Images Arizona: Paradise Valley October 2016 Issue

Reigning Grace

RESTORES

HEARTS Paradise Valley :: McCormick Ranch

October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

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ECRWSS Local Postal Customer

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 3280 DENVER, CO

Bold flavors sourced daily

in the spirit of the American West.

You’re invited to savor our seasonallydriven, fresh interpretation of local Scottsdale fare, always delivered with a delicious sense of adventure.

Kitchen West is now open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch at the beautifully reimagined Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch.

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7700 East McCormick Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85258 480.596.7520 • KitchenWestRestaurant.com I M AG E SA Z . C O M Oct o b er 2 0 1 6

DESTINATIONHOTELS.COM

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Contents

PUBLISHER Shelly Spence

EDITOR/CONTRIBUTING WRITER Jenn Korducki Krenn

ART DIRECTOR/PUBLISHER’S ASSISTANT Jennifer Satterlee

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ana Petrovic

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Grace Hill Tom Scanlon Monica Longenbaker Stephanie Maher Palenque Paula Theotocatos Peni Long Shannon Severson Katherine Braden Lara Piu Rebecca Zaner

PHOTOGRAPHERS Bryan Black Loralei Lazurek Keri Meyers Michele Celentano Monica Longenbaker Brandon Tigrett

ADVERTISING SALES Loren Sheck loren@imagesaz.com

Images Arizona P.O. Box 1416 Carefree, AZ 85377 623-341-8221 imagesaz.com Bob Parsons Goes Xtreme Writer Nigel Spence Photographer Brandon Tigrett P. 20

Submission of news for Community News section should be in to shelly@imagesaz.com by the 10th of the month prior to publication.

Images Arizona is published by ImagesAZ Inc. Copyright © 2016 by ImagesAZ, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction, in whole or part, without permission is prohibited.

The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited material.

Local First A R I Z O NA

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all in your neighborhood Diamondbacks Lounge is the perfect restaurant for casual dining, Happy Hour or a relaxed gathering spot for friends and visitors to make a night of it. Nestled on the shores of Camelback Lake and overlooking the majestic McDowell Mountains, we are just three miles from downtown Scottsdale.

Join us for great food, creative cocktails and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Open daily from 11am to 10pm. Contact us today for more information.

THE McCORMICK 7401 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85253 USA T +1 800.243.1332 E scottsdale.us@millenniumhotels.com W www.millenniumhotels.com

F +1 480.991.5572

A MillenniuM Hotel

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Welcome

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If you’ve visited the Carefree Desert Gardens over the summer, chances are you’ve caught a glimpse of Chessie Trunkston engaged in a lively game of chess with Hershel Higginbottom.

Names don’t ring a bell? You may know them better as those elephant and mouse sculptures made from tons upon tons of sand — impressive not only for their size, but also for their intricate attention to detail. You can examine every wrinkle on Chessie’s thick grey skin, and experience Hershel’s pride emanating from his upwardly curved mouth as he holds the winning game piece.

Beauty Among the Ashes: Kara Young P. 8

The artist behind these extraordinary additions to the gardens is none other than Ray Villafane. If his name doesn’t sound familiar, you may know him better as “Pumpkin King.” And I think I speak for everyone in the community who is familiar with Ray’s work when I say how delighted I am he is bringing back Carefree’s Enchanted Pumpkin Garden this month, held October 17-31.

As you’ll see in our interview with Ray in this issue (“Pumpcasso”), the artist world-renowned for his masterfully intricate pumpkin carvings has a few new tricks up his sleeve, as he plans to turn Carefree into “Scarefree.” Kids and adults of all ages can’t help but fall in love with the cleverness and creativity of Ray’s handiwork — I’m already planning my family’s return trip!

Get ready to have some serious pumpkin-carving envy. The fall holiday season is officially here.

Pumpcasso P. 50

Enjoy!

Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221

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Luxury Living

Giving Ava a Voice

P. 28

P. 34

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ARTIST

Kara Young

Beauty Among the Ashes

Writer Jessica Gonzalez

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Mixed media artist Kara Young pulls a sheet of copper out of her wood-burning stove and washes away the ashes. As she studies the patterns and colors created by the fire, her mind drifts back to when she first learned burned copper can be beautiful — the day she lost her home and art studio to the Oakland Hills Firestorm in California.

Once a month, Young dedicates an entire day to firing copper for her art. Her contemporary pieces will be on display and available for purchase during the 23rd annual Carefree Fine Art and Wine Festival on November 4-6, along Ho Hum and Easy streets in downtown Carefree.

“Fired copper is the signature of my work, and it becomes the personality of each art piece I create,” says Young. “I don’t know what my art would look like today had the Oakland fire never happened.”

It has been 25 years since Young lost her home to the firestorm. She and her husband were out buying plants for the yard when they noticed a large plume of heavy smoke and drifting ashes from the fire.

They rushed home to make sure no burning embers had hit their house.

When they arrived, they were given 90 minutes to evacuate. It was more than a week before they were allowed to return home. Their house, along with more than 3,200 other residences in the area, had completely burned to the ground. Only charred debris, the stone fireplace and chimney on the concrete house slab remained.

As Young dug through the rubble, she found several rolls of copper she had been using in her home studio to create greeting cards and art pieces she called “Sacred Portals.” The burned copper had a very distinct and interesting look that eventually took Young’s work in an entirely new direction.

She saved the copper and several years later began using it to make a series of pieces called “Keepers of the Fire,” or “Fire Spirits.”

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Today, she stands in front of a Swedish wood-burning stove from the 1940s, swapping out pieces of copper every five to seven minutes. She endures scorching temperatures as she creates her beautiful copper pieces, together with the natural forces of the fire.

Throughout the process, she takes careful notes about the temperature of the fire and the length of time each sheet of copper burns in order to bend the fire to her will.

“

A fire seems so devastating, but you have to keep going. I want people who have been through a fire to know that there is good life after fire.

”

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It’s hot work, especially during summers in Eldorado, New Mexico, where she now resides. To keep cool, Young drenches herself outside with a garden hose before returning to her studio to add more copper to the fire.

She works until her clothes are dry and then heads back outside to cool herself off with the hose once more.

She typically works for a full six hours on her burn days, getting the copper just right for her art.

“A fire seems so devastating, but you have to keep going,” says Young. “I want people who have been through a fire to know that there is good life after fire.”

In recent years, Young’s work has grown in popularity throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. She participates in festivals yearround and has shown her work at the Carefree Fine Art and Wine Festival for more than a decade.

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The November festival launches Thunderbird Artists’ 35th season of award-winning fine art and wine festivals. This year’s season of shows will include new entertainers and an expanded selection of wine, microbrews and more.

“The ambiance of our shows can’t be beat, and patrons appreciate the fact that artists are juried into each festival,” says Denise Dale, vice president of Thunderbird Artists.

In addition to Young, the Carefree show includes 140 fine artisans from throughout the United States and abroad, who will display paintings in oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic and ink; impressive small, medium and life-size sculptures; sparkling handblown glass; baskets; clay; metal; stone; spectacular handcrafted jewelry; exceptional photography and more.

The show’s featured artist, Darrell Thomas, is well-known for his vibrant oil paintings. A Phoenix resident, he studied illustration at Utah State University and spent two decades working as a professional illustrator before leaving to pursue a full-time career in fine art.

The subject matter for Thomas’ paintings depends largely on where he is selling the pieces. For the Carefree show, attendees can expect to see a majority of Sonoran Desert paintings with a slightly different color variation than they’ve seen from him at previous Thunderbird Artists shows.

Dale says the 35th season of festivals includes new entertainers, as well. One of the highlights of the Carefree festival will be the steel

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October 27, 28 & 29

This auction will feature over 10,000 amazing items including trains from every era, cool cruiser bikes, stunning classic and antique cars, Coca-Cola memorabilia, RC planes, speedy scooters, rare auto memorabilia and much more!

10345 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85253 (480) 223 1307

www.worldslargestauction.com www.Jlevines.com October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

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drum musical stylings of Paul McDermand. A Scottsdale resident, McDermand is famous for his work with such big-name entertainers as Tony Bennett, Johnny Cash and the Temptations.

He began releasing his own albums in 1997.

