Joseph
AAs the warm spring sunshine envelops our community, we find ourselves drawn to the companionship and joy that our beloved pets bring into our lives. Pets have a remarkable ability to enrich our lives in countless ways, offering unconditional love, emotional support and an unwavering sense of loyalty. They inspire us to be more active, compassionate and present in the moment.
In this month's issue of Images Arizona, we celebrate the profound impact pets have on our lives and the diverse ways they enhance our well-being. We're honored to share stories that showcase the incredible bonds between humans and animals — such as the heartwarming tales of rescues and adoptions at St. Francis Feline Sanctuary — which remind us of the power of compassion and the importance of supporting organizations dedicated to helping animals in need.
Cindi
In addition to these stories, we invite you to experience the treasured textures of northern Arizona through the lens of Alex Miller's stunning photography. Moreover, this month's recipe, a delectable salmon niçoise salad, offers a delightful meal that you can enjoy with friends and family as you celebrate the spring season.
As you embark on your journey through the pages of this month’s issue, I hope you'll find inspiration in the stories of people and organizations who share a deep connection with animals and be motivated this season to take the time to appreciate the blossoming flowers, embark on new adventures and create lasting memories with your furry friends by your side. Happy spring from our Images Arizona family to yours!
Cheers!
Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221
Come meet David and view his bold, colorful paintings on display in our gallery located in Historic Spanish Village. Wind down from your week while enjoying wine and light appetizers with the artist.
FEATURED SELECTED COLLECTIONS:
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Revlon, Inc.
General Motors Corporation
Pennsylvania State Museum
Joe Walsh/Eagles
National 3M Corporation
Hilton Hotels
President George W. Bush
Two Dolphin Hotel
Union Pacific Railroad
SOLIDARITY: 30” x 64”
Three years ago, Nadine Keaulii and her daughter Gracie took a spontaneous trip to their favorite spot in Sedona — Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village — in celebration of Gracie’s 16th birthday.
“With gorgeous architecture that reminds us of Italy, this little village offers multiple eateries, fine art galleries and hidden gems — including Spirits & Spice, which sells Gracie’s favorite garlic and basil olive oil,” says Nadine, noting that Gracie has loved to cook from a very young age.
While there, Nadine captured the special occasion on camera via a series of photographs depicting Gracie as her “sweet 16 princess for a day.”
“In the photo, Gracie is wearing a lei po’o, which is commonly referred to as a flower crown,” Nadine explains. “This depicts her Hawaiian culture and is given on special occasions. She is also wearing a traditional Quinceanera dress, which, although generally worn on a girl’s 15th birthday to celebrate her transition into womanhood, represents her Hispanic culture.”
The proud mother, who also serves the community as a Maricopa County Adult Probation officer, enjoys capturing special moments on camera so that they can be preserved and shared with others.
“Time is our most valuable possession,” Nadine says. “There is a reason why people say, ‘Don’t blink or you’ll miss it,’ and to enjoy things because ‘nothing lasts forever.’ Well, a photo does. It allows us to replay a special memory, whether we were present for it or not. Lately, I cannot seem to put the camera down.”
That is for good reason. Having served as executive chef of Avenue 27 — the student-run fine dining restaurant at Barry Goldwater High School, from which she graduated last May — Gracie will leave home this fall to continue her culinary education at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, with scholarships she earned through her participation in state and nationwide culinary competitions.
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instagram.com/keauliiphotography
OOn Monday, April 29, former Arizona Cardinal and philanthropist Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. will host the 14th annual Fitz’s Supper Club fundraiser, in partnership with Dominick’s Steakhouse at Scottsdale Quarter. The event, the Larry Fitzgerald Foundation’s biggest of the year, raised $1 million for youth education and breast cancer awareness in 2023.
Fitzgerald is not only considered one of the best wide receivers in history but also highly esteemed for his continued community involvement. His eponymous foundation is known for bringing crucial resources directly to underrepresented communities, both nationally and internationally. Fitzgerald regards the opportunity to help and partner with others as a blessing.
Success, to me, is when our fellow man or woman realizes that we have issues and we just address them. We see a problem and we don’t ask permission to fix it; we just do it.Larry Fitzgerald, Jr.
“It’s really humbling,” Fitzgerald says. “I sometimes pinch myself and think, ‘Why me? Why do people do this for a cause that I champion?’ I just say it’s God. He’s blessed me with an unbelievable network of friends and associates — people who really care. I think that, more than anything, is the most important aspect.”
Fitz’s Supper Club sells out each year, attracting more than 250 business and community leaders, including CEOs, athletes, celebrities, media figures and lead ambassadors of other charitable organizations.
“I call it community success,” Fitzgerald adds. “Success, to me, is when our fellow man or woman realizes that we have issues and we just address them. We see a problem and we don’t ask permission to fix it; we just do it. Everybody is participating in our community and the well-being of our community. It just makes it all worthwhile.”
While this elegant evening follows a typical course of events — a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, and a dinner of Fitzgerald-approved steak and seafood favorites prepared by Dominick’s Executive Chef Marc Lupino — there are always surprises in store for attendees. Entertainment, sponsors, VIP attendees, auction items, and the emcee are revealed as part of the fun.
In addition to sharing a meal with one of the NFL’s football greats, the auction items can also be quite memorable.
Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. is not only considered one of the best wide receivers in history but also highly esteemed for his continued community involvement. His eponymous foundation is known for bringing crucial resources directly to underrepresented communities, both nationally and internationally.
Fitzgerald recalls a specific donation by Michael Bidwill, the principal owner of the Arizona Cardinals, who donated four seats to the 2022 Super Bowl.
“The [pairs of tickets] went for $50,000 each, so it was unbelievable [for him] to donate,” he recalls. “That was really cool. I will say that was definitely one of the highlights; it was unexpected. He didn’t tell me he was doing it; he just did it out of the kindness of his heart [as a] surprise.”
