Frontdoors Magazine August 2020 Issue

ARTS & CULTURE ISSUE AUGUST 2020 – VOLUME 18, ISSUE 6

frontdoorsmedia.com

Dedication.

Inspiration.

Conservation.

The Phoenix Zoo has found innovative ways to cope, connect and continue to care for its animals.

PHOENIX BOYS CHOIR + TEMPE CENTER FOR THE ARTS + WARRIOR SONGS

EDITOR

PUBLISHER

Karen Werner

Andrea Tyler Evans

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

FRONTDOORS TV HOST AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Neill Fox

Carey Peña

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Tom Evans

PUBLISHING COORDINATOR

Jillian Rivera

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Lesley Kitts CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Julie Coleman Shoshana Leon Judy Pearson Catie Richman McKenna Wesley

BEAUTY PARTNER — MAKEUP

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On the Cover Bert Castro, president and CEO of the Phoenix Zoo, with Fernando, the two-toed sloth

Photo: Marion Rhoades Photography

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TABLE OF CONTENTS {august 2020, volume 18, issue 6} WHAT YOU’RE SAYING....... 06 Reader feedback EDITOR’S NOTE...................... 07 The Show Must Go On 10 QUESTIONS WITH.......... 08 Char and Alan Augenstein, philanthropists and arts supporters BOOKMARKED....................... 10 Jennifer McCabe, director and chief curator at SMOCA

12

OFFICE DOORS...................... 12 Ralph Remintgon, producing artistic director of Tempe Center for the Arts

30

KEY TO THE GOOD LIFE.... 14 Just Try It — Celery Juice A 2ND ACT.................................. 17 Singing On — The magic behind the Phoenix Boys Choir COVER STORY....................... 20 The Phoenix Zoo has found innovative ways to cope, connect and continue to care for its animals NEXT DOORS.......................... 27 Coming to Grips with “The New Normal” STYLE UNLOCKED............... 30 The Collector — Kate Wells CHARITY SPOTLIGHT........ 34 Warrior Songs KITCHEN DOORS.................. 36 Let’s Eat! CHEERS TO THE CHAIR...... 38 Mark Feldman OPEN DOORS......................... 40 Our Hearts Need Art

20 NONPROFIT AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE + Arizona

+ Phoenix

+ Arizona

Commission on the Arts Opera + Arizona Theatre Company + Children’s Museum of Phoenix + Desert Botanical Garden + Heard Museum

+ Phoenix

Boys Choir Zoo + Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art + Tempe Center for the Arts + Warrior Songs

WHAT YOU’RE SAYING {reader feedback}

“ My compliments to you and all of the people on your masthead.”

— BILL SHOVER

“ Such a quality publication.”

— KAREN KOTALIK

“ These stories make us feel stronger and believe in people’s kindness. Thank you for sharing.”

— TATIANA ALBRECHT

“ The current edition is exceptional.

Kudos!”

— HOPE OZER

Send Your Comments To: publisher@frontdoorsmagazine.com

EDITOR’S NOTE {on the job}

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

M

Museums, galleries, theaters, music venues —

start of the pandemic, people have turned to the

they’ve all faced devastating losses from closures

arts for entertainment, comfort and connection. And

due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many have been

the arts community has risen to the occasion by

closed since mid-March.

providing thrilling virtual performances, informative

Indeed, when we planned this issue, we

tours and other meaningful arts experiences.

hoped that by now the Valley’s arts sector would be waking from this nightmare and looking to a booming new arts season ahead.

Unfortunately, it’s July 31 as I write this, and

many venues remain closed. Entire seasons have been modified or pushed back until 2021.

But that’s not the end of the story for the arts

and culture organizations that make the Valley unique and help define who we are. With creativity,

This issue is a love letter to our arts and culture community and a look at how these valuable institutions and inspirational leaders have pivoted during this unprecedented time.

singularity and tenacity, they are acknowledging the current public health challenges we face while still

It’s more apparent than ever that Arizona’s arts

providing a hint of normalcy in these anything but

community is vital to our state’s economy, identity,

normal times.

mental health and well-being. And it will be integral

This issue is a love letter to our arts and culture community and a look at how these valuable institutions and inspirational leaders have pivoted

to supporting our economic recovery and rebound from COVID-19.

At Frontdoors Magazine, we believe that

during this unprecedented time — whether it be by

arts and culture organizations are an engine of

offering virtual performances, tours and classes;

innovation and healing. And though it may be a

making physical or digital upgrades; or holding

little while before we can all meet in a performance

online fundraisers to help them stay afloat while

hall, theater or museum again, we continue to find

their doors are closed.

inspiration in the resilience of Arizona’s arts sector

Their work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Since the

and leaders.

Karen Werner | EDITOR

FRONTDOORS MEDIA

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AUGUST 2020

10 QUESTIONS {fascinating people}

Photo by Jillian Rivera Photography

CHAR AND ALAN AUGENSTEIN Philanthropists and arts supporters

1

here did you move to Arizona from, W and when?

CHAR: We were excited to have the opportunity to make Arizona our forever home beginning in 2003, albeit sad to leave the wonderful experience we had in Kansas City for the previous 13 years. We started our professional careers in Pittsburgh, living in Cincinnati and New York City, before relocating to Kansas City.

We made the joint decision early in our marriage that Arizona would be our choice to share the final chapters of our lives. Due to a favorable combination of circumstances, Alan was asked to relocate to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Phoenix office, where he finished his career with the firm. We often comment to those gifted with birthright in this fabulous state, “We worked a lifetime to get here!”

2

Why are the arts so important to you?

CHAR: The arts are a vital resource, contributing to personal well-being, professional success and societal health. The intellectual stimulation they provide leads to increased academic performance in our schools, as well as heightened creativity and innovation in the workplace. The arts have a social impact, improving the quality and livability of our community. They unify us and feed our souls. The arts also play an essential role in building and sustaining economic vibrancy, strengthening competitiveness in the marketplace.

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3

Do you have a personal background in the arts?

CHAR: We both grew up in Pittsburgh, where culture is part of your DNA. August Wilson hails from Pittsburgh and has always been my favorite playwright. We both believe an integral part of who we are today is due to the developmental benefits of early exposure to the arts. I was selected to participate in a Carnegie Mellon University creative program for youth K–12, allowing for early immersion and artistic enrichment. Although we opted for satisfying careers in business and accounting, our passion always has been with the arts.

ALAN: In New York City, my office was directly across from Radio City Music Hall. My daily commute entailed walking through the Broadway theater district, often in the evening hours at the bustling start of all the shows. This was Broadway immersion at its finest! I am currently on the board of the Herberger Theater Center, the exceptional performing arts center in downtown Phoenix, where I serve as treasurer, on the executive committee and chair the finance committee.

4

How are you helping to keep the arts top of mind during COVID-19?

CHAR: In addition to helping the organizations we are involved with manage an unprecedented crisis, we are active in an advocacy role, communicating the challenges and progress made. We are taking our

directive from competent individuals in leadership roles in the nonprofits we serve. It can go unsaid fundraising is critical at this time to sustain organizations while they are dark, having pivoted to digital platforms for retaining relevance.

ALAN: The United States citizen pays about the cost of one postage stamp in taxes to support the arts. The real stars of the arts right now are the donors. Contributed revenue comprises the lion’s share of support, and continued support is necessary to bridge organizations to a time when reopening on a sustainable basis can be achieved. We are all thinking out of the box to appeal to those with the good fortune of being capable of giving at this time.

5

Char, you are heavily involved with Arizona Theatre Company. Can you talk about your service to the organization?

CHAR: Arizona Theatre Company is comprised of some of my favorite people! Under the dynamic leadership of Sean Daniels as artistic director, and Geri Wright as managing director, it is an exciting time to be involved.

