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888-313-7916
Submissions and suggestions:
Press Releases:
Submit press releases via email to hello@epickidsaz.com.
Events Calendar:
Submit press releases or event listings including all details to hello@epickidsaz. com. The deadline for the February issue is February 1.
Advertising:
Contact the sales department by phone at 888-313-7916 or by email at advertising@egpublishing.com.
Where to Find Us:
Epic Kids is distributed each month directly into the backpacks of children in K-8 charter and private schools. You can also find us placed in racks where kids and their families are out and about. To see a full list of locations, visit our website.
Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings and omissions. If, however, an error comes to your attention, please accept our sincere apologies and notify us.
Headliners
BEHIND THE BOOK
Nicholas Bubeck interviews “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” author Jeff Kinney
My favorite book series is “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” so I reached out to Jeff Kinney, the author, and he agreed to let me interview him! The series is about a character named Greg Heffley, a boy trying to survive the adventures of middle school and being one of three annoying brothers.
“Greg is a lot like me as a kid. My brothers were also challenging. Greg has many flaws and imperfections; he isn’t done developing and just figuring himself out. That’s what
Nicholas interviewed “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” author Jeff Kinney via Zoom.
makes the books a great mix of messy and funny. Greg isn’t a hero, but he’s relatable,” says Jeff.
That’s why kids like me love reading these books. They’re hilarious, but I can also understand what Greg is going through.
In fact, Jeff says Greg is loosely based on his childhood. Jeff had trouble focusing in school and had a hard time sitting still. He was an average student who loved English and art as well as anything that let him be creative.
“I tried to start a business early on and wanted to be a gaming programmer. Later, I wanted to be a cartoonist,” explains Jeff.
Jeff ended up doing everything he dreamt of as a kid. He spent time in the gaming industry and became a successful cartoonist.
“My big break was at Comic-Con New York
where I met an editor. I first planned the series for adults, but my editor said it would be perfect for kids. I created a new wave of writing with cartoons and text combined; my first book took me eight years to complete.”
Now Jeff has 17 books in his series! And what’s so cool— some of his books have been turned into movies and Jeff is the producer.
“My advice for creative kids is to work hard and know that things take time,” he
Jeff now has two boys of his own and loves watching them play basketball. He also used some of his earnings to build a bookstore.
Nicholas Bubeck is a monthly Epic columnist and CEO of creationsbynicholas.com. Follow him @creationsbynicholas on Instagram.
GIVEAWAY COOL CONTEST
Enter to Win 4 Tickets to Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs
One lucky winner will receive a family fourpack to Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs in Scottsdale.
HOW TO WIN
Send hello@epickidsaz.com an email with the subject line: I WANT TO GO TO PANGAEA LAND OF THE DINOSAURS
Entries received by 5 p.m., Fri., Jan. 20 will be entered to win the tickets (An $80 value)! For complete contest rules, visit epickidsaz.com/coolcontests.
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM
@EpicKidsAZ for more fun giveaways!
COOL CONTEST WINNERS
It’s been the season of giving at Epic Kids! And we’re not stopping. Turns out we had an extra fourpack of tickets to Sesame Street Live to give away. So, two families got lucky!
Congratulations to the Davis and Hansen families.
Each family won four tickets to see Sesame Street Live from Epic Kids last month.
Giving Back
Hole in One Alexander Kaufman makes an impact on the golf course and beyond.
Photos courtesy of Rancho Solano Preparatory School
AAtthe age of 9, Alexander Kaufman lived in Florida and wanted to start a charity golf tournament with his friends. Along with Graden Lomax and Miles Russell, they started the Florida Sunshine Cup to help children in need. This AJGA sponsored golf charity event has raised nearly $300,000 since its 2018 inception and over $111,000 in 2022 alone. Even Tiger Woods' son Charlie plays in the charity golf tournament!