“We’re very excited to have Paul performing this year,” says Dale. “His steel drum and marimba music will be a big attraction to our patrons.”

The festival also combines fine art with an extensive collection of domestic and imported wines and microbrews for tasting. For $10, patrons will receive an engraved souvenir wine glass with six tasting tickets, allowing them to walk the streets of downtown Carefree sipping samples, enjoying superb art and listening to live musical entertainment.

Additional tasting tickets may be purchased for $1.

Admission to the Carefree Fine Art and Wine Festival is $3 for adults and free for children 17 years and younger.

Parking is free all weekend.

480-837-5637 thunderbirdartists.com

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FREE ADMISSION

~ TOWN OF CAREFREE's ~

Featuring World Renowned Artist Ray Villafane

October 17 - 31, 2016

Scarecrows new in 2016!

Picasso Pumpkin Arts and Crafts

Meet the artists up-close and personal 15-day pumpkin festival event even makes our pumpkins tired!

Amazed that it’s a pumpkin!

Ray demonstrates anyone can carve!

PUMPKIN PATCH

~ JELLY BELLY BEANBOOZLED® CHALLENGE ~ PUMPKIN PIE EATING COMPETITION HAY RIDES ~ CRAFT BEER GARDEN ~ AUTUMNAL TREATS

Fun for everyone!

CarefreePumpkinGarden.com

Sponsors: October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

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COMMUNITY arts // announcements // culture Writer Grace Hill

OCT. 22

ANNUAL UNDY RUN/WALK Pull out those silly boxers, briefs or costumes and put them on for Colon Cancer Alliance’s annual Undy Run/Walk! Held in the state capitol district in Phoenix, this lighthearted event raises money for the Arizona Department of Health Services’ FIT at Fifty Health Check program. Advance registration is $35 for adults and $30 for kids. Race day registration is $40 for adults and $35 for kids. Run/walk begins at 9 a.m., undyrunwalk.org.

OCT. 23

BGCMP’S DISH IT OUT EVENT The Boys and Girls Club of Metro Phoenix is hosting its annual Dish It Out event to help end childhood hunger. This 21 and older event will include delicious food from top-rated restaurants like Ocean Prime, The Gladly and the Wild Thaiger.

Taste

OCT. 21

WINE EDUCATION AND TASTING

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Live music and a culinary competition by local chefs desiring to be the Dish It Out champion will also be included in the night’s activities. Event tickets start at $75 per person and VIP tickets are $500. 5-8 p.m., dishitoutaz.org.

OCT. 29

CAVE CREEK WICKED Arizona’s only all-day, all-night

The mysteries of wine

Halloween event is back! The

enjoyment and appreciation

family-friendly part of the event

can be yours by attending

is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and

Holland Community Center’s

will include community-wide trick-

Enjoying Wine class. Sam

or-treating, a petting zoo, games

Pillsbury, owner of Pillsbury

for kids, a bounce house, face

Wine Company located

painting, live music and more.

in Cottonwood, will teach

The nighttime portion of the

participants where wine comes

event, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., will

from, why and how to handle

be a costume contest pub crawl.

it, and how to drink and enjoy

Participants in the pub crawl

it. $29.99. 3 p.m. Holland

will be transported by creepy

Community Center, 34250 N.

custom-designed and fabricated

60th St., Bldg. B, 480-488-1090,

tractors and trailers. 602-400-

azfcf.org.

3330, cavecreekwicked.com.

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Photo by Michele Celentano

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Culture

OCT. 6

SIPS AND SOUNDS 2016 The SHOPS at Gainey Village are excited to bring back the Sips and Sounds concert series. This event will feature live music from the band Marmalade Skies, which will perform songs from the Beatles.

Guests are encouraged to relax under the evening sky while enjoying food and drinks from the many restaurants located in the shopping center. Free.

6-8 p.m. The SHOPS at Gainey Village, 8777-8989 N. Scottsdale Rd., theshopsgaineyvillage.com.

OCT. 21 OCT. 1-27

ART IN PARTNERSHIP II EXHIBIT Come and see the amazing artwork at this year’s Art in pARTnership II event. This juried fine art exhibit and sale will be located at the Holland Gallery of Fine Art in North Scottsdale. Make sure to attend the artist reception and award presentation, which will be held on October 8 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Holland Gallery, 34250 N. 60th St., Bldg. B, 480-488-1090, azartalliance.com.

Artwork Credit Clockwise: Diane Fiorucci, Tom Thomas, Jaxine Cummins, Phyllis Holle and Diane Brand.

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16TH ANNUAL FOOTHILLS EMPTY BOWLS PROJECT LUNCH In an effort to fight hunger and to support the Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center, participants can purchase one of the 2,000 beautifully handcrafted ceramic and glass bowls made for this event.

Sponsored by the Sonoran Arts League and Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, the Empty Bowls Project Lunch will also include a silent auction and pasta lunch. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $15 requested donation will go toward artisan bowl and lunch. Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, 6895 E. Cave Creek Rd., 480-488-1145, sonoranartsleague.org.

OCT. 21-22

ETANIA GEMS AND JEWELRY TRUNK SHOW The first show in Etania’s monthly trunk show will feature Stagecoach Bags and Collectibles, which was founded by three Arizonan sisters from Sonoita. Each bag that is sold is an original, handcrafted, oneof-a-kind bag that is produced using a gently worn pair of cowboy boots. Etania Gems and Jewelry, 6140 E. Cave Creek Rd., Ste. 5, 602-429-0505, etaniagems.com.

OCT. 22

NVSO’S THREE BS: BACH, BEETHOVEN AND BRAHMS North Valley Symphony Orchestra’s first concert of the season, “Three Bs: Bach, Beethoven and Brahms,” features Phoenix violists Craig and Jessica Triplett. $5 per ticket, $15 for a full season pass. North Canyon High School Auditorium, 1700 E. Union Hills Dr., 623-980-4628, northvalleysymphony.org.

OCT. 22-23

SEDONA RED ROCK ARTISTS OPEN STUDIO TOUR Twenty-seven professional artists in Sedona and Cornville will open their private studios to the public to showcase their artwork during the Sedona Red Rock Artists Open Studio Tour.

This free, self-guided event will give visitors the opportunity to admire and purchase ceramics, paintings, jewelry, photography, digital art, mixed-media pieces and much more. Free. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., redrockartists.com.

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ROCK LOBSTER

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If you really want to get blood boiling and fingers jabbing in anger, don’t walk into a cafe and ask how everybody feels about Trump vs. Clinton. Don’t go to a philosophy club meeting and ask who likes Heidegger and who pulls for Hegel.

Instead, find a group of music lovers and ask, “Hey, what do you guys think of the ‘80s?”

Half the group will roll their eyes and hold their noses. The other half will say, “The ‘80s were fun, you snobs!” There are few things that will spark emotions like the sound of the 1980s.

This was the decade that unleashed Madonna, Michael Jackson and Cyndi Lauper. And don’t you forget about “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield, which you probably heard, time after time. No doubt about it, the 1980s launched a million horrible karaoke nights.

Yet for all of its just-want-to-have-fun pop, the 1980s also birthed some enormously challenging, complex music. Joe Strummer took us “Straight to Hell.” The Pixies exploded some pop gaskets with “Where Is My Mind?” The Clash snarled an angry anthem in “Should I Stay or Should I Go.” Bruce Springsteen shrugged off rock anthems for the morose poetry of “Nebraska.”

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Writer Tom Scanlon Photographer Wasted Grain

Meanwhile, rugged schools were blowing up ‘80s pop-rock. Dead Kennedys, the Pogues and other counterculture bands blasted punk music at audiences bored by pop. Grandmaster Flash (early ‘80s), N.W.A. (late ‘80s) and others were building the foundation of rap and hip-hop.

The 1980s was also the big decade for a curious band that mixed hook-mad pop and absurd pseudo-intellectualism. That band, the B-52s, released a self-titled debut album in 1979, scoring hits as a new decade began with two songs overflowing with catchy beats and ambiguous lyrics: “Planet Claire” and “Rock Lobster.”

Which brings us to Rock Lobster.