At present, I am honored to be board chair with tremendous, supportive trustees. Although I have great love for all the arts, my heart has always belonged to the treasured LORTs (League of Resident Theatres) in this country, of which ATC is one. The excellent artistry ATC creates can truly transform our community. We take great pride in creating art that beckons you to lean into the piece, often experiencing personal growth. The plays evoke conversation, and often the stories linger with you. ATC has given me great joy.

6

Alan, you’ve had several walk-on roles in various productions.

Which was your favorite?

ALAN: Without a doubt, portraying a resident of River City in Arizona Theatre Company’s production of Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man” on Center Stage of the Herberger Theater Center. What I would have given to see Robert Preston in his Tony-winning performance of Professor Harold Hill! The creative team selected by ATC consisted of several Tony-winning talents, and the resulting collaboration was superb. Kara Mikula was my handler, which greatly enhanced the experience. Kara is a COVID-19 survivor, and everyone’s thoughts and prayers were with her throughout the harrowing ordeal.

Singing in the closing musical number in Act One, “The Wells Fargo Wagon,” was a highlight. Fortunately for everyone, I was not mic’d!

7

What do you feel is notable about our local arts scene?

CHAR: Our demographic diversity allows us to flourish.

There has been explosive growth since we arrived in 2003. The arts organizations have put leaders in place that bring a fresh, open-minded perspective, many of whom are visionaries. They are making strategic, forward-thinking strides, creating an arts scene to which the nation is beginning to pay attention. It is indeed an honor and privilege to serve the community on behalf of many arts organizations.

8

hy are the arts so critical W to Arizona?

ALAN: A vibrant, well-funded arts and culture sector contributes greatly to community vitality, the tourism industry, business attraction and job growth. We strongly believe the arts improve the quality of our lives and feel a civic responsibility to support them to the best of our ability. We continue to be concerned about the ongoing level of funding for the arts in Arizona. Arizona has long suffered from chronic underinvestment in the arts, despite it being an economic stimulus for the economy.

Arizona currently ranks 45th in total state arts agency funding per capita in the United States.

9

What would Frontdoors readers be most surprised to learn about you?

ALAN: At the ripe age of 14 months, I was selected by H. J. Heinz Company to be the “Heinz Baby of the Year.”

At the time, Heinz was a large producer of baby food and there was an annual competition for the coveted role. I was featured in all print media for the year.

CHAR: From 1988 to 1990, I took a sabbatical from my demanding career and operated as sole proprietor, conducting unique tours in New York City. My tours consisted of walking, biking, roller skating and ice skating. One of the most popular was a walking tour, “Must-See Cemeteries,” each one fascinating in its own right.

10

What else would you like people to know?

ALAN: We both optimistically believe the arts will return post-COVID-19, and emerge stronger and more relevant than ever. The spirit and energy of the arts will never die; they will always prevail!

FRONTDOORS MEDIA

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AUGUST 2020

BOOKMARKED {what are you reading?}

JENNIFER McCABE Director and chief curator at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art

RECOMMENDS: “White Fragility”

by Robin DiAngelo

H E R TA K E “Amid the national debate on systemic racism and police violence, I am rereading ‘White Fragility.’ Apparently, I’m not alone as it’s one of many books tackling the difficult topic of race in the United States that is currently on top of the New York Times Best Sellers List for Nonfiction. In ‘White Fragility,’ the academic, lecturer and longtime consultant on issues of racial and social injustice DiAngelo tackles the subject of race from the perspective of whiteness and interrogates those of us who are white, well-intentioned and understand ourselves as openly embracing equity and diversity. The book exposes how we must do more as a society, especially as white people, to dismantle institutional racism.

While I would definitely recommend reading additional books on race by Black authors, this book is a good entry point to a challenging and complex subject. It is intended to push the reader to be self-reflexive and acknowledge our role, whether conscious or not, in upholding white supremacy. 2020 will go down as a watershed year, no doubt. I hope we don’t lose the momentum to reemerge as a stronger and more resilient community.”

AUGUST 2020

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FRONTDOORS MEDIA

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OFFICE DOORS {valley changemakers}

A DAY WITH RALPH REMINGTON Deputy director for Arts & Culture, City of Tempe and producing artistic director of Tempe Center for the Arts

As told to | Julie Coleman

5:30 a.m. >> A SOLID PULSE BEGINS THE DAY

11 a.m. >> PLANNING IN THE WORKS

I start each day with a half-hour on the elliptical and then head downstairs to read The New York Times and go through The Arizona Republic to see if there’s anything pertinent that I need to pay attention to. I usually have “The Today Show” on while reading and flip to “Morning Joe” on MSNBC as well. After a light breakfast, I get on my way to Tempe Center for the Arts.

I carve out time throughout the day planning our TCA season and determining what plays we will produce and present. Producing and presenting are two different things. When we produce, we’re taking something from the page to the stage, and I direct. Right now, we produce two plays a year and present 12 to 15 times a year. Season planning also includes talking with agents and managers and researching acts to bring in.

Several times a year, I travel to conferences such as the Association for Performing Arts Professionals, that showcase various artists and give you a taste of what you might want to bring to your facility.

8:30 a.m. >> DAYLONG MEETING OF THE MINDS In my role, I oversee TCA as well as the Tempe History Museum, arts engagement at Edna Arts, and public art. As all this falls under my rubric, I spend my day in back-to-back meetings, traveling between various buildings, such as the library complex, TCA and City Hall. The meetings’ focus varies and can cover internal operations at TCA and arts and culture in general, capital projects for needed repairs to the negativeedge pond and roof, and City business. Pre-pandemic, traveling in my car to meetings gave me the headspace to sort things out. I could decompress while listening to an eclectic mix of music, ranging from classical and jazz to classic rock, hip hop and country. The music I select speaks to my mood and inspires me in different ways.

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FRONTDOORS MEDIA

1:30 p.m. >> PAST AND PRESENT INTROSPECTION Since I have been in this role, the changes that have occurred have been immense. I was hired on the heels of the creation of the Tempe Arts and Culture Plan put together by 900 stakeholders in the community.

The community wanted original programming in addition to community partnerships with resident artists groups, like we have with Stray Cat Theatre and Desert Dance. I’m proud of the community for having faith in us and giving us a mandate in 2018 to

do what we do by approving the arts and culture tax that funds us in perpetuity. Since arts and culture was combined with the history museum and arts center, we have reimagined our business practices over the past two years for this relatively new enterprise.

Admittedly, we had some real problems around equity and inclusion. As a result of observing this, we began a comprehensive training and have just come out of that on the other side. This training will continue as it is literally a part of what we do. We’re being trained to see everything through an equity lens as opposed to everything is the same, everybody sees it the same, everybody is impacted the same by every decision, because that’s just not the case. Things have gotten better because people are willing to open up, listen, learn and make changes.

Final curtain for the cast of “Dutchman” starring Shae Kennedy Leonard and Calvin Worthen. The play was written by LeRoi Jones / Amiri Baraka and directed by Ralph Remington as part of the 2019-20 TCA Presents season.

3 p.m. >> ARTISTIC EVOLUTION We now provide a place for mainstream works to be seen, but also a platform for marginalized and disenfranchised people to be heard. We want to carve out a niche where if you want something edgier, more compelling, riskier, it’s there.

Because of COVID, we had to furlough a number of our temporary, part-time staff because there’s no work for them. The full-time staff have been driving a lot of online content via our Facebook pages, the Tempe Arts & Culture page, as well as the Tempe Center for the Arts website. Our digital content and interactive programming showcase various artists throughout the Valley and across the country. During this time, we’re also doing a lot of repairs and fixing up our spaces to ensure that when we do return, things are ready and in tip-top shape. Right now, I don’t know when that will be.

Photo credit: Laura Durant

Photo credit: Tim Trumble

10 p.m. >>

UTILIZING A LIFETIME OF TOOLS

My workday ends at various times, depending on what obligations I have. After eating, I enjoy reading, listening to music, watching television and just reflecting. My job is a nonstop grind, but it’s a fun one. It is one of the best jobs I’ve ever done because it pulls on all the tools that I’ve picked up along the way in my life. I’m able to utilize almost every tool, from having been a politician and in the city government, to being a lifelong artist, an administrator, and a kind of organizer and activist. I’m able to give that in the workplace every day, and I don’t know many jobs that would allow you to do that.