The evening’s program includes a review and update of the Larry Fitzgerald Foundation’s accomplishments and updates from beneficiaries, truly bringing to life the reason for the event.
The organization’s founding was inspired by the philanthropic nature of Fitzgerald’s late mother, Carol, and her battle with breast cancer. It endeavors “to provide educational resources for students and support for those impacted by breast cancer.” The foundation provides donations of time, money, and resources by supporting multiple organizations across the country and has operated successfully for nearly 20 years.
Some of the most prominent efforts involve mobile mammography — diagnostic teams that bring equipment and medical expertise directly to underserved neighborhoods in Arizona and Fitzgerald’s home state of Minnesota. He’s purposeful about making sure organizations that receive funds are fully vetted in person and that resources are being used wisely.
“We always do quarterly impact reports,” he explains. “We just drop in unannounced a lot of the time just to see if what we’re doing is really being utilized and beneficial to
organizations. It really involves talking to the kids and women [about their experiences]. I don’t want anything to be wasted. Not a dollar.”
Fitzgerald takes his foundation and the fundraiser seriously but says he tries not to focus on hitting any specific fundraising amount at this event each year.
“That gives me too much anxiety,” he reveals. “I just want to focus on what I can control — ensuring that everybody there is having a great experience and we’re meeting expectations. If people are having a great time and they’re enjoying themselves, they’ll be more likely to be generous. I want to make the evening a great time. It’s just about being positive. I make sure I see every single person who attends, either during the cocktail party, before, or at dinner.”
The ownership and brand team at Dominick’s Steakhouse couldn’t be more thrilled to have their restaurant as the setting for the elegant evening. Co-owner Jeff Mastro and Chief Brand Officer Oliver Badgio marvel at how Fitzgerald takes the time to meet each guest and has an uncanny knack for recalling everyone’s names.
“It’s a real privilege to have the opportunity to help give back in such a meaningful way,” Badgio says. “Larry does so much, and to be even a small part of that is really a privilege; it’s special.”
Badgio says the event started as a celebrity waiter event and has grown to fit Fitzgerald’s personality. He also has a special memory from years past.
“One year, Larry had selected Starkey Hearing Foundation, which was fitting and delivering hearing aids to children,” he recalls. “It was such a heartwarming story; what a life-changing experience.
“The [Fitz’s Supper Club] evening is such an amazing experience, and I think what contributes to that experience is everyone knowing that there are going to be so many ‘wow’ experiences coming from all the funds raised that night for the next year.”
Mastro says he wasn’t surprised that Fitzgerald was so nice because of his excellent reputation.
“We heard he was a great guy,” Mastro recalls. “What was surprising — that was a little inaccurate because he’s even better than his [good reputation]. Everything he does on the field and off the field… it’s just amazing what a good person he is. Really, anytime you hear a great story about Larry, I can promise you it’s an understatement.”
Fitzgerald serves as a community role model for fellow players and former players who want to make a difference, as well as for the youth who look up to him. It’s one of the reasons he focuses on educational opportunities and getting technology into schools that need it.
Reflecting on his upbringing, he says his favorite subject was history, particularly the history of Egypt and the U.S. Civil War era. He emphasizes the importance of great teachers.
“The reason kids love subjects, I think, has more to do with the quality of the teacher than the subject itself,” he says. “When you have a teacher who is really engaging with you, you want to be more engaged in the subject as well.”
If there’s one intangible that Fitzgerald would like to give young people, he says it’s ambition.
“If a kid really has ambition, they can overcome so many obstacles,” Fitzgerald explains. “You’re going to deal with a lot of setbacks; you’re going to fall down and skin your knees. You’re going to have people tell you that your idea is stupid. Who would buy somebody’s books out of his mom’s garage? That was Jeff Bezos. It’s people like that who continue to inspire. Just because you told me no doesn’t mean it’s a firm no. People asked me, ‘Do you think you could actually run a foundation at the level it needs to be?’ Absolutely yes. Because I’m committed to the cause and I’m willing to put in the work. It’s an ambition to help.”
thelarryfitzgeraldfoundation.org
Monday, April 29 | 5:30 p.m.
Dominick’s Steakhouse
15169 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
See website for price
thelarryfitzgeraldfoundation.org
Cosanti Originals will offer hands-on experiences, guiding guests through the tile-making and design process used by its artisans. Each session will begin with a tour of Cosanti, followed by forming a clay slab, sizing, measuring and cutting tile pieces. Instructors will then demonstrate imprinting techniques, and the day will conclude with a photo session of participants and their tiles, which will be fired, lightly glazed and shipped to them. $125.
10 a.m.–1 p.m. Cosanti Originals, 6433 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Paradise Valley. 480-948-6145; cosanti.com
Through April 7
‘THE ALL NIGHT STRUT’
Black Theatre Troupe will present its production of “The All Night Strut,” a musical extravaganza celebrating a golden age in music and the great American songbook. $50. See website for times. Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center, 1333 E. Washington St., Phoenix.602-258-8128; blacktheatretroupe.org
Through April 14
‘CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY’
Arizona Broadway Theatre will present its production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” which brings to life the imaginative world of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel. See website for price and times. Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria. 623-776-8400; azbroadway.org
Through April 28
‘BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL’
The Phoenix Theatre Company will present its production of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.” See website for price and times. The Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-254-2151; phoenixtheatre.com
April 1
‘TRAILBLAZING
As part of Arizona Musicfest, CMT’s 2022 “Next Woman of Country” Miko Marks, Nashville singer Kristina Train and a five-member all-female band will take the stage in a show that features the music of Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton. $39+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org
April 5
Ballet Arizona will celebrate artistic director Ib Andersen for his 24-year legacy during its annual fundraising gala, which will include dinner, dancing and a special performance. $600. See website for time. Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. balletaz.org
As part of Arizona Musicfest, 85 physician musicians from around the world will perform a concert that will benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Virginia G. Piper Medical Clinic. $25+. 7:30 p.m. La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org
Starlight Community Theater will present its production of “Murder on the Orient Express.” See website for price and times. Starlight Community Theater, 1611 W. Whispering Wind Drive, Suite 9, Phoenix. starlightcommunitytheater.com
The Phoenix Theatre Company will present its production of “What the Constitution Means to Me,” a soulstirring play of civic engagement that hilariously examines America’s fundamental document. See website for price and times. The Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-254-2151; phoenixtheatre.com
The Madison Center for the Arts will present the acclaimed, awardwinning, international comedy Broadway sensation “Celebrity Autobiography,” created by Emmy nominee Eugene Pack, developed with Dayle Reyfel and featuring an all-star cast of stars acting out hilarious passages from other stars’ memoirs. See website for price.
