Paradise Valley, AZ November 2020

N OV E M B E R 2 02 0

Letitia Frye is Saving Fundraising

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

NOVEMBER 2020 PUBLISHER

Tammy Fellows | tammy.fellows@lifestylepubs.com EDITOR

Feeling Grateful THEY SAY THAT WITH CHILDREN, “THE DAYS ARE LONG, BUT THE YEARS ARE SHORT.” I feel like that can also be applied to 2020.

I don’t know about you, but for me, this year seems to have lasted 10 years in one—

Michelle Glicksman | michelle.glicksman@lifestylepubs.com ACCO UNT MANAGERS

Elisa Lane | elisa.lane@lifestylepubs.com, Natalli Shaba | natalli.shaba@lifestylepubs.com PUBLISHER A SSISTANT

Lyssa Van Cleave | lyssa.vancleave@lifestylepubs.com

and yet, it has also gone by extremely quickly. Each day seems quite long with the

AD DESIGNER

juggle of work, kids, and life, mostly all from home. And yet, how is it near the end

Whitney Lockhart

of the year already?

I feel like we went from March to November in the blink of an eye.

As we enter this season of thankfulness, I've been taking time to reflect on the many things I’m grateful for… health, family, friends, my career—and you.

Thank you for sharing your stories with us, for reading our magazine through these unique times, for being there for us, and for letting us be there for you.

In this issue we share inspiring stories of people who are doing amazing things, such as Letitia Frye, who is featured on our cover. Read all about how she innovated ground-

L AYO UT DESIGNER

Dani Moore CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Alison Bailin Batz, Sue Baldini, Teresa Traverse, Georgann Yara CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Lindsay Jenks, Lyssa Van Cleave

breaking ways to handle fundraisers in this challenging year when groups couldn't gather for events, and in doing so, helped many nonprofits raise much-needed funds.

We also share stories of local nonprofits, share how Erika Cowell is helping impact the lives of kids, and more.

This month we offer you the opportunity to reflect with us and spend some time being grateful for the people we have in our amazing community. During this

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

Thanksgiving season, don’t forget to tell the people around you how they have

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

made a difference in your life. You've made a difference in mine!

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

Yours,

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

Michelle Glicksman, Editor 514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

ARIZONA | CALIFORNIA | COLORADO | CONNECTICUT | FLORIDA | GEORGIA IDAHO | ILLINOIS | KANSAS | MARYLAND | MASSACHUSETTS | MICHIGAN MINNESOTA | MISSOURI | MONTANA | NEW JERSEY | NORTH CAROLINA OHIO | OKLAHOMA | OREGON | PENNSYLVANIA | SOUTH CAROLINA

ON THE COVER Letitia Frye

TENNESSEE | TEXAS | VIRGINIA | WASHINGTON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDSAY JENKS HAIR/MAKEUP BY SARAH DELLAROCCO MASK BY MISTY GUERREIRO OF VINTAGE BY MISTY 6

Paradise Valley Lifestyle | November 2020

CityLifestyle.com/ParadiseValley

Proverbs 3:5-6 Paradise Valley Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Paradise Valley area’s most affluent neighborhoods.

Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Paradise Valley Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

INSIDE THE ISSUE NOVEMBER 2020

FEATURES 16 Selfless Spirit For These Nonprofit Organizations, the Power of Giving is a Year-Round Gift

22 Helping Kids Be Superheros Meet Super Mom Erika Cowell

28 Innovator When Nonprofit Fundraisers Were Cancelled, Auctiontainer Letitia Frye Sprung Into Action to Help

38 Grateful Globetrotter Janet Semenova on Traveling the

28 38

World, Saving Lives, and Staying Hopeful—No Matter Life’s Challenges

22

16

DEPARTMENTS 6

Lifestyle Letter

10

Around Town

16

Giving Back

22 Inspired By 34 Driver’s Notebook 38 Local Limelight 42 Lifestyle Calendar 46 Healthy Lifestyle

AROUND TOWN the field. Thanks in large part to PANDA, a Steele Center opened in Phoenix in 2014.

“We've met families who have gone all over the country and spent thousands of dollars with no solution. And then they end up at Steele, and within one visit they're on their way to finding answers. It's truly incredible,” says Tammy Ryan, PANDA president.

AWARD-WINNING CHEF SCOTT CONANT EXPANDS LOCAL RESTAURANT PORTFOLIO WITH THE AMERICANO James Beard Award-winning chef Scott Conant is expanding his Arizona restaurant portfolio.

Recently, he and his SC Culinary Inc. team partnered with Creation Hospitality for the ownership and operation of The Americano, an Italian-inspired steakhouse in North Scottsdale.