To learn more, go to tempecenterforthearts.com.

Julie Coleman | CONTRIBUTING WRITER Ashley Jackson as “Bunny,” Alison Campbell as “Caroline,” and Lillie Richardson as “Chelle” on stage in the 2017-18 TCA Presents and Black Theatre Troupe co-production of “Detroit ’67” by Dominique Morisseau, directed by Ralph Remington.

FRONTDOORS MEDIA

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AUGUST 2020

KEY TO THE GOOD LIFE {what’s trending}

JUST TRY IT— CELERY JUICE What Is Just Try It?

By Laura Beardsley, Allison Irwin, Gretchen Schubert and Lindsey Williams

C

elery juice has been on our list since it began trending in the health industry as a sort of cure-all wonder tonic. Given the COVID situation, and the fact that all of us were mostly home under quarantine, we thought it was the perfect time to get to the bottom of the celery juice question. As in, what does it do and why is everyone obsessing over it?

Celery juice first caught our attention because of Anthony William, formally known as the “Medical Medium” and originator of the global celery juice movement. We read the reviews with skepticism.

Promises of increased energy, gut healing, lifted brain fog, radiant skin and other benefits left us intrigued.

Each of us tried celery juice for 30 days, drinking it in the morning on an empty stomach, as experts recommend. We then followed it with a regular day of eating as usual. Some of us bought it pre-bottled from local juice bars. Some of us juiced it at home. And guess what? It packed a pretty powerful punch. Here are our reviews.

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FRONTDOORS MEDIA

In the world we live in, we are overwhelmed by choices.

Everywhere we look, we see new products, fashion trends, recipes, travel destinations, kitchen gadgets, you name it.

We all want to “just try it” … but is it worth it? Most people don’t have that kind of time or money. That’s where we come in. Think of us as four new friends trying the latest and greatest and giving you our honest reviews.

Left to right: Gretchen Schubert, Lindsey Williams, Allison Irwin and Laura Beardsley

GRETCHEN: It’s an effort to juice it and costs

some money to buy, but totally worth it. I immediately noticed less bloat, water retention and had tons of energy. I’m now continuing to drink it on and off because I feel so healthy when I do.

LINDSEY: For the first few days, the stomach

rumble people talk about was real, which — TMI — led to more “regular” visits to the restroom.* When I drank it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, I could definitely feel it doing something. I noticed less bloat and my stomach felt more flat and empty, which is always appreciated. Did it change my life? Jury’s out.

But I would implement the celery juice regimen if I felt the need to cleanse and detox my liver.

LAURA: Celery juice provided incredible

benefits for me. My energy tripled and the brain fog that I suffered from on almost a daily basis went away. I felt that way for the entire 30 days I drank it. My productivity skyrocketed. It was amazing. I highly recommend!

ALLISON: I could immediately tell the

difference in my energy level after the first day or two. I had zero afternoon slump. My need for a morning coffee was gone. I would even go so far as to say that my overall energy level was higher than usual. After a few weeks, I could tell my skin had a glow and was clear. It was like it was ultra-hydrated. I had zero negative effects.

While I might take breaks from drinking celery juice, it will always be something I come back to to regulate my body.

To learn more, go to justtryit.com.

PURPORTED HEALTH BENEFITS OF CELERY JUICE :: Lowers inflammation :: Supports weight loss :: Helps digestion :: Reduces bloating :: Helps eczema and psoriasis :: Fights infections :: Helps prevent UTIs

* T IP: When first starting celery juice, make sure you are near a restroom or at home. There is a gut detox element and frequent bathroom visits are normal.

:: Heals acne :: Prevents high blood pressure :: Helps lower cholesterol :: Prevents ulcers :: Protects liver health FRONTDOORS MEDIA

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AUGUST 2020

Portraits, Events & Commercial MarionRhoadesPhotography.com - 602.677.3985

A 2ND ACT {helping is healing}

SINGING ON

The Magic Behind the Phoenix Boys Choir Judy Pearson | Contributing Writer

T

here were many times in Herbert Washington’s childhood when things didn’t fall his way. He never met his father or older brother. His mother had schizophrenia. At 7, he was taken out of South Phoenix by child welfare services and sent to live with an aunt, uncle and cousins in Tempe. It was a roof over his head, but often not a pleasant experience. Two years later, the family moved to Phoenix. And that’s when the world changed for young Washington.

The music teacher at his new school, Debra Brandsma, was so impressed with his voice, she encouraged him to audition for the Phoenix Boys Choir, founded in 1947. His talent was recognized there too — he was in! For the first time in his life, Washington felt seen and found a passion.

He also found more. Judy Van Boening, a surgical nurse, was volunteering with the choir when Washington joined.

These days, Herbert Washington conducts his choir digitally.

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AUGUST 2020

From his own time singing in the Phoenix Boys Choir in his youth, Herbert Washington knows the impact it can have on a boy. Today, he helps others have that same life-changing experience.

The more she got to know him, the more she realized how remarkable he was. A single mother with two sons of her own, Van Boening eventually made him a part of her family by adopting him.

Added to Van Boening’s love, Washington soaked up everything he could about music. “The choir develops leadership, character and teamwork in its members,” he said. “We traveled to countries I had only just read about, which in turn opened my eyes to appreciate the resources we have here in America.” It was a miraculous second act, but more was to come.

Understandably, the current pandemic has created hurdles.

But Washington says they haven’t missed a single rehearsal.

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FRONTDOORS MEDIA

Washington went to St. Olaf College in Minnesota.

While there, then-artistic director of Phoenix Boys Choir Georg Stangelberger brought the choir to campus for a boys choir festival. “Georg asked me to work in a small group setting,” Washington said. “It was my first taste of conducting in front of an ensemble. It was exhilarating!”

After he graduated from St. Olaf, Washington returned to Phoenix to work full-time for Stangelberger, doing administrative and artistic work. After completing a master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Arizona, Washington held various choir-conducting positions across the Valley. And then his second second act began.

After 20 years of dedication, Stangelberger was leaving the Phoenix Boys Choir and a global search for his replacement began. Washington applied and was the only local person interviewed. In May 2019, he became the choir’s third full-time artistic director. Stangelberger had come from the Vienna Boys Choir and had done a masterful job creating international recognition for the Phoenix choir. Washington’s mission now is to build national awareness. “My first concert was entitled ‘Sing On.’ There were many who wondered what would happen to the choir after Georg left. I wanted people to know that no matter what, we would come together in music and sing on,” he said. And they have.

The benefits of the choir to the boys, aged 7–14, are many. Participating keeps the boys mentally stable and healthy. As it had been for Washington, music is their passion. The parents are appreciative of the content and discipline the choir provides. And their resilience is inspirational. Not only have some of the boys come from challenging situations — just like Washington — the choir has made changes to expand its reach and face the global pandemic.

Under Washington’s tenure, the “Sing for Brotherhood” program was created to make music more accessible to families. Many don’t have transportation or financial means to get to the choir’s central Phoenix building. So from Sedona to Maricopa, mini-choirs have been created. A music teacher is recruited in these outlying areas whose job is to create a cadet-level (1st–3rd grade) choir. In a synergized, family-friendly, “day camp” environment, the boys eat together, rehearse together and sing together. Their parents provide food and volunteer throughout the day. Boys have a chance to get their feet wet as members of the choir and parents see how the program works. Boys whose families are financially challenged are also eligible for scholarships.

Understandably, the current pandemic has created hurdles. But Washington says they haven’t missed a

single rehearsal. Beginning on March 17, they shifted to an online platform and Zoom as if they were live. He continues to think outside of the box and wants all of Arizona to know the choir is working and thriving, with a fantastic 2021 season to be unveiled soon.

