COMMUNITY June + July 2023

June 10 and 11

Celebrate The Blues

The Musical Instrument Museum will host an exploration of the origins of the blues — including Southern delta traditions and big-city electrification — through expressive performances and informative lectures. See website for schedule of events. $20; youth discounts available. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org

June 12–July 28

ABT’S ACADEMY

Arizona Broadway Theatre will host a series of summer camps for young performers. Sessions include “Finding Nemo, Jr.,” “101 Dalmatians: Kids,” “The Wizard of OZ: Youth Edition” and “Rev’d Up.” $150+. See website for schedule. Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria. 623-776-8400; azbroadway.org

June 12–Aug. 1

FHT SUMMER CAMPS

Fountain Hills Theater will host a series of summer camps for young performers. Sessions include “Legally Blonde: The Musical, Jr.” and “Annie: Kids.” See website for price and schedule. Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. 480-837-9661; fhtaz.org

June 14

GET LIT BOOK CLUB

Promusica Seeks New Executive Director

ProMusica Arizona Chorale and Orchestra’s executive director, Yvonne Dolby, has announced that she will retire June 30 after a successful 12-year tenure. The organization is, therefore, now searching for a new executive director to work with its talented and dedicated team of musicians and volunteers who are committed to bringing live music to the community; help shape the future of ProMusica Arizona by contributing your organizational skills and leadership; and grow professionally while making a meaningful impact on the arts community. promusicaaz.org

Desert Foothills Library will host a happy hour discussion of Eliza Reid’s “Secrets of the Sprakkar: Iceland's Extraordinary Women and How They Are Changing the World.” Free. 5 p.m. RSVP. See website for location. 480488-2286; dfla.org

July 3

Independence Day Celebration

Anthem will host its 23rd Independence Day celebration — featuring a fireworks display, fun rides and water slides, activities and festival food. Free. 5:30–9:30 p.m. Anthem Community Park, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Anthem. onlineatanthem.com

July 15 and 16

Experience France

The Musical Instrument Museum will host an event that celebrates the music and culture of France. See website for schedule of events. $20; youth discounts available. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org

July 16

‘CATS: YOUNG ACTORS EDITION’ AUDITIONS

Musical Theatre of Anthem will audition potential cast members for its upcoming production of “Cats: Young Actors Edition.” Auditionees aged 13–18 should prepare a musical theater song. Audition preparation workshops are available for an extra charge. $375; sibling discounts available. 9 a.m. RSVP. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Anthem. 623-3366001; musicaltheatreofanthem.org

July 27–29

‘CATS: YOUNG ACTORS EDITION’

Musical Theatre of Anthem presents its production of “Cats: Young Actors Edition.” $25. See website for times. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Anthem. 623-336-6001; musicaltheatreofanthem.org

Aug. 3–6

SUMMER PERFORMING ARTS INSTITUTE CONVENTION

Musical Theatre of Anthem will host a series of workshops for young performers. $150+. See website for schedule. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Anthem. 623-336-6001; musicaltheatreofanthem.org

CCheese, wine, whiskey, friendships — there are many things in this world that improve as they age. Unfortunately, our health is not among them.

Although how well you age can be influenced by a number of lifestyle factors over which you have a great deal of control — such as your nutritional status, your physical activity level, your sleep quality and your stress levels — some degenerative processes are simply a natural and inevitable part of the cycle of life.

In recent decades, science and technology have made important inroads in identifying the specific mechanisms of aging at the cellular level, with a significant discovery being the role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) — the central redox coenzyme in cellular metabolism.

NAD+ is naturally present in every cell of our bodies and plays a significant role in a number of cellular processes, including the repair of DNA. However, as humans age, we lose about 50% of our NAD+ levels, impeding our body’s ability to repair cells and prevent degenerative health issues.

Additionally, NAD+ plays a key role in our cognitive function. One of the most feared and devastating signs of aging is cognitive decline. Advanced brain disorders — such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease — are on the rise, appearing in ever-younger populations and taking a toll on patients and their loved ones.

NAD+ stimulates the neogenesis of neurons to promote brain neuroplasticity and reduce inflammation. It also supports the production of norepinephrine and serotonin — important hormones that help regulate mood, suppress anxiety and promote healthy sleep.

MAXIMIZING THE BENEFITS OF NAD+ THERAPY

There are a number of oral supplements on the market to boost NAD+. However, oral supplements must be absorbed in your digestive tract and processed in your liver before entering your circulatory system and finally arriving at your cells. During digestion, supplements are often only partially absorbed; some may even pass right through your digestive tract without ever being broken down.

Therefore, administration via weekly injection is recommended as the most effective and convenient way to deliver the coenzyme directly to your bloodstream, where it can be immediately distributed to cells throughout your body and begin the repair process. The many remarkable anti-aging benefits of NAD+ injection therapy include:

Anti-aging Benefits of NAD+

l Improved cognitive function l Increased longevity l Reduced risk of cancer l Increased basal metabolism l Reduced insulin resistance l Decreased inflammation l Protection of cellular mitochondria l Improved sleep l Improved liver function l Improved hearing and vision l Improved muscle function and recovery l Improved immune system

THE CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE HEALING & WELLNESS

Growing in popularity among celebrities, athletes and health-conscious people who want to maintain youthful robust health for decades on end, NAD+ injection therapy is offered locally at The Center for Integrative Healing & Wellness — a spa-like clinic staffed by professional clinicians who guide patients through their treatment so they can keep living the life they love.

