Frontdoors Magazine September/October 2020

SEPT/OCT 2020 VOLUME 18, ISSUE 7

PROACTIVE PARENTING

Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids offers tools to help families thrive FALL FASHION + PROJECT ROOTS + EXPECT MORE ARIZONA

For 60 years we’ve helped feed your family and keep them healthy.

September is Hunger Action Month

We’re on a mission to end hunger in the communities we call home and eliminate waste aross our company by 2025.

In 2019, we donated 11 million meals to Arizona’s hungry families and diverted 107 million pounds of waste from landfills through our recycling, livestock feeding and food rescue programs.

women mean business 2020 ATHENA Awards Celebration | Friday, November 6, 2020 www.phoenixchamber.com/athena2020 The ATHENA Awards celebrate women who are blazing trails in their industries, mentoring others, and giving their time and talents to their communities. Attending the ATHENA Awards will provide a unique opportunity to get to know the best in Valley business, and be inspired by outstanding community leaders.

Congratulations to the 2020 ATHENA Finalists!

Private Sector: • Rhonda Bannard, President & Chief Connector, Inspired Connections • Rachel Frazier Johnson, Esq. Principal & Managing Attorney, Rachel Frazier Johnson Law • Monica Garnes, Division President, Fry’s Food Stores • Doris Savron, Vice Provost, Academic Colleges, University of Phoenix Public Sector: • Peggy J. Chase, President & CEO, Terros Health • Chevy Humphrey, The Hazel A. Hare President & CEO, Arizona Science Center • Torrie Taj, CEO, Child Crisis Arizona • Christine K. Wilkinson, PhD, Senior Vice President & Secretary of the University; CEO & President, ASU Alumni Association, Arizona State University Young Professional: • Veronica Aguilar, Associate Director of Alumni Career Services, Arizona State University • Anna Carolina Ortiz, International Program Director, Esperança • Monica Trejo, Arizona State Director, National Domestic Workers Alliance/Care in Action

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

The Sparkle Bar BEAUTY PARTNER — FASHION

Saks Fifth Avenue Phoenix PHOTOGRAPHY PARTNER

Marion Rhoades Photography

To learn more about our team, go to FRONTDOORSMEDIA.COM/TEAM

On the Cover Kimberly Cabral, founder of MASK

Photo: Marion Rhoades Photography

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FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF MIKE SAUCIER.

s e e r T f o l a v i Fest V IRTUA L GA L A PR E SE N TED BY C U N N I N G H A M L AW F I R M

S AV E T H E D A T E

DECEMBER 5, 2020

Experience the magic from home

TABLE OF CONTENTS {sept/oct 2020, volume 18, issue 7} WHAT YOU’RE SAYING....... 06 Reader feedback EDITOR’S NOTE...................... 07 A New Education 10 QUESTIONS WITH.......... 08 Paul Horton, CBS 5 chief meteorologist

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BOOKMARKED....................... 10 Monica Villalobos, president and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce OFFICE DOORS...................... 12 Dave Richins, president and CEO of United Food Bank KEY TO THE GOOD LIFE.... 14 Best Fall Face Forward A 2ND ACT.................................. 17 Pro athlete teaches others to weed it and reap

17

20

COVER STORY....................... 20 Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids offers tools to help families thrive NEXT DOORS.......................... 27 You — Yes, You — Can Help Fix Education in Arizona STYLE UNLOCKED............... 30 Best Buys for Fall CHARITY SPOTLIGHT........ 34 4MOM KITCHEN DOORS.................. 36 Let’s Eat! CHEERS TO THE CHAIR...... 38 Electa Thompson OPEN DOORS......................... 40 Fighting the COVID Slump

NONPROFIT AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE + 4MOM + Arizona

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce + Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona + Expect More Arizona

+ Mothers

Awareness on School-age Kids (MASK) + Project Roots + Tempe Community Action Agency + United Food Bank

WHAT YOU’RE SAYING {reader feedback}

“ I started my morning reading the August issue and I have to say it was such a pleasure. Loved it and love staying ‘in touch’ with our community through your pages!”

— NANCY MITCHELL

Today’s children.

Tomorrow’s leaders.

Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Supporting future leaders by growing strong readers through Read On Arizona.

ReadOnArizona.org

“ Thank you for continuing to deliver such a quality publication despite these days of COVID-19.”

— LYNNE LOVE

“ Thanks for all you’re doing! So appreciated by the nonprofit community.”

— LINDSAY HANSEN

“ Keep up the good work!”

— LAURENE AUSTIN

Send Your Comments To: publisher@frontdoorsmagazine.com

© 2020 Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust

EDITOR’S NOTE {on the job}

A N EW EDUCATION

A

As I write this, my son Eli is sitting at a computer, watching his English teacher and classmates appear in small boxes on a screen. It wasn’t the school year he had envisioned, filled with activities and laughter and friends. And though he’s making the best of it, I can see that six months of pandemic life are wearing on him.

He’s not alone.

Not long ago, I spoke with Kimberly Cabral, the founder of Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids, about the toll these tough times are having on children and families. “Everybody’s in the same boat,” she said.

“Isolation is such a hard thing.”

Through her work at MASK, Cabral has become acutely aware of the stresses on today’s children and how to help mitigate them. One of the chief strategies is dealing with the stress within ourselves. “If we’re feeling out of control, they’re feeling out of control. If we’re feeling fear, they’re feeling fear,” she said.

Our conversation came at a great time. Through its programming, publication and phone app, MASK is trying to reach families where they are. And as the 20202021 school year kicks off, I hope that our cover story

provides insights that you and your family may need.

Of course, along with the challenges of 2020, the year has also given us an opportunity to refocus our attention on what’s truly important. Family time, maintaining and strengthening friendships, helping others in our community — they’ve become higher priorities for many of us.

A key way to help our community is at the ballot box. As Tom Evans writes this month, not many people understand what school boards do, how legislators impact schools and how county superintendents work.

He shares how Expect More Arizona is providing resources during this election cycle that can help people decipher their options.

Whether it’s COVID or school or the upcoming election, it’s a time of big stakes and big emotions.

As I hear Eli’s teacher struggle to divide the class into breakout discussion groups, I realize we’re all doing our best to cope with this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I hope this issue offers a resource to work through some of the stakes and a friendly voice to help contend with the emotions.

Karen Werner | EDITOR

FRONTDOORS MEDIA

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10 QUESTIONS

Every year, Paul Horton rolls up his sleeves to wash hundreds of cars in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona.

{fascinating people}

PAUL HORTON CBS 5 chief meteorologist

1

What made you want to be a meteorologist?

I went through Hurricane Hugo during my first year of college, and it blew my university down and tore the roof off our house. I saw firsthand how powerful Mother Nature can be, and after that, I was hooked on meteorology.

2

What’s a typical day like for you as a newscaster?

I am up early with my little ones, Jake and Samantha, and my last weather hit is around 11 p.m. First thing I do in the morning is check the forecast, especially during the monsoon season. This summer, my job was a little lame. All I needed to say is “Sunny and hot, back to you!”