While Graden and Miles continue the Florida Sunshine Cup, Alexander moved to Arizona in 2019. Now 14 and a freshman at Rancho Solano High School, he continues to play golf for charity and was invited in 2022 to play in the first AJGA Arizona Cactus Cup. This golf charity raised $35,000 in its first year! Alexander has set his sights on raising even more money for charity in the years to come.
Alexander Kaufman –Champion 2021 JGAA Boys 13-14 Yuma Golf Champion.
Keepsakes for Charity
Seventh grader sets her sights on raising money with crafts.
By Sondra Barr
Thirteen-year-old Lauren
Lofgran has spent nearly half of her life raising money for
organizations near and dear to her heart––and she’s just getting started.
What started out as an idea to make flower pressed bookmarks for the Mesa Public Library when she was 7 has turned into yearly fundraising endeavors for various charities that tug at Lauren’s heart. Most recently, the seventh grader crafted Disneyland ornaments out of mason jar lids for Helen’s Hope Chest, a Mesa charity that helps kids in foster care.
“We had some friends who went to Disneyland, and we asked them to pick us up some of the free maps,” says Lauren’s mom Andrea. Lauren used the maps to paste on jar lids before adding a Disney charm. “She let people know that the ornaments
were free but if a person wanted to make a donation, it would go to Helen’s Hope Chest,” says Andrea.
On Dec. 22, Lauren and Andrea presented the charity with a check for $245 and an ornament.
After a tour of the facility, Lauren was pleased to see where the money she’d raised would be going.
“I liked that they are helping families and foster kids,” she says. “They might have one outfit and nothing to play with. Helen’s Hope Chest lets the kids pick out outfits and gives them toys.”
Over the years, Lauren has raised money for several organizations with her creative keepsakes. In addition to raising almost $700 for the Mesa Public Library with her bookmarks, she raised nearly
$300 with a hot chocolate stand for Kids Need to Read, a Mesa charity that helps children discover the joy of reading. As an avid reader, Lauren hopes the money will fund efforts to inspire reading in youth. When Ballet Arizona couldn’t hold performances because of COVID, including Lauren’s beloved “Nutcracker,” she made Nutcracker bracelets and sold $300 worth for the organization. She’s also made painted owl rocks to raise funds for Liberty Wildlife.
“You get a great feeling knowing you’re helping someone,” says Lauren, who wants to be a neurosurgeon when she grows up. “I want to help people by making them feel better.”
2021 Florida Sunshine Cup – Graden Lomax (2nd from left), Miles Russell (center), Alexander Kaufman (right).
Photo courtesy of the Lofgran family
Giving Back
A Heart for Giving
Five-year-old Jax Logan O’Connor makes soap for the homeless.
By Sondra Barr
Photos courtesy of TamaraLynn Tadano
Jax Logan O’Connor was living with his mom and her parents in Prescott when they came down with COVID. While they were recovering, he went to stay with his grandmother, TamaraLynn Tadano, his father’s mother, in Phoenix. At the time she was busy making soap to distribute to the homeless.
“He saw what I was doing and asked if he could help and from there he just took over,” says TamaraLynn. Five-year-old Jax has since gone on to take adult classes to learn hot and cold processes to make soap and he’s now adept at using lye, water, and oils to make soap.
Jax and his grandmother started packaging the soap in gift bags and distributing the bags to Phoenix homeless. “He has a real intuition on if a person is open and friendly, or not,” says
his grandma, who never lets Jax out of her sight when they visit homeless encampments. She’s also quick to point out that she always makes the initial contact.
“If the person isn’t friendly or doesn’t want attention, Jax will leave the bag at their tent, or by a bush where they’re camped out. If they’re open and excited about it, he’ll just go over, chat, and love on them,” she says.
Many of them say, “‘Oh, I’m dirty,’” TamaraLynn explains. “A lot of them aren’t used to anyone being near them or anyone recognizing them as human.” Jax’s enthusiasm and openness at giving them soap he’s made usually puts a huge smile on the faces of the homeless he visits.