“I am so proud of this organization,” Washington said. “It’s important for the boys to realize they are a light in the world. They make a very positive impact on the audience, each of whom then goes out and shares that positivity with those in their lives.”

It’s a message of hope he shares before each concert. “Music is a universal language that transcends barriers and moves the emotions,” Washington said.

“Not long ago, right after we sang, a grandmother came up to me. With tears in her eyes, she told me that she had felt lost and had had suicidal thoughts. But the choir filled her with love and a new sense of life purpose.”

Just like that grandmother, Washington believes the choir saved him. And it’s still saving lives as it continues to sing on.

To learn more, go to boyschoir.org.

Judy Pearson | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Despite performance cancellations, the Phoenix Boys Choir feels stronger than ever about the critical role music plays in connecting our community. So they are continuing to instill discipline, connection and purpose at virtual rehearsals until their young choristers can sing together again.

FRONTDOORS MEDIA

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AUGUST 2020

COVER STORY {by karen werner}

Dedication.

Inspiration.

Conservation.

W

THE PHOENIX ZOO HAS FOUND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO COPE, CONNECT AND CONTINUE TO CARE FOR ITS ANIMALS

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When he was a boy growing up in Oklahoma, Norberto “Bert” Castro attended a birthday party for friends at the Tulsa Zoo. After his mother picked him up, the 7-year-old son of Cuban immigrants told her he knew what he wanted to do with his life. “I want to be a zookeeper, and I want to take care of the elephant that I got to meet today,” Castro recalled.

Seventeen years later, after earning a degree in zoology, Castro did become that elephant’s keeper. Her name was Gunda, and she was an Asian elephant. “I was mystified and amazed at how smart she was,” Castro said.

“I’ve had a tremendous love for animals all of my life, so that has been my calling.”

Over the past 35 years, Castro has heeded that call at six zoos, starting as a volunteer and then working as a zookeeper, curator, executive director and, now, president and CEO of the Phoenix Zoo. Over that time, he’s seen how zoos have evolved from menageries where people came to gawk at animals to bio parks to conservation organizations. “Even though they’re family-oriented and great places to have wholesome fun and see animals from all over the world, our mission is to protect animals and ensure that they will be around for many, many years to come,” he said.

“You have to be prepared to pivot and find ways to ensure the success of your organization.

That’s what we’ve tried to do here at the Phoenix Zoo.”

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Tired of staying home, thousands of families jumped in their cars to cruise through the Phoenix Zoo in May. Demand was so great, the zoo made the drive-thru safaris a monthly staple.

Despite witnessing industry changes and increasing threats to wildlife as well as weathering both the Great Recession and the effects of physical storms, nothing prepared Castro for the most significant threat the Phoenix Zoo has ever experienced: the coronavirus.

It came in mid-March — peak season for the zoo — when Castro, his board and senior staff decided the zoo needed to close for community safety. As a nonprofit that doesn’t receive funding from local or state government, the timing was exceedingly bad. “We’re a seasonal operation in that we make our money during the high

season to pull us through the summer. We closed the zoo at the time when most of our revenues come in.”

The losses came quickly, said Bonnie Mendoza, the zoo’s vice president and chief financial officer.

“Just the second half of March, we lost almost $1.2 million in admission, retail and food revenue. That’s aside from the events and educational programs we had to cancel. Then we were shut the entire month of April. That’s another $1.6 million in lost admission, retail and food,” she said.

Perhaps more devastating were the staff layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts that followed. At the time, the zoo was fully staffed with about 450 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees. Today, the zoo is running with less than 200. “We’ve had to make some really difficult decisions over the past several months. It’s been devastating for us,” said Christine Lowery-Nunez, vice president of human resources.

The team immediately began navigating the loans and assistance programs the zoo could apply for and it received funds from both the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. “We were fortunate to get that funding to allow us to keep a lot of our employees here,” Mendoza said.

“Our president and core team were here from sunup to sundown and beyond, just being on top of things so that they could make sure we were making the right decisions for our staff,” said Jennifer Flowers, director of guest experiences and membership. “People actually felt bad for the executives having to make the hard decisions,” she said, choking back tears. Thanks to grant

“IT’S BUSINESS AS USUAL WHEN IT COMES TO THE WELFARE OF OUR ANIMALS, MANY OF WHICH ARE HIGHLY ENDANGERED AND CRITICAL TO THE CONSERVATION WORK WE DO.”

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At Cruise the Zoo, guests are able to see a variety of the zoo’s inhabitants — including flamingos, giraffes, elephants and more — while maintaining safe social-distancing measures.

monies, they were able to pay all of the zoo’s full-time employees that had been furloughed.

Of course, being a zoo, it wasn’t just the staff the team was worried about. “Staff here, whether they’re regular or seasonal, love the zoo with a passion. So their chief concern was the animals,” Flowers said.

With 3,000 animals to care for, the zoo must keep their health and safety top of mind. “We have to make 5,000 meals a day,” Castro said. “It’s not like you can just close the doors, lock up and walk away. It’s business as usual when it comes to the welfare of our animals, many of which are highly endangered and critical to the conservation work we do.”

As such, the zoo has kept its operations teams, animal care teams and veterinary teams on-site throughout the closure. “It takes nearly 100 keepers to care for those animals and do more than just tend to their exhibit space. They still have to pay attention to those animals on a daily basis and make sure their behaviors are being marked down,” Mendoza said.

With all that in mind, it was imperative to find a revenue stream to allow the zoo to buy food, care for the animals and maintain some financial stability going into the future.

Enter “Cruise the Zoo.”

After the shutdown, the team started looking for outof-the-box ways to bring in money and noticed that many restaurants and venues were turning to drivethru services. They wondered if — with its 125-acre footprint and broad pathways — the zoo could be made accessible by car.

On a Friday afternoon, seven members of the core leadership team jumped into their cars and started driving different routes to see if they could make it work. They determined that, yes, they could safely invite the public to drive in their own cars with their own families on a safari-type adventure.

On Monday morning, the rest of the team got word of the plan and all sprang into action, making signs, producing an audio tour and preparing for the launch.

“It was all hands on deck,” said Lowery-Nunez.

Just two days later, they launched Cruise the Zoo to extraordinary results. “People went nuts. Our server crashed when we launched tickets,” Flowers said.

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Everything the zoo receives from philanthropic donations, fundraising events, drivethru admissions and virtual experiences goes toward the care and maintenance of the zoo and its animals.

The public was clearly clamoring for a way to safely get out of their houses for a fun family experience.

“People were saying, ‘Thank you for doing this,’” Flowers said. “We had kiddos waving to us, blowing us kisses.”

The animals took notice as well. “The animals were like, ‘Wow, what’s going on?’ They were very curious,” Lowery-Nunez said.

In just 18 days in May, they brought in nearly 12,000 cars, received rave reviews and had ticket revenue of over $700,000. Cruise the Zoo has since become a monthly staple for the zoo and a fundamental way to bring in needed revenue. “It’s a very happy story for all of us in the sense that it’s good for the public and it’s raised considerable revenues that we need,” Castro said.

On top of that, the public has stepped up to donate more than $800,000 to the Phoenix Zoo’s Relief Fund, and some members have decided not to have their memberships extended because of the closure, opting instead to consider the lost time a donation. “Our appreciation cannot be overstated,” Mendoza said. “The outpouring of support has been overwhelming.”

The closure has also brought other silver linings — such as the opportunity to build a new toucan exhibit and remodel the Cavern Cafe — as well as time to reflect and grow in new areas. Chief among these has been expansion in the digital realm. “The day that we closed, we decided if people can’t come to the zoo traditionally, we’re going to offer it virtually,” Castro said.

Digital safaris let guests explore areas of the zoo that are typically off-limits, along with a chance to meet

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zookeepers and get up close with animals. The zoo also put lots of educational opportunities on its website, so kids can do science-based activities on the Internet.