3

You’re known as the “concierge of the Valley.” What would be the perfect itinerary you’d plan for a visitor?

We love it when friends come to town for a weekend.

The first night, a little swim and BBQ and beers in the backyard. Saturday, a road trip to Sedona to eat lunch on the patio of Tii Gavo, which has a great view of the red rocks. On the trip back, we stop by Rock Springs for some pie, and that night we hit The Womack for some great people watching and cocktails. Sunday, it’s brunch at O.H.S.O. and back to the airport.

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4

How did you get involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona?

I was a Big Brother when I worked in Spokane, Wash. My Little was Alfred. He still lives in Washington, and we keep in touch to this day. We had a lot of fun together, and even made a road trip across the country! I found out how much of an impact you can make as a mentor. I was also on the board of directors for a few years and am now on the advisory board.

5

What’s special about the organization?

Having that relationship with someone has a very positive effect on your Little’s confidence and social skills. You’re one more voice building them up to become the best they can be.

6

How did Paul’s Pay It Forward Car Wash get started?

It started in Spokane. I even did it in Cincinnati, where I worked for five years. The first year we did it here in Phoenix was 2007. It’s fun to see how much it has grown. Our first year, we raised around $6,000, and last year we raised over $210,000 for this great organization. It’s a family-friendly, community event where we wash cars for five days straight to support BBBSAZ’s mission.

7

What’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened during a car wash?

We’ve had it all happen over the years — big storms, lost power, lost water, crazy guests stopping by. We once had a rep from Uber come by the car wash and with one click on his phone, he had 200 cars show up, which was fun to witness.

8

Why is helping BBBSAZ particularly important during the COVID-19 crisis?

Luckily, with technology, Bigs and Littles can still meet.

It’s important to remind them that they have someone in their corner. While most schools, parks and gathering places are closed, it’s good to have someone reassure them that things will be O.K.

CBS 5 and 3TV team members, along with BBBSAZ staff, community volunteers and corporate partners jump in to help Horton wash cars.

9

What are the plans for the car wash this year?

We have a plan A and a plan B. If it’s safe, we will still do the car wash at Desert Ridge, washing cars for a good cause for five days straight. That will take place from Oct. 19-23, and we will do it without crowds, with just four volunteers each shift. When folks come through the car wash, we will be asking them to stay in their car. That’s plan A. Plan B is doing a virtual car wash on air where we bring all of our guests and donors on air with us. Either way, we would love our viewers to get involved and will have details when we get closer.

10

Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?

Money raised through the car wash helps Big Brothers Big Sisters transform the lives of children in our community.

I would like to thank our viewers for their support over the years. It’s so much fun to see them every year at the car wash. All the money raised goes to support the programs that help Littles in our community. If we don’t have a car wash this year, we will do something virtually, and I can’t wait to see everyone next year!

FRONTDOORS MEDIA

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SEPT/OCT 2020

BOOKMARKED {what are you reading?}

MONICA VILLALOBOS President & CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Photo by Basaca Art Photography

RECOMMENDS:

“An American Legacy: Racism, Nativism and White Supremacy” by David R. Morse

H E R TA K E “This thorough and comprehensive historical account is a deep dive into the origins of systemic racism in the U.S. The Phoenician researcher and author David Morse explores history from the perspective of minority communities. Some may call it polarizing or divisive, but I would call it WOKE! Combining his love of history and deep knowledge about multicultural communities, David’s new book is sure to help students of U.S. history, political science, ethnic studies and labor relations understand the many complex layers of discrimination and racism throughout U.S. history and foster an informed conversation as the nation continues to struggle with this issue. His book provides the foundation for honest and educated discourse on an uncomfortable topic for most, but we emerge better for it.”

SEPT/OCT 2020

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FRONTDOORS MEDIA

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OFFICE DOORS {valley changemakers}

A DAY WITH DAVE RICHINS President + CEO of United Food Bank As told to | Julie Coleman

6 a.m. >> AN APPETITE FOR NEWS

10 a.m.

I like to read the news for an hour or so when I get up.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, I try to keep up on the latest case counts in Arizona, unemployment numbers, and how the state’s economy is doing. This information helps us understand and project what we might see the next day and in the coming weeks. I’ll also have a quick breakfast before heading into the office.

KEY INGREDIENT

8:30 a.m.

>> A COACH’S APPROACH

TO LEADERSHIP

I have one-on-one check-ins throughout the week with my seven-member senior leadership team to get a general idea of how things are going and make sure they have what they need for the day. I view myself as more of a coach than a boss. I am there as a sounding board, somebody they pitch ideas to, and empower them to make decisions. I am not the smartest guy in the room. The most important thing I have come to understand is to rely on your experts to do their jobs and not micromanage them. Empower them, let them make decisions, and let them fail. It’s O.K. if they sometimes fail because it will build that inventory of learning.

Sometimes they fail because they weren’t collaborative enough or they didn’t ask the right questions. But we have that “aha” moment together, regroup and make another decision. My team is smart, and they make my job easy.

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>> TEAMWORK IS THE

Right now, there are a lot of Zoom meetings where we meet with a donor or corporate entity that has questions about what we’re doing and might want to support us financially or logistically. I often have calls with collaborative partners, like the Mesa Chamber of Commerce or Valley of the Sun United Way, where we check in with each other. I lead a call for the Mesa Chamber’s Nonprofit Vitality Council, where we share best practices and how we’re responding to pandemic issues. There are many conversations happening, so I try to mentor other nonprofit leaders so they can understand what we’re doing and follow our lead because we’ve been at the forefront of the pandemic response from a feeding standpoint.

Noon

>> BREAKING BREAD IS ESSENTIAL

I try to always have a meaningful lunch with somebody who affects our work — an employee, donor or vendor. Having served as a politician and lobbyist, going to lunch is a habit I fell into. Spending concentrated time away from the office and phones, just getting to know somebody or resolving concerns.

Lunches are important from a social and business standpoint and that doesn’t change for nonprofits. I love to explore the Asian food restaurants on Dobson Road. It’s the best-kept secret in the Valley!

1 p.m.

United Food Bank relies on hundreds of volunteers each week to sort and pack food for its 220+ partner agencies throughout the East Valley and eastern Arizona.

In addition to supplying these agencies with nutritious food, United Food Bank hosts weekly mobile food distribution events to deliver food directly to thousands of families struggling financially.

>> ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

At least twice a day, I walk through our 43,000-squarefoot warehouse and check in with our workers as they fill orders for 200-plus agencies in five counties throughout Arizona, as well as seven reservations. They are the bread and butter of what we do, so I make sure I am visible. I’ll grab a broom and clean the floor, hop on a forklift and move stuff if I need to. Anything I can do to support them. Mostly, I stay out of the way because they are very capable, but they also know that if they need a hand, I am the first to jump in. I want to send the message that we’re in this together, whether you work in an office or drive a forklift. We are interdependent.

2:30 p.m.