Recently, Jax and his grandmother have been partnering with U.S. Vets, an organization that
provides housing, workforce development, and case management to veterans transitioning from homelessness to housing. Jax has worked on three events for the organization and in the process made 185 bars of soap for the veterans who are staying in U.S. Vets’ transition facility.
“It’s a safer environment than visiting homeless camps and he’s reaching more people,” she says of Jax’s involvement with U.S. Vets.
Helping others runs in the family. Jax’s dad is a veteran and lives in Prescott, where he’s starting a non-profit to open a ranch for homeless veterans to offer horse therapy and a place to heal and get job skills.
“One time I said to him, ‘Why don’t we make some fun soap just for you. He made three bars and stopped. He didn’t want to do it just for fun.” Jax also doesn’t want to sell the soap, according to his grandma. “He makes it to give to people. He just has this innate desire to help others and put a smile on their faces.”
Jax and his grandma mixing up soap.
Jax mixing soap in his grandmother's kitchen
Jax has distributed gift bags with his soap to dozens of Phoenix homeless.
Jax boxing up soap he made
Computer Science Education Week Inspires Students Education
Photo by Lisa Zuba
Computer Science Education Week, recognized from Dec. 5 through Dec. 11, was first launched in 2009. This national, annual program is dedicated to inspiring kindergarten through 12th grade students to take interest in computer science, advocate for equity, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners in the field.
Xavier College Preparatory was one of the first schools in Arizona to require successful completion of a computer science coding class to graduate. Students take the course during their sophomore year. This may be why Xavier has the largest chapter of the National Computer Science Honor Society in the nation. And all its members are young women.
“We celebrated the restart of the Robotics Team and Club, the addition of project-based learning in our Computer Science courses, the introduction of the Unreal Engine in our curriculum, and the large number of AP Computer Science Principles students developing mobile applications that make the world a better place,” says AP Computer Science teacher Leon Tynes, Jr. of the week-long event that Xavier students recently celebrated.
Xavier students celebrate Computer Science Education Week.
A. Hanson
E Chauncey Lane
Phoenix, AZ 85054 affinitywealthadvisorygroup@ampf.com
It’s Girl Scout Cookie Season!
How to support the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world.
Each year, Girl Scouts in Arizona participate in the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world: The Girl Scout Cookie Program. And this year it is not only bigger and better than ever, but longer as well. For the Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC), the local cookie season will take place for seven full weeks from Jan. 16 to Mar. 5.
“As in years past, all Girl Scout Cookie proceeds stay local to help girls fund impactful projects to benefit the community; embark on amazing girl-led troop adventures; provide programs in STEM, the outdoors, life skills and entrepreneurship; maintain and improve four camp properties; and provide financial assistance that keeps Girl Scouting available and affordable for all girls,” says Mary Mitchell, co-CEO of GSACPC.
“We extended our cookie season by one week to support girls interested in selling our new, limited-edition Raspberry Rally cookie, as Feb. 27 is the earliest date the flavor will be available for shipping from our baker. Now our community has more time to support girls and stock up on their favorite cookie flavors,” says Christina Spicer, coCEO of GSACPC.
In addition to the extended sale dates, here is a snapshot of everything as it relates to the 2023 cookie season across Central and Northern Arizona:
NEW Raspberry Rally
Raspberry Rally will join the nationwide lineup for the 2023 Girl Scout Cookie Program. A thin, crispy cookie infused with raspberry flavor and dipped in a delicious chocolaty coating, this must-have new cookie is first in the Girl Scout Cookie lineup to be exclusively offered for online direct shipment only while supplies last, enhancing girls’ e-commerce sales and entrepreneurial skills. Please note this cookie will only be sold online from Feb. 27 to Mar. 5 while supplies last.
NEW Financial Literacy Badges
Girl Scouts’ newly updated Financial Literacy badges offer entrepreneurial playbooks for every age level. From the Cookie Goal Setter badge earned as a Daisy to the Entrepreneur Accelerator for girls in high school, the Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches girls financial literacy, planning, budgeting, teamwork, innovative thinking, and confident decision making.
