So Scottsdale October 2022

HOCKEY ON HORSEBACK

Former Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan trades his skates for riding boots at the 11th Annual Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships

from the owners Stunning views are always new and fresh, evolving over the day. Twilight morning glows transition to beautiful evening sunsets and city lights. What a sweet life!

the beauty of rest

The Nelson bed by Andrea Lucatello is handcrafted in Italy by skillful artisans for Cattelan Italia. This design features a sculptural solid wood frame which gives the foundation for a stretched, sail like headboard in cushioned, top-grain leather. The design is light and airy but still exudes a feeling of solid quality. The Nelson bed includes an ergonomic mattress support system eliminating the need for the traditional, heavy looking box spring foundation. Available from stock in a natural walnut frame with oyster color leather headboard. King $7829. Special order in several different wood finishes and a wide variety of leather colors or fabrics. Mattress sold separately.

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NOV 18 JAN 2

Join us for the Southwest’s most extraordinary celebration, where generations of Scottsdale residents and visitors gather to embrace a treasured holiday tradition. Rediscover the magic of Christmas this winter. Go ice skating and catch colorful light shows in the Enchanted Plaza. Roast marshmallows and make s’mores. Stage a selfie with Santa and meet our cute cast of holiday characters. With kid-friendly activities and entertainment all season long, this is where new traditions are created together.

DECK THE HALLS

Enjoy 40% off stays with our Early Bird Christmas Offer.

Our Early Bird ‘Best Value of the Season’

Christmas package includes:

· 40% Off luxuriously appointed overnight accommodations

· VIP Express Pass admission to Christmas #AtThePrincess attractions for all registered guest room occupants

· Preferred restaurant reservations to one of our dining outlets, including La Hacienda, Bourbon Steak, Ironwood American Kitchen and Toro Latin Restaurant and Rum Bar

NEW FOR 2022!

Christmas Quest Interactive Bubble Wand

Illuminate the night with your own RFID-activated wand as your interactive guide through Christmas at the Princess. Your wand will flash whimsical colors and blow bubbles throughout your journey. Be sure to bring your wand back each Christmas to experience the magic all over again.

Ultimate Santa Experience

Surprise your family with the ultimate Santa experience. Meet Mrs. Claus, experience the Elf Academy, enjoy milk and specialty cookies, Santa story time and up to 10 digital photos.

Make-A-Wish Playhouse

As a global partner of Make-A-Wish®, we aim to provide one-of-a-kind experiences that transform children’s lives. Come take a photo with Princess Noel, make a wish for this holiday season, and explore our new castle!

SURPRISE: THE REAL VALUE OF YOUR CAR ISN’T IN THE QUALITIES YOU CHOSE IT FOR

Shahe Koulloukian, owner of Mazvo Auto Car Care, explains why the “bells and whistles” aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.

THE LOVELY WORD “pandemic” may be used to explain any abnormality in today’s world, especially given the perplexing con sumer demand for used cars. We’re left won dering, “Why is the price of secondhand auto mobiles rising?”

Until now, owning a luxurious car was a tall order for the majority, primarily due to financial difficulties. But with the availability of used cars to consumers, this has progres sively changed. Wealthy car owners relished selling their two-year-old vehicle because they like the upgraded luxury, but mostly because they could.

Additionally, with increasing technological advances in the automobile sector, cars have gotten a lot more reliable. A well-maintained car can simply run, no major issues, for years. This means even the second owner of the vehicle will be assured a hassle-free driving experience. Manufacturers are providing long pledge periods — up to 7 years in some cases. This offer gives rise to the preference of shop ping for a secondhand car.

For many car owners, the possession period used to be six to seven years. It is cur rently down to about four years; by 2023, it is expected to further decline to three. This has an immediate effect on the market’s capacity to find used cars in decent condition. Because of that development, most consumers now have more options available.

We can’t deny the fact that we adore auto mobiles as consumers. We buy, sell, lease, speed about in them; give them as gifts; crash into them, accessorize them, sleep in them, have sex in them, and place them on a

pedestal. However, most of us know nothing about them.

Because society bases its standards of suc cess and worth on attention, we have a thirst for vanity. The auto business invests enor mous sums of money to ensure that each vehi cle has all the safety features that NASA has, while boosting your ego with flashy colors, plush seats, sunroofs and a variety of whistles and warning lights that keep our world active and loud. We joyfully reduce our consumption of alcoholic beverages and restaurant meals in order to ensure that we can afford the monthly payment, and are deliriously eager to give them as gifts in the hopes of winning praise from loved ones. Yet we don’t seem to compre hend the entire weight of ownership.

Putting aside our vanity-driven attitudes towards car ownership, we chase what we want, more than what we need. As any car owner will admit, we want freedom, and noth ing expresses more freedom than driving a car.

For car owners, convenience rules over safety, until we get into an accident. Speed and performance rules, until it stops per forming and we are stuck at a repair shop having to pay more than we bargained for. Every car owner should be aware that the entire auto industry would fail without our emotional attachments to car ownership. We would depend on public transportation as a basic requirement rather than as a symbol of prestige or wealth.