>> A DIVERSE, HUMAN CONNECTION

We have a new board chair who has a fantastic hunger story, including relationships he had as a young boy in Calcutta with Mother Teresa. To have somebody on our board with such a deep history dealing with poverty and hunger issues is fantastic. Any time I have an opportunity to be mentored by him, I take it. I tap into each board member according to their expertise as we have a diverse cross-section of individuals who represent the voices of those we serve. I always think of the old-time phone operator, where they plug in to make the connection. Now that’s all done automatically.

A relationship with the board of directors isn’t something that functions on an automated switch. It’s a lot of manual work. But I reap the benefit by having people I can go to, regardless of the issue. It’s been tremendous for me as the CEO of an organization to have that kind of resource.

3:30 p.m.

>> ADAPTING THE RECIPE

The pandemic had big-time impacts on the food bank.

Typically, we distribute 1.6 million pounds of food a month and now it’s 2.3 million pounds a month. That’s a pretty dramatic increase to absorb almost overnight. As Friday distributions at our volunteer center surpassed

the location’s capacity, we moved our distribution to a contactless drive-thru model at the Mesa Convention Center beginning March 27. As this pandemic unfolds, it looks like we’re going to be at the convention center at least until September, and maybe later, as they have events that continue to cancel. In addition to that, Waste Not delivers 4,000 prepared meals to homeless shelters, homeless programs and other feeding programs that need prepared, ready-to-eat food.

We had a very robust spring from a fundraising standpoint. That has tapered off quite a bit, but the demand has not, so we’re burning through cash pretty rapidly. We’re actively raising money to do what we need to do at a much higher rate than we’re used to.

The food bank is chronically in need of volunteers as they are the straw that turns the drink. Food drives dried up, so we pivoted to have virtual food drive opportunities.

6:30 p.m.

>> ENDING THE DAY WITH THE

CREAM OF THE CROP

I go home and fix dinner for the family. I love to cook, and it’s a way I relax. I spend time with the kids, find out about their day, and then two nights a week, I walk with my “old man” walking group. They’re a fun group of former legislators, former mayors and different businesspeople who make sure we get our steps in to stay healthy.

To learn more, go to unitedfoodbank.org.

Julie Coleman | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

FRONTDOORS MEDIA

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SEPT/OCT 2020

KEY TO THE GOOD LIFE {what’s trending}

BEST FALL FACE FORWARD Expert advice for seasonal skincare

By Catie Richman

S

and, salt, sun, chlorine and the sweltering temperatures in Arizona all take a toll on skin.

Fortunately, fall offers a chance to repair, revive and rejuvenate.

“In fall, my clients come in parched and depleted with skin that has become dull from summer fun.

And it doesn’t help that we’ve been masked since February, causing breakouts and chaffed epidermal layers,” said Kimberly Fox, owner of Evolve Skin Bar in Scottsdale. A licensed aesthetician and a certified laser therapist, she shares her favorite tips to revive summer-ravaged skin, combat “maskne” and transition into a fresh fall routine.

EXFOLIATION IS KEY

When a great post-vacation glow turns into dull layers of skin, it’s important to slough off dead skin cells. With proper exfoliation, products and serums will be better absorbed and leave skin more radiant. For chemical exfoliation, Fox turns to retinol — a derivative of vitamin A. “Retinol munches through dead skin

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Kimberly Fox, owner of Evolve Skin Bar

cells and helps skin reproduce new cells. It’s good for fine lines, pigmentation, anti-aging and acne,” she said. Fox suggests using retinol three times a week, making sure to apply it at night because it can cause sun sensitivity. She also recommends transitioning to a heavier moisturizer like ceramide cream to prevent scaly skin.

MUST-HAVE FOR FALL: PUMPKIN WASH OR MASK Not only is a pumpkin wash or mask going to smell amazing and give all the fall feels, but it also leaves skin glowing and polished. Pumpkin is a great exfoliant, provides antioxidant support, is naturally rich in vitamins A and C and is packed with alpha hydroxy acid, aka AHAs. Fox’s go-to is Rhonda Allison Pumpkin Parfait Enzyme.

HYDRATION — INSIDE AND OUT

In Arizona, proper hydration goes beyond creams and moisturizers. Fox suggests combating the dryness by having a humidifier at home, which will help put moisture back into the air and promote hydration. She also suggests buying a charcoal water filter for the shower, which reduces the fluoride, chlorine and calcium in Arizona’s hard water. “These things go into your skin, drying you out. The showerhead filters the water, giving you softer, brighter skin. It’s also great for your scalp,” she said.

Of course, the water you drink is essential to keeping your skin hydrated. Fox advises quaffing spring or mineral water. “Chlorinated water from the tap is going to wear on your skin, organs and everything inside. Little things like that make a difference,” she said.

MASKNE — YES, IT’S A THING!

Maskne, or mask-related acne, has popped up along with face coverings. So don’t skip cleansing and look for an oil-free moisturizer to help prevent and clear up those breakouts. The rubbing of the mask can also irritate skin.

“My nurse clients have been using a calming skin gel that has a steroid-like hydrocortisone and soothing agents like tea tree, lavender and rose hips,” Fox said.

And just because your skin is covered doesn’t mean skipping the SPF. Look for an SPF containing zinc, which acts as an anti-inflammatory and reduces swelling and irritation.

TREATING SUN DAMAGE

In Arizona, we tend to pigment more in the fall and spring because we are spending more time outdoors. “I love peels to get rid of that damage,” said Fox. A service she recommends is intense pulsed light treatment, or IPL. IPL removes pigmentation and sun damage from the skin, eliminates vascular lesions, promotes collagen and elastin, minimizes pores and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Many of her clients also get IPL on their shoulders and décolletage, which tend to have a lot of pigmentation.

To learn more, go to scottsdaleskinbar.com.

Catie Richman | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

3 TIPS FOR BETTER SKIN 1. THE RIGHT TOOLS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Gua sha massage tools are among Fox’s favorites. “They’re beneficial for pulling bacteria from the skin. Move the skin around — massage it, love it, get the lymph moving,” she said. “We have bacteria that needs to be pushed through the lymphatic system daily. With gua sha, you are giving your cells love so they are plumping up and regenerating.

Spending that extra 10 to 20 minutes a day will make a huge difference.”

2. LIVE IN AZ? USE VITAMIN C!

For Arizona residents, Fox recommends incorporating vitamin C to improve the overall health of the skin. “Vitamin C will combat free radical damage, nourish the skin and give you a natural glow,” she said.

3. DON’T SKIMP ON SLEEP!

Fox recommends eight hours of shut-eye. “Our skin can only rejuvenate while we sleep. Skin is our largest organ.

A lot of people forget about that,” she said.

FRONTDOORS MEDIA

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SEPT/OCT 2020

A CELEBRATION OF PHILANTHROPY!

Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Arizona

Philanthropy Awards and Celebration Tuesday, November 17th, 2020

Join us as we honor our community’s philanthropic leaders Outstanding Philanthropist Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Outstanding Corporation/Foundation Outstanding Fundraising Executive Outstanding Youth/Student

General Admission: Free VIP Access: $50

your key to the community

Media partner

Register here! bit.ly/3hqjomd

CREATIVE

Design partner

A 2ND ACT {helping is healing}

PUTTING DOWN

ROOTS Pro athlete teaches others to weed it and reap

Judy Pearson | Contributing Writer

B

ecoming a professional athlete requires many skills, beyond the obvious physical abilities. Dedication, drive, endurance and courage are also crucial to an athlete’s success. Those same skills help nonprofits bloom. Bridget Pettis understands this, right down to the souls of her — now — very muddy shoes.

Her athletic career as a sought-after women’s basketball star began in high school, carried through the University of Florida, and into the WNBA. She played guard for both the Phoenix Mercury and the Indiana Fever. She then coached for the Mercury, the Dallas Wings, and the Chicago Sky. Throughout her two-decades-long basketball career, Pettis consistently focused on the connection between peak health and peak performance.

Amid health concerns for players due to COVID-19 and social unrest around the country, Bridget Pettis has stepped away from the WNBA to focus on her community.

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Organic fruits and vegetables have long been a mainstay of Pettis’s diet, keeping her body in top condition. An aha moment came when she learned the pleasure of gardening. Today, her happy place involves digging, watering and weeding. “It’s rare to find organic produce that’s not so expensive. And the amount of food that comes out of a garden is way more than you would think,” she said.

When the WNBA season ended in October 2019, Pettis planted the seeds for a nonprofit, appropriately named Project Roots. The organization marries her love of gardening and passion for healthy food with the grocery needs of many in the Phoenix area. She intended to balance a coaching career in Chicago with nonprofit work in Phoenix. And then, COVID-19 arrived.

“I discovered that some of the team medical staff not only believe it’s not safe to play, but also the women don’t have the resources they believe we should, unlike the NBA, going into this bubble,” she said. “I encourage others to find a project they are passionate about and jump in 100 percent. We can play next year.”

Project Roots aims to provide and educate the community with access to a community garden, food bank and mobile soup kitchen.

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For Pettis, serving others, educating them about growing their own food, and helping the hungry is the perfect pivot right now. And Project Roots has several avenues to accomplish its mission of offering and promoting a healthier, natural and more sustainable way of living. The organization provides access to a half-acre plot at Spaces of Opportunity in Phoenix, where 18 gardeners are currently volunteering. They also offer an educational program, free to the public, with University of Arizona master gardeners coming in to teach best gardening practices. Those educational programs will also be part of the area schools’ outdoor activities.

“I want the message to go out that gardening doesn’t take much space,” Pettis said. “We’ll help you get going. We’re even partnering with True Gardens to teach people how to maintain a hydroponic garden.”

Food raised by Project Roots is either used by those who grow it (co-op style), sold every Saturday at the Uptown Farmers Market (held at North Phoenix

Pettis hopes to encourage others to go back to the land and grow their own food.

“Everyone is encouraged to help and learn. It doesn’t matter whether you’re growing for your family or because you’re donating your time.”

Baptist Church) or delivered free of charge in produce bags.

“The funds we raise at the market allows us to keep reinvesting in supplies,” Pettis said. “We’re also planning a fall festival fundraiser, complete with a pumpkin patch. It’ll be held outside on a six-acre farm so everyone can social distance.”

Lastly, for the homeless community on foot, Project Roots’ produce also finds its way to the Culture Cup Food Bank in Phoenix. There, Pettis’s 15-year-old daughter, Anniyah, is known as the Soup Lady. She delivers a different healthy vegan soup each week. Mindful of the sodium, they add herbs

and spices known for their health benefits, such as building strong immune systems.

When asked where she sees Project Roots in a year, Pettis laughed and said, “Raising more produce!

We have a community need. Let’s get healthy food to them. We’re adding new elements: an herb garden, chickens and more. It’s a place of welcoming. Everyone is encouraged to help and learn. It doesn’t matter whether you’re growing for your family or because you’re donating your time.”

The Project Roots mission statement is to provide and promote a healthier, natural and more sustainable way of living in urban areas where there is a need. But the English poet Alfred Austin provides the perfect addition to that mission: “To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.”

To learn more, visit ProjectRootsAZ.org.

Judy Pearson | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

FRONTDOORS MEDIA

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SEPT/OCT 2020

COVER STORY {by karen werner}

PROACTIVE PARENTING

Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids offers tools to help families thrive

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FRONTDOORS MEDIA

I

t was like any other day. Stay-at-home mom Kimberly Cabral was driving her sixth-grade son home from baseball practice when she decided to initiate what would turn into a fateful conversation.

“When I was your age, kids were talking about sex. Have you heard anything?” she asked.

The floodgates opened. Cabral’s son reported that kids his age were smoking pot, sniffing Purell, having oral sex. He hadn’t done any of these things, but he clearly wanted to talk.

“I kept driving because I didn’t want the conversation to stop,” Cabral said. She did laps up and down Scottsdale Road before suggesting they stop for ice cream and talk.

“He was ready, but he was waiting for me to bring it up,” she said.

Cabral was stunned. After all, she volunteered at school, was involved in her kids’ activities and knew all the families in their neighborhood. “What do you mean our kids are smoking pot in elementary?” she said. “I had the time and the resources to know, and I knew nothing.”

That was 2007. Since then, Cabral has gone on to found Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids, or MASK, a Scottsdale-based nonprofit dedicated to educating families on rapidly changing issues.

“For me growing up, communication was nonexistent. My family didn’t talk about anything,” Cabral said. She wanted a different environment for the five kids in her blended family. So Cabral took parenting classes and talked to counselors, psychologists and police departments. “I started discovering a world that I had no idea about,” she said.

She contacted nonprofits that specialized in the issues, but found they were siloed into single topics.

They only talked about bullying or drugs or eating disorders, and they didn’t start their prevention programs until junior high or high school. “Everything I learned about drugs, self-esteem, eating disorders and depression was that they are interconnected, and kids are most impressionable in the younger ages.

Why aren’t we talking about everything, and talking about it from a young age?” she said.

MASK founder Kimberly Cabral is dedicated to sharing proactive and preventive approaches to parenting today’s school-age kids.

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“WE WANT TO DO THAT HEAVY LIFTING FOR PARENTS. IT TAKES EDUCATION AND STAYING UP TO DATE ON THIS EVER-CHANGING LANDSCAPE THAT WE ARE RAISING CHILDREN IN TODAY.”

After finding nothing to educate parents and kids on a wide range of topics from an early age, Cabral enlisted the help of experts and friends and began developing MASK programming, starting from kindergarten and going all the way through college. The approach was to educate both children and families. So MASK would present at schools or clubs but also try to reach parents, grandparents and caregivers — sometimes to disheartening results.

“We would present to 1,000 kids and offer the parent version of it. Maybe 5 or 10 parents would show up,” Cabral said.

Desperate to get life-saving information into families’ hands, MASK regrouped and in early 2011 launched MASK, the magazine. The quarterly publication homes in on a topic from cover to cover, offering tools, advice and expertise on how to discuss it with children in a positive way.