Cookie CEO Fast Pitch and NEW Cookie Kick-off Block Party – Jan. 21
Valley CEOs are preparing Girl Scout entrepreneurs for a successful cookie season at the Cookie CEO Fast Pitch on Jan. 21. During this event, local CEOs/ executives will guide Girl Scout Juniors, Seniors, and Ambassadors and help sharpen their communication skills, sales pitches, and give them sound business advice and tips to unleash their inner CEO. After the Cookie CEO Fast Pitch, GSACPC will join State Forty Eight for a block party at their Chandler location featuring local entrepreneurs, food vendors, and of course Girl Scout cookie booths.
Girl Scout Cookie Night, Devin Booker Bus and Patch Reveal with the Phoenix Suns – Jan. 22
On Jan. 22, hundreds of Girl Scouts will descend upon Footprint Center to collectively cheer on the Phoenix Suns in their showdown against the Memphis Grizzlies. Beyond that, as the game comes to a close, dozens of Girl Scouts will take over the plaza outside Footprint Center to sell cookies as well as reveal their new Girl Scout Devin Booker Bus. Even better? This year the local Girl Scouts have created a custom patch to commemorate the partnership, which will also be unveiled during the event as well.
“The minibus, made possible by a Devin Booker Starting Five $100,000 grant, will be used to transport girls to and from educational and character-building activities and experiences. Due to vandalism and theft of its prior vehicle, GSACPC had no way to transport girls to programs and events. The lack of transportation often meant that girls would not have an opportunity to participate in activities,” says Mitchell.
Bring Home the Cookies 5K Run/Walk –Feb. 25
Join GSACPC and State Forty Eight Foundation, for the second Bring Home the Cookies 5K Run/Walk on Feb. 25 at Westgate in Glendale. The familyfriendly event, open to Girl Scout families, competitive runners, walkers, and the community at large, will start and finish at Westgate and feature music, food, and cookie booths. All registered participants will receive a Girl Scout goodie bag with a State Forty Eight branded 5K shirt, a package of Girl Scout Cookies, a medal, and more!
To register for the 5K, visit girlscoutsaz.org/5k and for more information on the local Girl Scout Cookie Season, visit girlscoutsaz.org.
Career Day FLYING HIGH
Pilot Tyler Beckham takes to the skies.
Tyler Beckham
Profession: Airline Pilot (First Officer)
Age: 27
What do you do for a living?
I am an airline pilot for Delta Air Lines. I am the first officer, more commonly known as the co-pilot, and I fly the Airbus A220 aircraft. Delta flies all over the world, but my airplane stays within the U.S. and typically on the West Coast. My schedule can be a bit crazy at times but it's always something different and allows me to have more time at home if I want.
What type of training do you need to do your job?
My first real experience in aviation was at Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC). When I was in high school, I completed the two-year Aviation Maintenance Technology program at West-MEC’s Central Campus in Glendale. West-MEC gave me an amazing foundation in aviation where I learned
hands-on how to repair and maintain aircraft mechanical systems. The program was a great experience and a chance to test out a career path at a young age. Not to mention, it gave me a head start in joining a field I knew I liked.
After that, I went to Arizona State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Management Technology with a focus in professional flight. While earning my degree, I started taking flight lessons at the Mesa Gateway airport. After completing flight training, I became a flight instructor to obtain enough flight hours to work for an airline. I was then hired at Skywest Airlines and went through their pilot training program for the specific aircraft I would be flying, the CRJ.