When I hear fully grown adults mum ble, “That’s my baby,” it reminds me more of an unspoken high school crush than any thing else. In nearly four decades in the auto

industry, I have rarely seen or heard a car owner declare, “I don’t care about this auto mobile I own, I just use it as transportation.” It’s more like, “I love this car!” — but that very statement is one of the reasons we are prone to being taken advantage of when it comes to repairing and/or purchasing a vehicle.

Please allow me to ask, what do you love about it? It can’t be the repair bills, or the com ponents that you don’t know or understand about. It can’t be the eyesore dings, dents, scratches, oil leaks, burning smells or name brand tires. Tell me what you love about it? It must be the freedom and convenience, right?

I think it’s safe to say that everyone loves vehicles because of the way they look, smell, and make us feel as we’re driving along and staring off into the distance. How much opti mism, hope, or delusion do we have when we own our cars? Everyone’s perceptions change from one auto repair to the next.

As a nation, we buy and own our cars based on emotional wants versus sensible needs. We jump through hoops and allow titanic amounts of stress to load our emo tions, and go to extraordinary lengths and expense to own the car we so desperately want. And yet, when we’re taken advantage of, we instantly cry woe is me and then shrug it off by saying, “Well, I’m not a mechanic!”

Our primary problem with cars is that we choose looks and comfort above thought or functionality. Period.

Are we ashamed to confess we weren’t interested enough to understand the founda tions of car ownership when we first bought it? Did we really think that we could Google any questions we could have during a car cri sis or accident, and everything would be fine? Let’s not deceive ourselves; neither we nor our parents have had any idea what we are doing when it came to car ownership. We all made the same mistakes, whether we were driving a red sports car or a three-wheeled jalopy.

We unknowingly neglect our cars because we believe that we understand what we’re doing, and when we get behind the wheel, we drive recklessly because we’re running late. We carelessly drink and drive, or speed off when we’re angry and ready to jump out of the car to experience one round of MMAstyle fighting on the street. And yet we don’t take into consideration that this three-tofour-thousand-pound rolling box with wheels accounts for over 43,000 deaths a year. All the while, we smugly tell everyone that we’re

602.248.8711

good drivers because we never get tickets for speeding or have accidents. Well, that’s because you haven’t been caught yet! A friendly reminder: you are not immune.

After reading this, if you feel uneasy even for a second, it only means I’ve popped your bubble of delusion enough for you to see the impact the automobile business has had on our society through splendors of freedom and false achievement. I’m cool with you nodding and telling me I’m crazy and way off base. While automobile owners continue to whirl

on the hamster wheel endlessly, I’ll be keep ing an eye on the road and observing the behaviors that sustain the auto business that I happen to be in.

Please keep in mind that I’m not saying car ownership is terrible; I’m simply exposing the silent reality that we’ve all forgotten. The auto mobile was made to take us over the road from point A to point B; that’s what it was intended for, and that intent is still very much a reality. But we have, for some reason, turned it into a piece of jewelry that validates our self-worth.

In our current times, a car feeds our egos more than it does our practical needs. And we start them young; teenagers driv ing brand-new automobiles without jobs are a common sight since parents don’t want their kids to feel excluded from the exclu sive club. Parents are quick to proudly say, “No, my son or daughter can’t drive the old car, they would be teased and stressed out!” So instead, let’s just make sure the car has all the backup cameras, reverse sensors, anti lock brakes, and air bags to keep them safe. Let’s not teach them the responsibilities of car ownership — let’s just have a third-party company teach them to drive while we com fortably preach, “Wear your seatbelt!” “Stay off your cell phone!” Don’t speed!” and … the rest will just come naturally?

What we don’t see, haven’t really noticed, or don’t seem to care about, are the 500,000 car accidents involving teenagers each year and the 20% of fatal car accidents caused by distracted driving. Or that 72% of car buy ers spend more than 10% of their monthly income, putting themselves two paychecks away from having their car repossessed. Or the fact that 61% of cars sold are based on appear ance and options before safety and a test drive.

Just for a moment, let’s set aside our wants and desires. I’m not saying to put them away permanently, but just for a moment — and when you do, you’ll realize how great and stress-free purchasing, owning, and maintaining a car can be. You won’t have to be concerned about other drivers think ing you’re cool because your convertible top is down or how fast you take off from a stop light or because you have your windows open while blasting your Spotify playlist. Reality check: nobody truly cares! You’re living in a circle of tragic hypocrisy if you choose to own your car based on the luxurious color, the ele gant body structure, the speed of twin turbos, the courageous 4x4 off-road driving.

You certainly don’t have to agree with my opinion to comprehend what I’m saying. Sometimes you must step outside the lines of political correctness to be able to shower peo ple with truth and grit. We become equani mous by accepting things as they are, so stop admiring your car and start learning to own it so that you can peacefully rely on it. The first step is to arm yourself with the aware ness that, despite the fact that the system is flawed, you can begin the process of fixing it … at least for yourself.

“STOP ADMIRING YOUR CAR AND START LEARNING TO OWN IT SO THAT YOU CAN PEACEFULLY RELY ON IT.”

ALBION

ALTAR’D STATE APPLE

ARULA

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WARBY PARKER WEST ELM YETI

Among 90 stores and restaurants, many exclusive to Scottsdale Quarter!