Thirty-eight years after that song inspired John Lennon to come out of retirement, a band called Rock Lobster performs at the SHOPS Gainey Village. The Sips and Sounds concert series is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on November 3. The retro rock band features Dallan Baumgarten, John Colby, Stephanie Foxx (who may not be able to attend this show), Jessica Jackson and Gary Sanchez.

Eschewing the most annoying songs of the 1980s while staying in the groove of mainstream hits, Rock Lobster is one of the busiest Writer Grace bands around Phoenix. The ‘80s crew plays a few shows a month

Hill

Experience Rock Lobster

SHOPS at Gainey Village 8777-8989 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, 85253 November 3, 6-8 p.m.

Free admission

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John Colby came to Phoenix in the 1980s, and never really left the decade. In 1995, the dirt was still settling on the ‘80s grave when Colby started Rock Lobster.

“I grew up in that timeframe and played all those songs,” he says. “They’re the songs I love.”

Colby was playing in a college alternative rock band called the Chadwicks when members of that group started side-gigging as Rock Lobster.

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“It was crazy — it was kind of a side project for another band we were in, then it got really popular,” Colby says. The side project soon became the main project.

Twenty-five years later, three of the Chadwicks are still in Rock Lobster.

“We’re a really tight group,” says Colby. “It’s just about chemistry, everyone having the same kind of goal. We’ve added video features, so we’ve evolved with the time.”

But the dance-enticing songs Rock Lobster cranks out remain anchored in the 1980s. Some of the crowd favorites include: • “1999” (Prince) • “Blister in the Sun” (Violent Femmes) • “Come On Eileen” (Dexys Midnight Runner) • “Dancing with Myself” (Billy Idol) • “Like a Virgin” (Madonna) • “Our Lips are Sealed” (The Go-Go’s) • “Tide is High” (Blondie) The Scottsdale event is free to attend, with food and drinks from a variety of restaurants. Colby and Rock Lobster invite you to come by and get down, down, down, down. rocklobsterband.com theshopsgaineyvillage.com

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SHARING THE

SECRETS Writer Nigel Spence

OF GOLF

Writer Nigel Spence

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There are few, if any, pastimes that are as addictive as golf. Once the so-called golf bug bites, its victim often becomes obsessed with the game, practicing for hours, playing at every opportunity and thinking about the game when unable to be at the course.

The reason for the obsession is undetermined, or perhaps different for each individual. Is it the fact that the game can never be mastered? Is there a technique to the perfect swing that remains undiscovered? Or is there some intrinsic part of humans that loves that moment when the ball leaves our control and is suspended midair, headed toward its target, while all we can do is wait and watch the outcome, like watching the plot of a suspense thriller unfold without knowing the ending?

Whatever the reason for the obsession, people throughout history have chased the secret to an improved golfing ability as fiercely as others have chased Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth or James Hilton’s Shangri-La. For some, it is a personal journey for their own game; for others, the secrets are meant to be shared with others, as a way of helping those willing to listen in their journey.

Stephen Boccieri, founder of Boccieri Golf, falls into the latter category. As an accomplished player, his journey may have begun for personal reasons, but his contribution to the game over the last two decades has proven his desire to help others.

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As a mechanical engineer who once worked for one of the world’s largest petrochemical and nuclear companies, Stephen turned his passion — golf — into his profession.

First came an analysis of the playing characteristics and profiles of every golf shaft in the industry. This study was soon followed by his first design, the Heavy Putter. The putter was unique to the industry due to both its sheer mass as well as where that weight was distributed throughout the club, moving the balance point and stabilizing the putting strokes of many golfers. The putter had success on both professional tours and in retail outlets, and is cited as the catalyst of today’s counter-balance phenomenon.

a 17-gram tungsten weight in the cap. The overall grip weighed 92 grams, almost double that of a regular grip, and moved the balance point of the club more toward the hands.

Following the success of the Heavy Putter, Stephen pursued the idea of a full set of “heavy” clubs, throwing the conventional wisdom of the swing weight measurement out the window and designing clubs with a different balance point. By design, the clubs may have been a home run, but in a market dominated by four or five multinational companies, gaining any sort of presence was nearly impossible.

It was also in 2012 that Stephen and his wife, Sandra, decided to move their golf business from the golfing obscurity of Ridgefield, Connecticut to the golfing hotspot of Scottsdale. The duo figured that many of the games’ brightest minds and players spend a lot of time in the desert, and what better place to find the right people to execute the next phase of Boccieri Golf.

What Stephen soon discovered was that he could produce almost the same result by simply designing a different grip and installing it onto the latest offering released by any of the major golf equipment manufacturers. The grip would be slightly longer than a regular grip, not tapered and have

“Moving the company to Scottsdale was an easy decision, considering we were in the chilly Northeast where the golf season at best is from May to October,” Stephen says. “This limited my ability to actively be around golf year-round and it was very difficult to continue research and development

I M AG E SA Z . C O M Oct o b er 2 0 1 6

The Secret Grip was released in 2012, after it was tested by 3,000 golfers at the PGA Merchandise Show. Ninety-seven percent of those tested preferred the feel of the club with the Secret Grip, and 87 percent of them increased their ball speed. Jack Nicklaus, who back-weighted his clubs during his playing days, endorsed the Secret Grip, which is now seen in the bags of tour winners as well as all good golf retail outlets.

during the winter months. We also knew we would have an endless pool of qualified candidates [in Scottsdale] to enhance everything we wanted to do at Boccieri Golf.”

Boccieri Golf Research and Performance Center is Stephen and Sandra’s latest contribution to the game. Having analyzed the tools with which the game is played, Stephen is now turning his attention to human learning and performance. The expansive center is equipped with the latest launch monitors and training devices and staffed by some of the highest certified young professionals to help students steepen the learning curve toward improved golf.

The latest acquisitions and pièce de résistance at the performance center are two German engineered robots, the RoboGolfPro swing trainers. Students are measured and then take their address position, holding onto a golf club that is attached to a 12-foot high robot with numerous arms and levers. A series of monitors are in front of the student so they can watch as the robot moves the club and they move along in unison. The robot swings the club on a perfect plane, or any plane that the student and master professional decide. It is truly cutting-edge golf learning and it is exclusive to Boccieri Golf in the region.

Blake Smith, a PGA professional who has received certifications from TrackMan and the Titleist Performance Institute, has been teaching students on the RoboGolfPro swing trainers since March 2015.

“The Robo swing trainer is different than other teaching technology simply because it allows you to feel the perfect swing custom built for you,” says Blake. “TrackMan, GC2/HMT [camera and head measurement technology] and K-VEST really help point out any swing inefficiencies as well as help the instructor know that the correction is working, but it is the Robo swing trainer that provides the feel.”

Stephen echoes Blake’s comments and adds, “What is so unique about the Robo is it provides the golfer with a direct connection as to how the golf swing should feel.

Conventional instruction at best is a verbal communication between the instructor and the student, and then there is interpretation of that instruction. Robo eliminates all of this and just allows the student to feel the swing.

“The instructor is an integral part to the success, in that he still has to evaluate the limitation of the student and size the Robo accordingly. The instructor also can exaggerate fault corrections on Robo so the student can feel the exaggerated move and then find the middle position. From everything we have seen using the Robo in combination with K-VEST to monitor movements, and now incorporating SAM BalanceLab, we can see the full picture of the golfer’s movements and quantify them.

This combined technology is the future of golf!”

No matter where you may be in your own personal golfing journey, the team at Boccieri Golf is undoubtedly going to be able to shed light on a path yet traveled.

Whether it is equipment, fitting, learning or performance, there is something to be discovered at 15816 N. Greenway Hayden Loop, Ste. 300 in Scottsdale. It may not be Shangri-La, but for golfers, it may be every bit as euphoric. boccierigolf.com

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Writer Lara Piu Photography National Taco Association

The tables are set for more than 100,000 tacos to be served this month at the seventh annual Arizona Taco Festival.

Nearly 50 teams will compete for $10,000 in cash and the prestige of being named top taco in their category.

More than 30,000 attendees will come to select from the 100-plus taco varieties on the menu that weekend.

Among them will be Dave Bernstein, food expert, celebrity chef, National Taco Association judge and Arizona Taco Festival judge.