Through this new relationship, Conant will exclusively lead the culinary vision and operation of the restaurant along with Paride Guerra, director of oper-

Chris Smith Investments, located in Payson, has

ations and operating partner. Similarly, SC Culinary

formally merged with Paradise Valley’s Wilde Wealth

and Creation Hospitality will now co-own Mora

Management Group, an award-winning independent

Italian in Phoenix, where Conant will continue

financial services firm that provides comprehensive

in his executive chef and active-ownership role.

retirement, investment, real estate, insurance, legal and

TheAmericanoRestuarant.com

tax-planning services all under one roof. Through the

PANDA'S $5 MILLION GIFT TO ENDOW THE DIRECTORSHIP OF STEELE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH CENTER

merger, Chris Smith Investments will formally change its name to Wilde Wealth Management Group.

Trevor Wilde, who founded Wilde Wealth Management Group with his father, Bill, in 2003,

In honor of Dr. Fayez K. Ghishan’s 25th year as

says the mission for all of the offices is two-fold—to

director, members of the Phoenix Women's Board

offer boutique, customized investment planning

of the Steele Children's Research Center at the

advice, and to offer clients expanded in-house ser-

University of Arizona have contributed $5 million

vice offerings from fellow independent specialists.

to establish an endowed directorship of the center.

WildeWealth.com

The Phoenix Women's Board is known as PANDA, or People Acting Now Discover Answers.

The Fayez K. Ghishan, MD, PANDA Endowed

10

CHRIS SMITH INVESTMENTS TRANSITIONS TO WILDE WEALTH MANAGEMENT GROUP

ORIGINAL BREAKFAST HOUSE OFFERS DEDICATED DEALS DAYS

Directorship will provide support to further pediat-

From Nov. 7-11, Original Breakfast House is roll-

ric research and leadership at the Steele Children's

ing out specials and events to show appreciation to

Research Center. PANDA works to raise aware-

its customers and the hospitality industry, as well

ness and private funding for the Steele Children’s

as to honor and recognize veterans.

Research Center; to discover cures for children’s

Daily events and deals include—Nov. 7: Designated

diseases through research and heal very sick

as Family Day, kids eat free (one free kids’ meal for

children; and to teach medical professionals in

each child under the age of 12 with the purchase of

Paradise Valley Lifestyle | November 2020

an adult meal) all day, plus outdoor face painting and

“I was blown away by the Solid Rock center itself

games; Nov. 8: A free concert in the parking lot featuring

and all of the effort that goes into supporting these

Bumpin’ Bud and In Flight Blues, as well as free coffee

kids,” says Los Sombreros Owner Colleen Riske.

and donuts; Nov. 9: Half-price all omelettes all day; Nov.

LosSombreros.com

10: Hospitality/restaurant industry staff can enjoy half off their total bill all day; Nov. 11: Free meals for veterans, plus live entertainment, fun, and games all day.

Specials are available for dine-in only.

OriginalBreakfastHouse.com

MICHAEL WALTRIP BREWING COMPANY'S TWO-TIME BEER BRAND SECURES DISTRIBUTION Arizona-based

EAT ENCHILADAS FOR A GOOD CAUSE Los Sombreros is now offering two special enchilada dishes, and donating a portion of the proceeds to

Michael

Waltrip

Brewing

Company, recently launched by the two-time Daytona champion, announced a distribution agreement with Hensley Beverage Company, Arizona’s largest beer and beverage distributor.

a good cause. Through Jan. 31, 2021, $2 of every order

Waltrip’s Two-Time beer brand initially features

of Solid Rock Enchiladas and $5 of every order of

a lineup of a Blonde ale; Checkered Past, a coco-

Welcome to My Enchilada Family Night Meal will be

nut India pale ale; and Vamanos, a Mexican-style

donated to Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers,

lager, with year-round and seasonal selections

thanks to a new partnership between Los Sombreros

planned, as well. Each of the beers has a special

and Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/ParadiseValley

11

AROUND TOWN story behind it and some clever and subtle references to racing, capitalizing on the personality of its founder. MichaelWaltripBrewing.com

RYAN HOUSE VIRTUAL COMMUNITY BREAKFAST RAISES MORE THAN $250,000 Nearly 1,100 guests attended the premiere of Ryan House’s Virtual Community Breakfast, which officially kicked off the year-long celebration of the organization’s 10th anniversary.

The event, which was originally scheduled at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort on March 28, and was postponed and converted to a virtual event as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, has so far raised more than $250,000. The money will directly support the nonprofit organization, which currently relies 100% on community donations and cares for Arizona’s most medically fragile children and their families. RyanHouse.org

CAMERON COLVIN PLEDGES $200 MILLION TO GOODWILL Cameron Colvin, former NFL athlete, real estate investor, and philanthropist, has pledged $200 million to Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona Foundation to help individuals achieve lifelong prosperity. He recently presented the first installment of $10 million to Goodwill, and will continue donating $10 million a year, for the next 20 years. The funds will be used to create new adult education programs and future projects to help individuals living in poverty.