Launched at a historically bad time for print publications, MASK magazine nevertheless created buzz right away. In November 2011, a call came from New York saying the magazine had been named one of the year’s 15 hottest launches. “None of us had a magazine background at all, and we didn’t know what was going on,” Cabral said. “We went to New York and were in the same room as Bloomberg, HGTV Magazine and People.”

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For the MASK team, the award validated the work they were doing. “In the beginning, it was a grassroots effort that literally started in my closet. But I knew that this is a national or even a global need,” Cabral said.

Open an issue of MASK magazine and that ambition is clear. Though Cabral remains the only full-time employee, the publication is polished and contains interviews with thought leaders and celebrities. “MASK is really about people and family, and nobody is immune to our topics. It can happen to any demographic — any social or economic position. It comes down to family, and who doesn’t want to support family?” Cabral said.

D

espite MASK’s success, Cabral felt the organization was becoming something of a one-and-done for schools. MASK would go in and do a program about bullying or drug prevention but not truly make change. “Five years ago, I went to my board and said, ‘Listen, I do this to save a life, and this isn’t working.’”

As a result, in addition to the magazine, they created the MASK E3 Institute, a comprehensive, multi-year program designed to engage, educate and empower.

With content provided in a video-based format, the Institute offers preschool to college-age kids tools to cope with a number of issues, including peer pressure, technological challenges, self-esteem and boundaries.

Built to meet educational standards, the E3 curriculum has been in a pilot phase for three years at Norterra Canyon, a K-8 school in the Deer Valley Unified School District. “The teachers love it,” said Mary Smitten, a teacher at the school. “The lessons come for us laid out beautifully. So we start at the beginning of the book and work our way through.”

Smitten recounts an incident on a school bus last year as evidence that the lessons are taking hold. “A middle-school student was bullying another student and her friends stood up and spoke out — that was the language they used. That’s the MASK language: ‘stand up, speak up’ about what is wrong.”

Naturally, middle-schoolers being middle-schoolers, eye-rolls are common during MASK’s lessons, but Smitten says they are changing the school’s culture. “If

you watch students on the playground or hear them in the cafeteria, you can see them using the tools they’ve learned. In their own teen way, they’re absorbing the information,” she said.

Which may have life-saving consequences. A lesson on cyberbullying opened students’ eyes to the information they share online. MASK told the story of a stalker who tracked a girl down in person after seeing her school sweatshirt in her room while Facetiming with her. “It was eye-opening for them to learn they need to be careful about the images they show and what stalkers and cyberbullies pick up on. They were shocked,” Smitten said.

The students aren’t the only ones learning new things from the E3 Institute. An older, very conservative teacher had to broach the topic of sexting with her class during the first weeks of school.

“She’s from a generation where you don’t even say the word sex and she struggled with the lesson,” Smitten said. “But it shocked her how much the kids needed the information. It also created a great bond because they got through that tough topic right off the bat and she had the best conversations with her students for the rest of the year.”

Those kinds of bonds allow teachers to impact students’ lives in tangible ways. MASK taught one teacher the warning signs to look for in students from vulnerable populations. When she noticed a middleschooler struggling with his sexual identity, she knew from MASK lessons that there are resources for kids that are easy to access. She helped him do just that.

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“WE CAN’T BE THERE WITH THEM EVERY MINUTE OF THE DAY, SO THEY NEED TO KNOW WHERE TO GET THE TOOLS TO FEEL THEY HAVE SOME CONTROL IN A TIME WHEN NO ONE HAS CONTROL.”

Available in English and Spanish, the MASKMatters app was designed to give children, parents and teachers modern-day tools at their fingertips.

“We watched this kid’s whole attitude change from having his head down and dragging his feet to being bouncy and joyful,” Smitten said. “His whole demeanor changed because he became comfortable with whatever choice he needed to make — because he had support.”

The support doesn’t end there. Teachers at Norterra Canyon have put students on suicide watch because they now have the toolbox to know what to watch for. And students feel more comfortable talking to teachers because they’ve had difficult conversations in class and know their teachers are open to having those conversations.

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B

ut it’s a big world out there — and now that the pilot is complete, MASK plans to offer the E3 Institute to schools, clubs, domestic violence shelters, foster care agencies and other organizations across the country. “The program is so universal,” Cabral said. “It’s not just talking about bullying and drugs. It’s life skills and social-emotional learning that every child needs.”

In an effort to get MASK’s lessons into even more hands, MASK launched the MASKMatters app last October. Built for parents, teachers and children from elementary school through college, the free bilingual app now makes the MASK curriculum accessible to anyone.

“We want to do that heavy lifting for parents,” Cabral said. “It takes education and staying up to date on this ever-changing landscape that we are raising children in today.”

Cabral’s children are now 16 to 26, so she’s had her own test lab at home.

“I’ve used everything that we have. We use the methods, the conversations.

It’s who we are,” she said.

Still, between the ever-expanding reach of technology and the threat of COVID-19, she concedes that parenting is harder than ever. “I can’t believe how technology has hijacked our kids,” Cabral said. “My oldest is 26. When he was a teenager, Facebook and MySpace were just starting, but it didn’t consume our kids. We used to teach parents to keep bad influences out of the house. Now you have a device that’s bringing all of that in. The stress, the drama, the sexting — it’s too much.”

MASK counsels parents to monitor, set boundaries and put time limits on technology for children’s wellbeing. “It is so out of control if you don’t stay part of it. I tell my kids this is an adult device that I am letting them use. At any time, I’m going to know their passwords and do phone checks,” Cabral said. “It’s not like if they do something wrong, you shame them — it’s an opportunity to teach them. If you do that with judgment, you’re missing the whole opportunity a mistake is giving you to teach them.”

Meanwhile, COVID-19 is presenting a host of new challenges for families, made worse by social isolation.

“As kids, connection is such a big part of their growth and development. They’re kind of being robbed of that right now,” Cabral said. Vaping is out of control, and substance abuse is up. More kids are turning to opioids and other pills parents have in their medicine cabinets. “Kids are stressed,” Cabral said.

To help in this uncertain time, MASK encourages replacing fear with family time. “The level of stress that this generation is being brought up in is not healthy,” Cabral said. “If we can learn to make family time important and not just live under the same roof, but really

engage, that is important. We have to, as parents, create that safe environment for them, because structure equals safety and security.”

As a new, very different, school year unfolds at Norterra Canyon, Mary Smitten sees the kids leaning on the MASK programming they’ve learned in previous years. “They’re talking about making friends and they’re using language they learned in kindergarten,” she said.

They’ll need the tools and language more than ever. “You can see kids crying out for that personal connection. Kids that are normally bubbly, lose their enthusiasm partway through,” Smitten said. “They are feeling alone and isolated. They need this toolkit that MASK provides. We can’t be there with them every minute of the day, so they need to know where to get the tools to feel they have some control in a time when no one has control.”

Even in a pandemic, with its digital curriculum, magazine and parenting app, MASK stands ready to help both kids and parents. That’s what Kimberly Cabral has wanted and worked for since the day she had that eye-opening conversation with her son. MASK provides a host of resources for families to educate their kids on issues that change by the day — they just have to use them.