Photographer: Dillon Driscoll | Model: Becca Lynn Jackson | Makeup: Leiah Scheibel | Stylist: Berly Baray

Photographer: Dillon Driscoll | Model: Becca Lynn Jackson | Makeup: Leiah Scheibel | Stylist: Berly Baray

Escape the real-world hustle by booking an appointment with your favorite Scottsdale color expert and master stylist, Rodney Gentry. Kick back and relax in Rodney’s private salon suite while he works magic on your hair, taking the utmost care with your beauty and your health. Look gorgeous and feel fabulous this spring!

FOR AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL 480.639.2000, OR VISIT WWW.RODNEYGENTRY.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Features

52 HOCKEY ON HORSEBACK

Shane Doan trades his skates for riding boots

56 VINO VISIONARIES Arizona’s award-winning winemakers

92 FASHION Retro roaming

ON THE COVER: Shane Doan, photo by Claudia Johnstone.

The Hair Color Expert, Rodney Gentry

Specializing in hair coloring, corrective color, dimensional hair color, highlights, lowlights, and smoothing hair treatment services.

Rodney Gentry’s meticulous method of hair coloring combined with state of art products produces healthy, shiny, naturally beautiful hair every time. Rodney creates a natural look that highlights the assets of one’s face and complexion. By constantly seeking out the newest styles and most advanced techniques Rodney achieves the look that is perfect for you. Rodney excels in creating a classic look with a modern edge and an emphasis on healthy hair as he focuses on your preferences and concerns. After consultation, Rodney’s attention to detail provides a style that is easily cared for and easily managed on one’s own. Your hair will not only look better, but also feel better. Most clients become lifelong customers. The loyalty of Rodney’s clientele is attributed to his keen eye, attention to detail, down-to-earth personality and for the wonderful experience he provides during the process. With Rodney Gentry in control of your hair you will look forward to the appointments, enjoy the experience and leave excited to show off your gorgeous hair.

BOOK TO EXPERIENCE HIS SERVICES TO UNDERSTAND WHY HE IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE TOP HAIR COLORING EXPERTS IN SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA!

Full-service designer and hair color specialist Rodney Gentry can be reached at Sachi Studios in Scottsdale, AZ. Call 480.639.2000 to make an appointment or visit www.rodneygentry.com for more information.

63 HOT TICKET

AZ Jazz Fest

64 LOW DOWN News to know

68 DO

Great events this month

70 CALENDAR Noteworthy events

74 EVENT Open Your Heart Gala

76 OUT Perfect pairings

78 OUT

Date night remix

80 CULTURE Ken Naiff

41

CLOSE

Joe Specter’s

44 BEAT

46

gifting

Kelleher’s

Cegelski

• Precision Exams

• Diagnosis and Treatment

• All Makes of Contacts - Including Bifocal, Keratoconus & Scleral

• Designer Eyewear - Over 1,000 Styles

• New,

Dry Eye Treatments

• Provider for Medicare, VSP, United Healthcare, Eyemed, Avesis, Spectera Vision, Cigna, BlueCross/BlueShield, Healthnet, Davis

83 MUST-HAVE Glam booties 84 ALLURE Metallic makeup 86 DWELL Serving bowls 88 SHOP Best vests 90 SHOP Bold baubles

101 INDULGE Lavish greenhouses

102 WHEELS 2023 Rivian R1S 104 WANT

PGA National Resort’s new

106 HAUTE PROPERTY Arcadia luxe

108 PLACES Sun Valley, Idaho

Taste

110

DRINK

Drink your dessert

111 DISH

Chula Seafood’s cioppino

112 CHEERS

Highway to Helayna at El Chorro

113 CUISINE

In the kitchen with Alejandro Martinez of The Hermosa Inn

114 FOOD FILES

Snowbird staples

The Rest

30 TELL

Editor’s note

116 SEEN

Who went where and what happened

122

NEW IN TOWN

Collins Bros. Chophouse

Change the Chanel

Hello, October! Though the end of last month marked the beginning of fall, it’s finally starting to feel like the season is changing. The scorching days of summer have passed, and we are headed into a cooler few months with plenty of events and activities on the calendar to boot.

Nothing says fall like a full-bodied glass of wine and we caught up with some of the local pros at Arizona wineries (page 56). Mix in some food with a wine pairing dinner (page 76) or get in the spirit with some sweet alcoholic concoc tions (page 110). And if our Arizona fall isn’t enough for you, hit up some Valley restaurants making their own spins on snowbird – aka people traveling to Arizona from all around to escape their harsh winters – staples on page 114.

Additional highlights include some unique date night activities (page 78), fall style trends (pages 84, 88 and 90) and a getaway for the golfer in your life (page 104).

Looking ahead to next month, we are gearing up for the 11th Annual Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships on Nov. 5. Our cover features NHL legend, former Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan, who will make his debut on horseback at the iconic event this year. Starting on page 52, read about his deep-rooted love for horses and how that led him to try hockey on horseback this fall.

Enjoy all the fun that the beginning of fall brings.