“My love for tacos and comfort food is what initially attracted me to the festival, so when I found out they were having a festival dedicated to tacos, I was thrilled and couldn’t wait to be a part of it,” Dave says. “They always do an amazing job at having things there for the kids and the entire family, and I’m blessed to be a part of something so special.”

This will be the sixth time Dave will serve among the event’s 50 sequestered judges. Restaurants, caterers, amateurs, nightclubs and food spots compete on an even playing field to win. Judges like Dave determine winners in double-blind tests, in a closed tent with anonymous scoring. Points are awarded and weighted for presentation, taste and texture.

Cumulatively, scores lead to an overall grand champion as well as $1,000 prize checks presented both days. The judges score on a scale of one to seven, with seven being the highest.

“I’m a real tough seven,” says Dave. His judging team name is Tequila Mockingbird.

“There are prizes and accolades involved here, so we take it very seriously,” he adds, noting the variety of tacos that have

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Taste

Arizona Taco Festival Salt River Field Oct. 15-16 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Admission: $12 online; $15 at the gate Kids 12 and under free

been entered in the past. “I’ve tasted it Free parking; $2 tacos all … from adobo pulled pork tacos to tongue tacos and squid tacos. One time we judged a truffle taco, and it was sublime.”

The Arizona Diamondbacks spring training facility, Salt River Fields, has its game face on for the event. Site improvements were recently completed on the west side of the complex, and more than 15 acres of lush, green grass were added. Restrooms, fencing and other amenities were upgraded, as well.

“Once again, Salt River Fields is proud to host the Arizona Taco Festival,” says Salt River Fields general manager, David Dunne. “We’re always enthusiastic about it because it’s a major crowd-pleaser, and the largest taco event in the country.”

Highlights of the event include the Tequila Expo on October 15, during which you can sample from more than 100 tequilas. And on October 16, watch more than 15 Chihuahuas strut their four-legged stuff during the Ay, Chihuahua! Beauty Pageant. Plus, enjoy live music, kids’ activities and lucha libre wrestling all weekend long. aztacofestival.com

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CONTOUR ON CAMPBELL AVENUE Located in Phoenix’s character-rich Campbell Avenue, Contour offers more than 111 one- and two-bedroom condominiums ranging in size from 1,000 to 1,700 square feet. These homes feature customizable interior spaces, the latest smart home technology, secure underground parking and stainless steel Bosch appliances. contourcondos.com.

• Starting at low $400,000s • Expected completion fall 2017

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LUXURY LIVING Writer Grace Hill

A

A new era in luxury home development has emerged in Arizona. Homebuyers are being seduced by a more upscale, urban lifestyle — one where they are in the heart of the city, with easy access to high-end shopping, trendsetting dining destinations, art districts and local music venues.

In order to meet this lifestyle demand, a slew of impressive homes are being built as close to main streets as possible.

These homes are masterfully designed and full of modern luxury. Resort-style features permeate throughout, including concierge services; gorgeous rooftop and courtyard gardens; sophisticated and upscale interior amenities; one-of-a-kind mountain and city views; secure indoor parking; sprawling entertainment spaces; and so much more.

No detail has been overlooked and no expense has been spared. Luxury living is now possible in areas bursting with life.

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EASY STREET Located in the heart of Carefree Village, Easy Street features 44 condominium homes ranging in size from 1,800 to 3,600 square feet.

Along with the 13 floor plans available, homebuyers will be impressed with the smart-wired technology for whole home automation, 11-foot ceilings, collapsing patio doors, on-site concierge and underground parking. easystreetcarefree.com.

• From $600,000 to $2.5 million • Expected completion fall 2017

HIDDEN ROCK AT CAVE CREEK A luxury home community located in the town of Cave Creek, Hidden Rock offers 39 homes, five hillside estates and six live-work homes with multiple floor plans ranging in size from 2,070 to 2,570 square feet. Features specific to Hidden Rock include a salt water community pool and spa, walking trails, environmentally-friendly design, Bosch stainless steel appliances and natural granite stone countertops. hiddenrockatcavecreek.com.

• Starting at $545,000

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OPTIMA KIERLAND This 12-story condominium tower is located in North Scottsdale’s Kierland district. Home options are numerous in this 220 one- to five-bedroom complex. Optima offers 15 different floor plans ranging in size from 720 to 4,550 square feet. Units include floor-to-ceiling glass windows; a rooftop lap pool; five acres of landscaped, ground level space; a 16,000-square-foot fitness center; and two levels of underground parking. optima-kierland.com.

• From low $300,000s to more than $2.5 million • Expected completion in 18-24 months

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THE STETSON Old Town Scottsdale's entertainment district is home to The Stetson, a four-story, two-tower complex with 316 homes. The four floor plan options include studios to threebedrooms ranging in size from 628 to 2,087 square feet. These homes feature 10-foot ceilings, DuChateau wood flooring, under counter wine refrigerators and environmentallyfriendly features. liveatthestetson.com. • Rentals from $1,299 to $4,530

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PORTLAND ON THE PARK Located in downtown Phoenix between Portland Park and Margaret T. Hance Park, the four-, 12- and 14-story towers include 21 floor plans ranging in size from 745 to 2,508 square feet. Exposed metal ductwork, hardwood floors, nine-foot ceilings and whole home technology are just a few features of Portland on the Park. portlandparkcondos.com. • From $235,000 to $1.25 million • Expected completion late 2016

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Giving

Avaa Voice Writer Katherine Braden Photographer Loralei Lazurek

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S

“So, who is Ava?” That’s the question Chrisie Funari, president and founder of the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children (ACFC), wants everyone to be asking.

It’s been four years since Chrisie started ACFC after losing her 5-year-old daughter, Ava, to cancer.

Her goal was to help families who were going through the same thing she and Ava had, as well as to raise awareness of pediatric cancer. Since then, she’s seen ACFC grow in incredible ways.

“It’s been unbelievable how much the community has embraced us,” she says.

For the past few years, Chrisie worked from her home. However, with the organization growing quickly, she knew she had to find a bigger place.

In February 2016, ACFC officially moved into an office in Scottsdale. A small core of contracted employees and more than 100 volunteers keep the foundation running smoothly.

Volunteers work in the office, host different fundraising activities and help pack and deliver Sunshine Packs. Every child that ACFC works with receives a Sunshine Pack, filled with age- and gender-appropriate donated items such as blankets, water bottles or coloring books. The older children might get journals or iPads — something to help with the long hours of traveling or stationary treatments.

In Arizona, nearly one child a day is diagnosed with some form of childhood cancer. That’s about 350 families every year in Arizona alone. Since 2014, ACFC has served more than 200 families, giving away Sunshine Packs, assisting with travel and aiding with other expenses. “[The growth] far exceeds my expectations,” says Chrisie. “I’m humbled by it. It’s been so exciting to watch [ACFC] grow in honor of Ava’s memory and as a legacy to her life.”

On November 6, ACFC will host the third annual Swing Fore Kids Cancer. The fundraiser has seen great growth, from 100 guests raising $50,000 the first year to 200 raising $100,000 the second year. This year, ACFC hopes to raise $150,000.

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All proceeds go to the families ACFC helps support. The organization works with social workers on a case-by-case basis, determining each family’s need for financial assistance.

The families then receive cash assistance ranging from $500 to $2,000, helping to pay for medical bills, travel expenses, rent and groceries.

Chrisie tells me of one family who was driving to the hospital for treatment on bald tires.

ACFC replaced their tires so they could travel safely. ACFC helped another family travel to Houston for treatment when all of their son’s treatment options had been exhausted in Arizona.

Whatever their individual need, all families working with ACFC receive a check, a Sunshine Pack and information on local resources. ACFC also assists with families’ financial planning, walking them through what to expect. The organization’s family respite program provides family outings, like a ballgame or a day at family camp, free of worry.

“We want everyone to be aware, to know that it could happen to anyone, Cancer does not discriminate.”

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This year, Chrisie is aiming to make Swing Fore Kids Cancer “more interactive and fun.”

She is incorporating the many celebrities who support the foundation with a “beat the pro” friendly competition.

“You hit a ball to qualify,” Chrisie says. “The 10 people closest to the pin will then be matched with a celebrity.

During the shootout, you hit, then the celebrity hits. Whoever is closest to the pin wins $1,000.”