After five years at Skywest, I was hired by my current employer, Delta Air Lines. I completed their training program for the A220 and every nine months we have more training to ensure we are fresh on all our procedures. If I decide to fly a different airplane or become a captain, there is training required to do that. This is all mandated by the FAA and ensures that commercial aviation remains the safest form of travel.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
There are so many cool parts about being a pilot that picking one is so difficult. Operating a multimilliondollar, state-of-the-art machine is an incredible feeling and the responsibility I hold, to follow procedures properly as well as make the flight comfortable, is a constant challenge. No two flights are ever the same and you get to meet and fly with a ton of different people. Plus, the view from up high is simply unmatched. Not to mention, pressing buttons that light up and make noises will always be fun, no matter how old
you get. It's fun to have a job that so many people think is interesting and want to know more about too.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I wanted to be a lot of things when I was a kid...a policeman, a solider, and even a garbage truck! No, not garbage man, the actual truck. Specifically, the arm that lifts the garbage can up. But as I grew older, I realized that my dream job was to be a pilot. No one in my family is in aviation, so I'm not exactly sure where it came from. All I know is that watching airplanes at the airport move like a big orchestra was always just so cool to see; and I wanted to be a part of it! I am glad I was able to learn about aviation technology from the instructors at West-MEC, who have been in the industry. Their knowledge of the field gave me incredible insight into what being a pilot meant. After the initial course at West-MEC, I was convinced I was going to be a pilot.
What advice would you give to a kid who wants to have a similar career? This job is so much fun and if you enjoy airplanes and traveling, you are going to have an amazing career. The best advice I can give is start young. I started taking my initial aviation courses in high school at West-MEC. Once you are old enough, take an introductory flight at your local airport to see what it's like to fly a real airplane. If you get "bitten by the flying bug" as they say, find a flight school and start taking lessons. If you want to be an airline pilot like me, you'll have to find a way to build hours after you finish training. I was a flight instructor teaching other people to fly, but there are other ways to gain hours like crop dusting, taking aerial photos, and more. From there you should be able to be hired at an airline!
Winter Science Experiments for Kids Brain Play
Winter Science
The changing seasons are perfect for incorporating different types of science activities into your learning at home. Kids love themes, and a winter theme makes science so engaging!
The science experiments for kids listed below are fun hands-on experiences to get those little minds thinking. These activities will invite kids to explore, test, think, observe, and discover!
Experimenting is great because it leads to discoveries and discoveries spark curiosity.
Winter Scent Lab
The sense of smell is amazing, especially since it’s so often connected to memory. Our sense of smell is regulated by the olfactory bulb, which happens to be in the limbic system, the part of the brain where memories are stored. This science experiment for kids is a fun way to experiment with the sense of smell and how we recognize each different smell we encounter!
To do this experiment, you’ll need:
• 5 small empty glass jars
• Water
• 5 cloves
• A cinnamon stick
• A tablespoon of vanilla extract
• 4 peppermint Altoids
• A sprig of pine or fir tree
• Food coloring
To set up the scent lab, place each of the scented items in separate jars. Add food coloring to the jars to disguise what the smell is – for example, don’t color the cinnamon stick jar red, as color can often be associated with smell. Then, fill the jars with water and close them up.
Let sit for 24 hours to help the water really pick up the smells. Once the water has absorbed the scents, remove any undissolved items from the jars. Place the finished jars on the table and place sticky notes down with the scents listed on them. Ask your kids to open each jar and match it to one of the sticky notes. Even if they created the scents in the lab, they will enjoy reopening them and matching the scents up!
Melt a Snowman
This is a fun way to introduce a little bit of chemistry to your kiddos. There’s a lot to learn and explore in this hands-on science experiment!
Here’s what you’ll need for this activity:
• Baking soda-based fake snow (if you need a recipe, try 1 cup of shaving cream and 1 cup of baking soda)
• White vinegar
• Droppers
• Googley eyes, baby carrots, sticks, and any other items you need to decorate your snowman
First, make the fake snow. Next, have your kids take the snow and make a small snowman on a plate or tray. Don’t forget to decorate and dress him up! Once they’re done, fill droppers with vinegar and let your kids take turns squirting the vinegar on the snowman, making him fizz and “melt” away.
This science experiment is showing what happens when a chemical reaction takes place. A chemical reaction is all about what happens when an acid reacts with a base. In this case, the vinegar and baking soda combine, and carbon dioxide is released causing bubbles and fizzy froth.
do you call a fake noodle?
