Dos Muffins

Venue: All of Grimaldi’s East Valley locations CHEF: Cory Lattuca ASSIGNED COOKIE: Thin Mints and Samoas DESSERTS: Thin Mint Cheesecake and Samoa Cheesecake

Venue: Blue Wasabi in Gilbert CHEF: Christian Palomares ASSIGNED COOKIE: Thin Mints DESSERT: Tempura Thin Mint Ice Cream with Green Tea Ginger Anglaise

Venue: Different Pointe of View in Phoenix CHEF: Lara Coleman ASSIGNED COOKIE: Tagalongs DESSERT: Tagalong Dream

Venue: Rusconi’s in Phoenix CHEF: Michael Rusconi ASSIGNED COOKIE: Samoas DESSERT: Samoa Decadence

Venue: CHoP in Chandler CHEF: Grant Gates ASSIGNED COOKIE: Tagalongs DESSERT: Tagalong Shortbread

EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY | MARCH 2015

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Level: Medium

3 6 5

2

4

1 8

5 4

2 6

9 1

5 7

3 3

6

6 8

3 2

8

5 1

9

7

2

4

1 5

9


> BUZZ/CROSSWORD

By Myles Mellor

6 Across ACROSS 1 Huge event that kicks off February in Phoenix this year 6 Cupid’s ______ and arrow 8 Adores 9 Songs such as “When a Man Loves a Woman” and “My Eyes Adored You” 11 Longtime Pink Floyd label 12 “Roses are Red” poem ending 13 Is bold 14 “Whether ______ nobler ...”: Hamlet 15 Red or blue 16 Deja _____ 17 Sewing design 19 Winner’s prize 20 Gold symbol 21 French friend 23 ______ about you.....(crazy) 25 Everyone is looking for _______ (2 words) 27 Romantic smooch 29 The Wizard’s land

30 Score for the hottest model 31 Porter 33 Symbol of eternal love 34 Available and qualified, as a bachelor

DOWN 1 Romantic Ashford & Simpson hit, _______ as a rock.... 2 Celebrated “Madame Butterfly” tenor 3 Valentine’s Day flowers 4 “Oh! Pretty Woman” singer, Roy _______ 5 Comedian appearing at the Chandler Center in February (2 words) 6 Boyfriends 7 Yearning 10 France’s longest river 15 Grand — (wine designation)

Interested in advertising? Call (623) 299-4959 Ext. 700 Today!

16 ______ con dios 18 Where the sun rises 21 One who requests a date, for example 22 Gem facet 24 Prom, for one 26 Golf course feature 28 Phoenix player 30 Place for a soak 32 _____ Wells, sci-fi writer

30 Down

EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY EASTVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY || MARCH MARCH 2015 2015

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> BUZZ/BACKSTORY

>>

By M.D. Thalmann

The Luck of the Irish M.D. Thalman (aka Dirk) is out to celebrate St. Dirktrick’s Day. Is it just me, or have things gone too far? Ahh, if there were ever a less justified holiday than St. Patrick’s Day, I couldn’t think of it. The Irish don’t even celebrate St. Patty’s like we do here in the good ole U.S. of A.—knocking one back in a pub after work is a way of life in Ireland, and they sure don’t have to have time set aside for it one day a year to make up for the other 364.

This year, I think I will celebrate St. Dirktrick’s Day. It involves me not going to an Irish pub, wearing green, drinking beer of the same hue, or threatening to pinch anyone with better fashion sense than me. If you find yourself to be a fellow renaissance person, or if you get invited to a pub and want to make it a memorable occasion in every sense of the word, here are some tips for dealing with the green if it gets too wearing.

Go ahead and request time off for the day following St. Patty’s. You are likely to be the only one there not sporting shades and asking everyone if they could “just keep it down, will ya?” Leave them all there to figure it out for themselves. You’ve seen enough zombie movies to know what it’s going to look like anyway.

Walk up to someone who is wearing green and unleash the pain of a thousand lobster claws on them! Yeah—pinch them that hard. When they begin to hoot and holler, just tell them you’re colorblind but didn’t want to feel left out of the fun. They will certainly understand.

Refuse to wear green, and when someone asks you why you aren’t, pinch him or her … after all, they were about to pinch you. “Eye for an eye,” I say. If you are a pacifist, you can simply tell them that you are a pagan and St. Patrick ruined all your holidays.

Don’t wear or go anywhere near anyone who is wearing anything that says “Kiss me, I’m Irish.” Dress up as a snake and see if anyone even gets the reference or if they were just looking for an excuse to get hammered.

M.D. Thalmann is a local writer and author. To see his work, visit mdthalmann.com .

Carry food coloring with you to a bar or pub and use a drop or two to change everyone’s green beer to red or blue.

Avoid the shepherd’s pie.

Get a ton of green bingo markers and draw leprechauns on the windshields of as many cars as you can before the cops arrive.

Wear a kilt. Plenty of idiots won’t get the irony or even know the difference between Scotland and Ireland.

Intentionally get the words wrong to all those horrid Irish songs they blast around the bar to throw others off their game.

Or you can do what I do—stay home, watch The Departed, and eat a chunk of corned beef with cabbage.

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