7:30 p.m. The Madison Center for the Arts, 5601 N. 16th St., Phoenix. 602-664-7777; themadison.org
April 13
‘FANTASY AND FAIRYTALES’
ProMusica Arizona will perform a concert of music designed to take you on a magical journey through a whimsical world. $28.50; youth, senior, student and military discounts available. 3:30 p.m. All Saints Lutheran Church, 15649 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. pmaz.org
April 13
GO GREEN RECYCLING EVENT
Anthem Community Council will host its semiannual event during which Anthem residents can recycle electronics, bulk materials, cardboard, personal documents, paint, prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs and more. Participants must provide one form of Anthem residency identification. Free. 8–11 a.m. Anthem Community Park’s lower parking lot, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Anthem. onlineatanthem.com/go-green
April 14
‘SERENADE TO SPRING’
Salt River Brass will present a concert that will include its youth band. $20+; youth, student and senior discounts available. 3 p.m. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. saltriverbrass.org
April 15
UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN
An all-singing, all-strumming ukulele ensemble will perform a concert as part of Arizona Musicfest. $39+. 7:30 p.m. La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org
April 18 and 20
REVERB: CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FESTIVAL Phoenix Symphony will present its third annual festival that includes intimate concerts, panel discussions and behind-the-scenes events to explore the repertoire and learn more about the living composers. See website for price. 7:30 p.m. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. phoenixsymphony.org
April 18–28
‘DISNEY’S FINDING NEMO, JR.’
Musical Theatre of Anthem will present its production of “Disney’s Finding Nemo, Jr.” $25. See website for times. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite B100, Anthem. 623-336-6001; musicaltheatreofanthem.org
April 20
WISH: A DAY TO EMPOWER WOMEN’S HEALTH
The Anthem Rotary Club will present a health workshop for women of all ages, featuring knowledgeable speakers discussing women’s health and safety. The event will include presentations, music and community building, with a focus on joy, self-care and resilience. Free.
9 a.m.–2 p.m. Anthem Civic Building, 3701 W. Anthem Way, Anthem. portal.clubrunner.ca/1691
The Musical Instrument Museum will host an event that invites attendees to explore the roots of Latin jazz’s rhythms and traditions and experience contemporary sounds from modern performers. $20; youth discounts available. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org
April 20 and 21
‘DON GIOVANNI’
Arizona Opera will present its production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” which, regarded by many as one of the greatest operas of all time, tells the centuries-old story of the libertine Don Juan. See website for prices and times. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. 602-2667464; azopera.org
April 26
‘HOTEL CALIFORNIA’
Arizona Musicfest will present a salute to The Eagles. $39+. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org
April 26–28
‘A BENCH IN THE SUN’
Starlight Community Theater will present its production of “A Bench in the Sun.” See website for price and times. Starlight Community Theater, 1611 W. Whispering Wind Drive, Suite 9, Phoenix. starlightcommunitytheater.com
Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market will present its semiannual shopping experience, showcasing an array of local small businesses, creative handmade artisans and a vast selection of one-of-a-kind vintage items and antiques. Attendees will be able to explore a wide range of products including art, rugs, jewelry, candles and unique items in various styles. In addition to shopping, the event will offer live music and a selection of food trucks. $8+. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. junkinthetrunkvintagemarket.com
April 27
Anthem Cars and Coffee will host its monthly car show. A coffee truck, vendors and food court will be open for purchase of food and beverages during the event. Free. 8 a.m.–11 a.m. Outlets North Phoenix, 4250 W. Anthem Way, Anthem. anthemcarsandcoffee.com
April 28
NORTH VALLEY CHORALE
North Valley Chorale will perform its final concert of the season. See website for price. 3 p.m. Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley. northvalleychorale.org
April 28
SPRING
Arizona Musicfest will present a concert showcasing Arizona’s brightest young classical musicians — each of whom possesses astounding technique and prodigious musicianship. $23.50. 1 p.m. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. azmusicfest.org
May 2–5
‘ALL BALANCHINE’
Ballet Arizona will perform three ballets by George Balanchine — “La Valse,” “Divertimento No. 15” and “Symphony in Three Movements.” See website for times and prices. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. balletaz.org
May 4 and 5
‘OCEANS: THE SOUNDS OF THE SEAS’
Arizona Masterworks Chorale will perform a concert of music inspired by the mystery, power, turbulence and peace of the oceans. See website for price. Saturday 7:30 p.m. at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 6300 N. Central Ave., Phoenix; Sunday 3 p.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church, 7100 N. Mockingbird Lane, Paradise Valley. arizonamasterworks.com
May 5
‘ORPHEUS GOES POP’
The Orpheus Male Chorus will perform a concert that includes long-time favorite tunes and melodies as well as music by the Beatles, the Beach Boys and ABBA, among others. $25+; youth, student and senior discounts available. 3 p.m. Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley. orpheus.org
AAlong one of the few remaining rural roads that wind through the foothills of Happy Valley in north Phoenix, Blooming Ranch is a small oasis of flowers, carefully tended crops of fruits and vegetables, and a small menagerie of unusual pets. It’s also a source for local honey, tended in a way that preserves vital honeybee populations in our state.