Kathleen Prokopow

Tonja HowardSally Cashman

Publisher Bill Richman

Vice President of Operations

Stacey Richman

Editor-in-Chief

Gabby Leighton Creative Director

Lalo Reyes

Contributing Writers

Becky Antioco, Alison Bailin Batz, Christina Barrueta, Mandy Holmes, Jordan Moreno, Jim Prueter, Photographers

David Apeji, Claudia Johnstone, Beverly Shumway, Debby Wolvos

Advertising Coordinator

Stacey Richman stacey@richmanmediagroup.com

Contact Us

Editorial gabby@richmanmediagroup.com

Advertising bill@richmanmediagroup.com 480.229.3122

Online www.soscottsdale.com P: 480.229.3122 10632 N. Scottsdale Road Suite B-215 Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Single Ladies of Scottsdale

On November 2nd, 2022 matchmaker, Sameera Sullivan will host an exclusive event to meet Scottsdale’s most eligible ladies for her Scottsdale bachelors!

Members in Dr. Seth Oesch’s primary care practice in North Scottsdale will benefit from a comprehensive, annual wellness program plus conveniences not typically available in other practices. For example, Dr. Oesch will offer same- and next-day appointments that start on time and last as long as needed. His new practice opens in January.

Call 602.858.4459 to learn how his approach to personalized healthcare can benefit you.

Delicate Handling of Your

The Expertise You Deserve

Whether you’re relocating a residence or a design studio, a priceless work of art or a family heirloom, you can trust Plush to accommodate your needs with precision. We’re the industry’s premier installation, storage and delivery service, with years of expertise in storage, relocation, handling, and repair. We take pride in coordinating every detail so that you are comfortable and stress-free. Contact us today and see how we can help you.

Interior Designers

At Plush, we know that Interior Designers have an authentic un derstanding for organization and space, a sense of ingenuity and intuition when it comes to constructing beautiful places. At Plush we appreciate the nature of your business and understand the relation ships you must maintain with your clients and manufacturers alike. Plush is an Interior Designer’s one stop solution for all receiving, inspection, assembly, storage and delivery needs.

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Rachell Hall, AGE 64 PERMANENT MAKEUP

Rachell Hall’s

CLASSIC BEAUTY / PERMANENT MAKEUP

Creating wash and wear Beauty for over 30 years

With Rachell Hall’s signature permanent make-up techniques, she creates classic eye brows and eyeliner with custom colors blended just for you. A soft powdered backdrop of shading to create the illusion of perfect natural brows that are the envy of every woman. Whether you are challenged with short, sparse, or thinning eyebrows, Rachell Hall’s thirty years of expertise in make up artistry, custom color blending, art and science will be your perfect solution.

1. EYEBROWS

Eyebrows frame the face like a beautiful frame brings a painted canvass to life. Make your eyebrows all they were meant to be. Because I custom blend my colors for each person even blonds can have permanent eyebrows that look soft and natural.

“Classic Beauty Nothing Trending. Remember that we can always add more.”

—RACHELL HALL

2. EYELINER

With permanent eyeliner, you wake up with lovely eyes enhanced by your wash and wear eyeliner. It is easy to be ready to go at a mo ments notice.

3. WASH & WEAR BEAUTY Save time, save money, save make-up

At the pool, in the shower, or enjoying the hot tub, with permanent makeup you are ready to go anywhere, any time of the day.

As a thirty year expert in the field of per manent makeup, known as the master in the art of custom color blending, Rachell Hall now explains the reality, the myths and the magic of permanent makeup

Imagine never having to touch up your makeup. Never having to worry about your eyeliner running after a dip in the pool or watching a tear-jerker on TV. Never sweat ing your eyebrows off at the gym. Looking your best even when you’ve just rolled out of bed. It isn’t a fantasy: it’s the reality that Rachell Hall brings to her clients every day.

Renowned as the foremost expert in permanent makeup by an international

clientele, Hall’s artistry provides a naturally gorgeous look. Lash lines are lush, sexy, and subtly smoky. Brows are delicately arched to perfectly frame the eye. Lips are lusciously enhanced with a just-bitten blush. “My basic philosophy is classic beauty,” states Hall. “Nothing trendy: this is your go-to, doanything look.” Permanent cosmetics are the ideal solution for any woman who wants to look pretty and pulled together under every circumstance – without the hassle of applying and re-applying makeup. It can greatly simplify and take tons of time off of your daily routine.

Hall’s specialty is custom-blending her

own pigments to flatter any skin tone and eye color. She takes into account unique personalities and lifestyles, and works with clients to create an effortlessly beauti ful look tailored just for them. Permanent makeup doesn’t run, smudge, or bleed into fine lines: it stays as fresh and pol ished as if it had just been applied. Again, Hall emphasizes natural beauty, nothing trendy. “I never want my clients to wake up Wednesday morning with their Saturday night makeup on,” she says. “Remember, you can always add more by using tradi tional cosmetics to enhance your daily look for evening and special occasions.”

Visit her websites:

Experience Rachell Hall’s expertise, NO pain, NO hassle, NO worries, just CLASSIC BEAUTY.

Cancer Expertise.

M o re Hope

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BY JORDAN MORENO / PHOTOS BY CLAUDIA JOHNSTONE

ORCHESTRATING GREATNESS

Joe Specter uses the universal language of opera to build community

Joe Specter, president and general director of Arizona Opera, has always been drawn to music. As a boy, Specter had dreams of becoming a rock singer and playing as a stadium band hair rocker. His love for music led him to voice lessons, which then opened his eyes to the power of storytelling through the

emotions that could be drawn utilizing classical operatic voice. As a man with many interests and a deep passion for the importance of universal communication, Specter double majored in political science and vocal performance at Tufts and New England Conservatory of Music, where he honed not only his

UP CLOSE / BEAT / HIS STYLE / HER STYLE

operatic voice and presence, but also the business and finance skills that would be put to the test later in his career.