Rats are ticklish, and they laugh when they are tickled.
is typically the coldest month in the Northern Hemisphere, and the warmest in the Southern Hemisphere.
How did the mobile phone propose to his girlfriend?
The only English word that ends with “mt” is “dreamt.” The closest living relatives of Tyrannosaurus rex are birds such as chickens and ostriches, according to research published in Science.
January is named after the Roman God Janus, who was the Roman God of doors and gates.
BOOK CLUB Brain Play
THE KINGDOM
AUTHOR: Jess Rothenberg
GENRE: Middle-Grade Fantasy
AGES: 11+
RATING: AAAAA
SYNOPSIS: “Welcome to the Kingdom., where 'Happily Ever After' isn't just a promise, but a rule.” Glimmering like a jewel behind its gateway, The Kingdom is an immersive fantasy theme park where guests soar on virtual dragons, castles loom like giants, and bioengineered species––formerly extinct––roam free.
Ana is one of seven Fantasists, beautiful "princesses" engineered to make dreams come true. When she meets park employee Owen, Ana begins to experience emotions beyond her programming including, for the first time, love. But the fairytale becomes a nightmare when Ana is accused of murdering Owen, igniting the trial of the century. Through courtroom testimony, interviews, and Ana's memories of Owen, emerges a tale of love, lies, and cruelty––and what it truly means to be human.
MY FAVORITE QUOTE FROM THIS BOOK: “Stories can be rewritten. Reshaped. Retold.”
MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS BOOK IS: The concept of “The Kingdom!” I thought it was a very interesting twist on a classic theme park with the new inventive technology of the world the book takes place in.
MY FAVORITE CHARACTER IN THIS BOOK IS: Ana! Her journey in discovering what it truly means to live speaks volumes about being human. She is a compelling and relatable character that I enjoyed reading about.
FANS OF THIS BOOK MAY ALSO LIKE: “Dragon Pearl” by Yoon Ha Lee, “The Flinkwater Factor” by Pete Hautman, “Gallant” by V.E. Schwab Avery, 16, is an avid reader and book reviewer. When not reading, you can find her playing volleyball, hanging out with friends, or with one of her pets! Follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @readbyfin.
THREE MORE BOOKS TO TRY THE KISSING HAND
AUTHOR: Audrey Penn
AGES: 3 – 6
SYNOPSIS: School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary.
WEIRD BUT TRUE!
World 2023: Incredible facts, awesome photos, and weird wonders-for this year and beyond!
AUTHOR: National Geographic Kids AGES: 8 – 12
SYNOPSIS: The kid-favorite series “Weird but True!” is busting out with an annual extravaganza of the wackiest, wildest, and downright weirdest wonders on planet Earth.
SHOOT YOUR SHOT:
A Sport-Inspired Guide to Living Your Best Life
AUTHOR: Vernon Brundage Jr.
AGES: 11+
SYNOPSIS: “Shoot Your Shot” identifies the key principles that the world's most elite basketball players have applied to their lives and explains in detail how you can use those same exact principles to help you navigate through life, accomplish your goals, and realize your dreams.
Play
puzzle
FIND 10 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO PICTURES.
THEFIRSTTHREEWORDSYOUSEE AREYOUR2023THEMEWORDS
HBRAVEHKYPAMBITIOUS
DBOLDUFNHCONFIDENCE
CGPSIMPLIFYWNCFLOWX
WYPURPOSEABFHGROWZ
ODMINDFULWSFAITHCVI
PSCALEFHACCEPTANCEL
RINTENTIONKBALANCEYF
JGYFUNQYTPUSHMJLEARN
TWELLNESSCABUNDANCE
DSELFLOVEJBMANIFESTX
Eats
HEALTHY DINING SPOTS FOR FAMILIES
By Gretchen Pahia
People often take a closer look at getting healthy and making smart food choices at the start of the new year. Here are some great Valleywide options for the entire family.