“They are a huge hit, and a good way to stay engaged with the community,” Castro said.

Along those lines, the zoo turned its cocktail happy hour “Roars and Pours” into a virtual experience, too.

Two of the education staff served as hosts, venturing to different areas of the zoo and talking about the animals there. “People could watch it live and send in questions or tell us what other animals they wanted to see,” Flowers said. The event raised critical funds to keep animals fed and cared for.

Speaking of animals, some of the zoo’s residents have helped with fundraising even more directly. After the zoo’s digital communications specialist suggested using the app Cameo to sell personalized messages to fans, the zoo decided to make their two-toed sloth Fernando the first sloth on the platform. “Sure enough, within a matter of days, we had dozens of people who wanted messages from Fernando to go out to their loved ones. Fernando is a star,” Mendoza said.

The celebrity sloth has since raised more than $10,000 on Cameo. And though the zoo also offers Cameos from its giraffes, flamingos and stingrays, “Nobody even comes close to Fernando,” Castro said.

The success of the Cameo experiment encouraged the team to consider how to relay other events and educational programs digitally, as well. “There’s still so much that we can do in a virtual way to have people appreciate nature and the conservation work that we do,” Mendoza said.

Embracing the digital landscape has been a learning experience for the zoo, not least of which for Castro.

The zoo is now encouraging telecommuting when possible, something Castro didn’t favor before. “It’s really worked for us. Obviously, our keeper staff isn’t able to do that, but for the people that work in the office, they have been able to do the job and do it well from home,” he said.

It’s this kind of flexibility and resilience that the zoo is relying on to help them get through this time.

And though it has been undeniably difficult since the coronavirus hit, they note a couple of things that have made the challenges a bit easier.

One is the unwavering support of the community, which has stepped up in droves for Cruise the Zoo, as well as virtual fundraisers, online educational offerings and animal experiences. “We as the staff love this place because that’s where we come every day. But it’s really been a motivator to see the outpouring from the community,” Mendoza said. “I would like them to know how much we appreciate their support, not only members, but folks at large that are continuing to support us.”

“OUR APPRECIATION CANNOT BE OVERSTATED. THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING.”

The second thing that has made recent times more bearable might also be what saves the zoo in the end — how nimble an organization it has shown itself to be.

Whether it’s moving Cruise the Zoo from concept to ticket launch within the span of a week or looking to new apps to generate funds, the team is prepared to evolve and change in whatever ways will make the zoo more sustainable.

It’s been the leadership moment Bert Castro has been preparing for all of his life, and certainly since he was that 7-year-old boy who dreamed of taking care of the elephant, Gunda. “I’m a first-generation immigrant to the United States. My parents are from Havana, Cuba, and I can remember at a very young age, my dad telling me to always be prepared for change, and don’t resist it, embrace it, and know that sometimes you don’t have control of it,” he said. “You have to be prepared to pivot and find ways to ensure the success of your organization. That’s what we’ve tried to do here at the Phoenix Zoo.” To learn more, go to phoenixzoo.org.

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2020-21 Arizona Tax Credit

PRESENTED BY

Giving Guide Frontdoors Media will once again be producing its special Tax Credit publication featuring qualified entities for the 2020-21 tax season. With a run time from October 29, 2020 to the April 15, 2021 contribution deadline, it’s a great resource for eligible organizations looking to stand out from the crowd and for individuals looking for the right place to donate.

The 2020-21 Tax Credit Giving Guide will be distributed digitally and in print to more than 50,000 Frontdoors Media subscribers and followers and more than 900 tax professionals in Maricopa County. Reserve your space in one of these categories: 1. QUALIFYING CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS (LIMITED TO 50 QUALIFIED ORGANIZATIONS) 2. QUALIFYING FOSTER CARE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS 3. PUBLIC SCHOOL TAX CREDIT 4. CERTIFIED SCHOOL TUITION ORGANIZATIONS

RESERVE A SPOT IN THE 2020-21 GUIDE TODAY! Contact Your Frontdoors Representative or jill@frontdoorsmedia.com | 480-622-4522 | frontdoorsmedia.com

NEXT DOORS {ahead of the curve}

COMING TO GRIPS WITH “THE NEW NORMAL” Valley arts and culture organizations fight to survive the pandemic Tom Evans | Contributing Editor

S

urvival. It’s a word that has taken on a much deeper meaning during the pandemic.

We’ve all been presented with a set of circumstances few of us could have imagined. The ripple effect on everyday life has been the most significant change any of us has seen in our lifetimes.

Entire industries have all but shut down, and the way we approach our daily lives has fundamentally changed.

Forget about the personal and public health implications of the word “survival” for a moment.

“Survival” is now a business strategy, especially for organizations in arts and culture. We’re all being presented with agonizingly difficult decisions to make on a day-to-day basis. But for those running museums, performing arts organizations or other entities in the arts and culture space, those decisions are exceedingly complicated.

This is a “no judgment” zone, by the way. I’m not here to moralize whether an organization should or should not open — although I will say that if they can safely present their programming and fight for their survival, and the powers that be allow them to open, then I’m all for it. If you feel like we should be more locked down than we are right now to fight off the COVID-19 pandemic, then I, by all means, understand your viewpoint and don’t necessarily disagree.

But let’s look at three examples, to give you a sense of what the arts and museums are struggling with. I just want to convey how some of the decisions you’ve seen have been made, and the arduous and thorough thought process behind those choices.

Desert Botanical Garden The Garden has reopened with limited occupancy and reservations required, with some indoor areas

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The Heard Museum was closed in April and May due to the coronavirus, but reopened to the public on June 9.

“

The only easy thing to understand is that we need to support the arts — sigh, now more than ever.

closed. Obviously, the Garden enjoys an advantage when dealing with the pandemic in that it’s outside, providing for a more naturally safe environment.

Still, not every outdoor-focused organization has felt comfortable making the same choice.

“The decision was quite difficult, as there is no easy answer to the dual challenge of protecting everyone’s health and our staff’s financial security,” said Kenneth Schutz, the Dr. William Huizingh executive director of the Garden. “We focused first on the safety of our staff and visitors, and when we found a way to keep everyone safe, we opened the Garden on a limited basis. We insist on mask-wearing, social distancing and only allow a limited number of guests in the Garden at any one time.”

Schutz said they’ve not had any moments of concern to this point, and are grateful to be able to provide an outdoor opportunity for Valley residents to engage with nature.

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“The reaction has been very positive,” Schutz said.

“By allowing our guests to be outside, enjoying nature and exercising, we are providing a valuable community service. I’m grateful that we have been able to adapt to these extraordinary times and that we can continue to offer a place of respite for everyone.”

The Heard Museum The Heard was one of the first cultural organizations in town to reopen, and while some closed again as COVID-19 rates spiked in June, the Heard has been able to ride it out without closing again.

“Our primary focus is providing a safe environment for our visitors and staff by requiring face coverings, limiting attendance to 100 visitors per hour or 240 per day, less than 30 percent of our capacity, and requiring social distancing,” said David Roche, Dickey Family CEO and director of the Heard. “In addition, we are continuously sanitizing all public spaces throughout the campus, maintaining Plexiglas barriers between staff and visitors, and providing complimentary styluses for those who wish to use our interactive displays.”

Roche said patrons have been very respectful of the new guidelines.

“Visitors have been gracious and thankful for the face-covering requirement,” he said. “We’ve also received a number of comments that visitors are impressed with the new safety protocols that we’ve put in place to help them feel safe during their museum visit.” However, some other museums in the Valley — including the Arizona Science Center and the Phoenix Zoo — opened on a limited basis only to close when COVID-19 cases spiked.

Arizona Opera Nothing in the arts and culture space has been hit harder than the performing arts, for obvious reasons.

And with no end to the pandemic in immediate sight, performing arts organizations are having to make some extraordinarily difficult decisions. From a public performance standpoint, 2020 is pretty much a loss.