Kendra Scott is donating jewelry

for a mystery grab, while Enterprise will display its line of exotic luxury cars, including a Maserati, Tesla and Lamborghini.

For the kids, Chrisie promises a bounce house, magician, face painting and balloon animals. There will also be a red carpet, bar and buffet, raffle and silent auction. Anyone can access the online auction, even those not planning on attending.

“Last year, we had a guy bidding from Italy,” Chrisie says.

Auction items include an intimate dinner with Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul “Goldy” Goldschmidt and Jim “Bones” Mackay, caddy for professional golfer Phil Mickelson. The two men are the honorary chairs of the event and passionate about ACFC. “When Ava was diagnosed with cancer at such a young age, it was a shock to our family,” says Jim. “Since we were neighbors [with Chrisie] at the time, we immediately became involved.

Our kids were friends with Ava and her siblings, and we were there every step of the way for Ava's battle with cancer.”

Jim’s children even started Ava’s Angels, a philanthropy program dedicated to helping children with pediatric cancer. His wife, Jen, is ACFC’s board vice president.

blast for everyone, and it's a great event that supports children with cancer right here in our community.”

Paul agrees: “You can have a lot of fun while raising money for a great cause. My wife and I enjoy hosting and attending every year and seeing our friends and the community come together to support kids with cancer right here in our backyard.”

Besides raising money for children with cancer, Chrisie hopes Swing Fore Kids Cancer will also bring awareness of pediatric cancer to the community.

“We want everyone to be aware, to know that it could happen to anyone,” Chrisie says. “Cancer does not discriminate.”

The biggest thing that Swing Fore Kids does is give ACFC a voice.

“It gives us a chance to talk about [pediatric cancer],” says Chrisie. “We’re starting a conversation that matters, is important and needs to be recognized.” azcancerfoundation.org

“We are honored to be involved and hosting this year's event with the Goldschmidts,” says Jim. “Swing Fore Kids Cancer is a October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

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Angel

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TO HOLLYWOOD

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Writer Tom Scanlon

Asher Angel — a name that has to rank at least 9.9 out of 10 on the perfect performer name scale — is either one of the most grounded, grateful, loving 13-year-olds around, or he’s a great actor.

As Asher approached his 14th birthday and an enormous career leap as a cast member of Disney Channel’s new “Andi Mack” series, his mother was asked if the kid is genuinely sweet and, if so, how she would keep him that way.

But wait — maybe the Paradise Valley lad is both? Perhaps this kid who comes off in an interview as precious, precocious and prepossessing isn’t just acting for the reading audience. Maybe this fast-rising actor is really a great kid; maybe he is doing work on studio lots, but is miles away from the stereotypical Hollywood brat.

“He is like the teenager I imagined he would be, only more focused and dedicated than I would have expected,” answers Coco Angel. “This is his passion and we merely support it.”

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Not that she doesn’t have her cautions.

“I would be remiss to say that we are not worried about the pitfalls that befall young Hollywood actors,” Coco says. “However, there are just as many stories of grounded child actors. We believe that the family unit, values taught at home and the support systems in place reinforce positive behavior.”

That positivity helped Asher land a role on “Andi Mack,” from “Lizzie McGuire” creator Terri Minsky. According to a press release, Asher “is a bright, young talent that brings a fresh face to the channel with a background in musical theater, and is a triple threat being a singer, dancer and actor.”

Though “Andi Mack” is a big deal, it’s not Asher’s first Hollywood rodeo. Asher has done more acting in his first 13 years than some adult professional actors do in decades. Local theater audiences may have seen him as the Artful Dodger in Phoenix Symphony’s “Oliver,” Michael in Phoenix Theatre’s “Mary Poppins,” the title role in Mesa Encore Theatre’s “Oliver,” Michael in Arizona Broadway Theatre’s “Peter Pan” or various Greasepaint Youth Theatre and Desert Stages Theatre productions.

“He was born to perform,” his mother says. “Singing, dancing, impressions — it was and is nonstop.”

And if his family and friends needed any proof that Asher was serious about acting, it disappeared last year when he took on overlapping roles.

“I think the most challenging endeavor he has undertaken to date was when he was performing ‘Oliver’ and ‘Mary Poppins’ side by side,” says Coco. “For ‘Oliver,’ he played Oliver and in ‘Mary Poppins,’ he played Michael. Both very demanding roles with significant lines. He would perform in ‘Oliver’ at the Mesa Encore Theater and then we would drive across town for him to perform at the Phoenix Theater in ‘Mary Poppins.’”

A few weeks before leaving Paradise Valley to work on “Andi Mack,” Asher was relaxing in the Paradise Valley home he shares with his mother, Coco; father, Jody; brother, Avi; and sister, London. He says he’s pretty much a regular kid who likes sports and video games, but he loves acting.

“I did a lot of [youth theater] shows and I loved it so much,” he says. “My mom said, ‘If you keep doing this, I will take you out to Los Angeles’ … My mom inspired me and I love her so much.”

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he was cast in “Jolene,” which starred Jessica Chastain — who would later receive an Academy Award nomination for “The Help” and “Zero Dark Thirty” — and veteran actor Dermot Mulroney.

After that, Asher returned to PV, did a few commercials and hit the Phoenix stages, working acting around his school schedule (his favorite classes are math and reading). He prepares for spelling tests and acting parts the same way: repetition.

“I go over and over the lines; it just gets in my head,” he says.

Memorizing lines is one thing, but truly acting a character — and understanding what the writer is trying to show the audience — takes things to a much higher level. Asher had his aha moment playing the narrator of “Into the Woods,” a challenging role that had him on stage for the entire play.

“I had a lot of lines I had to memorize and had to move back and forth on stage,” he recalls.

“It took a lot of time. Then, all the pieces fell together. I kind of realized I was starting to get into it. I thought, ‘I should do this for the rest of my life.’”

He knew he was born to perform shortly after stepping on stage the first time in front of an audience — a thrilling, frightening experience.

“When I first started theater, I was a little nervous,” he says. “I don’t know how to explain it; it was like my new hobby. I was like, ‘I want to do this!’ When I first got out on stage and I was singing, the nerves went away. I thought, ‘Wow, this is an incredible feeling!’”

Years later, he said he wasn’t nervous, but excited when he auditioned for “Andi Mack” and met A-list writer/producer Terri Minsky.

“She’s an incredible person, I love her so much,” Asher says. “I remember before the first audition I wanted to show everything I can do. I said, ‘This is my part — no one’s going to take it from me.’”

He describes his character: “Jonah’s the outgoing

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cool kid. Like the George Clooney of middle school. It’s a dream part for me.”

Will that dream take him to Los Angeles full time?

“I think we’re staying,” Asher says. “I just love Arizona, it’s such a beautiful place to live.

My friends are very supportive. I love them so much, and I thank my parents for doing so much driving, booking tickets to Los Angeles.

They do so much for me.”

How he does on camera is one thing, but how Asher grows off-camera is more important to his mother.

“We are a family first,” stresses Coco. “Love, support and most importantly, parenting provide the framework that instills respect, appreciation and kindness in all of our children.

With these character foundations, we are hopeful that Asher, and all of our kids, will continue to make decisions that both they and us can be proud of.”

It’s hard not to ponder what kind of acting Asher will be doing a decade from now, as a young adult. Will he be a big-time movie star?

His father, Jody, says acting is not the most important thing about his talented son’s future.

“Ten years from now, my hope is that Asher will continue to pursue his dreams and passions with the same commitment, resolve and tenacity that I see on a daily basis,” he says. “He is a kind, sensitive and humble person to begin with, so I expect those characteristics to continue into adulthood.

He knows that we are most proud of him, not for any awards he wins, successes he earns or public recognition achieved, but for the decisions he makes and actions he takes in those private moments, when no one is looking. That is the foundation that will determine the man he is to become. A man of integrity, reliability, honor and compassion.”

In the meantime, many around here might be flipping the channels in the near future, then stop and say, “I know that kid! Saw him in a little play.”

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Writer Nigel Spence Photographer Brandon Tigrett

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When I first met Bob Parsons, he was trudging the fairways of Whisper Rock Golf Club on a daily basis with his loyal caddie, Stone Cold, by his side. Often playing alone, Bob pursued improvement of his performance on the golf course as fiercely as any member at the club, including the 25 or so who play the game for a living.