GoodwillAZ.org

THE VALLEY'S CIDER CORPS HONORS GREAT SACRIFICE WITH VETERANTHEMED STYLES The

veteran-owned

craft

cidery

Cider

Corps has a cider available at Whole Foods, AJs, and Total Wine to honor great sacrifice this Veteran's Day. The Sangin Sangria is a red sangria-style drink that blends Cider Corps' hard apple cider base with prickly pear, strawberry, orange, passionfruit, elderberry, and lime. It is named for the town of Sangin in Afghanistan

480.628.4833 Lindsay Jenks Photography @LindsayJenksPhotography

www.LindsayJenksPhotography.com 12

Paradise Valley Lifestyle | November 2020

where Cider Corps' co-owner, Jason Duren, was injured in service. Several of the cidery's flagship ciders are available at those locations, with many others available at its Mesa cidery. Valleywide delivery is also available. CiderCorpsAZ.com

R E A L E S TAT E C O N C I ER GE S ER V I C E S HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

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E R I C (4 8 0) 4 0 6 -5 8 8 3

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F E L LOWS |

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GIVING BACK

ARTICLE GEORGANN YARA | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Selfless spirit

FOR THESE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, THE POWER OF GIVING IS A YEAR-ROUND GIFT

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC)

16

Paradise Valley Lifestyle | November 2020

AS THE SEASON OF GRATITUDE COMMENCES, WE ARE REMINDED OF THE GIFTS BIG AND SMALL THAT SPARK THAT FIRE OF GRATEFULNESS AND, IN TURN, INSPIRE US TO GIVE BACK. However, this season is a year-round mission for the more than 21,000 registered nonprofit organizations that provide crucial, unwavering, life-changing, and often life-saving support to countless babies, children, adults, and families across the state. And even in a tough year that has Arizona nonprofits operat-

“THE ENERGY AND COMPASSION CHANGES THE ENTIRE SCHOOL CAMPUS. THIS IS NOT JUST MENTORING. IT’S A TRUE GENUINE FRIENDSHIP THAT LASTS A LIFETIME.”

ing a loss of nearly $53 million, according to the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, they provide precious resources to help those in need face another day. For them, it’s not about giving back. It’s purely about giving. Here, we shed a spotlight on a few that don’t seek it, yet deserve it.

Best Buddies Arizona To everyone who’s ever been a part of the organization, Best Buddies is more than just its name. State Director Lisa Cleary can attest to this with the countless bonds created between typical youths and their peers with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD).

“The energy and compassion changes the entire school campus. This is not just mentoring. It’s a true genuine friendship that lasts a lifetime,” Cleary says of the 2,000 students in elementary, middle, high school and college who’ve participated in the friendship program across Arizona.

While this program is the most visible, Best Buddies in Arizona’s reach goes beyond with other services. Among them is a new integrated employment program that secures jobs for people with IDD, allowing them to earn an income, pay taxes, and continuously and independently support themselves. The national program holds a 92% employee retention rate, while bringing diversity into the workplace.

“I love being able to see with my own eyes so many positive transformations within people, whether they have IDD or not,” she says. “It gives me a lot of hope for the future… that the world could be a better place.”

BestBuddies.org/Arizona

CONTINUED >

Lisa Cleary CityLifestyle.com/ParadiseValley

17

GIVING BACK (CONTINUED)

Maggie’s place By the time a pregnant mom reaches out to this nonprofit, she and her unborn child are desperate. They are living in a car or couch-surfing with friends. Most haven’t had a prenatal exam or been to a dentist. Some are in recovery and newly sober.

“It’s pretty urgent by the time they come to us. If they have an option, it’s not a safe one,” CEO Laura Magruder says of those her 20-yearold organization was created to save.

This year, Maggie’s welcomed its 1,000th mom. The organization offers more than 30 programs, including transitional and family reunification housing, plus resources vital to getting mom and child back on a secure track, whether it’s a GED or mental health services.

MaggiesPlace.org

Tom Eisiminger, Jr.

Laura Magruder

Veterans Medical Leadership

Council Charities Since 1999, this nonprofit has been giving men and women who served this country what Council President Tom Eisiminger, Jr. calls a hand up, not a handout. Last year alone, it did just that for nearly 500 veterans by providing services like housing assistance, medical support, and vehicle repair.

The Annual Heroes Patriotic Luncheon, held virtually this year Nov. 5, is a hallmark honoring veterans. Eisiminger talks about the lives saved or changed. There’s a Tucson-area veteran whose bone marrow transplant recovery was made possible thanks to the nonprofit’s support. A Valley woman who was living with her young child in a car was given a place to live, and a result, she used her GI Bill to get a college degree, today holding a professional career.

“Sometimes, people just need to know there’s someone there to help, and somebody to care.” ArizonaVMLC.org 18

Paradise Valley Lifestyle | November 2020

Daniel Openden

Southwest Autism Research

& Resource Center (SARRC) Other Nonprofits to KnoW Since 1997, SARRC’s unique expertise in working with individuals with autism across their lifespan has perfectly positioned it to accommodate the changing face of autism.

