Neighbors Hello Neighbor!

ONE THING I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT IS… my morning meditation.

MY FAVORITE MOVIE I COULD NEVER GET TIRED OF WATCHING AND WHY… is “Jungle Book” because it brings me nostalgia. It was made the year I was born, and I relate very much to Mogli.

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I WANTED TO BE… a doctor. I’ve always wanted to help people through their healing journeys, and I’ve manifested that in my current life path, just in a different way.

THE SONG I WOULD SING AT KARAOKE NIGHT IS… “L-O-V-E” by Frank Sinatra.

MY LIFE IS… full of joy because I have my family and loved ones around me.

THE BEST GIFT I’VE EVER RECEIVED WAS… each one of my crystal bracelets that I wear every day. I love to incorporate crystals into my life because, as you can probably tell, I am a huge proponent of holistic healing. I even have a bunch of crystals that were gifted to me on display right when you walk into the wellness center, which all help to cleanse energy and give off positivity.

MY DREAM VACATION WOULD BE… a yearlong cruise around the world.

HI, MY NAME IS… Monica B. Samuels.

I’VE LIVED IN THE VALLEY FOR 33 YEARS AND I LOVE IT BECAUSE… I enjoy the desert landscape and heat.

A TYPICAL DAY IN MY LIFE INCLUDES… waking up, doing tai chi, and drinking my protein and vitamin shake. Then I look over my emails and messages for the day. I like to cuddle and play with my dog before getting ready and heading into my business, Quasar Quantum Healing. I see a lot of clients in a day who are going through various struggles and life experiences, and I help them overcome these challenges through my five holistic healing modalities: LED Red Light Therapy, Quantum Foot Detox, Hyperbaric Chamber, Theta Chamber, and Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. I put my all into my clients, so my daily social battery has to be high, which is why I love my morning routine. After work I usually eat a very light meal before getting ready for bed, watching one of my shows, and going to sleep.

MY FAMILY IS… my entire world. Everything I do is for my family.

THE ONE PERSON WHO MOTIVATES ME IS… my mom. Her kindness was what inspired me most and I am always intentional to treat others with kindness. She also was an advocate of being your unique self and always accepted me for the playful, outgoing, determined person I am.

THE LAST THING THAT MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD WAS… finding my husband watching “Finding Nemo” by himself the other night.

THE PERFECT DAY IS… having just enough challenges to overcome in a day so that I feel productive and accomplished. I like obstacles that make me feel like I’m solving a puzzle and push me to find Zen, even in a bit of chaos.

MY FAVORITE LOCAL NONPROFIT IS… my own! Quasar Quantum Youth Fund helps underprivileged kids receive the care that they need. I started this nonprofit because I knew that there were so many children in need of the treatments I provide, but whose families sadly could not afford it. I wanted to make sure finances were not an obstacle for anyone, so I decided to set aside a portion of my earnings from the business to fund those children in need of financial assistance.

THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED IS… “Persistence is the key to success,” from Walter Cronkite. It has not been easy to build an entire business from the ground up, especially when the business was set to open in 2020. Even though I had to reevaluate my plan, I knew that there was still a purpose and place for my idea. The one thing that kept me persistent throughout the craziness of the pandemic was my vision to create a space where everyone could heal themselves.

The Bentley Scottsdale

POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS:

Presented By Talking Stick Returns

NOVEMBER 4

By Sondra Barr

On the sunlit lawns of WestWorld of Scottsdale, the rhythmic sounds of galloping horses will once again fill the air as the 12th Annual Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships: Presented by Talking Stick returns this November 4. Touted as America’s most attended polo event, the championship promises action, adrenaline, and allure.

Nic Roldan, America’s top-tier polo player, makes a much-anticipated return, solidifying the event’s status on the global map. With his unmatched prowess and charismatic presence, Roldan’s participation is a beacon for polo aficionados. Once again, the championships tout both local and international teams, each bringing their distinct flair to the field, making for a riveting, cosmopolitan showdown.