“Perusing two tracks was always a constant,” Specter says.

A Winding Road

Many events in Specter’s life led him to his current position at Arizona Opera. The avid family man counts September 10, 2001 one of those.

“I first met my now-wife, Kate, through an opera performance crew in New York just one day before 9/11,” says Specter, noting the horrific event that followed just one day after their meeting brought them closer together as they were able to lean on one another as a sense of normalcy during tragedy.

After years together as freelance opera artists, Kate became very ill with a heart infection.

“The experience was a catalyst for change in my career. It was time for more stability,” Specter says.

As fate would have it, his wide range of talents eventually brought them to the Arizona Opera in 2016. Specter has used every morsel of knowledge from his past experiences to aid him in his current role.

“[I have used] not just the obvious pieces regarding financial management and business that you’d expect the president of a nonprofit to need, and not just the artistic pieces you’d need to be involved in casting and creation, but the resiliency as an artist going all the way back to the beginning,” he says. “That first seed, that young boy who was so drawn to rock music. It was really all about bringing large numbers of people together through music, and building community.”

Community as the North Star

Since coming aboard, Specter has been tasked with expanding the opera’s programs to open the doors to new audiences. Nontraditional opera became the focus for the Arizona Opera during the pandemic, which led to its release of a feature film titled The Copper Queen as well as the development of Carmen: A Graphic Novel, the opera’s first graphic novel created with Alek Schrader and top-shelf artists known for their work with Marvel and DC. While innovation has introduced Arizona Opera to a greater audience than ever before, balancing the needs and preferences of those who resonate with traditional opera remain top of mind for the organization.

“Opera is at an inflection point. The art form is 400 years old and ever-evolving, while the public’s aesthetic for music is also always shifting,” Specter says. “Our organization is so honored to be able to find ways to express opera through all facets including scenery, plot lines, vibrant programming, as well as the music we all know and love.”

The $8 million organization has the creativity and resources to be able to explore where the envelope can be pushed while cel ebrating traditional work. The guiding principle will be to continue to serve people through art, remaining true to a mission-based organization.

“The vast majority of Arizonans still haven’t seen an opera. We

have to ask ourselves, how do we change that?” says Specter, noting all of Arizona Opera’s performances are showcased in both Phoenix and Tucson in an effort to focus on accessibility, diversity and inclusion to entertain and heal in the years to come.

The answer may also lie in the organization’s youth programs. Arizona Opera boasts a statewide opera touring educational program aimed at students aged K-12. The program reaches 45,000 children per year in schools across the state. The opera also launched LOUD (Living Opera Understanding Diversity), a YouTube video series which explores culture through the lens of art; and a very prolific behind-the-scenes podcast showing the many layers that go into a production, from staging and lighting to costuming, hair and makeup.

This month marks the beginning of yet another dynamic and bright season. Arizona Opera’s season opener, The Falling and Rising, sheds light on the story of the veteran experience and the courage and resilience of the veteran community; Ariadne auf Naxos is a comedy and drama; Taska, which is a love triangle gone wrong with a dramatic ending, will launch the winter series; and two classics, The Sound of Music and The Magic Flute, following.

“I want Scottsdale, and the greater Arizona community to know we are here to serve our neighbors in a way that’s most meaningful to them. We are so honored to have this mode of com munication and I want everyone to be able to enjoy all that Arizona Opera has to offer,” Specter says.

Outside of the organization, Specter and his wife have two daughters who are also very interested in the arts, studying ballet, singing, acting, and dancing. Their family is complete with a dog, two cats, two turtles, and two parakeets. Specter is also a lifelong lover of martial arts, holding a blue belt in Brazilian jujitsu and a second degree black belt in taekwondo.

Learn more at www.azopera.org.

A LEGACY OF TRUST

Serving Arizona Since 1947

Heritage is more than our age, accomplishments and accolades - it is our enduring commitment to provide exceptional service to our real estate advisors, clients and communities. We are an inspired family relentlessly pursuing excellence in real estate and in life.

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HEARTFUL TOUCHES

Julie Cegelski takes the guesswork out of gifting and home decorating

BY ELIZABETH LIBERATORE / PHOTO BY CLAUDIA JOHNSTONE

In 2019, California native Julie Cegelski moved from her San Diego abode to her now-fiance’s home in Arizona. Her friends and family sent flowers and Champagne to her new address as a congratulatory gift. Although she was appreciative of their thoughtful ness, Cegelski, who moved into a total bachelor pad, could have benefitted from something more functional to dress up her new home.

“Honestly, I could have used some tea towels, a lovely candle, and salt and pepper shakers,” she says.

This need spurred an idea in Cegelski’s head to create a one-stop shop for thoughtful and practical gifts and high-quality, unique home decor. In 2021, she turned her idea into a reality with The Housewarming Project. What started as an online retail shop recently became an in-person experience with a new brick-andmortar location in Old Town Scottsdale, which opened in March.

From candles to throw blankets to trinket dishes and more, The Housewarming Project offers custom ers everything to make their house a home without breaking the bank. All items are carefully curated by Cegelski.