It’s making it to 2021 that becomes the challenge.

The Arizona Opera is doing its best to make the upcoming 2020-21 season engaging for patrons, focusing on a series of outdoor performances announced in late July. The details of these performances are being fleshed out, but will also include a virtual component.

“Our patrons have clearly expressed that they remain committed to staying connected with Arizona Opera and our art form, but that they are not ready to return to an in-theater setting under current circumstances,” said Arizona Opera’s president and general director, Joseph Specter. “We are determined, nevertheless, to continue serving communities throughout our state and beyond through a variety of outdoor and digital offerings that take advantage of the beauty of Arizona during the opera season.”

But other arts organizations might not be able to make virtual or outdoor performances work — and frankly, no one knows what in-person performances will look like in the coming months, and when they will be able to take place. So, many organizations across the country are punting on 2020-2021, and instead focusing on the hopes of a robust comeback in fall 2021.

No Easy Answers Look, every decision is hard right now. And if you own a business or run a nonprofit, you know that your organization’s very survival is dependent on the hardest question we’ve ever been presented with as a society — how do we continue to function, and at the same time keep people safe?

There are no easy answers, of course. The only easy thing to understand is that we need to support the arts — sigh, now more than ever. Whether they’re able to open their doors or not, it’s critical that we help them make it to the other side of this public health crisis.

So do what you think is right, and do what you feel is best for you and the arts organizations you love.

If that means going out, then go out. If not, and you have the means to help, then get your checkbook out.

If you do, when all of this is over, we’ll enjoy and savor the arts more than we ever have before.

Tom Evans | CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

CHECKING IN WITH...

KIESHA McFADDEN

THE CULTURE OF PHILANTHROPY /// Over the past few months, a large number of philanthropic events have been postponed or canceled. The good news is that many of us have still found a way to do our part. I want to give huge, well-deserved kudos to all of the men and women of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society’s Man/Woman of the Year campaign. These candidates accomplished a huge achievement in their fundraising, all while practicing safeguards regarding the pandemic. Things may be different for us all, but the culture of fundraising remains. There are still many ways to volunteer and give back. For instance, Arizona Helping Hands is the largest provider of necessities for children in foster care in the state. Volunteer opportunities are available Monday through Friday with morning or afternoon options, each lasting approximately two hours.

For more info, go to azhelphands.org.

MARKET UPDATE ///

The U.S. homeownership rate soared to an almost 12-year high in the second quarter as low interest rates allowed more Americans to qualify for mortgages.

The homeownership rate jumped to 67.9% from 65.3% in the first quarter. According to the Census Bureau, homeownership is the highest it has been since the third quarter of 2008. Homeownership for Black Americans rose 3% during the second quarter to 47%, the highest since 2008. The rate for Hispanics increased to 51.4%, the highest going back to 1994. The cheapest financing costs on record have widened the pool of people who qualify for mortgages, said Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors.

Lenders qualify applicants by the amount of the monthly payment measured against their income, and when financing costs go down, the payment shrinks. “Lower rates always do a magic trick of bringing more buyers into the housing market,” Yun said. With mortgage rates at record lows, now is an excellent time to refinance and save money on your monthly payment or even shorten your term and keep the same payment.

16930 E. Palisades Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 NMLS #1467650

KIESHA MCFADDEN | 480.252.9365 Kiesha@TolisMortgageUSA.com NMLS #198458

STYLE UNLOCKED {living fashionably}

THE COLLECTOR KATE WELLS AMASSES MEMORIES AND HERMÈS

By McKenna Wesley

K

ate Wells, the CEO of the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, gathers love, memories and Hermès scarves wherever she goes.

She grew up in South Florida, wearing colorful Lily Pulitzer shifts. Those early fashionable days led to a lifelong love of color, beauty and exuberance.

Wells has lived in Arizona since high school, with a short break to attend the University of San Diego.

Married for 28 years, she and her husband Jeff have two daughters, Tesla and Phoebe. Phoebe, 20, was at our photoshoot and is as lovely as her mother.

The two have a wonderful bond and shared many family memories.

One such memory stemmed from the 2009–2010 trip Kate and Jeff took with their young daughters. The plan was to travel to 22 countries in 14 months, following the sun. But here’s the kicker: Each family member could bring whatever they needed, but everyone had to carry their items in their personal backpack.

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It’s this mix of passion and pragmatism that makes Wells so alluring. “For me, fashion goes hand in hand with design,” she said. “It transcends what I wear and is more about what I surround myself with. Of course, my clothes, shoes, jewelry and accessories fall into the ‘fashion’ category, but so do the throw blankets I snuggle in, the cups I sip tea out of, and even the sheets on my bed. I’m a visual learner, and great design feeds my soul.”

Fortunately, her early years in Florida helped forge a style that works well in Arizona. “I’m not afraid of color, and I dread close-toed shoes,” she said. “Fun is the first order of business at my work so boldly colored dresses and a great pair of nude heels are pretty much my uniform.”

Another staple she swears by on weekends and when traveling is linen. “Wide-legged linen pants and almost any kind of top are comfy and chic, go well with everything from a bathing suit to a sequined tank, and roll perfectly in a weekender,” Wells said.

Photo by Jillian Rivera Photography

As for her signature splurge, it’s one similarly favored by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Queen Elizabeth II and Grace Kelly: Hermès scarves.

“When I wear a pretty scarf, I feel like I’m sharing my day with a beautiful piece of art,” Wells said.

“Hermès, to me, is the pinnacle of man-made detail, and every one of their scarves is a little masterpiece.”

Wearing the scarves makes Wells feel confident, nostalgic and attractive. “I find that scarves amplify my mood as well as my outfit,” she said. “I’ll throw one on a purse, or wear as a belt for a pop of color, and it just brightens my day. But I’ve also worn one on my head — pirate-style — to a gala and felt sassy and bold all night long.”

Her collection brings back memories of where and when she purchased them. Her first Hermès scarf came from a shop called Le Monde du Voyage in the Paris Flea Market that sells vintage Hermès. “My dad and I spent forever ogling them all, and he treated me to a butterfly and flower beauty called Farandole. I was forever hooked,” she said.

Another favorite is her Astrologie/Dies et Hore, an orchid-colored scarf festooned with the sun and astrological chart. Wells found it when she and her family were backpacking around the world on a tiny budget. “I found this scarf in an upscale secondhand boutique in Wellington, New Zealand, and splurged on it,” Wells said. “It really upped my

“

Kate Wells treasures her collection of Hermès scarves and shares memories of collecting them with her daughter, Phoebe (above).

“When I wear a pretty scarf, I feel like I’m sharing my day with a beautiful piece of art.”

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Whether tied to a bag or worn around the head, neck, waist or wrist, the Hermès scarf has been dubbed the female equivalent of a Swiss Army knife.

hiking wardrobe and became my favorite souvenir of the entire trip.”

A new addition is already a favorite. “I turned 50 this summer and my best friend and soul sister Natascha Ovando-Karadsheh gifted me Naissance d’une Idée (Birth of an Idea) because it reminded her of me and my endless pursuit of the nascent idea.” It’s in Pantone’s 2020 color of the year Classic Blue, which encourages us “to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication.”

“Perfect for this year, I think!” Wells said.

On that note, in this unusual year, Wells has found another use for her scarves. “Early on, when masks weren’t readily available, I kept my Sur un Tapis Volant (On a Flying Carpet) tied to my purse, so I could wear it when I went into stores,” she said. “It’s not simple to wash, so I sadly started wearing far less interesting masks. Hermès has a washable silk scarf out now, though. I’m thinking it might be a good investment.”