His strive for perfection led to post-round driving range sessions that became legendary at the club. With focused single-mindedness, Parsons hit hundreds of golf balls, many of them with his driver, striving for efficiency and consistency with each backswing, each downswing, each impact and every follow-through.

If the sinking sun gave way to nightfall and he still wasn’t satisfied, he would head down to the indoor simulator he’d built in his Scottsdale Airpark office complex to hit some more balls.

He didn’t stop with just his own performance. Parsons bought the latest and greatest equipment, upgraded the shafts and took them to the course with the hope of adding distance or accuracy. More than once, he finished the round with a different set of clubs than what he brought to begin, switching at the turn or having a new set couriered to him out on the course.

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Bob Parsons’ love for the game and infatuation with equipment has bordered on compulsion.

First introduced to the game by his father at the age of 12, Bob became an avid golfer in his mid-30s.

“I was having some business success and a couple of buddies and I were at about the same place in the game,” he told me recently. “We started taking Wednesday afternoons off [to play]. Then it became Wednesdays and Thursdays. Then it became Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Then it became Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Then it became anytime we could get away, 36 holes; you name it.”

In 1994, after selling Parsons Technologies — a startup software company that he began in his basement — to Intuit for $64 million, Bob moved to Arizona with the encouragement of his ex-wife.

“She said, ‘Go West, young man,’” he said. “So I did.”

He landed at The Boulders, then joined Desert Mountain and many other golf courses in the North Scottsdale region. Parsons pursued his golf game and his new startup, GoDaddy, with equal fervor. His larger-than-life personality and business success have grown to be almost as iconic on the fairways as they are in the boardroom.

Of course, the GoDaddy story is one of great success.

But for the golf world, it is Parsons’ ventures since selling his majority share of the web hosting company in 2011 that have us most intrigued.

In 2013, Parsons purchased The Golf Club of Scottsdale and a surrounding property. He renamed the club Scottsdale National Golf Club, redesigned a few holes on the original course and began construction of a second 18-hole course, as well as a short course on the west side of the property.

As ambitious as Parsons’ move into owning and running a golf club was, it pales in significance to his venture into the golf equipment market. With doom and gloom all around the golf equipment industry — major players such as TaylorMade

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are reporting record losses and Nike recently announced its removal from the golf equipment business — the man nicknamed “Darkness” saw an opportunity.

“The idea came three years ago,” he explained with his usual plain candor. “I talked to Mike Nicolette (former senior product designer at Ping) and just had the idea of producing a high-end golf club.”

And produce one, he did — and so much more. In September 2014, he started Parsons Xtreme Golf, or PXG. Ryan Moore started introducing prototypes on the PGA Tour in the beginning of 2015, and they started showing up casually in golf bags around the Valley by the middle of the same year. National presence appeared in select locations in early 2016, and expansion has been rapid.

With a larger sole, but sleek lines, the clubs are easily identifiable by their trademark black tungsten alloy weights positioned around the edges of the back of the clubs.

Feel and Repeat A Perfect Golf Swing

“You know, there is no room in this market for another company to do what Callaway, Ping, TaylorMade and all them do,” Parsons said. “There is just no room for that. To make a beachhead, you’d get beat to death. You had to do something that they weren’t doing. So my thoughts were to try and make a club that was just in a class by itself.”

The designers were charged with the responsibility of producing a sexy set of irons that look like blades; a series that would launch higher, go farther, feel softer — and have a sweet spot the size of Texas. They were given no cost or time constraints and all the room they needed to research various alloys, explore new technologies and identify unique properties that would make PXG clubs unlike anything else.

To say they succeeded is an understatement. The PXG 0311 iron has been as progressive of a golf club to hit the market in recent memory.

By using HT1770 high-strength steel, the PXG iron introduced the thinnest face of any iron on the market, allowing designers to reposition the weight of the club for forgiveness and optimal launch. A thermo plastic elastomer was then injected into the center of the iron to stabilize the face and to dampen the vibration and give the club a buttery feel when struck. The benefit? Off-center hits produce shots that are almost the same as a well-struck shot.

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Simply put, the clubs are amazing.

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“There is nothing even close to our irons,” Parsons said. “They are our flagship product. We also introduced a tour version of our irons, the 0311T, which are tantamount to a tour blade. I will say this; there is no other tour blade in existence or that has ever been made that compares to ours.”

Last month, PXG released a third version of their flagship product, the 0311XF, an Xtreme forgiveness iron in the game improvement category that does not compromise the company’s dedication to maintaining the irresistible look of a tour blade. But it comes at a cost, and a significant one to some critics, who see the clubs as too expensive. A PXG iron is $350 — twice that of a regular club.

While Parsons understands the criticism, he knew this going into the project.

“They are expensive because I knew it would take a long time to build, it would take very highend materials, it would take a very sophisticated process and there would be many false starts before it was there,” he said.

But Parsons is certain that one swing will sway anyone concerned about the price tag.

“From the moment they swing the club and make contact, the clubs will go from a luxury to a necessity,” he explained. “That was our goal. That was the charge that I gave the guys. The first time you hit that club, you know that it is something special.”

The 0311 iron series are complimented by 0317 hybrids, 0341 fairway woods, the 0811 driver and an assortment of putters. The unique numbering system associated with each product segment references the Marine Corps’ Military Occupational Specialty, which Parsons served in for a tour of Vietnam, receiving the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

In January 2016, PXG revealed their lineup of PGA Tour, Champions Tour and LPGA Tour players who will be playing and endorsing the brand. Parsons signed some significant names to the list, including 2015 Open champion Zach

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Johnson, former FedEx champion Billy Horschel and former U.S. Women’s Open champion Christie Kerr. In July, former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel also joined the team, with many more interested candidates since the announcement of Nike’s closure of its golf division.

When asked how the stable was assembled, Parsons was his matter-of-fact self.

“They came to us,” he said. “All of them came to us. My policy in signing tour players, and I tell everyone this, it is the same advice that my dad gave me when I was dating. He said, ‘The number one thing that you need to find in a girlfriend, is one that likes you.’”

Tour players aside, the full lineup of PXG clubs includes lofted hybrids and fairway woods to allow players with slower swing speeds to put together sets that combine seamlessly.

PXG has penetrated into most of the significant golf markets in the United States and has reached 27 countries. Now employing more than 80 people, Parsons indicated that the company’s growth has exceeded his wildest expectations.

A headquarters facility was opened in the Scottsdale Airpark in late May, where office space, building facilities, a retail outlet and fitting bays fill the 35,000 square feet.

Bob Parsons may not be producing racy GoDaddy commercials anymore, but he is still pushing the envelope in a number of areas. And as PXG research and development produces new prototypes to be tested, they have the perfect candidate to try them: Bob still hits golf balls on the driving range, hundreds at a time. pxg.com

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Pumpcasso Writer Tom Scanlon Photographer Loralei Lazurek

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In a certain “Peanuts” cartoon that runs this time of year, a boy named Linus explains what the last night of October is really about: “This is the time of the year to write to the Great Pumpkin. On Halloween night, the Great Pumpkin rises out of his pumpkin patch and flies through the air with his bag of toys for all the children.”

Poor Linus shivers away in the pumpkin patch, waiting for his hero who never arrives. Forget about that disappointing, Godotesque Great Pumpkin, Linus — we’ve got the “Pumpkin King.”

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OK, so Ray Villafane doesn’t fly through the air handing out toys.

But you should see him magically turn pumpkins into art. This guy delivers, every Halloween. And he’ll be back for the Town of Carefree’s Enchanted Pumpkin Garden, held October 17-31.

This year, the Pumpkin King has a few new tricks up his sleeve.

Namely, scarecrows.

“I love doing things that haven’t been done before,” says Villafane. “I like pushing the limits. I like to change things up

and add another dimension. I like to find novel and new approaches to whatever I’m doing, so if I’m doing pumpkins, I try every year or two to play with a different concept. This year, it’s scarecrows. I’ve got a scarecrow cowboy on a scarecrow horse.”

He is planning to turn Carefree into “Scarefree.”