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now gainfully employed and living independently are among them. “That’s seriously life-changing stuff that drives what we do every day.” AutismCenter.org CityLifestyle.com/ParadiseValley

19

INSPIRED BY

HELPING KIDS BE SUPERHEROS MEET SUPER MOM ERIKA COWELL

ARTICLE TERESA TRAVERSE PHOTOGRAPHY LYSSA VAN CLEAVE

TO ERIKA COWELL, BEING A MOM HAS ALWAYS BEEN HER MOST IMPORTANT ROLE.

Colten was diagnosed with leukemia in January of 2009. He spent every month of that year fighting cancer. In December,

“I’ve always worked, but being a mom was my career,”

Colten was sent to hospice. Before he passed away, Colten

says Cowell, a mother of six. “I always knew I wanted to be

was given a ride in a “Batmobile” owned by local businessman

a mom. When the kids were little, it was just so wonderful

and philanthropist Charles Keller. Colten passed away two

watching them grow and shaping them into who they are.

weeks after being a passenger in the Batmobile. Two years

And now, as they’re all entering adulthood, it’s so satisfying

later, Erika was sorting through pictures of that night.

and gratifying to look at them and go, ‘Oh my gosh, I turned

“I realized looking at those pictures of the night that

her into that. I’m the reason they’re such good people.’ Four

Charles brought the Batmobile was a night where every-

of them are daughters. I’m seriously surrounded by my best

body was happy. You couldn’t even tell he was sick anymore

friends all the time. It’s just the greatest thing that I’ve ever

because he was laughing and he was playing and all the

done in my life.”

other kids were having fun. It was just such an amazing

The birth of her youngest child, Colten, transformed her entire life. After he was born in May of 2006, Colten was diagnosed with Down syndrome.

night,” she says.

Cowell wrote Keller a thank you note expressing her gratitude. Keller reached out to her and asked for her per-

“Anytime you receive that your child has Down syn-

mission to name the organization after her son. She agreed

drome, it’s a little bump. But honestly, he was such a cool

and started volunteering for the organization. In 2015, she

kid that it was a tiny bump,” shares Cowell, who says the

became the executive director.

transition for her was easier for her since mother taught

The Colten Cowell Foundation is a Phoenix-based non-

special education and she had grown up around individuals

profit that serves children with disabilities and terminal ill-

with intellectual disabilities.

nesses. The foundation’s signature program is the Superhero

Right from the beginning, she knew Colten was special.

Experience. Kids take a ride in the Batmobile and take a ride

“He was the sunshine of our house,” she says. “He changed

to the crime fighting “cave.” Inside the cave, kids and their

my entire career path twice… I had never considered provid-

families can see a replica of Bruce Wayne’s study and enjoy

ing speech therapy to children with special needs until I had

interactive activities. Every nominated child receives a check

him and saw what a difference a therapist can make in their

to go toward the charity of his or her choice. The organiza-

life. And here I am now running a foundation in his honor,

tion serves about 130 families a year. In total, the foundation

making a difference for kids.”

has served 535 families.

22

Paradise Valley Lifestyle | November 2020

CONTINUED >

THE FOUNDATION’S SIGNATURE PROGRAM IS THE

SUPERHERO EXPERIENCE. KIDS TAKE A RIDE IN THE BATMOBILE AND TAKE A RIDE TO THE CRIME FIGHTING “CAVE.”

Erika Cowell

CityLifestyle.com/ParadiseValley

23

INSPIRED BY (CONTINUED)

When she took over in December of 2015, Cowell expanded the organization’s reach to include children who have disabilities in addition to those with terminal illnesses.

The organization also partners with other nonprofits. She says working with nonprofits made her realize how many good people are in this world. And nonprofits have provided her, and so many others, with a sense of community “I bond with every family that comes through,” says Cowell. “When families started reaching out to me, it was a little hard because I didn’t know what to say, which is strange. And it’s mostly because there isn’t [anything]. They like that I understand that. I have cried a lot of tears with a lot of moms.

And it is really hard, but I get to be that person for somebody. It’s a pretty small group of people who actually understand what it’s like to lose a child.”

The busy mom, executive director, and student—she’s working on her bachelor’s in business administration and nonprofit management—has plenty on her to-do list, but to her, the rewards of all her hard work pay off big.

“It’s hard to juggle everything, but I truly believe I have the best job in the world. It makes it worth it,” she says. ”It’s been the most healing thing I think any mom could ever receive. It’s just been such a gift to be able to see your child live on in an experience.” ColtenCowellFoundation.org

24

Paradise Valley Lifestyle | November 2020

Erika Cowell with her late son, Colten.