“People can log in and learn on our digital platform and tell people about it. They can subscribe to the magazine or download the app. There are many ways people can help. But mostly, they can help by helping their own family,” Cabral said.

To learn more, go to maskmatters.org.

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WHAT IS KEY TO STRENGTH?

89% of Arizona nonprofits have lost funding due to COVID-19.

Their resources and services are in demand more than ever.

Key to Strength can help.

A partnership between

Key to Strength is an innovative marketing campaign that lets you tell your philanthropic story. It provides an opportunity for your company to help a nonprofit with low effort and a high return. By design, Key to Strength inspires giving, boosts employee engagement, and builds brand recognition through multiple communication channels.

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• Your company selects a charity that aligns with its mission and values • Your company underwrites a custom program for the charity • A 30-day virtual donation campaign is launched

Visit charitycharms.com/key-to-strength to learn more!

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}

YOU — YES, YOU — CAN HELP FIX EDUCATION IN ARIZONA All you have to do is vote Tom Evans | Contributing Editor

T

he thing about big problems is that they’re big.

You look at the big picture and all you see are barriers, things in the way that make individual impact seem impossible.

I’m known to throw an old dad joke out that I use for inspiration from time to time. The joke is, “How do you eat an elephant?” And, of course, the answer is, “One bite at a time.”

Now more than ever — sorry, slipped that one in there — it may seem like big problems can’t be solved.

But you can help solve one very big one here in Arizona in a simple way.

I don’t need to tell you that we have a longstanding debate in Arizona about how to address public education. By many metrics, we trail other states in educational funding and achievement. We’re not all going to agree on what policies will fix those problems, but we can agree on the first step: VOTE!

“You can see from early education all the way through higher education that there are different types of funding,” said Christine Thompson, president and CEO of Expect More Arizona. “But at the end of the day, each sector is dependent on elected leaders echoing concerns of voters across the state, who have repeatedly said education is the top issue facing the state. We need to make sure we are asking good questions of our candidates to make sure they are making the right decisions on behalf of voters.”

Expect More Arizona is an advocacy group for improvement throughout the educational spectrum, from early childhood to the university level. They run a program called Vote 4 Education that provides a variety of resources for voters, including voter information, voter registration tools and a tool to connect voters with their elected officials.

Thompson said that advocacy efforts have

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Our students are counting on us to make sure education is a top priority for our elected leaders.

increased the awareness of education issues in Arizona and helped move the needle.

“I think we’ve seen a lot of improvement over the years, including education being the top issue for voters,” she said. “We started Vote 4 Education 10 years ago, and we have tools for people to study up and speak up — things to ask people running for office that they can lean in on and learn more about how they approach education.”

The point is that virtually every important decision regarding education funding and policy in the state is made by an elected official — or by voters directly at the ballot box. To wit, as Thompson broke it down: • The federal government heavily funds early childhood (age 0-5) programs, so the president, Senate and House of Representatives make the key decisions.

• For kindergarten through 12th grade, there’s a mixture of funding on the local, state and federal

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level. On the state level, the governor and the Arizona Legislature determine education funding, which is overseen by elected school boards on the local level. Local voters get to directly weigh in on bond and override elections — bonds generally build facilities, and overrides usually are for programs.

• Local dollars generally fund community colleges with some state funding outside Maricopa and Pima counties. Community college districts have an elected board of directors that sets policy and oversees funding.

• On the university level, the state Legislature appropriates funding. The universities are overseen by a Board of Regents appointed by the governor.

See a common thread there? Your vote directly impacts who is making decisions on education policy —

CHECKING IN WITH... and you even vote directly on bonds and overrides, as well as statewide ballot initiatives such as the Invest in Ed initiative on the November ballot.

“You ask somebody if they are ‘for education,’ and 99.9 times out of 100, they will say yes,” Thompson said.

“You need to get into the details to see if a candidate’s values align with yours as a voter. Education is not a red or blue issue — it impacts everyone in our community.”

While everything is made a little more challenging by the pandemic, Thompson encourages voters not to be distracted from important issues.

“It’s vital to be engaged in the process and ask questions about everything,” she said. “Ask questions of the candidates and proponents and opponents of various proposals. How is this going to better education in Arizona, and what are you doing to move the ball forward? Education is going to be the key to unlocking Arizona’s potential, our children’s potential, and engaging in new ways while we’re dealing with COVID.” To learn more, go to expectmorearizona.org/vote-4-education.

KIESHA McFADDEN

MARKET UPDATE /// Refinancing your mortgage will cost more thanks to a new fee from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Recently, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac surprised us all by announcing a new fee on refinance transactions, which caused a knee-jerk reaction in the mortgage market. It ended up affecting both purchases and refis, and by much more than the amount implied by the fee.

“As a result of risk management and loss forecasting precipitated by COVID-19-related economic and market uncertainty, we are introducing a new Market Condition Credit Fee in Price,” Freddie Mac wrote to lenders.

Now, had the housing agencies not implemented it so abruptly, things would be very different, but the damage is done. On Aug. 17, 2020, mortgage rates were noticeably higher than at the beginning of the week, even though the bond market said they should be lower. From here on out, we expect them to be better-connected but still prone to inconsistencies for the next few weeks. If you’re in the middle of a refi and have not locked in your rate, you will see a slight difference in the rate or cost. The great news is, rates are still historically low and it’s still a great time to refinance.

FALL PHILANTHROPY/// Tom Evans | CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

I’m incredibly excited to be part of this year’s Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels (AHRA) Night of Hope Gala on 10/24/20 as a sponsor and captain of Team Fight Like a Kid. AHRA’s mission is to bring dignity and comfort into the harsh world of childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

And though this year’s event will be slightly different, we plan to make the same important impact when it comes to childhood cancer.

To buy tickets for the in-person or virtual event, bid on auction items, or donate to Team Fight Like a Kid, go to one.bidpal.net/nightofhope2020.

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 BUBBLY BLONDE’S BEST BUYS FOR FALL

Believe it or not, fall is around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about seasonal changes to our wardrobe. After the past few months, we all could use some fun ideas and my eyes have been glued to the runways online. I can hardly contain my excitement after seeing the “it” colors that include lilac, seafoam green and tan. For a fashionable look, try adding one of these fresh shades to your wardrobe with the items that follow. Time to get your wallets out and shop!

McKenna Wesley | Contributing Writer

BIG BUCKS BUT WORTH IT

DITA Nightbird-One sunglasses | $660 Sunglasses are an important staple in our wardrobes, and right now, they’re more popular than ever. A local Scottsdale boutique, Eyes on Hayden, provides a fresh take on luxury eye care and eyewear and has glasses for every occasion.

A standout is these beautiful Nightbird-One by DITA sunglasses, which are sculpted to mirror the grace of wings extended in flight. Nightbird-One’s innovative titanium double frame builds on years of experimentation with titanium construction, delivering a lightweight, high-quality pair of sunglasses. Many A-list celebrities wear and adore this eyewear brand, and I can understand why. They’re worth the splurge and you may even feel like a celebrity yourself when wearing them.