When you first drive through the gates, you may find Cricket Aldridge weeding the garden beds or harvesting artichokes — yes, artichokes! Aldridge says that nearly anything that grows in a Mediterranean climate will grow here in Arizona. The large back porch of the home she shares with her husband, Rob Ungvary, also serves as a small shop, with a farmhouse-style hutch teeming with jars of the couple’s sustainably harvested honey and products handmade with honey and beeswax.
You’ll likely also see Chewie, a fluffy brown rooster of the Silkie variety. He’s literally the “cock of the walk” around the farm and very attached to Aldridge, following her every move and happy to be picked up for a cuddle. While a chicken that
acts more like a loyal pup may seem unusual, his breed is also known for having other peculiar characteristics, like black skin and bones, blue earlobes and five toes on each foot. He’s smaller than a typical rooster but full of personality.
Not to be outdone by Chewie’s unusual beauty, Wylie the India blue peacock may also wander through, spreading his massive plumes and doing a little mating shimmy to show off.
Between the animals, whatever is blooming or bursting forth from the ground, the couple’s thriving bee removal service and maintenance of their own hives and clients’ hives, there’s never a dull moment on the farm.
While Aldridge’s bees are too numerous to have individual names, she is no less passionate about beekeeping and preserving European honeybees in Arizona. Blooming Ranch keeps hives at the farm and on land near Lake Pleasant, so the couple routinely makes the drive north to check hives, provide water, and, when flowers aren’t blooming, offer supplemental nutrition for the colonies.
It’s not easy work, but it’s vital to the survival of every species on Earth, including humans. According to Planetbee.org, pollinators are necessary for the growth of 75% of our crops and contribute more than $217 billion. That’s a lot of work for little winged insects all dressed up in black and yellow, but that’s why beekeeping is more than just a hobby or business; it’s an industry necessary to the perpetuation of our world.
In Arizona, all honeybees become Africanized without careful, purposeful monitoring.
“Queens only mate once in their life,” Aldridge explains. “When a queen dies, a new queen mates with an Africanized bee, and that’s how hives become Africanized. You have to get rid of the Africanized queen and find one from somewhere else — usually Hawaii or Northern California — and you introduce her to the hive over the course of a week. We keep her contained in a special cage so she can walk around but is safe and can begin laying eggs. The bees will eventually accept her and start caring for her.”
The process of “re-queening” a hive and fully eliminating the Africanized brood takes a full three months to complete. A queen can lay 1,200 eggs per day. The new queen begins laying right away, but it takes 21 days for those Africanized eggs to hatch, and drones live six weeks. The queen is marked with a specific colored dot that is an international code indicative of the year she was born, making her easy to identify and track.
“Africanized bees are dangerous,” Aldridge says. “You could open an Africanized hive, and they will go on the attack. They can quickly kill all the animals in the neighborhood and hurt people too. Sometimes we are called out to hives that we can’t handle. You can’t just leave a hive alone; it will become Africanized.”
Hives must be checked regularly because Africanized bees are stealthy and aggressive about taking over hives—even ones that are meticulously maintained. Aldridge must work at night—when the bees are less active—to remove and, occasionally, transport Africanized hives way out into the wilderness, leaving them to re-queen for three months.
“There’s no way to totally eradicate Africanized bees,” Aldridge says.
“It’s impossible, but that’s one reason it’s important to have beekeepers everywhere.”
Africanized swarms aren’t the only threat. Beekeepers lose 45% to 50% of their hives each year to varroa, a tiny mite from Asia that quickly destroys colonies. Aldridge says it’s a constant process of testing and treating, but universities like Purdue and Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge are developing varroa-sensitive hygiene queens that naturally fight off varroa mites. Hives generally require testing and treating for the parasites at least four times per year.
At $35 per queen, the cost of saving colonies can quickly escalate. Aldridge notes that Arizona no longer has an apiary inspector, unlike Florida, where a robust bee program at the University of Florida registers hives and conducts inspections and DNA tests.
“[In Florida], you can’t keep an Africanized colony,” Aldridge points out. “You must re-queen, and the state will help with monitoring diseases. They’re regulatory in a good way. I like that Florida has that because they have fewer Africanized bees. Here in Arizona, many people don’t request help with Africanized hives because it’s expensive. What I would really love is to have a beekeeper’s fund to help with the cost of re-queening.”
To support the apiary community, Ungvary created the Arizona Backyard Beekeepers Facebook group, which has grown to 5,000 members and is actually how the couple first met. The group focuses on helping new beekeepers and bee removal specialists.
“We have beekeeping meetings every month,” Aldridge says. “Many group
According to the Bee Conservancy and Aldridge, there are many ways that even nonbeekeepers can help conserve European honeybees, their habitats and food sources.
Plant Bee-Friendly Flowers, Native Plants, and Trees — Bees are attracted to wildflowers and perennials you can plant yourself, including rock verbena, verbena bonariensis, coreopsis, salvia nemorosa and salvia farinacea. Drought-friendly shrubs that attract bees include superstition mallow, bee brush, desert lavender and flame honeysuckle. Keep in mind a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and bloom times. Trees that bees like include the anacacho orchid, black brush acacia, palo verde, desert willow and silk floss tree. You can find even more examples in an article on Aldridge’s website, gardenvarietybees.com.
Keep it Clean — Synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, neonicotinoids and herbicides are detrimental to bees and other wildlife. If they must be applied, be sure to avoid spraying directly on the soil or when the plant is in bloom.
Collect Data — Aldridge has developed a simple questionnaire that volunteers can use to report where and when they see bees and on which plants. The form can be found on her website, bloomingaz.com.