The Center for Integrative Healing & Wellness offers 100mg NAD+ subcutaneous injections with four convenient and easy-to-use, ready-to-administer prefilled syringes delivered directly to patients each month. The clinic works exclusively with a 503A licensed and accredited pharmacy to ensure the highest quality and safety of NAD+.

The clinic’s expert staff instructs and guides patients through the process of injecting the coenzyme once a week in the morning to increase their energy and longevity. Injections offer excellent absorption and the beneficial effects are generally noticed very quickly. The Center for Integrative Healing & Wellness also offers concierge high-dose IV NAD+ treatment in the comfort of its clinic for those who have health issues that may benefit from a more rapid restoration of NAD+ levels.

Contact The Center for Integrative Healing & Wellness to inquire about NAD+ injection therapy and stop aging in its tracks today!

IIt’s Anthem’s hottest summer job; but contrary to Hollywood stereotypes, it’s not all about wind-tousled hair and slowmotion jogging. Being a lifeguard means long hours in brutal heat and daily skills training with an eagle-eyed focus on preserving safety and saving lives.

Overseeing it all is Tya Kuzov, the aquatics program supervisor for Anthem Community Council.

Water is a constant element flowing through Kuzov’s life. She hails from a family of lifeguards and some of her earliest memories are of spending summers at the pool her grandmother managed, helping with swim lessons and shadowing the lifeguards she admired.

A graduate of Boulder Creek High School, Kuzov joined Anthem Community Council in 2015, working in nearly every division — from the front desk to the adventure club and even coaching cheerleading. Inspired by her first manager, she was determined to pursue a career in recreation and tourism. One of her goals was to work her way up the ranks to the job she has now at just 24 years old.

Perhaps the most important of her many duties is leading the recruitment and training of the crucial, top-rated lifeguard program in the community as she also works to complete her undergraduate degree in recreation and tourism management at Arizona State University.

“I’ve always had a passion for health, fitness, leisure and recreation,” Kuzov says. “I can see how they really help people emotionally and physically, so my goal is to stay within that scope [as a career.]”

Kuzov’s tenacity, dedication and attention to detail are exactly the traits she looks for in the 75–80 lifeguards she employs each summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The number is lower during the off-season, but every spring begins a period of recruiting, interviews and rigorous recertification.

It’s not the average summer job; saving lives is serious business. Many of the lifeguards Kuzov employs first participated in the Junior Guards program as middle school students, which takes place in June.

“I like watching the kids grow,” Kuzov says. “They go through an interview, learn responsibility and many become very passionate about what they learn. They often go on to pursue becoming an EMT or a doctor. The heat and pay make it hard to recruit. In-N-Out pays more and has nowhere near the responsibility a lifeguard has.”

The training is also quite a bit more strenuous than working an average job. In addition to completing an 80-question test with a score of 80% or better, recruits must complete a 300-meter swim, a 50-meter sprint while wearing a tube and swim to the bottom of the 14-foot deep dive pool, pick up a 10-pound brick and swim with it across the pool, then do the same with a dummy, and, finally, with an instructor.

“As instructors, we swim to the bottom of the pool and wait and pray that someone comes to get us,” Kuzov says with a laugh. “They can’t get past training without that.”

CPR, first aid, emergency oxygen and the use of AED defibrillators are also part of the training. Every week, those who make the grade attend in-service training for up to three hours in addition to their daily shift and go through emergency scenarios during their shifts to keep them ready in case of an emergency.

“People who stay and like the structure often go into military programs,” Kuzov says. “I’ve written letters of recommendation for the Naval Academy, Army and Coast Guard. You have to be willing to train and be on your A-game. We push them to be responsible and they learn to be strong mentally.”

Two of those lifeguards who have continued to return year after year are Brendan and Abigail Sauer-Newell, who have also been around water their entire lives. Their father, Scott Newell, is the director of programs and aquatics at Anthem Community Council.

Brendan got his start in the Anthem lifeguard program as a high school student. This year will be his eighth summer in the program.

“I climbed the ranks from lifeguard to lead lifeguard to pool manager and have since taken EMT classes,” Brendan says, “I am currently working to finish my schooling to become a certified emergency paramedic.”

Brendan’s favorite part about the lifeguard program has been getting to help shape the younger generation as he has grown up. He says that many of the youngest lifeguards are just getting started in the lessons of serious responsibility, confidence and self-respect. He sees his younger self in them.

“I encourage them to better themselves and serve their community,” he says. “Lifeguarding changes a lot of their perspectives when they finally connect the dots and see that what they are learning and doing can really help someone and make a difference in the world around them. I get an overwhelming sense of joy in knowing that one day the questions they ask me and my response may help them save a life.

“In Anthem, our lifeguards take pride in their skills and knowledge, always pushing to be better. I take pride in knowing that, because of my involvement and the dedication of these young men and women, our community is safer and an overall better place to live.”

Abigail also began at age 15, as she and all her friends were involved in the Anthem Dolphins Swim Team that her father coached. Her older friends and mentor swimmers were lifeguards at the time.

“It was the next, natural step for myself and my friends at the time,” Abigail recalls. “It was like being part of a team and we spend so much time together [that] we became like family. That’s what I love most about this job. I