Eyes on Hayden; 8240 N. Hayden Road, Ste. B100, Scottsdale | eyesonhayden.com

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BUY IT NOW WeWoreWhat High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans | $148 Gracing a lot of the fall 2020 runways are jeans.

But these aren’t the tight jeans we’ve seen for the last decade. Instead, think back to the 70s and 80s, yes, think wide-leg, high-waisted, flared and bootleg jeans. I love these flattering WeWoreWhat High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans. Not only are they a fresh look, but they are under $150 and have light fading and distressed detail. Measuring 22” at the knee and 22” at the leg opening, they’re truly a straight, wide-leg style. I picture them with a crop top, sneakers and a short gold necklace for a casual look or with a fitted tank and a cropped blazer, heels and gold necklace for a night out.

Revolve | revolve.com

BRILLIANT BARGAIN Fashion Masks | $13 During these times, we’re doing our part to stay healthy and protect others. Face masks are now an essential item and something that have become part of our daily lives. The fashion masks from Demery Jayne Collections are not only beautiful but very comfortable and eye-catching. They go well with anything and are a great mask for fall.

Demery Jayne Collections | demeryjaynecollections.com

McKenna Wesley | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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O S C A R D E L A REN TA

2446 E CAMELBACK ROAD | 602.955.8000

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT {giving back} Hunter Bishop (left) and Braden Bishop (right) are using their sports celebrity to bring attention to Alzheimer’s disease.

ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD Pro athletes honor a mother’s legacy

By Karen Werner

ORGANIZATION:

ORIGIN:

4MOM

After Suzy Bishop was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at 54, her son Braden made it his mission to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research within professional sports. He founded 4MOM, named after a message he wrote on his arm before games. Braden’s brother Hunter stepped in to help with the charity, enlisting other professional baseball players in the cause. Although Suzy lost her battle last October at the age of 59, the fight goes on to promote Alzheimer’s awareness across the country.

LEADERSHIP: CEO: Braden Bishop, Seattle Mariners outfielder and founder of Cognition Coffee Co-founder: Hunter Bishop, San Francisco Giants outfielder and up-and-coming DJ

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ANNUAL BUDGET: Less than $100,000

KNOWN FOR: 4MOM has built a reputation for being the younger generation’s voice within the Alzheimer’s community.

Its mission is to unite athletes, coaches and fans across all professional sports through community effort in the fight for the world’s first survivor of Alzheimer’s. Braden and Hunter believe that the time to bring awareness and resources to the fight against Alzheimer’s is now, among the younger generation. They’re proud of the tight community of supporters they’ve built that represents 4MOM, whether it be through social media, by wearing apparel or at events. The organization has been featured by ESPN, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, MLB.com, Fox Sports and Root Sports and has sold out every fundraising event 4MOM has hosted since 2019, including an event amid a global pandemic.

EMPLOYEE VIP: Leo Despot is in charge of producing the 4MOM documentary, “Will to Survive.” Shooting spans five states and collectively covers 60 years.

VOLUNTEER WHO MAKES A DIFFERENCE: Claudia Bellew, a volunteer for the TopGolf4MOM 2020 event, supports 4MOM with merchandise and attends all 4MOM events in the Valley. She is a strong advocate for the organization because she has personally seen the effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

CHALLENGES DURING COVID-19: With a previously full 2020 event calendar, including a nationwide tour to support the Alzheimer’s Association in Seattle, San Francisco, Dallas, Washington D.C. and New York City, 4MOM has been forced to not only cancel events and the tour, but to find more creative ways to engage and grow the 4MOM family. This led them to create an ambassador program that has extended the organization’s reach through the NFL and WNBA. 4MOM also started a YouTube channel as a way to showcase what’s happening at their Arizona headquarters.

To learn more, go to 4mom.org.

The legacy of Suzy Bishop (above) continues to inspire her sons, on and off the field.

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KITCHEN DOORS {let’s eat}

CARING CHEF: ADAM ALLISON

Photo by Tim Fuchs

PROUD MEMBER:

PROUD MEMBER OF:

PROUD MEMBER OF:

LOCAL FIRST: PHOENIX CITY GRILLE 5816 N. 16th St. | PHOENIX Since Phoenix City Grille opened in 1997, Sheldon Knapp, who owns the restaurant with his wife, has seen the local culinary scene flourish. “There is so much more creativity and talent in Phoenix than ever before,” he said. “There is also an emphasis on doing business locally and using more indigenous products.”

Phoenix City Grille works with several local suppliers, including Ramona Farms, Rhiba Farms, McClendon’s Select, Mediterra Bakehouse, Crow’s Dairy, Mount Hope Wholesale, Mama Lola’s Tortillas, Queen Creek Olive Mill, Hayden Flour Mills, Chula Seafood and Shamrock Foods.“ As a local business, we seek out and support other local businesses and try to establish relationships with them so we can understand each other’s needs and standards for doing business. This strengthens the economy and gives all involved personal connections,” Knapp said.

The menu at Phoenix City Grille changes seasonally and specials are offered regularly. Some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes are bacon-wrapped shrimp stuffed with cotija cheese, braised short ribs, green chile pork, Ramona Farms superfood salad, griddled corn cakes with black beans, and buttermilk pie.

Relationships are an essential part of this longstanding business. “Many of our staff have been with us for a long time,” Knapp said. “Customers return because of consistency and knowing they have a voice. We seek out and listen to feedback from both our customers and staff. We remain flexible in trying to meet their requests.”

Although the pandemic has been challenging for the restaurant industry, Knapp is hopeful for the future. “Restaurants have been, and will continue to be, a great place to meet and enjoy each other’s company while enjoying great food and drinks in a fun and creative environment,” he said.

To learn more, go to phoenixcitygrille.com.

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Despite going through difficult times, many restaurants and chefs have stepped up during the pandemic to provide meals to people in need. Adam Allison, chef and owner of Handlebar Diner in Mesa and Secret Handshake Coffee and Tea in Tempe, saw a need and took action.

“I had a conversation with a woman on welfare,” Allison said. “The schools were closed because of COVID and the lunches her kids received at school were no longer available and they were the best meal of the day for the kids. If I wasn’t a chef, “ BEING IN MY I’d probably be a teacher, so that PROFESSION bothered me. Being in my profession AND HAVING and having the means to help, it was THE MEANS TO impossible to sit back.”

HELP, IT WAS At the start of the pandemic, IMPOSSIBLE TO Allison was providing about 75 SIT BACK.” meals weekly for students, and it has grown to 1,200 meals weekly with donations, volunteers and the support of local businesses including NakedQ, Frasher’s Smokehouse, CHZBURGR, Frites Street, Sonoran Pasta Co., Phoenix Microgreens, Proof Bread, Noble Bread, Shamrock Foods, Accurate, and American Legion Post 44.

Allison also prepares meals weekly for healthcare workers.

“I have always been one to help the less fortunate,” Allison said. “I will donate meals as long as we continue to get the donations and funds needed to keep it going.”