Bee Drinking Fountain — Bees need hydration after working to gather pollen in the hot desert sun. Filling a shallow bowl or birdbath with pebbles or stones and then adding fresh water to just below the line of the pebbles will give bees a place to perch and drink.
Don’t Destroy, Relocate! — In almost every case, an experienced bee removal specialist can safely relocate bees that have taken up residence in your home or yard and take them to begin new hives. This helps maintain the valuable honeybee population that keeps our world growing food, flowers and fiber for all living things.
members also perform bee removals and help spread the word about beekeeping classes. We also put together group orders for queen bees.”
The pair founded the nonprofit Arizona Honeybee Festival, which has been held each November for the past eight years. The event is “dedicated to bringing awareness to our community about the importance of honeybees to our lives.” Activities for the whole family are available, and there are educational seminars about the use of backyard pesticides that can harm bees and ways to help honeybees survive.
Aldridge also works for Best Bees, a contractor that maintains both backyard and corporate hives, including JPMorgan Chase’s Tempe headquarters’ rooftop colonies. You can also see her work at Butterfly Wonderland’s observation hive. In all her work, she is constantly collecting detailed information to share with national databases.
She continues to be in awe of the instinctual and creative nature of honeybees.
“They are amazing architects, amazing creatures,” she says. “Hives aren’t like what we see in a Winnie the Pooh cartoon. Bees always build from the top, attaching the comb high and then building down. Once the first comb is built, the queen will instantly start laying eggs. They add new comb as they go. Honey is used on the outside and top of the hive as insulation. Everything is located very specifically.”
Bees also have specific jobs throughout their lives. Young bees serve as nurses, eating pollen and producing royal jelly to feed the larvae. Bees eat the honey for energy and store the rest. The pollen is used to produce brood.
“A honeybee colony is a superorganism,” Aldridge says. “Every age has a different job. They’re [working] inside the hive for their first three weeks, then they forage for the rest of the time. Their lifespan is about six weeks.”
Harvesting honey is the culmination of all this vigilance. Aldridge says the Blooming Ranch honey harvest begins in earnest each spring, usually in May, when flowers sprinkle the landscape and the sun brings consistent warmth to the days, and continues through July. The boxes of their 200 hives are stacked so that there is a space for brood and honey that the bees can eat themselves. The top level is full of overflow honey, and that’s what is harvested.
“Honey is heavy,” Aldridge explains. “One box can weigh 65 to 100 pounds, so we usually remove frames that are placed in the slots of each box.”
The beekeeper removes the frame, cuts the caps off the sides and places four at a time in a centrifugal spinner that removes the honey by gravity, then the frame is replaced in the hive. Alternatively, honeycomb in the frame can be crushed and strained.
“It takes 8 pounds of honey to make 1 pound of wax,” Aldridge says. “When the flowers are gone in June or July, that’s the time to harvest wax from the extra box, which I use to make salves and candles.”
Blooming Ranch produces a range of products in addition to hundreds of pounds of honey, including beeswax candles and body products. Aldridge says honey has many applications, including healing properties. When put on a cut and covered with a bandage, glycolic acid mixes with moisture in the wound to produce its own version of hydrogen peroxide, creating a continuously healing environment beneath the bandage.
“I make Power Salve for humans, Honey Paws salve for pets and a bug bite balm,” Aldridge explains. “I wild-forage jojoba and extract the oil with an oil press. It’s infused with creosote, which is super medicinal, then I use my own beeswax to create a product that is soothing, protective and antimicrobial.”
Aldridge loves to share her bounty and knowledge with the public. She hosts beekeeping classes to educate others about how to get started and leads classes to teach people to make their own salve at her “Open Farm” days each Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Open Farm days are an invitation to come observe or participate. Visitors can help in the garden, pet the chickens, learn a project, or just enjoy the environment.
bloomingaz.com
gardenvarietybees.com
azhoneybeefest.org
Created by David Gross for Grace Renee Gallery
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7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ
Hours: Tue.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. By appointment Sun. and Mon.
480.575.8080
GraceReneeGallery.com
WWhen Angela Lavelle left the hustle and bustle of Hollywood and her career as an actor and costumer to return to her home state of Arizona, she brought with her a dream: to recreate what she founded in Los Angeles in 2007 — a neighborhood theater that would nurture and educate.
Right after completing her studies at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Lavelle decided to direct Neil Simon’s “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” one of her favorite plays of all time, inspired by Simon’s life while he was a regular on the legendary Sid Caesar Show in the 1950s.
“I handed out a script to my friends and cast them in roles and said, ‘We’re doing this show,’” she recalls. “‘I don’t know how, but we’re going to do it.’”
She set up her living room like a stage, and rehearsals began.
“Next thing I knew, we were up in Theater Row in Hollywood, completely sold out,” she says.
Art is powerful, therapeutic and beautiful, but it’s slowly dying. My goal is to bring good art that inspires and to keep it alive — and to never, ever give up. Angela Lavelle
Now, her already successful enterprise needed a name, and taking inspiration from a funny monologue in the play that speaks the name “Frank Banzerini,” a theater company was established.
The Anthem resident and her husband, Chase Boyajian, first founded the Arizona version of Banzerini House as a summer camp just as the world was beginning to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. Lavelle’s own theater and film background instilled a desire to bring industry standards to local young actors through high-level instruction, creative and show business training.
“I really want these kids to learn what it’s like to be a true artist,” she says. “There’s so much talent out there, and talent is talent — but I want to teach the kids how to use their talent respectfully and to create a good work ethic.”
Lavelle believes that whatever her students choose to pursue in life will require the type of skills they’re learning at the theater.
“So many artists go out after college and get squashed like a bug because they are just simply not prepared,” she says. “People quit and give up just because things get hard, but that’s when you shouldn’t quit. That’s when you should keep going. We learn from failures, and it adds to the story.”