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WHEN NONPROFIT FUNDRAISERS WERE CANCELLED, AUCTIONTAINER LETITIA FRYE SPRUNG INTO ACTION TO HELP

+ Hair/Makeup Sarah Dellarocco + Mask Misty Guerreiro of Vintage by Misty IT WAS MARCH 13, 2020, WHEN LETITIA FRYE—KNOWN BY MANY FOR HER ROLE AS AN AUCTIONTAINER (A TERM ORIGINALLY BESTOWED UPON HER BY ALICE COOPER, AS SHE BLENDED BEING AN AUCTIONEER WITH ENTERTAINING THE CROWD)—LAST STEPPED ON A STAGE, FOR AN EVENT WITH ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF PHOENIX. 28

Paradise Valley Lifestyle | November 2020

ARTICLE MICHELLE GLICKSMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY LINDSAY JENKS

Innovator

Between that day in mid-March and early October, Frye had been scheduled to work with 65 other events, helping them raise money via live auctions. Instead, COVID-19 hit, and the events were all cancelled.

Frye chokes up when speaking about it.

“When [COVID] happened, I had just flown in from a huge celebrity event in Palm Springs, and just one more event snuck in, and that was the one on March 13,” she says. “And that was the last time I stepped on a stage.”

While many in her fundraising industry looked at that early COVID time as early time off with just a shift in events season (with events to pick back up soon), Frye realized disaster was coming. Quickly, she dove in, brainstorming how to save her business, help her clients, and continue to make a difference in the world.

She had a vision, and so she set up Zoom meetings with newly released giving platforms, talking to them about their technology and capabilities. She vetted them, proposed new ideas, and spent time with their tech people, working through if her ideas could be implemented.

“I was like, ‘Think of it this way… if you meant to bring the gaming platform into a ballroom so you can have people from the outside world participate while we’re in a ballroom, what if we took the event out of the ballroom, and people participated from all over the world?’

“I’m not kidding, I didn’t sleep for six weeks, just brainstorming.”

She encouraged nonprofits to innovate, and knew if the technology for her ideas could work, there could be a new way of holding events, and all virtually.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/ParadiseValley

29

INNOVATOR (CONTINUED)

Photo provided

When Valleywise Health Foundation, a local hospital, heard what she was doing, they called her. Their smaller event was approaching, and they were open to what she was proposing.

Frye brought in Fund Duel—a company based in the Valley, which is a gaming method of utilizing competition and social media to raise funds—which had never live streamed its technologies.

To make the live stream concept possible, Frye immediately thought of her friend, Carey Peña, founder of Inspired Media 360, who had a new studio in Phoenix. Since the studio features two separate entrances and multiple small rooms, Frye knew it would be a perfect location to keep people safe and appropriately social distanced.

designed for that… we took it into the world, into the space, as the first people ever in the world to do it.

“I knew full well I was rolling the dice and I could very well tank my entire career. We could have tanked and we all knew it. We were scared to death.”

But they went live—and ended up with 1,600 viewers from 10 countries, and raising more than they even had projected to make in their regular setting.

“We ended up with a bid from as far as London—and we’re talking about our county hospital and burn center here!”

It was a moment in her life that she says that she’ll never forget.

On April 23, Valleywise held its event. It was the first of its kind, with an

Frye is also now working with Uncommon Giving, another

entirely new concept, and utilizing new technology that had never been

Arizona-based company. It works with nonprofits, creating a way for

tried before. As it went live, everyone making it happen held their breath—

people to choose how they give in their daily lives.

would everything work? Would the untried technology hold up?

“Ultimately, what all of this is teaching me as we move through,

The answer was overwhelmingly yes.

is that as the pandemic hit, we took the option to give, instead of it

Interviews happened with a young burn victim—without anyone

being for the person who could afford a $500 ticket, we took giving

ever being near her. An event was held where no one was near each

and the feeling that it gives you, to everyone. We were no longer

other. Money was raised. And, most importantly, people from all over

defined by a tax bracket, and we were no longer defined by demo-

the world participated.

graphics, area code, or country.”

“Bringing Fund Duel’s type of technology into a live streaming

Effectively, by pivoting and creating these new, innovative options,

market was something which had never been done in the history of

it removed many barriers people had to attending and giving to

the world—we did something that had never been done. Streaming

events. Additionally, by offering free streaming events (some had

events in a ballroom to other ballrooms? That had been done,” Frye

sponsorship levels, but also always a free live stream), people who

says. “But by taking a gaming platform, that was designed for people

were moved by the mission could attend and give whatever they

to compete, but had never, never had a live stream event and was not

could—whether that was $10 or $10,000.

30

Paradise Valley Lifestyle | November 2020

“People have found in this pandemic that giving is not something that is meant for just the wealthy, but it’s a selfless act that brings value to you,” she says.