Allison, who won “Chopped” on Food Network in 2018, got COVID-19 in June and has since recovered. He is grateful for the community support in this challenging environment.

“We are lucky at the Handlebar because we have such a supportive community,” he said. “I can’t thank them enough.

They’re like family. However, a lot of my chef friends are struggling.”

To contribute funds to Allison’s meal programs for students and healthcare workers, visit handlebardiner.com. To volunteer, send a message to feedthekidsaz@gmail.com.

Photo courtesy of Adam Allison

CHEERS TO MARCELLINO 7114 E. Stetson Drive | SCOTTSDALE

Photo courtesy of Joanie Simon

NEW IN TOWN: STRATTA KITCHEN

“ THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET IS INHERENTLY HEALTHY, FLAVORFUL AND DIVERSE.”

8260 N. Hayden Road | SCOTTSDALE You may not expect to find a James Beard-award winning chef cooking healthy food in a fast-casual restaurant, but that’s where you will find chef Alex Stratta, known for his high-end, awardwinning cuisine at luxury resorts like The Phoenician and Wynn Las Vegas.

Originally scheduled to open earlier this year, Stratta Kitchen opened in August in Scottsdale, offering fresh and healthy Mediterranean-inspired food for delivery, pickup and dine-in.

Stratta’s father worked in the hotel industry and Alex grew up all over the world, which influenced his cooking style. As a young chef, Stratta came to Arizona to work at the acclaimed Mary Elaine’s at The Phoenician. He left Arizona and worked in Las Vegas for many years, winning several impressive accolades.

A few years ago, he decided to return to Arizona to raise his family.

“I had a good run in Vegas and did everything I wanted to do,” he said. “Arizona is where I had my first chef job, and I have roots here. I wanted to rebalance my life.”

A battle with colon cancer changed Stratta’s eating habits and life. He became more active and lost 100 pounds with a Mediterranean diet, which is the inspiration for Stratta Kitchen.

The menu at Stratta Kitchen can accommodate a variety of dietary preferences and includes shareable items such as hummus, baba ganoush, and baked artichoke, spinach and goat cheese dip. Other offerings include grain bowls, salads and a selection of proteins such as Alaskan salmon, free-range chicken and grilled halloumi cheese served with a choice of sauces including chimichurri, Moroccan spice tahini, and elderberry balsamic vinaigrette. There are also delectable desserts such as goat cheese panna cotta and baklava, as well as a variety of teas, fresh fruit juices, beer and wine served in a contemporary setting featuring local artwork.

“The Mediterranean diet is inherently healthy, flavorful and diverse. The menu is what I eat,” Stratta said.

For more information, visit strattakitchen.com.

Like all restaurants, Marcellino Ristorante in Old Town Scottsdale is trying to serve customers in the safest way possible and provide an enjoyable dining experience.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, the restaurant hosted intimate wine dinners a few times a year at the chef’s island.

“As we cannot follow safety protocols at the chef’s island, we created a new series of twice-monthly wine dinners in our dining room. Our goal is to provide a fun, educational experience while allowing guests to be safely socially distanced,” said Sima Verzino, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband, Chef Marcellino.

Each wine dinner highlights a different Italian vineyard, region and menu with four courses, including an antipasto, a handcrafted pasta dish, entrée and homemade biscotti for dessert. Sommelier Dario Soldan of Classico Wines pairs Italian wines with each course. Throughout the evening, guests learn about the wines and the meal, and why each wine pairs so well with each course.

“We weren’t sure Photo by Nadine Allen what to expect, but the wine dinners have been a big hit,” Sima said. “Several guests have mentioned that they felt isolated at home and appreciate that they can enjoy an entertaining evening out in a safe, socially distanced setting.”

In the fall, Chef Marcellino plans to resume his popular cooking classes with modifications for social distancing. “It will be very similar to my classes in the past, but guests will be seated in the dining room, not at the chef’s island. After the class, guests will enjoy the dish I prepared for lunch with a salad and biscotti,” he said.

Sima and Marcellino are adapting to the changing environment. “When changes in life occur — good or bad — we take stock, reinvent and move forward with a plan,” Marcellino said. “We know that to survive long-term, we must be diligent with our protocols and constantly come up with creative ideas.”

To meet distancing guidelines, guests must make reservations in advance. For the schedule of wine dinners and cooking classes, visit marcellinoristorante.com.

Shoshana Leon | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

FRONTDOORS MEDIA

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SEPT/OCT 2020

CHEERS TO THE CHAIR {Society of Chairs}

Congratulations to our September 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.

Electa Thompson Board chairperson of Tempe Community Action Agency To learn more about Thompson and her service to the Tempe Community Action Agency, 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

SEPT/OCT 2020

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/freshfoodcollab

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OPEN DOORS {publisher’s page}

FIGHTING THE COVID SLUMP Andrea Tyler Evans | Publisher

I

Lifestyle coach Julie Xander is helping people get in shape from the safety and comfort of home.

t’s all my friends are talking about — women and men. This “work-from-home, school-from-home, record-breaking heat wave” situation has us DOWN, and we’re over it. Yes, we were over it in May, but now we’re really over it. Our mental well-being is at stake. But lately, I’ve heard more and more about some of my friends committing to new workout regimens and reaching some major fitness goals. This has inspired me to lay some out as well, but more on that later.

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FRONTDOORS MEDIA

What are your options? Well, there’s a certain local lifestyle icon and blogger who has become a ray of sunshine for many at 9:10 a.m. every morning on Facebook. Her name is Julie Xander, aka Lifestyle Jules. She started offering online workouts twice a week four years ago after hearing the plethora of excuses for why people couldn’t get to an in-person class (needing a babysitter, running late from work, the kids’ homework, etc.). She took the excuses away by providing the ability to do a workout from home.

When COVID hit, Xander increased the schedule to six days a week and a variety of offerings:

MONDAY | Ballet Bootcamp TUESDAY | Tabata (Y es, I need to look this one up, too!)

WEDNESDAY | Core and Mash-Up (Strength, High-Intensity Intervals and Mind/Body Exercises)

THURSDAY | Mash-Up FRIDAY | Weights and Yoga SATURDAY | Kickboxing SUNDAY | Day Off

She’s assured me that these workouts are designed for all levels, and you can modify the amount of weight you use. Plus, no one can see you, so you can do your best if you’re starting from scratch.

The bonus? No peer pressure! Her #1 tip for anyone who has not exercised during the pandemic (or even before that)? “WORK OUT! It helps with everything!

The endorphins give you energy, make you happy and give you a feeling of accomplishment in addition to keeping weight off and burning off anxiety.”

Interested? Check out @LifestyleJules on Facebook. Membership to join the group is $5.99 per month or $60 per year. And no more worrying if the gym is open or safe.

Maybe we can dust off the Nikes together?

Ballet Bootcamp sounds like something I can get into!

Hang in there, everyone,

Andrea Andrea Tyler Evans | PUBLISHER

CONNECTING WOMEN WHERE THEY WORK, LIVE OR PLAY Join us where you live, work or play to connect with like-minded women to share information, ideas, contacts and opportunities.

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