The families whose children study under Lavelle’s tutelage agree that their investment has been advantageous and fun.
That first summer in Anthem, Jennifer James enrolled her daughter in the camp and began volunteering her time — helping children make tie-dyed T-shirts, building sets and operating concessions for “Willy Wonka Jr.” She has been part of Banzerini House ever since and now sits on the nonprofit production company’s board of directors.
“This is a great experience,” James says. “It’s grassroots. Angie is an extreme visionary. When she puts her heart into something, it comes to life.”
James says that one of the elements that makes Banzerini House unique is the connections Lavelle has in the television and film industry. That first summer, actor Matthew Namick, who currently works on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” traveled from Los Angeles to play the role of Willy Wonka; Namick will return this summer for Banzerini’s production of “Finding Nemo Kids.”
Other professional contributors include Bruce Dickson, a director of photography most notably known for filming the famous opening title sequence of “Friends”; local actor Joe Schwab, who has played adult roles in Banzerini House shows and sits on the audition judges’ panel; and Lew Temple, most notably seen in “The Walking Dead,” who played a role in Banzerini House’s latest short film, “Stolen Wishes.”
“The saying ‘It’s all about who you know’ isn’t about having a famous uncle in the business,” Lavelle explains. “It’s about trust, good work ethic and relationships.”
Lavelle believes that building relationships at the theater and beyond helps to build rapport for potential future opportunities.
“Angie loops in people to mentor,” James says. “They come in and share what they know.”
Having visiting film actors is especially helpful when the theater produces its annual short film.
“Stolen Wishes,” filmed at Pioneer Village, is the third film that Lavelle has written and directed, and the second she’s done since moving to Anthem. Each film has special meaning, and “Stolen Wishes” has
parallels to Lavelle’s beloved mother, who lost her battle with cancer in 2021.
“She was the one who really inspired Angie,” James says. “All of our programs and every show are always dedicated to her mom. For example, at the end of each year, we do ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ with grownups and kids. [Angie] did the show as a kid and it’s her favorite. It gets the whole community into the holiday spirit to celebrate and it’s like a homecoming every year.”
While Banzerini House may occupy an unassuming storefront on the west side of Anthem, James describes the interior as cozy and welcoming but says it’s also a fully professional operation that prepares its participants for real-world jobs in show business and creative arts.
Lavelle says it’s important to learn every element of music, dance, acting and behind-the-scenes work.
“It adds to their artists’ tool belt,” Lavelle says. “We do sign-ups by the season because we are educational and these classes get applied to each production. I feel it is important to be in a team setting because that is how it is in the industry.”
The participants can progress through the program as they choose to interview and audition. There are “B-House Players,” a performing group, and audition-only company actors. All must clock in upon arrival, put their belongings in lockers, keep their areas tidy and respect the rules and routines of the theater, which include good listening skills and on-set and backstage etiquette.
“Every child gets training in acting, dance and vocal technique, doing press interviews, auditions, headshots and hair and makeup,” James points out. “The way it’s set up, the kids get credit, skills
and validation. Angie gives them a lot of feedback, and they love her. There is a points system so [actors] see where their strengths and opportunities are. Feedback is a gift; it’s life. You have to learn to accept it away from your parents.”
Lavelle says Banzerini House participants get to know each other inside and out; they learn to butt heads and then speak directly to each other about how to overcome it.
Every challenge is an opportunity, whether onstage or behind the scenes.
James says there is room for children to try their hand backstage, particularly as they mature.
“The older kids learn stage direction, lighting and sound, and help out with the younger kids,” she says. “Everyone is learning transferable skills, and each little kid has a hero in an older child.”
At age 15, teens can apply to work in a paid job at the theater. Some go on to help direct the shows. There are plenty of places to learn and participate in the six shows and one film the organization produces each year.
Banzerini House facilities include a black box theater; a project room for sewing and costumes; a dual-purpose instruction and
hair and makeup room; and an arts and crafts space. Lavelle serves as a creative director for the children, and there are opportunities for ages 3 through adult. She also hosts art night for the parents of the young actors. A student-created art piece is featured and memorialized in a framed wall hanging for each production.
“Angie is an artist,” James says.“Her passion is bringing the arts back into everything. You really see these kids grow. They gain confidence that they can do it and are part of a strong and supportive community.”
Lavelle was nominated for five AriZonis last year and has been recognized by the BroadwayWorld Phoenix Awards and National Youth Theater Awards — quite a feat for such a young performing company. The children were able to have yet another show business experience: getting dressed up to walk the red carpet. Attending events like this is just one of the ways that Banzerini House fosters community, in addition to celebratory cast parties that are likely to break out in karaoke singing.
On April 2, Banzerini House will hold a fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. at Bearded Barber in Anthem. The restaurant will donate 15% of food sales back to the
theater, and the young actors will perform throughout the night with a special guest appearance by “The G Man” Perry, a Bearded Barber favorite who will perform show tunes along with fellow theater-lover and Bearded Barber server Alex Martinez.
Funds raised will go toward fulfilling Banzerini House’s vision “to inspire and empower individuals through the transformative power of performing arts.” Community and corporate partner sponsorships are also available.
Later in April, the theater will stage performances of “Peter Pan” from April 26 to May 5.
At the end of June, the organization will attend and reprise its performance of David Mamet’s “Revenge of the Space Pandas” at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in the Los Angeles area. They’ll also participate in a press night at the festival.
Lavelle is dedicated to keeping theater alive and training the next generation in the arts. She looks forward to expanding her offerings for children and adults.
“Art is powerful, therapeutic and beautiful, but it’s slowly dying,” she says. “My goal is to bring good art that inspires and to keep it alive — and to never, ever give up.”
banzerinihouse.org
‘Peter Pan’
AA few years ago, photographer Alex Miller visited the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness near the Utah-Arizona border and was amazed by the “almost Mars-like textures and patterns” that were in the rocks and the ground.