Since that April day, Frye has been extremely busy partnering with other groups to create more of these innovative events, including the huge Race to Erase MS drive-in event, a 200-plus car drive-in held in September at The Rose Bowl in California, complete with a drive-thru red carpet. There, she got on stage, attendees heard her through their car radios, and the event was live streamed. It raised $1.4 million.

“These free live streams meant that if you ever had someone who wondered what an event was like, now they get to see. And if they were moved, now they get to give—at any denomination. Giving should belong to everybody. And that’s the greatest gift that has come out of this pandemic. This has removed the barriers and the thought that giving is only for the wealthy. Giving is a human experience we all should have, in whatever capacity you can.”

Frye is no longer chanting in the traditional way that an auctioneer would sell, but using her entertainment background in live events to create these new formats.

“It’s about truly researching the human experience of your client, and to eloquently express that in a well-timed manner on TV, and guide people through what they can give or they can buy for the reason that they would do it,” she explains.

In the midst of all of this, Frye also had her first book, No Reserve, debut. Written before the pandemic with an already-planned release date and traditionally published, the title is a nod to her profession. The book itself is about going “all-in” in life, and handling adversity.

It has done phenomenally, with Frye receiving messages from all over the world from people who have been inspired by it.

In a few weeks, the audio book of No Reserve will be released.

Additionally, she’s also in talks to host a podcast on giving with Uncommon Giving.

Since April 23, Frye has done approximately 40 virtual events. She’s grateful to have learned that

Photo provided

no matter where she is, she can help people all over the world.

“Now, I can pretty much be in the desert, in a ballgown, and doing an event and helping people anywhere in the world,” she says.

CityLifestyle.com/ParadiseValley

31

Giving thanks.

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Paradise Valley Lifestyle | November 2020

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33

DRIVER’S NOTEBOOK

Beautiful, Sleek, Exceptional

MEET THE 2020 MERCEDESBENZ AMG GT 53

ANYONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED A MERCEDES-BENZ IS WELL AWARE THAT IT TYPICALLY RISES TO THE TOP OF ITS ARTICLE TAMMY FELLOWS

CLASS WHEN IT COMES TO COMFORT, DESIGN, AND LUXURY.

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 53 is no exception. The beautiful, sleek exterior design is striking and sure to turn heads. Beyond that, this four-door sedan’s driving performance is exceptional.

As a mild-hybrid powertrain, this six-cylinder, 3.0-liter turbocharged engine has 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, allowing for a smooth 0-60 mph reach in only 4.4 seconds. When switching

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Paradise Valley Lifestyle | November 2020

to Sport+ mode, it unleashes yet another layer of perfor-

Mercedes covers the GT 53 with its four-

mance. Needless to say, with respect to power, this baby

year/50,000-mile basic warranty, inclusive of the

can get up and run with the best of them.

powertrain and roadside assistance. Total retail

Inside the luxurious Mercedes AMG GT 53 you will

price is $112,995.

find ample space and comfort. This sedan is perfectly adequate and will comfortably accommodate those of larger stature. The interior is very well appointed with clean lines and intuitive controls. Comfortable and con-

VEHICLE STATS:

venient features include dual zone climate control, sleek

+ AMG-Enhanced 3.0L Inline-6 Turbo Engine + 429 Horsepower + 384 lb-ft Torque + AMG Speedshift TCT 9-speed transmission + ECO Start/Stop + Fuel Economy: 21 MPG (average city/highway) + Body Style: 4-Door Sedan + Seating: Magma Grey/Black Nappa Leather + Exterior: Brilliant Blue Metallic + Base Price: $99,950

multicolor ambient lighting, Bluetooth connectivity, 12.3-inch widescreen display, Apple CarPlay, touchpad controls, and Inductive wireless charging.

With all this car has to offer in security features, you can count on a safe and stress-free driving experience.

Some features include: Advanced Airbag Protection System, Anti-lock brake and Brake Assist Systems, Blindspot Assist, Rearview Camera, Active Parking Assist, and an Anti-theft Alarm System.

AMG-Enhanced 3.0L Inline-6 Turbo Engine

AMG Speedshift TCT 9-speed transmission

Exterior: Brilliant Blue Metallic

Body Style: 4-Door Sedan

CityLifestyle.com/ParadiseValley

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Paradise Valley Lifestyle | November 2020

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37

LOCAL LIMELIGHT

ARTICLE ALISON BAILIN BATZ

AMONG THE MANY THINGS COVID-19

PHOTOGRAPHY LYSSA VAN CLEAVE

HAS TAKEN FROM US IS THE ABILITY TO TRAVEL EFFORTLESSLY. And while we all look forward to the day that this “new normal” becomes a distant memory,

JANET SEMENOVA ON TRAVELING THE WORLD, SAVING LIVES, AND STAYING HOPEFUL—NO MATTER LIFE’S CHALLENGES

no one may be as grateful when it comes as Janet Semenova—and that’s because she knows firsthand just how precious of a freedom it is.