“I love checking out the feel, taste, purpose of each item before I offer it [to my customers],” she says.

Beyond home goods, The Housewarming Project also offers custom gifting services and subscription boxes. The former is perfect for companies and special events. The quarterly boxes include Cegelski’s favorite items from the store.

“There is so much heart that goes into each gift [and box], and I know the person on the receiving end is going to feel loved,” she says.

Having prior worked in the nonprofit sector for a decade, Cegelski knew she wanted The Housewarming Project to also serve as an opportunity to give back to the community. She created the GiveBack Campaign to do precisely that. Through the campaign, Cegelski donates a portion of all sales to different nonprofits each quarter. Most recently, she helped the Hope Women’s Center, GiGi’s Playhouse, and Arizona Foundation for Women.

“[The Give-Back Campaign] is really my life purpose.” Cegelski says. “Any nonprofit that needs my support, call me! I am happy to help.”

Learn more at www.thehousewarmingproject.com.

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ROYALLY AMBITIOUS

Kelsey Kelleher focuses on storytelling and helping animals on and off stage

BY GABBY LEIGHTON / PHOTO BY CLAUDIA JOHNSTONE

As Queen Doña Maria Isabella at Midieval Times, Kelsey CM Kelleher performs in live two-hour shows for thousands of guests.

However, this isn’t Kelleher’s first time performing in front of an audience. The Wisconsin native is a cham pionship Irish dancer and pageant contestant. Kelleher has held local titles in Miss Arizona (America) and Miss United States. Most recently, she was a semifinalist in the Miss Arizona USA Pageant.

“Pageantry helped me gain confidence and come out of my shell,” she says. “I believe pageants foster lifelong friendships, encourage mentorship with the younger division’s titleholders, and provide valuable opportunities and growth in poise, volunteerism, and scholarship.”

Kelleher also has her theater background to thank for her dynamic stage presence. Her theatrical career first began in elementary school and she eventually received a full scholarship to Arizona State University, where she studied theater with a dual minor in dance and music performance. Upon graduation, she worked in costume design and production as well as at the Irish Cultural Center & McClelland Library.

“When I decided I wanted to just design my own pieces for a bit, I signed with an agency and began acting in shorts, commercials, and films. I had the life-changing experience of working on the Renaissance Festival circuit, and finally found myself right where I’m meant to be at Medieval Times,” says Kelleher, who started at the company in May 2019.

Her current role also allows her to indulge in another one of her passions: horses. Kelleher’s father’s family raised and competed with horses, so her love for the gentle giants is in her blood. “One of the best parts about performing in the show is getting to ride my favorite horse in the world (Mundo) in the opening procession,” says Kelleher, who has been volunteering with the horses at Sunshine Acres Children’s Home since 2016. “Before every show, my good luck ritual is to hug my horse and give him lots of kisses and hugs.”

Kelleher is currently getting her master’s degree in creative writing and literature online at Harvard. Once she graduates, she will work toward getting her work published. “My passion is storytelling and charitable giving, so I would like to set aside portions of the earning from my books to go toward Sunshine Acres Children’s Home and other nonprofits.”

9377 E. Bell Road, Suite

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INTERNATIONAL FLAIR

BY MANDY HOLMES / PHOTO BY BEVERLY SHUMWAY

Hailing from Belgium, Vincent de Croock draws style inspiration from all over the world. From Madrid to Miami and Costa Rica to New York, de Croock’s out fits incorporate elements from each of his favorite cities.

“Every time I go to Europe or Latin America it’s an opportunity to reset and get my dose of style ideas,” says de Croock, whose love of fashion stems from growing up in the industry thanks to his father own ing a modeling agency.

As the director of sales and marketing for Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, de Croock dresses up daily. When it comes to suits, he prefers a double-breasted style in a light gray Prince of Wales pattern. His other go-to outfit is a tailored navy jacket with a white button-down, a Rolex and perfectly coiffed hair.

“A well-fitted white shirt is the most versatile piece a man can own. You can wear it with jeans, swim trunks or a suit and always look good,” he says.

Giving credit where credit is due, de Croock considers Tom Ford and Ralph Lauren his style icons. He favors Tom Ford for his vision of elegance and perfection, and Ralph Lauren because he has the ability to perfectly create and portray de Croock’s American dream.

What are your favorite brands? Ralph Lauren for casual clothes, it just identifies with me and the fits are always perfect. Suits from Suit Supply or Theory. I like the European slim fits; Tom Ford for tuxedo jackets because the fit and peaked lapels are timeless. I never wear jewelry, just a watch — and I like Rolex.

What is your most prized possession in your closet? Except for my watches, it’s my tailor-made royal blue double-breasted suit made by New Tailor in Amsterdam.

How do you define “style?” Style is your brand image. It is the first thing people see whether they realize it or not and they will remember you by it – or not.

Vincent de Croock’s European roots inspire his global fashion sense

FOCUSED ON FASHION

BY MANDY HOLMES / PHOTO BY BEVERLY SHUMWAY

Staci Mapes’ love of fashion began with paper dolls and clothes when she was just 5 years old.

“I would spend hours coloring and cre ating. I believe I have always had an eye for all things quality and beauty,” she says.

Today, Mapes works as a financial advisor and dresses with intention.