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Experience Ray Villafane will be showcasing his creations in the Town of Carefree's Enchanted Pumpkin Garden Oct 17-31.

— whimsically delightful, the orange art pieces are what have the Pumpkin King flying from Arizona to New York, Germany, Minnesota and back this month.

If you’re saying “carved pumpkins, yawn,” then you surely haven’t seen what Villafane does to the big round squash. His artistry is a cross between Tim Burton and mid-century Walt Disney. With his distortion of reality, perhaps we should dub him Pumpcasso.

As eclectix.com puts it, “Ray’s mad carving skills have been wowing us for years, and today is the perfect time to have a (another) look at his masterful pumpkin creations. His detailed textures are over the top — carving sagging wrinkles, protruding grossities, rotten teeth and even tiny little pores in the skin of his victims.”

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While he is excited about unveiling the scarecrows (“something I’ve had on the to-do list for a few years,” he says), Villafane pretty much lives in a squishy, orange world.

“I don’t see a day where I don’t do pumpkins,” says the artist, who now manages a stable of sculptors. “I see days where I personally will do less. Over the years, as we’ve grown, I’ve got other sculptors if I ever get burned out. I enjoy carving pumpkins each year. I don’t think I’ll ever stop — there’s too many things to play with.”

Villafane, who is 47 years old, started carving pumpkins as an art teacher on Long Island.

“They were very rudimentary back then,” he says. “As I continued to sculpt, they improved because I was sculpting so much.” He left teaching to pursue commercial sculpting, living in New York, Ohio and Michigan before saying goodbye to winters and moving to Arizona four years ago. He and his wife, Tammi, have a combined “Brady Bunch” family of six kids, ages 10-25.

He’s a bit sheepish about his reputation, this reluctant Pumpkin King.

“It’s almost embarrassing,” he says with a laugh. “I don’t know much about haunted movies or Halloween things. I just like what I’m doing. I almost feel guilty doing such fun stuff. A lot of people geek about the subject matter.

I’m geeking about it in the here and now, as opposed to growing up with a foundation.”

These days, his biggest October fright is the smell of rotting pumpkins. The secret to extending their lives: pickling pumpkins in vinegar.

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While Villafane is surrounded by pumpkins at his home and studio in Surprise, he is hoping to move to the other side of town. He says he feels at home north of Phoenix, so if he splits his time between Carefree and Surprise, the names of those two towns will pretty much describe his life’s work.

Indeed, he plans to keep startling audiences with his euphoric creations: “My vision for what we’re doing I think goes far beyond what we’re currently doing.”

For you, a pumpkin is probably just a big orange thing you put on the porch for a few weeks.

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For Ray Villafane, a pumpkin is a canvas.

“Pumpkin material is really fun,” he says. “There’s a flesh-like material to carving it; you can mimic a nice meatiness to it to get that fleshy look.

“When you put a face on a pumpkin, it has a lighthearted feel to it. It’s very magical.”

So, if you want to see some real Great Pumpkins, Linus van Pelt, head to Carefree. carefreepumpkingarden.com

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Wild BORN TO BE

Writer Amanda Christmann Painter Marless Fellows

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In the searing heat of summer, brittlebush and cholla take long pauses, scorched and tested by unforgiving rays of the desert sun.

Whiptail and earless lizards scurry from the sparse shade of one parched palo verde to the next, and families of Harris’s hawks perch tiredly atop the spiny tops of saguaros.

Desert cicadas break the silence, their rattling screams seeming to come from the mesquites and prickly pear cacti themselves. The swish of a tail, barely visible from behind a crop of mesquites, shatters the stillness, followed by an unmistakable snort.

A sturdy white stallion rises like a mirage out of the waves of heat that dance above the desert floor. Alert, he glances sideways from a dark eye, one ear perked high as he listens to the sound of approaching visitors.

Only mildly cautious — for he has seen many visitors in recent years — he steps toward a striking chestnut mare with white socks and a white blaze, softly snorting to prompt her to move on. She looks toward him with gentleness with a blue eye the color of the desert sky, then steps forward.

From behind the trees, a colt with the same dark eyes as his white father, but with the color and beauty of his mother, emerges and playfully prances toward his mother. His father snorts again, this time with a hint of admonishment, and his son falls in line. The stallion protectively follows behind him as his mare takes the lead.

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These are three of the Salt River wild horses. By most accounts, they are the descendants of horses brought to the New World by Spanish explorers between 1519 and 1600.

In the 1800s, millions of wild horses dotted the Western plains, but today many of those horses have gone the way of the buffalo; government-sanctioned slaughter of these beautiful creatures started in the 1850s and carried on for more than 100 years, leaving just a fraction of their bands intact. By the time Congress passed the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act in 1971 to protect some of them, only about 30,000 wild horses were left in just 10 states.

The numbers are only estimates because, somewhat ironically, there is more available research on zebras in Africa than there is on wild horses in the United States.

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Despite the fact that these wild horses have been domesticated and used for everything from plowing fields to carrying soldiers on American battlefields, modern land managers considered them a nuisance — until recently.

Many of them have resided on land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, yet there has been no designation for protection of wild horses in Arizona. Some ended up in traffic, startling motorists, or worse, struck by vehicles.

Others injured themselves on aging barbed wire fences, long abandoned by homesteaders and ranchers of days gone by.

Because of this, the Forest Service had dubbed them “stray livestock,” and focused on protecting the land and the public, but not the iconic wild horses.

In Arizona, fewer than 500 wild horses are believed to be roaming public land. Some are thought to be the legacy of hundreds of years of free-roaming horses; others were likely let loose by landowners due to wildfires, economic hardship or other reasons.

At the time, the Forest Service responded with one of its only options: to round up the horses and sell them to the highest bidder. In most cases, those bidders were “kill buyers,” corporate buyers who took the horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. Many, including mothers and their babies, died in the process or in transit. Others were butchered for meat, which was (and in some cases, still is) sold to Europeans.

Of those, about 100 are the beloved Salt River wild horses, which live in the Tonto National Forest along the Salt River, near the Beeline Highway.

In July 2015, the Forest Service announced that, once again, it would be conducting a helicopter roundup of the Salt River wild horses. This time, though, the horses had a strong ally in

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grassroots volunteer advocates, the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (SRWHMG), led by group president Simone Netherlands. Netherlands established the nonprofit organization to monitor, study and preserve these national treasures.

Upon learning about the imminent annihilation of the Salt River wild horses, SRWHMG volunteers began contacting their friends, family and everyone else they could think of to let them know what was happening in their own backyard.

They called their representatives. They wrote letters. They rallied the press.

Before long, thousands of supporters rallied for the horses. Some of them, like Barbie Baugh, had witnessed the unmatched grandeur of the horses in the wild before learning of their plight.

Baugh’s first encounter with the horses was a chance meeting on Easter Sunday three years ago. As she hiked through the desert, she was startled to see a white stallion standing amidst a crop of spring blooms beneath a mesquite tree. Like many other people who see these horses in the wild, it took her breath away.

“It was the beauty and the serenity,” the retired event planner attempts to explain, although she is among the few who understand that words fall short of capturing the majesty or the connection that these horses have with nature and with each other.

“These horses are freedom, unencumbered.”

She began photographing the horses, and has captured awe-inspiring photos of not only the white stallion and his harem of mares, but also dozens of Salt River wild horses in recent years.

Once Baugh and others found out that the horses were to be destroyed, they October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

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“

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These horses are freedom, unencumbered.

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Experience

Salt River Wild Horse & Saddle Up Gallery 6140 E. Cave Creek Rd. October 14 from 6-7:30 p.m. tickets are $10 and available by phone or at the gallery. saddleupgallery.com

responded with a passionate and resounding, “No!” “It was truly a collaborative effort on the part of our community and of people from around the world,” Baugh says. “Everyone bombarded the U.S. Forest Service with calls, letters, faxes — anything they could do. There was a wave of protests coming in because everyone wanted the horses saved.”

Netherlands, who has been following and documenting birth rates and death rates, migrating patterns and herd dynamics, as well as environmental circumstances of Salt River bands of horses for two decades, led SRWHMG in filing a lawsuit against the Forest Service. Her message, and that of the growing legion of volunteers who shared her love and concern for the herd, was heard loud and clear.