G R AT E F U L O B E T R OT T E R G LO “I was born in 1983 in Uzbekistan,” she says. “At that time, it was a communist republic in the former Soviet Union.”

As a result, her family’s freedoms—from what books they could read to when (and if) they could leave the country—were restricted.

“For years, my parents quietly planned our emigration to the United States,” says Semenova, noting that families who fled were seen as traitors. “At 7, my parents unexpectedly took me out of school one day and drove to the airport.”

They would board a plane to Chicago, officially becoming refugees. Upon arriving, her parents divorced. Two suitcases to their name, Semenova—who didn’t speak English at the time—and her mother began life anew.

“Once more comfortable socially and financially, we traveled as often as possible,” says Semenova. “People don’t realize the freedom a U.S. passport grants to explore all of the beauty in the world.”

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Paradise Valley Lifestyle | November 2020

But, their trips together came to an abrupt halt when Semenova was a high school senior.

“In 2000, my mom was diagnosed with liposarcoma, a rare cancer,” says Semenova, who would lose her mom in 2002.

Her mother’s illness inspired Semenova to become a nurse practitioner, initially in Pennsylvania. The career path would also lead to her finding love with an emergency room physician named Jon Hornstein. After the two married, they moved to Phoenix in 2008, when Semenova was eight months pregnant with their first child, no less! By 2010, they were a family of four living in Paradise Valley, with Hornstein still working as a physician and Semenova as a pediatric nurse practitioner at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. When not busy saving lives, the couple made it a point to travel with their children, visiting 17 countries in less than 10 years.

“I wanted my children to be as thankful for their passports as I,” she says.

It was actually during a trip to Costa Rica in 2017 that Semenova was inspired to take her love of travel to a whole new level, after she met a travel agent who was vacationing at their same hotel.

“I didn’t know they still existed,” says Semenova. “Something clicked. I wanted to do the same thing.”

Once back in Arizona, and while still working as a nurse, Semenova co-founded Boutique Travel Advisors. The business curates hyper-customized travel for groups of 1 to 100 anywhere in the world. The business booming, Semenova left nursing to focus on the company full time in 2019, only to have COVID-19 hit just months later. While devastating on several levels, Semenova remains hopeful and ever-grateful.

“I am thankful each day that Jon is remaining safe as a frontline worker and that our children are thriving despite the modified learning environment,” says Semenova. “This is not the end of our lives as we knew them, but a modification required to win the war on this disease.”

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NOVEMBER

LIFESTYLE CALENDAR

1-8

artists,

WILD RISING BY CRACKING ART

the visual language of abstraction

Stories

of

Abstraction:

Contemporary Latin American Art in the Global Context explores how

CANAL CONVERGENCE | WATER + ART + LIGHT

Desert Botanical Garden

has generated profound insights

This art exhibition traveled from

into Latin American culture and

Milan to Desert Botanical Garden,

politics, and how Latin American

Scottsdale

and showcases more than 1,000

artists have drawn on abstraction’s

Canal Convergence is back, featuring

animal sculptures made from col-

parallel history in the United States

the enchanting, light-based artworks

orful and recyclable plastic. The

and Europe. PhxArt.org

from around the world that fans of

of Cracking Art, a collective of artists who specialize in plastic as an artistic medium with the intention of radically changing the history of art through a strong social and environmental commitment. DBG.org

Scottsdale Waterfront/Downtown

the event have come to expect. This

vibrant art forms are the creations

1 - APR 4

year, in addition to some artworks at

CLAY AND BAMBOO: JAPANESE CERAMICS AND FLOWER BASKETS

minimize crowding and allow for safer

the waterfront, others will be located throughout Old Town Scottsdale to social distancing. There will also be live

Phoenix Art Museum

entertainment, as well as augmented

The objects on view in this exhibi-

reality technology to enhance the expe-

1 - JAN 3

tion blend centuries of Japanese

rience with an app for your smartphone.

tradition

CanalConvergence.com

LARGER THAN MEMORY: CONTEMPORARY ART FROM INDIGENOUS NORTH AMERICA

tion. The simple, asymmetrical

with

contemporary

approaches to material and funcforms of featured clay vessels contain slight imperfections purpose-

Heard Museum

fully added to enhance the innate

The Heard Museum hosts Larger

qualities of the natural materials.