Eight teams will vie for supremacy on the turf, representing regions from Texas to Wales, including PRIDE USA and USA Women’s All-Star team. The thrills commence at 10 a.m. with a vibrant contest between the Texas Polo Club - Garland and PRIDE USA. Sterling Jones, famed actor from hits like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Barbie Movie,” will rub shoulders with fellow polo enthusiasts on the field as a player on the PRIDE USA team. He will be joined by 3-goaler Juan Bollini and Vinny Sangaline. Garland standouts Oscar Chacon-Hidalgo and Alec Felhaber will also bring their skills to the field.

The second match at 12:15 p.m. promises to be electric as the Arizona Polo Club, sponsored by Lamborghini, faces off against the USA’s Women’s All-Star team. Local polo stalwarts Diego Florez and Andres Camacho, both with over 12 years of association with the event, will steer the men’s team, while Danielle Travis, Natalie Grancharov Camacho, and Carolyn Likas represent the women.

The day’s highlight will be the clash between the undefeated Bentley Scottsdale’s Aspen Valley Polo Club and the Wales Polo Team from Great Britain at 2:30 p.m. Leading Aspen is USA’s top player, 8-goaler Roldan alongside teammates 3-goal champion Grant Ganzi and patron Melissa Ganzi. Aspen’s fast action will met by some fierce competition as 5-goaler Jason Crowder, alongside Ricky Cooper, and 5-goaler Pete Webb promise a tough battle as they represent the Wales team. With seven Scottsdale titles under their belt, Aspen Valley is primed for an eighth victory.

Then in the final match-up starting at 4 p.m. the North Scottsdale Polo Club, led by another Arizona polo player, Josh Black, will play in a riveting match against New Orleans Polo Club.

Florez, whose ties to the event span 12 years, is not just a competitor but also a passionate advocate for polo. He champions the Scottsdale Polo Academy, which runs out of SandSpur Ranch, 12302 N. 93rd St., located in the heart of Scottsdale’s Cactus equestrian corridor. The academy’s aim, introduce enthusiasts to polo in a supportive and secure setting, emphasizing safety and foundational skills.

Natalie Grancharov Camacho, another ardent advocate for Arizona’s burgeoning polo scene, shares her infectious zeal for the sport, equating its intensity to mainstream sports like football and hockey. Her love affair with polo began at UC Davis. “Being around the team, the horses, it just felt right,” she reflects. For Camacho, polo is more than a sport; it’s an adrenaline-fueled passion.

Beyond the thrilling chukkers, attendees have a plethora of attractions. The Sunset Concert, crafted by leading concert organizers, will feature a top-tier DJ. Meanwhile, wine connoisseurs in attendance are in for a treat with the expanded wine tasting experience. As glasses clink and laughter resonates, enthusiasts can sample an array of wines, immersing in the rich palettes and discovering new favorites, while savoring culinary delights from renowned Scottsdale steakhouse, Maple & Ash. The event also embraces philanthropy, partnering with institutions like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Every sip, cheer, and celebration echoes with a purpose, highlighting the event’s commitment to weaving sport and society seamlessly.

And for those looking for a touch of glam, the Canine Couture Fashion Show by Lugari Pet Salon and The World’s Longest Catwalk Fashion Show, produced by Phoenix Fashion Week, are sure to dazzle.

Adding to the grandeur, the 2023 All-Porsche Grand Display is set to rev up the excitement. Porsche aficionados can revel in a visual feast, culminating in the Best of Show People’s Choice Award.

Whether you’re a fan of the sport, intrigued by its history, or looking for an exhilarating day out, the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships promise an unforgettable experience.

The event is held at WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Rd. For more information about the Polo Academy, visit scottsdalepolo. com. For more information about the 12th Annual Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships: Presented by Talking Stick, visit thepoloparty.com.

This content is sponsored by the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships: Presented by Talking Stick.