“I just could not understand how something so unique could be found in the middle of the desert,” Miller says. “In these textures and patterns, I would see all sorts of different shapes and swirls. My eyes and style of photography slowly started to adjust as I realized that there were little moments found in these textures within the grand, wide-angle scenic moments I was used to capturing.”
Miller’s love affair with nature’s textured treasures was born. In early 2023, it further flourished when he won a coveted permit to visit Coyote Buttes North — more commonly known as The Wave, a small portion of the 112,500-acre Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness that boasts some of the most visually striking geologic sandstone formations in the world.
“It gets its name from the textures of the desert rock, which are similar to those of a smooth wave,” Miller explains. “Hundreds of thousands of people try to visit this dreamlike destination every year, but only a handful can visit it each day. This makes getting a permit incredibly challenging. Not only did I get to witness the unique formation for myself, but I also got to see it during a snowstorm — which is incredibly rare for the area. The moisture brought the orangish rock to a bright red color that was amazing to see and photograph.”
Miller recently revisited the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness in search of more interesting compositions. He paid special attention to the large features as well as the more intricate details found on various rocks and cliffs, eventually stumbling upon some very unique textures of gold, yellow and orange.
“Immediately after I turned the next corner, I saw some incredible wavy-like patterns on the rocks above me in the canyon,” he says. “I hiked up, around and down into a little cove to get an up-close look at what I was seeing. I was absolutely amazed. The long three-mile hike in the sun and straight up the canyon did not matter to me anymore. What I saw was surreal. It was hard to process that the earth had such patterns and vibrant colors, along with smooth but ridged textures.”
This month, Images Arizona is honored to showcase a selection of these transfixing textures that surround us, inviting readers to embark on a visual journey through the rugged beauty of Northern Arizona. Through Miller’s lens, we explore the profound beauty in the minutiae of the natural world.
His photographs serve as a vivid reminder of the dynamic and everchanging landscapes that lie just beyond our doorstep, encouraging us to see the world with the same wonder and appreciation for detail that Miller does. Join us as we delve into the many layers of the desert, discovering a world where every grain of sand and twist of rock tells a story of time, elements and the artistry of nature itself.
One of the things I love most about photography is the fact that there are so many layers within each image. A wide-angle photograph of the mountains will provide an entirely different perspective when zoomed in. It becomes a completely different photo. By finding different textures and patterns, photography can become even more creative and unique.
Alex Miller
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One way that I love looking through a lens is via my drone, which provides me with angles and views that I would not otherwise be able to witness and experience. It is just another way to find a picture within a picture. I have loved traveling around Northern Arizona with my drone, capturing the many different textures that can be found on the ground.
Alex Miller
Photography has opened me up to many different perspectives on a scene as well as many beautiful places across the U.S. Southwest. It has ignited a deeper level of exploration and experience within myself that was not there before. Photography has shown me that I do not necessarily need to visit Patagonia or Iceland to see amazing things. I can explore my own backyard in Arizona and find some amazing places with which to connect. Alex Miller
Prescott resident Alex Miller’s interest in photography sprouted four years ago during a very uncharacteristic solo weekend-long camping trip to Zion National Park.
“I had always appreciated being outside, but I never went on trips — especially alone,” Miller says. “I could not tell you why, but I picked up an older camera that I had at the time and brought it along with me on my trip.”
Miller arrived at the park in the middle of the night and could not really see much of anything, which he admits was a little scary. When he woke up the next morning, he was in absolute awe of the huge canyon walls that surrounded him.
“I embarked on the Angels Landing hike, which is one of the more difficult expeditions in the park because of the steep climb to the top of the canyon,” Miller says. “It was challenging, but the view was totally worth it. I pulled out my camera and started taking pictures of the amazing scenery.”
Miller’s passion for outdoor photography had officially taken flight.
“That first trip helped me connect with my camera and the outdoors, but also with a deeper side of myself that I had been missing or searching for,” he explains. “I felt that this trip gave me more of a spiritual and emotional purpose in life — and more direction on who I wanted to be outside of the office or classroom at the time.”
Miller now works in digital media with small businesses in and around Prescott.
“When I am not working, I enjoy getting in the car and taking road trips around Arizona and the U.S. Southwest,” says Miller, whose more specific hobbies include off-roading, hiking and camping, as well as cooking, watching and playing sports and teaching himself how to play the guitar.
Of course, he never leaves home without his camera.
“My brand is called Present Moment Photographs because of the power of each moment in time and the experiences that can be had,” Miller says. “I shoot landscape photography but occasionally venture into portraits, product or sports photography for work. I aim to capture different and unique experiences that I have had around the state and country and share those with others. Photography has shown me how much there is to explore in the world, and I hope to use it to inspire others to travel and experience the great outdoors.”
presentmomentphotographs.com
AArizona is home to a vast number of nonprofit animal welfare organizations, many of which have been around for a very long time and are fairly well-known. However, on a heaven-esque hilltop property in New River, there exists one organization that has been serving Arizona’s cat population for more than 40 years, and you may have never even heard of it.
St. Francis Feline Sanctuary was founded in 1980 by Michael and Pat Pavlina, who purchased the 5-acre property in New River with the specific intention of creating a home for cats.
“They found their dream in creating a haven for cats on this unique hilltop property, complete with a well and a house built to their specifications,” says Tracy Didier, who began volunteering for the nonprofit organization about 20 years ago.
“They were drawn to its undisturbed beauty and spaciousness. Typically caring for 70–80 cats at a time, they kept the sanctuary relatively private and did not actively advertise due to its limited capacity. This quiet life suited Michael and Pat, who lived on the property until their passing in 2021 and 2022, respectively.”
Ten years ago, when the Pavlinas started to face health challenges, they asked if Didier and her husband would be willing to take the reins of their organization after their passing. They unhesitatingly agreed.