On May 11, 2016, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed HB 2340, a bill drafted to protect the Salt River wild horses.

The bill clarifies that wild horses are not stray livestock, and it paves the way for future provisions that, hopefully, will protect not only the Salt River wild horses, but also wild horses throughout the state.

Baugh joined advocates from SRWHMG and from throughout the state in celebrating the victory in downtown Phoenix, steps outside of the capitol building — on horseback, of course.

“It’s a wonderful and inspiring experience to see what the community can do when we step together and do it,” Baugh says with a smile.

Even though the group has won the battle, the war continues. Wild horses throughout Arizona and other states remain threatened by harsh policies and lack of humane management. Advocates have discovered that it is not that the public does not care; it is that they don’t know about the horses, or about the fate so many of these beautiful creatures are subjected to.

SRWHMG volunteers continue to work tirelessly to remove garbage, nails and old barbed wire from the horses’ desert habitat. They also mend fencing to keep the horses away from roadways and are working with the Maricopa County Department of Transportation to create more signage and alerts for motorists to warn them of horses in the area. They are now working with the Forest Service to find cost-effective, safe and humane ways to compassionately preserve the herds and their environment.

As for Baugh, she continues to advocate for the horses, even when she isn’t trying to do so. A few months ago, she struck up a conversation about the horses with Saddle Up Gallery owner and renowned Southwest artist Marless Fellows, who is also passionate about horses. Baugh gave Fellows permission to paint some of her photographs, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The two rallied the art community to plan two events to raise funds and awareness for the important work SRWHMG is doing. On the evening of October 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Saddle Up Gallery will host stories, told by Baugh, and art to benefit the group. Marless is using photos taken by Barbara Baugh, Tammy Richey and Lori Walker, to name a few, to paint and share the everyday beauty of these horses. Tickets are $10 and availiable by phone or at the gallery. Seating is limited. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Saddle Up Gallery, located at 6140 E. Cave Creek Rd. It is their hope, and the hope of all of those touched by the simple strength of the wild horses, that once people know better, they will do better.

“We’ve got to keep this going,” Fellows says. “It’s not done yet.” saltriverwildhorsemanagementgroup.org saddleupgallery.com

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THE GREAT

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The Desert Botanical Garden is open to the community year-round, providing opportunities for nature lovers to experience the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Throughout the year, many events are held to showcase different seasons and holidays.

The garden is preparing for another season of warm and cozy favorites. Welcoming fall is an enjoyable time of year for families across the nation. Here in Phoenix, it can be a different experience than that of colder parts of the country. But the Desert Botanical Garden aims to please the Valley with the same beloved fall traditions — no matter what the weather brings.

The Great Pumpkin Festival takes place this year from October 21-23. The event is open to members (who receive free admission) and to the public with the purchase of admission. At the festival, guests will find a hayride that leads to the pumpkin patch, where children 12 or younger are invited to choose their own pumpkin to keep. Families may of course purchase pumpkins, as well. There will also be a hay-bale maze and a tent where visitors can decorate

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Writer Rebecca Zaner Photo above by Adam Rodriguez

pumpkins. Carnival games are also available, as well as special visits by some barnyard animal friends.

Unique to the Desert Botanical Garden, guests can visit the community garden to learn how pumpkins and vegetables are grown. Folk, country and bluegrass music will accompany the event, and guests are encouraged to dance along. Family-friendly live music will be provided by DJ Dana, Run Boy Run and the Arizona Bluegrass Association.

Admission includes activities and the hayride. One pumpkin is free to children 12 or younger and available for purchase to all others. Food and beverages, pony rides and Harvest Market items are available for an additional charge. All festival tickets also include complimentary entrance to the garden during the day.

This year, guests may purchase lunch items from Valley food trucks, drinks and snacks through Fabulous Food Fine Catering and Events, and kettle corn through Kettle Heroes. “We have many new additions this year,� says Amber

Hahn, special events manager. “Every year, we try to change our hands-on activities. While this year’s new activities have not been announced yet, we do have many new crafts and yard games, such as checkerboards and tic-tac-toe boards.”

The festival is a fun outdoor event that families can enjoy.

Because it is all outdoors, it is important for guests planning to attend to come prepared for the weather.

“We suggest that all of our guests bring water, sunscreen, hats and comfortable shoes,” says Hahn. “Remember the basics of outdoor festivals. Also, pets are not allowed at this event, even though it is outdoors. Other than service animals, those wishing to bring their pets to the garden can do so on our special Dogs’ Day coming later this year.”

Guests should also note that the event takes place in two different locations of the garden. The hayride serves as the connecting component between both locations. The events plaza houses the carnival games and concession vendors.

Then hop on a hayride over to the hay-bale maze, pumpkin patch and the adjoining community garden.

“The Great Pumpkin Festival has been a seasonal favorite for more than a decade,” Hahn shares. “We have definitely seen an increase in attendance over the years and our popularity expands as our garden grows. This event used to be held in one small area of our event lot, but after the expansion of our events plaza, we’ve had more space to support more festivities, including the addition of food trucks and more games and activities. With the addition of our community garden, we were able to then include that in our Pumpkin Festival.”

It is definitely a long process to create the magic of the Great Pumpkin Festival. Staff members begin preparation in late June. It takes about four to five months for the festival to come together. Alongside staff members, the garden is run by mostly volunteers. It is the large number of volunteers who assist with each large event that make them so memorable and special. Those wishing to become a volunteer for the Desert Botanical Garden can apply and go through special volunteer training to keep up a professional business.

“I’ve been on staff with the garden for over five years, two in my current position as special events manager,” says Hahn. “This is my second year assisting with the Great Pumpkin Festival. One of my favorite things about this event is taking time to stand in the middle of the events plaza and have a 360-degree look. This is when I truly October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

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The Great Pumpkin Festival Desert Botanical Gardens October 21 8:30 a.m. - noon October 22-23 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

experience kids having fun and families dancing — I can really take it all in and see everyone happy and having fun.”

The Desert Botanical Garden features many fun events throughout the year. Keep your calendars open for all the fun coming up this year: Dia de los Muertos Celebration (October 29-30), Dogs’ Day in the Garden (November 5), Chiles and Chocolate Festival (November 11-13)

and Las Noches de Las Luminarias (November 25-December 31). Music in the Garden will also be available on certain days throughout the remainder of the year, featuring professional musicians amidst the garden’s natural glory.

The Great Pumpkin Festival is open one weekend only, so don’t miss it! On October 21, the event is open from 8:30 a.m. to noon. On October 22-23, the event is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Don’t let the heat of a Phoenix summer keep you from enjoying the start of a new season. We may cool off a bit later than most, but a good celebration is still in order to get into the fall spirit.

480-941-1225 dbg.org

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Autumn Harvest Salad

The warmth and bounty of fall are epitomized in this beautiful Autumn Harvest Salad. Crisp apples, sweet pears, crunchy walnuts, tangy cranberries, smoky bacon and sharp blue cheese are tossed with apple cider vinaigrette

Yield: 6-8 servings Autumn Harvest Salad

for a dazzling combination of textures and flavors.

Ingredients: 6 ounces mixed greens 6 ounces baby arugula 1 cup blue cheese, crumbled 1 apple, sliced 1 semi-ripe pear, sliced 2/3 cup dried cranberries 1 cup candied walnuts ½ cup bacon, cooked and crumbled apple cider vinaigrette to taste (see recipe below) Directions: Combine the mixed greens and baby arugula in a large salad bowl. Top the greens with the blue cheese, apple slices, pear slices, dried cranberries, candied walnuts and bacon. Right before serving, toss the salad with the apple cider vinaigrette.

Apple Cider Vinaigrette Ingredients: 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons maple syrup ¼ cup cider vinegar ½ cup olive oil salt and pepper to taste Directions: Place the Dijon mustard, maple syrup and cider vinegar into a mixing bowl or food processor.

Whisk or mix to combine. While whisking or mixing, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Writer and photographer Monica Longenbaker

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No binding offer to sell or lease may be accepted before a Subdivision Public Report is issued by the Arizona

I M AG E SA Z . C O M Oct o b erDepartment 2016 of Real Estate. Sales by Centennial Homes, Inc.