Picazzo’s
This Arizona-based family-owned restaurant has several locations statewide and likes to call themselves “healthitarians.” They offer modern-Italian dishes made with clean, whole foods, rich in nutrients. Options include organic salads, quinoa bowls, vegan pastas, and gluten-free pizzas made in a dedicated gluten-free stone oven. The restaurant also offers allergyfree items. picazzos.com
Ling’s Wok Shop
During lunch hours, this Scottsdale restaurant offers fast-casual counter service for guests on the go. During dinner, Ling’s Wok Shop is a full-service, sit-down restaurant. They offer a variety of options including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian for most dishes on the menu including entrees like wokfired kung pao, dan dan noodles, a variety of salads, and sides. lingswok.shop
Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar & Grill
This Asian hot spot with two Valley locations offers several
appetizers, entrees, and side dishes that are either gluten free or can be modified to be gluten free. Family favorites including starters like chicken lettuce wraps and shishito peppers are gluten free, along with entrees including Vietnamese shaking beef, honey walnut shrimp, and orange peel chicken. With menus for lunch, dinner, happy hour, and weekend brunch, there is something for everyone. lingandlouies.com
Spinatos
With multiple locations around town, this popular spot offers great Italian options and now they also offer gluten-free cauliflower crust pizza. They also
hope to expand their menu even more this year to include more vegan and keto-friendly items. spinatospizzeria.com
U.S. Egg
Looking for a great and healthy breakfast spot? Check out one of six Valley U.S. Egg locations. They offer breakfast and brunch options including vegan and gluten-free options that can accommodate the entire family, along with protein pancakes, hearty salads, protein-based dishes, and more. useggrestaurant.com
Humble Bistro
Another great option for Italian food lovers is Humble Bistro, which offers gluten-free cauliflower pizza crust for any of their Neapolitan-style pizzas. They also offer vegan cheese and vegetable options for pizzas. humblebistro.com
Koibito Poke
Serving up Hawaiian-style poke is Koibito Poke. They have four Valley locations and offer healthy options, especially if you follow a gluten-free diet. With the two main components of the poke bowl being naturally gluten-free rice and fish, Koibito makes it easy to customize a bowl for healthy eating. koibitopoke.com
Venezia’s Pizza
This spot, with six locations across the Valley, has gone to great lengths to provide healthier options for patrons. They include pizza with cauliflower crust, vegan options, gluten-free pizza and wraps, and a zero-crust pizza. venezias.com
Meal Delivery Made Healthy
EAT by Stacey Weber
How about a meal prep service that aims to make meals easier and healthier for Valley families? EAT by Stacey Weber offers gluten-free items including turkey veggie meatballs with spaghetti marinara and lemony zucchini muffins. This is a great option for quick and ready-to-go meals delivered straight to your home. eatbystaceyweber.com
The Vegan Taste
This is a great option for those looking for fully plant-based meal options delivered right to your door. They deliver healthy meals that are fully prepared and ready to heat and eat. A rotating assortment of dishes include Cuban bowls, Panang curry, Cajun alfredo, and more. All the meals are 100% vegan and nearly all ingredients used are organic, GMA free, and ethically sourced. thevegantaste.com
Eat Clean Phx
This is a local, family-owned meal delivery service that provides healthy, organic, and made-from-scratch meals. From nutritious breakfasts to hearty dinners that are chef prepared and nutritionist approved, there are plenty of meals to choose from and new menu items are added each week like grassfed beef and broccoli, glutenfree wild rye pancakes, and an organic chicken burrito bowl. eatcleanphx.com
What's Happening
ANTARCTICA
When: Through Feb. 4
Where: AZ Science Center, 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix
What: It’s a land of mystery and yet what happens in Antarctica affects every single one of us. With never-before seen footage, this story brings audiences to the farthest reaches of a wild and majestic continent. Antarctica is the perfect fit for the giant screen. Using the latest underwater filming techniques, dive beneath sea ice, more than 6 feet thick, to experience the alien world of its seafloor - thousands of purple starfish scuttling to escape being entrapped by growing ice and elaborate jellyfish dancing a deadly dance. Swim alongside playful seals, soar above mountain peaks and vast penguin colonies, and witness the largest congregation of fin and humpback whales ever filmed.