This kind of open-minded embrace of the world makes Wells the thoughtful leader she is. Back in late 2019, she had the chance to walk the Camino de Santiago in northwestern Spain by herself and reflect on the first 50 years of her life. “Gratitude and humility

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at the privilege I have enjoyed because of where I was born and the color of my skin is something that I thought about a lot, and continue to unpack and learn about as the world faces immense challenges,” she said. “I decided upon my return that I would find more time to volunteer in our community. I hope others find inspiration to channel their energy toward making positive changes that benefit others.”

And while Wells enjoys and appreciates having pretty things like scarves and opportunities to travel, “having the opportunity to be of service to others is what really brings richness to my life,” she said.

McKenna Wesley | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT {giving back}

HEALING FROM THE WOUNDS OF WAR Warrior Songs uses music to help veterans relieve PTSD

By Karen Werner

Organization: Warrior Songs Founder and executive director: Jason Moon

ORIGIN: Singer/songwriter Jason Moon served in Iraq from 2003 to 2004 as a general construction equipment operator in a combat engineer battalion. After he was honorably discharged from the Wisconsin Army National Guard in AUGUST 2020

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August 2004, Moon struggled to return to civilian life.

Overcome with emotions about his combat experience, he was unable to finish a single song.

Moon was plagued by insomnia, depression, hypervigilance, nightmares and other symptoms.

Troubled by the changes, he sought treatment and was diagnosed with PTSD. Moon’s road to healing was difficult, culminating in a failed suicide attempt in 2008. After being released from the hospital, he vowed not to let PTSD control his life and started connecting with other veterans struggling with similar challenges.

In 2009, Moon was interviewed for the documentary “On the Bridge” and asked to record an original song for the credits. The experience inspired him to start writing music again and led to his 2010 album “Trying to Find My Way Home,” which chronicles his journey to overcome the difficulties of living with PTSD. Moon toured the country over the next year, meeting many veterans who told him about the positive effect his music had in their own recoveries. He learned he could turn his pain into something they could relate to — music.

Believing other veterans could benefit from the cathartic process of creating music, Moon formed Warrior Songs, a nonprofit bringing hope and healing to veterans through music.

KNOWN FOR: Operating on an annual budget of $50,000, Warrior Songs provides free services to veterans, including four-day intensive creative arts healing retreats. Since starting in 2010, the organization has served more than 45,000 veterans and given away more than 30,000 CDs.

VOLUNTEER WHO MAKES A DIFFERENCE: Connie Baptiste, an Air Force veteran who serves on Warrior Song’s board of directors. She recently headed up an emergency COVID-19 assistance program that helped 22 at-risk veterans receive $250 emergency

Connie Baptiste (above right) contributed the song “Always on Top” to the 2018 release “Women at War: Warrior Songs Vol. 2” and served on the five-woman leadership committee for that CD.

cash assistance grants. Baptiste performed a song on the award-winning “Women at War: Warrior Songs Vol. 2” and is co-producer on “Veterans of Color: Warrior Songs Vol. 4,” due out in 2022. She is also a chef and a senior ambassador at Women Veteran Social Justice.

BY THE NUMBERS: Since 2010, Moon has traveled over 400,000 miles and given more than 500 performances to over 25,000 civilians and 10,000 veterans. Since beginning his veterans’ advocacy work in 2008, he has helped raise more than $500,000 to assist veterans in healing from the wounds of war.

To learn more, donate or purchase CDs, go to warriorsongs.org.

After Jason Moon returned from active combat duty in Iraq, he was plagued by PTSD symptoms and didn’t finish writing a single song for five years.

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KITCHEN DOORS {let’s eat}

A PASSION FOR POTTERY: BLUE DOOR CERAMICS Photos courtesy of Chase’s Diner

PROUD MEMBER:

PROUD MEMBER OF:

CHASE’S DINER

PROUD MEMBER OF:

2040 N. Alma School Road | CHANDLER New Yorkers Nancy and Skip Chase opened Chase’s Diner in Chandler in 1997. “Back in New York, I’d spend time riding my motorcycle from small town to small town, and everywhere I stopped would be mom-and-pop restaurants. When we moved to Chandler we decided to open our own mom-and-pop diner,” Skip said.

Family is an essential part of the business. Skip’s sister has worked at the diner since opening day and the Chase kids literally grew up in the restaurant. “Chandler is a very familyfriendly community and a huge part of our customer base is families. We still have both customers and employees that were here the first day we opened. We often get remarks from winter visitors about how amazing it is to see the same faces working at the restaurant year after year. We’ve developed some really special relationships over the years between our staff and our customers,” Skip said.

The menu features made-from-scratch American classics, from breakfast favorites and homestyle dinners to homemade desserts, served in a fun atmosphere with neon décor and a working jukebox.

The Chases support other local businesses and organizations. “We get almost all of our meat from French’s Meat Shoppe, and we recently teamed up with State Forty Eight for our new employee shirts and merchandise,” Skip said.

“It’s always a good feeling when local businesses are able to work together.”

The Chases also support local Rotary Clubs, churches, schools and events. “We’re always happy to help organizations raise money for worthy causes,” Skip said. “Our daughters are actively involved with a nonprofit called Best Buddies that assists adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Every year, we sponsor their walk and try to attend as many events as possible to do our part to create a more inclusive world.”

For more information, go to chasesdiner.com.

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Christiane Barbato turned her passion for pottery into a career at age 40. After working in finance and the hotel industry for years, she realized she needed a change and started Blue Door Ceramics, where she creates dinnerware and home décor.

A mother of three, Barbato moved from her native Brazil to Phoenix in 2006. “I always loved Phoenix since I was a teenager. I was an exchange student here at Chaparral High “ I SEE IT AS A School,” she said.

COLLABORATION. In addition to creating I’M ALWAYS HAPPY dinnerware and décor for homes, TO MAKE PLATES Barbato has created items for local restaurants and chefs, including FOR CHEFS AS Christopher Gross at the Wrigley THEY ARE SUCH Mansion, Kevin Binkley of Binkley’s, AMAZING ARTISTS.” and Samantha Sanz and Chuck Kazmer from Talavera at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale.

“I love working with chefs because it’s so rewarding to see their beautiful food on my plates and also because it keeps me creative,” Barbato said. “I see it as a collaboration.

I’m always happy to make plates for chefs as they are such amazing artists. It’s very gratifying when a client says, ‘I saw your plate at this restaurant and loved it. Can you make the same for my home?’ I love my work and can’t wait to grow and spread love around the world through my plates.”

Giving back is important to Barbato. She donates a portion of her sales to Casa Brazil, No Kid Hungry and Tripura Foundation, which all focus on helping children in need.

“If we have something bigger behind the business, it gives fulfillment. I feel like I can help make a difference in the world with my small contribution,” she said.

For more information, visit bluedoorceramics.com.

Photo courtesy of Blue Door Ceramics

Photo by Debby Wolvos

A CREATIVE COLLABORATION: TWIST BISTRO AND GALLERY 32409 N. Scottsdale Road | SCOTTSDALE

ART ON A PLATE

“ FOOD IS THE ONLY ART THAT TOUCHES ALL FIVE SENSES.

BY MAKING THE FOOD BEAUTIFUL, IT HEIGHTENS OUR GUESTS’ EXPERIENCE.”

Chef Cory Oppold of Atlas Bistro in South Scottsdale is known for thoughtful and flavorful highend cuisine, as well as exquisite presentation. “As chefs, it is our job to make the food delicious, and as culinary artists, our job is to make the food beautiful as well,” he said. “Food is the only art that touches all five senses. By making the food beautiful, it heightens our guests’ experience.”

Oppold grew up on a dairy farm in Illinois and moved to Phoenix in 1998 to pursue a degree in architecture. “I had a huge fascination for both art and math and loved architecture. I visited my first fine dining restaurant in 1999 and immediately was hooked,” he said.

Oppold changed direction and graduated from the Scottsdale Culinary Institute. He worked at several iconic restaurants, including Different Pointe of View, Binkley’s and Tarbell’s, and taught culinary school. In 2014, he became the chef at Atlas Bistro. In 2020, he created Simmer Down meal kits featuring casual family meals, gourmet options and in-home dining experiences.