“I love dressing up and I don’t ever mind being overdressed in a room full of people,” she says.

Some of the fashionista’s favorite items in her closet include vintage J.Crew and Zara black blazers, a Vince lamb skin leather biker jacket, and Christian Louboutin knee-high boots.

“I know what silhouettes work for my frame and will repeat those throughout my closet,” she says. “I also believe it is import ant to keep up with hair and makeup. It’s easy to update a wardrobe but to keep my look evolving I make sure that the rest of my appearance isn’t left behind.”

In terms of prints, Mapes gravitates toward navy pinstripes and leopard print heels. “I love leopard print as a pop feature. Usually in a shoe or Dolce and Gabbana belt and tights,” she says.

Who influences your style? Jennifer Aniston. She changes up the textures and brands but she keeps the overall silhouettes the same. Her ensembles are easy to emulate.

What is your must-have fashion item? Large totes! I prefer a bag that doesn’t flop around but can sit and look dignified on its own while I am working. I have a large Prada tote that is amazing. It’s easy to clean and keep looking fresh and can hold all of my personal items and files and even my work tablet.

What is your favorite store? For my pro fessional wardrobe or fine dining, I frequently buy from Harrods or Selfridges, Scanlan Theodore, Karen Millen, My Theresa, and The Fold. European retailers tend to keep larger ranges of designers on hand for color options. I love that Scottsdale has some fabulous designer resale stores such as Vintage by Misty or TBC.

Staci Mapes makes an entrance in any room she enters

BY BECKY ANTIOCO / PHOTOS BY CLAUDIA JOHNSTONE

Former Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan trades his skates for riding boots at the 11th Annual Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships

When the players and mounts (ponies) hit the field for The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships: Presented by Talking Stick Resort, attendees may recognize one of the riders from a different Valley sporting event. Former Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, will turn in his hockey stick for a mallet and try his hand at polo.

Doan was introduced to the Scottsdale Polo Party last year when he was honored with the first drop — similar to baseball’s first pitch — to start the match. But while he may be new to the game of polo, Doan is no stranger to horses. He grew up in Halkirk, Alberta, at Circle Square Ranch, a Christian youth camp that his father opened when Doan was 6 months old. His dad, Bernie, played hockey professionally for a brief time for the 197172 season, but cowboying was the real

family sport. Additionally, Doan’s grandfa ther and uncles are in the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.

Polo is often called “hockey on horse back,” and Doan recalls playing a version of the game with broom sticks and a ball in the back pasture of the ranch back at home. Then, through the Polo Club, Doan had the opportunity to get involved with the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships.

“I went to drop the ball last year; I was just hanging out with the group, and they were just incredible. They said, ‘Hey you should try this and maybe you would enjoy it,’” Doan says. “I have about 100 horses back in Canada that we’d ride and herd, and I’d always try to find fun things to do with that, so I look forward to giving this a try.”

Although he’s a longtime equestrian, Doan has spent the past few months train ing with Andres Camacho, Diego Florez and Natalie Camacho of the Arizona Polo Club, learning how to bring his hockey and horsemanship skills together for the upcom ing polo match.

“I’ve been riding horses my entire life. I have always been fascinated by the fast paced, action packed game of polo,” he says. “Now that I’m retired I feel like it’s a good time in my life to try the sport and see if I can put some of my hockey skills to good use. I don’t know how good I’m going to be but I’m excited to give it try and make my polo playing debut here at the Scottsdale Polo Party.”

FROM SNOW TO THE SONORAN DESERT

Doan started playing organized hockey at the age of 7, and joined the Winnipeg Jets in 1995. The following year, the franchise relocated to Arizona and became the Arizona Coyotes. Doan moved to the desert, bringing some of his horses with him. He went on to spend 21 seasons with the Coyotes, becom ing the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.

Arizona had some history with ice hockey — the Phoenix Roadrunners minor league IHL team played at Veterans Memorial Coliseum throughout the 1990s — but the Winnipeg Jets franchise’s move to Arizona made Phoenix one of a handful of cities to have sports teams competing in all four major leagues. Doan recalls what it felt like to be part of the team that brought NHL hockey to the desert.

“The Roadrunners were here, so it was

nice having them start that tradition, but to be the first NHL team here was really special. It’s been really fun to watch the sport grow here and take root. Now we have someone like Auston Matthews [of the Toronto Maple Leafs] — who was raised here — as the league MVP.”

Doan retired from the Coyotes in 2017, as the longest-serving captain in the NHL. He rejoined the team in 2021 as the chief hockey development officer. Recently, the city of Tempe voted to move forward on an arena development project, which would keep the Coyotes in the desert for the foreseeable future, and potentially bring an NHL All-Star Game and an NHL draft to the

Valley. In addition to the arena, the proposed entertainment district would house hotels, apartments, retail stores and a sportsbook.

“I’ve thought all along that we can be one of the staple franchises in the league. Obviously, the location is important. I think it would be a huge asset to be central in the Valley,” he says.

HOME OUT WEST

Doan’s longevity with the Coyotes was somewhat of a rarity in today’s sports world. But he and his wife, Andrea, have embraced the Valley as their home, raising four children in Scottsdale. When he reached free agency in 2012, several teams were interested in

signing the Coyotes captain. Ultimately, his decision to stay in Arizona came down to family: Doan didn’t want to uproot his chil dren to move to a new city.