Info: azscience.org
CACTUS CLUBHOUSE
When: Through Feb. 28
Where: Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix
What: Desert Botanical Garden invites kids to engage with the outdoors around them at Cactus Clubhouse–a nature play space.
January 2023
The play area provides unstructured, childled activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for kids under 12 to discover the fun of the natural world.
Info: dbg.org
“THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME”
When: Jan. 13 - 22
Where: Starlight Community Theater, 1611 W. Whispering Wind Dr., Ste 9, Phoenix
What: Christopher, 15, has an extraordinary brain: He is exceptional at mathematics but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched, and he distrusts strangers. Now it is after midnight, and Christopher stands beside his neighbor’s dead dog, Wellington, who has been speared with a garden fork. Finding himself under suspicion, Christopher is determined to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington, and he carefully records each fact of the crime. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a thrilling journey that upturns his world.
Info: starlightcommunitytheater.com
LES MISÉRABLES SCHOOL
EDITION
When: Jan. 20 – 22
Where: Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St. What: In nineteenth century France, Jean Valjean is released from years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting
a new life, initiating a lifelong struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways.
Info: mesaartscenter.com
BARRETT-JACKSON COLLECTOR CAR AUCTION
When: Jan. 21 - 29
Where: WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale
What: For over 50 years, enthusiasts from all over the world have flocked to BarrettJackson collector car auctions, named America’s No. 1 Attraction for Car Lovers in the 2019 USA Today Readers’ Choice Contest. Widely regarded as a barometer of the collector car industry, the auctions have evolved over the years into world-class automotive lifestyle events where thousands of the world’s most sought-after, unique, and valuable automobiles cross the block in front of a global audience–in person and on live national and international television.
Info: barrett-jackson.com
6TH ANNUAL DOGGIE STREEET FESTIVAL
When: Jan. 28
Where: Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix
What: Enjoy this not-to-be missed companion animal adopt-a-thon and fun celebration of furry best friends. Check out fantastic pet products and services, yummy eats, vet tips, music, auction prizes, and much more. Bring your friendly dog.
Info: doggiestreetfestival.org
STREET EATS FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL
When: Jan. 28 & 29
Where: Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale
What: Over 40 food trucks will sell all types of food, the event will include live music, lawn games, eating contests, a local vendor marketplace, a free kids’ zone, and more.
Info: saltriverfields.com
On Deck: February
ARIZONA BALLOON CLASSIC
When: Feb. 3 – Feb. 5
Where: Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear
What: Dozens of hot air balloons will liftoff at the Goodyear Ballpark, the spring training home of the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds. The Arizona Balloon Classic, as the only continuous hot air balloon race and festival in the Phoenix metro area, offers wholesome family fun for one spectacular weekend, and you won’t want to miss it.
Info: abcfest.com
BALLET ARIZONA: GISELLE
When: Feb. 9 - 12
Where: 5601 N. 16th St., Phoenix
What: This ghost-filled, haunting masterpiece is one of the most beloved and romantic ballets of all time. Giselle tells the tragic yet passionate tale of a lovely young woman who dies of a broken heart. The ballet is famous for the Wilis, maiden spirits who take revenge on the young nobleman that betrayed Giselle. Achingly beautiful, Giselle is an enrapturing work of art that draws audiences in with themes of enduring love, tragedy, and romance. Info: themadison.org
THE FROG PRINCE
When: Feb. 16 - 26
Where: Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St.
What: Marion may still be a maid, but she is her own hero. When she learns of a nefarious scheme, Marion escapes to Sherwood Forest where she meets the one and only Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men. However, their reputation doesn’t quite meet reality and Marion must help lead them against the Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John – saving England!