Oppold gets inspiration for plate presentation from a variety of sources. “My biggest inspiration is the seasonality of vegetable and fruit ingredients. The simple shapes of different vegetables can lend themselves to unique designs,” he said.

How can home chefs make their plates more attractive? “My suggestions are to keep it simple and don’t clutter the plate,” he said. “Find your own style. Find what looks good to you and then build upon it.”

Oppold, a winner of Food Network’s “Chopped” cooking competition, participates in several local charity events and volunteers for the Blue Watermelon project, which advocates for nutritious food in schools and educates students about healthy eating. “I generally involve myself in causes that benefit children through food or education,” he said. “I have a daughter that means the world to me so I understand the importance of improving our children’s futures.”

For more information, visit atlasbistrobyob.com and simmerdownmeals.com.

Twist Bistro and Gallery in North Scottsdale offers American dishes with Mediterranean flavors and also features art for sale.

Twist, which opened in May, is a creative collaboration between husband and wife owners Larry and Sandy Tracey Shore. Larry has decades of experience as a chef at restaurants, including The Boulders Resort in Carefree and House of Tricks in Tempe. Sandy is a juried member of the Sonoran Arts League and the Scottsdale Artists League.

The art in the restaurant has a rotating theme and includes work by Sandy, employees and other artists who can submit their work online through Twist’s website. The current theme is New Beginnings and the upcoming theme is Twisted, which will run from the end of August through mid-November.

The couple had a similar restaurant and gallery concept in Colorado, where they sold more than 170 pieces of art in four years.

Larry started cooking at a young age and enjoys putting his own twist on classic dishes. Food at Twist is made from scratch Photo courtesy of Twist Bistro and Gallery featuring local ingredients.

Some of the most popular items include the house-smoked lamb belly bacon gyro with feta cheese and garlic yogurt sauce; shrimp and sausage diablo with three-cheese polenta; and chicken and dumplings with house-made gnocchi and blackberry mostarda. The gluten-free mascarpone cheesecake is a favorite — it’s extremely light with a pistachio crust. Specialty cocktails include the smoked margarita with smoked bitters and a smoked paprika salt rim, and the Twistini with ginger syrup and cucumber.

Twist offers weekend brunch with crepes, benedicts, tartines and omelets. Happy hour is available at the bar Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. with 25 percent off all food items and discounts on drinks.

“We have received great feedback so far,” said Sandy.

“Our customers are glad we’re here and we are filling a niche in the area. Some people will come in one night for dinner and come back for brunch the next day.”

To learn more, go to twist-bistro.com.

Shoshana Leon | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

FRONTDOORS MEDIA

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AUGUST 2020

CHEERS TO THE CHAIR {Society of Chairs}

Congratulations to our August Honoree!

Partners

Fresh Food Collab redirects surplus healthful food to those in need and sets them up for long term success and independence by teaching them how to grow their own.

Mark Feldman Commission Chair Arizona Commission on the Arts To learn more about Feldman and his service to the Commission, go to frontdoorsmedia.com/cheerstothechairs Frontdoors is proud to recognize those who volunteer their time, treasure and talents to support local organizations in a leadership role.

Fresh Food Collab is calling on volunteers, local farmers, natural companies, and corporate partnerships/donations to help us get food to people who have been impacted by Covid-19.

JOIN US!

Brought to you by:

Custom Logo Gifts to Brand Your Cause and Define Your Event CharityCharms.com

AUGUST 2020

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www.WeAreUFE.org FRONTDOORS MEDIA

/freshfoodcollab

The Valley’s Highest Quality, Most Reliable, Best Equipped Audio/ Visual Company is also the Best Value in Town Find out what dozens of the Valley’s top events and nonprofits already know — Latest Craze Productions goes above and beyond to create an extraordinary AV experience for any occasion. Be sure to ask us about our incredible new LED walls that will make your visuals stand out like never before.

LatestCrazeProductions.com | 480.626.5231

OPEN DOORS {publisher’s page}

OUR HEARTS NEED ART Andrea Tyler Evans | Publisher

So, here we are, 20-plus weeks into a global pandemic and the daily stress it has caused on all people, all places and all things.

T

he flow of information for our local nonprofit arts and culture organizations has gone from canceled events to emergency funding announcements and now plans for “virtual” gatherings through the fall season.

But the experience of connecting with art is such a personal one. For me, sitting in a theater audience or viewing a modern art installation evokes emotion, leading to conversations with friends and collected memories.

Happy memories.

While I enjoy the Zoom performances and virtual tours, I worry that enthusiasm for them is growing weary and will continue to do so as the weeks carry on. It makes me think of the Grinch and his shrinking heart. What if we could find a way to expand that shrinking heart? Something that makes us feel good and something we could pass on to family and friends?

AUGUST 2020

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FRONTDOORS MEDIA

IDEA #1: If you can, consider looking back at your calendar from last fall. Which performances and arts venues did you go to? Would you consider donating the amount you paid for those tickets and admissions this fall to ensure that they will be there for you and your family next year and in the years to come?

Or even a portion of what you paid? Consider including a note to the CEO or executive director to let them know what that visit meant to you or the family members who attended. It’s one way to fill your heart for a day.

IDEA #2: Is there a young artist in your family? What if we each asked a child to make a special drawing to send to our favorite museum as a thank you. For older children, see if there is a virtual tour so they can pick a piece that inspires their artwork. If they have a few dollars from their allowance or piggy bank to include, they are learning the art of philanthropy at the same time.

Sharing a child’s heart is always a good idea.

IDEA #3: Consider saying “yes” to a virtual arts event this fall.

While many in-person galas and black-tie dinners come with a minimum $250-$1,000 per plate ticket price, the new wave of virtual events and auctions are free or at a minimal donation level (less than $100). Watch the Frontdoors Calendar for weekly updates and try one that you’ve always wondered about! You’ll see that these events are an opportunity to learn more about the organization’s programs outside of their performance or exhibition schedule, and donations during the program are welcome at any level. The whole family can be in on this one and your hearts will grow together through the shared experience.

Let’s be honest. We are looking at another 20+ weeks of no large gatherings through the end of the year and a holiday season without being able to participate in Valley traditions like “A Christmas Carol,” “The Nutcracker” or the Mariachi Festival. Let’s rally each other to be inspired by our past experiences with art and culture in the Valley. Let’s share their creative online activities via social media. Let’s make sure our children or grandchildren know that they can create art from home. If everyone does a little bit to help love the arts, we can ensure that the beautiful experiences we are missing right now will return and help us grow our hearts beyond measure.

Andrea Andrea Evans | PUBLISHER

FRONTDOORS MEDIA

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AUGUST 2020

Frontdoors Media is Here to Serve Arizona’s Nonprofit Community It’s time to start putting plans in place to help your nonprofit raise funds and awareness of your mission over the course of the next year!

ARIZONA TAX CREDIT GIVING GUIDE Presented by Eide Bailly Reservations are now open to reserve your logo and listing in the 2020-2021 Tax Credit Giving Guide.

Space is limited to 50 Qualified Organizations. Payment is not due at this time and upgrades may be considered at a later date. Click here to hold your spot today.

KEY TO STRENGTH Frontdoors has partnered with Charity Charms to create a new kind of corporate giving program to raise funds and tell the story behind the partnership! Click here for more information.

VALLEY+AID LIVE Frontdoors Media can help your organization fundraise in the virtual environment! Check out ValleyAidLive.com to see this virtual event concept powered by Frontdoors Media.

Contact Jill Rivera at Jill@FrontdoorsMedia.com today for our updated nonprofit rate card so we can help you plan your media buy for the coming season.

your key to the community Andrea Tyler Evans | Publisher | andrea@frontdoorsmedia.com 3104 E. Camelback Road #967 | Phoenix, Arizona 85016 | 480-622-4522 | frontdoorsmedia.com