“My husband and I have been involved in animal rescue for 25 years,” says Didier, who now serves as St. Francis Feline Sanctuary’s president, director and owner. “My husband’s mother led a large animal rescue, and I joined that through him.
“A few years later, we met Michael and Pat, who inspired us with their dedication to unadoptable cats. They not only provided shelter for feral cats but also built a separate haven for feline leukemia virus-positive felines. We admired their commitment to caring for unwanted animals.”
Many of St. Francis’ residents arrive at the sanctuary from owners who have passed away.
“These cats, typically 10 years or older, are often surrendered due to their age and perceived unadoptability in other shelters,” Didier explains. “We also receive FeLV-positive cats from veterinarians whose clients wish for euthanasia. In these cases, the vet contacts us to see if we can provide a home, and we accept these cats from the veterinarian upon surrender. We have also taken FeLV-positive cats from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.”
The kitties are ultimately free to roam about the beautiful 5-acre, fully enclosed property. They are welcome to spend their time in the main house or outside on the lush desert landscape as they wish. There is a separate half-acre enclosure for FELVpositive residents, who have their own little house, complete with all comforts and amenities.
Four years ago, Didier and her husband purchased an adjacent 5-acre parcel, on which they have begun building a house, with plans to connect it to the sanctuary for easier daily care.
Tracy Didier “
It is truly amazing what happens when even an older cat is given lots of tender loving care, some space and maybe a little bit of catnip. They become kittens again. Seeing that sparkle in their eye and that twitch in their tail is something sincerely special.
“This project, alongside running our own business and the sanctuary, has taken longer than expected, but we expect to be finished in six months,” says Didier, noting that St. Francis has already started to increase its cat population thanks to its dedicated volunteers and revamped website and social media presence. “We are now honored to care for more than 100 cats.
“We are also cautiously starting adoptions for our cats that previously lived indoors, allowing controlled meet-and-greets and enabling access to crucial grants. For example, we recently rescued two cats that were abandoned in the desert near Cave Creek. Though terrified and traumatized, they are surprisingly social. Once they decompress and receive necessary medical care, including spaying or neutering and vaccinations, they will be available for adoption as indoor-only companions.”
Didier adds that St. Francis carefully screens all potential adopters to ensure such cats go to safe and happy forever homes. However, for most of its residents, the sanctuary will be the home at which they spend the rest of their days.
“Last year, we welcomed Socrates, a 20-year-old tuxedo cat that was surrendered by his owner, Jack, a retired Navy veteran who was entering an assisted living facility,” Didier says. “Socrates, vocal and well-loved, settled comfortably in his corner of the kitchen. We provided him with his favorite foods and a water fountain.
“We have also ensured continued connection to his previous owner through letters and pictures. We strive to maintain the bond
between cats and their families whenever possible, understanding the emotional significance these companions hold. We even took Socrates to visit Jack in the care facility he was in. Sadly, both Jack and Socrates passed away before the end of the year. However, even in death, Socrates’ ashes remain at the sanctuary.”
As St. Francis Feline Sanctuary continues to grow under its new leadership, the nonprofit organization welcomes volunteers of all experience levels. Monetary and food donations, both wet and dry, are also always appreciated.
“One of the things that I have learned through St. Francis Feline Sanctuary is that it is never too late to have some fun,” Didier says. “Even older cats, like Socrates, will chase a laser pointer or a mouse with joy. Sometimes it takes a while for new cats to adjust. After all, we do not know their stories or what they have been through. But once they experience the freedom, beauty and tranquility of our sanctuary, they start to play and have fun.
“Until their end, which sometimes we have to help them with, they truly enjoy every last day. We make sure of that. It is truly amazing what happens when even an older cat is given lots of tender loving care, some space and maybe a little bit of catnip. They become kittens again. Seeing that sparkle in their eye and that twitch in their tail is something sincerely special. It is such a beautiful transformation and our group of amazing volunteers make it all possible.”
felinesanctuary.org
Writer and Photographer Francine Coles thefancypantskitchen.com
Enjoy spring on a plate with this deliciously fun riff on a traditional tuna niçoise, which includes a lovely slab of salmon baked with a phenomenal mustard dressing. Place it over mixed greens
and surround it with baby red potatoes, fried capers, jammy eggs, blanched green beans, Greek olives and cherry tomatoes. It is the perfect salad for Mother’s Day, graduation or any day that demands a gorgeous entrée that’s quick and easy to make!
Serves: 6
For the Dressing:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup stone ground mustard
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried dill
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Salad:
1/2 pound baby red potatoes, halved
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 jar capers, drained, rinsed and dried
1 pound salmon filet
4 eggs
1/4 pound green beans, trimmed
6 cups mixed greens
1/2 cup Greek olives
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes
Preheat an oven to 375°F. In a small bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, whisk together the ingredients for the dressing and set aside.
Steam or microwave the potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes if steaming or 8 minutes if using the microwave. Let cool. Drizzle with a tablespoon or two of the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Heat the remaining olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, fry the capers until they burst open, about 1 minute. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Place the salmon skin side down on a parchment-lined, rimmed baking sheet. Slather it with 1/4 cup of the dressing and place it in the oven until it flakes when separated with a fork, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a small pot of water to a boil. Gently lower the eggs, one at a time, into the boiling water. Continue to boil for 7 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, place it in the sink and slowly pour cold water over the eggs until cooled, about 5 minutes. Peel the eggs, cut each in half and set aside.
Bring another small pot of water to a boil. Blanch the green beans in the boiling water until they are tender but still have a crunch to them, about 3 minutes.
Place the mixed greens on a large platter. Top with the cooked salmon, fried capers, blanched green beans, steamed potatoes, boiled eggs, olives and tomatoes. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and enjoy!
thefancypantskitchen.com