Than

Examples

Memory:

Contemporary

6 - DEC 21 SCOTTSDAZZLE

Old Town Scottsdale

baskets,

Numerous events are part of the

North

on the other hand, illuminate the

Scottsdazzle experience, designed to

America, the largest exhibition of

many techniques and symbolism of

celebrate the holiday season, including

contemporary art the museum

basket weaving, which has origins

the Holiday Tree lighting and Sing-

has ever organized. It includes 24

in China. PhxArt.org

Along, Holiday Movie Night, Seasonal

Art

from

Indigenous

of

bamboo

Charcuterie Teach & Taste, Gold Palette

artists and collaborators from the U.S. and Canada, as well as four commissions of new work. The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue featuring essays, available at the Heard Museum's Books & More shop and online. Heard.org

5

ArtWalk, Santa Wine Around, Yuletide

VMLC 18TH ANNUAL VIRTUAL HEROES PATRIOTIC LUNCHEON

Historic Old Town, Letters to Santa,

Virtual

Yoga, Sparkle & Spin Scavenger Hunt, Merry Make & Take, The Dazzle of and more. Visit the website for a full list of events. Scottsdazzle.com

Join the VMLC for its annual Heroes Patriotic Luncheon, which

1 - JAN 31

will be held virtually this year.

STORIES OF ABSTRACTION: CONTEMPORARY LATIN AMERICAN ART IN THE GLOBAL CONTEXT

Vietnam veteran, six-year POW. The

This year's keynote speaker is J. Charles Plumb, Captain USN (Ret.),

7 - JAN 31 ZOOLIGHTS Phoenix Zoo

event provides the opportunity to

The Phoenix Zoo's ZooLights, pre-

honor and celebrate veterans and

sented by SRP, is back with millions of

Phoenix Art Museum

military service members who have,

twinkling lights, dazzling animal sculp-

Showcasing more than 40 recently

and continue to, "Stand in the Gap"

tures, and the Wildlife Lantern Safari,

acquired works of contemporary

to defend our liberty and freedom.

which features 66 creatures—polar

Latin American art alongside 30

ArizonaVMLC.org

bears, mammoths, peacocks and more,

works by American and European 42

6 - 15

Paradise Valley Lifestyle | November 2020

all aglow. This year, in addition to the

traditional walk-thru experience, there are also Cruise ZooLights nights, a drive-thru experience. PhoenixZoo.org

7 THE STELLA ARTOIS POLO CLASSIC: PRESENTED BY KETEL ONE WestWorld of Scottsdale

Under a new name for 2020, this popular polo event, a production of the Bentley Scottsdale

Polo

Championships,

returns with some new teams, as well as a new focus on social distancing and a key focus to help schools, nonprofits, and charities hit hard by COVID-19. The day includes polo matches; a canine couture dog show; the World’s Longest Catwalk Fashion Show, presented by Phoenix Fashion Week; and a postevent concert with Roger Clyne (ticketed separately). ThePoloParty.com

14 RECONNECT! THE PARKING LOT DANCE PROJECT

Upper level, Scottsdale Civic Center Parking Garage

Contemporary dancers from Movement Source Dance Company explore structure, connection, freedom, and celebration through expressive movement in this exhilarating performance. Thoughtprovoking, rousing movement is created as dancers explore an outdoor urban setting to live, passionately performed music by Drew Bollmann. Audiences can enjoy viewing this innovative 30-minute performance safely from their car. ScottsdalePerformingArts.org

Would you like to get in touch with us? We would love to hear from you!

Contact us at CityLifestyle.com/ ParadiseValley using the Get In Touch link and let us know what you think.

CityLifestyle.com/ParadiseValley

43

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

MANAGING THE NEW NORMAL ADVICE ON ADAPTING TO OUR EVERCHANGING LIFESTYLES

ARTICLE SUE BALDINI PHOTOGRAPHY LYSSA VAN CLEAVE

SELENA SONI, A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER WITH

feeling, be it holding Zoom calls or phone conferencing with family

MUV COUNSELING IN SCOTTSDALE (MUVCOUNSELING.

and friends. And, don’t give up on weekends; instead, find something

COM), HAS BEEN IN PRACTICE FOR 15 YEARS. Her specialties

that works within your comfort zone.

are anxiety disorders, depression, and adjustment to new medical

+ Develop your “quaranteam,” have tolerance, and be very open

and psychiatric diagnoses.

about what you’re doing and when you’re doing it.

Here, she gives advice about dealing with the changes and

+ Get outside and soak up some vitamin D. It’s really important for

restrictions that COVID-19 has introduced into our lives. She also

our entire body to move, and walking or riding a bike and getting fresh

talks about getting through the holidays in this unprecedented time.

air is really a sensory experience. Our bodies need that engagement, and being outside gives us more variation than anything that we can

+ Create some space around expectations. Most of us expect a lot from

do inside four walls. It’s incredibly important for our mental health.

ourselves, but allow yourself to slow down and do things differently.

+ For the holidays, decide what particular traditions you love, and

+ Connect with yourself and with the people you love, and be open to

then figure out how to keep them. They may look different, but still

communicating about what’s going on and how you’re feeling. Right

give you the same feeling.

now, we’re all having to deal with things that make us uncomfortable.

+ Ask for help to get everything done. Recruit your loved ones to

+ Look at what’s important, and make adjustments to get that same

make holidays relaxing and memorable.

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Paradise Valley Lifestyle | November 2020