“When I first got here, I had no idea it was this Western of a town,” he says. “As I got to know the city more, to see the outdoors and the way that so much hap pens here, taking advantage of the amazing weather, going riding or doing different things outside, I thought it was pretty spe cial. The Valley, and Phoenix, and the whole of Arizona for the most part is kind of the Wild West. And I love that.”

And though he still has a home in Canada — with horses, of course — a decade later, the Doans still call Arizona home. They have a son and a daughter at Arizona State University; his son, Josh, a sophomore, was drafted by the Coyotes in the second round of the 2022 NHL draft. As the 37th pick, he became ASU’s high est-ever draft pick.

But after a long hockey career full of successes — Doan has represented Team Canada numerous times in international

play, has won five medals (two gold, three silver) at the World Championships, helped Canada win the World Cup championship in 2004 and was a member of Canada's 2006 Winter Olympic team — the father of four is looking forward to slowing down a bit in the next chapter of his life.

“I get to watch hockey now. That’s probably the best part. Following my kids wherever they go is what I’m looking for ward to the most,” he says. “This is home for me, my kids and my wife.”

THE POLO PARTY

Doan will be one of several new players and elements at this year’s Scottsdale Polo Championships. Among the polo teams confirmed to play in 2022 are the United Kingdoms’ Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club and Wales Polo Team, Aspen Valley Polo Club, USA Women’s Team, Switzerland, The El Paso-Naranjo Polo Club and Arizona Polo Club. Top U.S. polo star Nic Roldan will return to play along side the first family of American polo Marc and Melissa Ganzi, who are the event’s

defending champions and own the presti gious Aspen Valley Polo Club.

The event will consist of four actionpacked polo matches, a full day of sig nature events, and new VIP experiences. Fieldside lounges and party tents, pet fash ion shows, a preview of the 2023 BarrettJackson Scottsdale Auction, and a halftime performance by the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show make this a polo event unlike any other – after all, it’s called “The Polo Party” for a reason.

“I don’t know if people really under stand how special and how incredible [the event] is,” Doan says. “The environment is amazing, the people-watching is phenome nal, and the whole event is an experience. I’m not a real cultural kind of guy, but it feels like you’re part of a culture that’s really unique and special.”

The event will take place Nov. 5, at 10 a.m. at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Tickets start at $45 for general admission, which also includes access to lounges and DJ-infused party tents. Learn more informa tion at www.thepoloparty.com.

BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ

VISIONARIES

Though beer and whiskey are most often depicted in popular culture as the drinks of choice by both the heroes and villains of the Old West, Arizona saloons had such high demand for wine in the 1800s that many miners gave up their dreams of striking gold and silver to grow vines along the region’s hillsides and start farms or orchards in hopes of cultivating grape crops. Today, Arizona’s taste for wine has only grown, leading several enterprising artisans to try their hand at harvesting themselves. Here are some of the titans of the local wine industry working to put local wine on the map.

Meet Arizona’s award-winning winemakers

ROBERT CARLSON III

Though his family worked in farming several generations back, Southern California native Robert Carlson III grew up with dreams of being an astronaut.

“I studied aerospace engineering at the University of Arizona to pursue that career path in earnest, but eventually transferred to Arizona State so I could study political science and work toward law school,” Carlson says.

After earning his undergraduate degree in 2005 and interning at the attorney general’s office, he was accepted into both UArizona and ASU’s law programs.

“I chose neither, instead taking a job as a stockbroker to avoid more student loans,” Carlson says. “For the next two years, I worked nearly 80 hours a week. Among my only respites was wine, which I’d grown to love by that time.”

When the market began to crash in 2007, Carlson took it as a sign. It was time to follow his passion.

“I initially bought 40 acres in Willcox and then spoke to my family about getting involved,” Carlson says. “Given our family’s history in farming, they jumped in headfirst.”

Carlson released his first four varietals in 2009, with FnB being among its first fans and customers.

“We’ve since grown to 320 contiguous acres and produce 13 different grape varieties, which in turn became 20 different types of wine,” says Carlson, adding that FnB is still a customer, as is Total Wine & More, AJ’s Fine Foods, Lon’s, and Southern Rail, among many others.

Beyond the brand’s website and its stock at local restaurants and retail partners, Carlson has three tasting rooms throughout Arizona.

“We opened our first in Willcox near the vineyard in 2010, and then invested in a space in Old Town Scottsdale in 2014, which allows us to be part of the Scottsdale Wine Trail,” Carlson says.

The third tasting room, located on Main Street in Cottonwood along the Verde Valley Wine Trail in the company of a dozen fellow wineries and breweries, opened in 2018.

Partner and winemaker, Carlson Creek Vineyards

PHOTO BY CLAUDIA JOHNSTONE

COREY TURNBULL Winemaker, Page Springs Cellars, Burning Tree Cellars and Rubrix Wines

Though born in Southern California, Corey Turnbull moved to the Verde Valley when he was 11 so he has always considered it home.

“When you are raised in this region, you either go into construction or hospitality, and I chose hospitality by way of bussing tables at Steaks & Sticks in Sedona at 15,” Turnbull says.

While cleaning one night, Turnbull discov ered a couple left without finishing their $400 bottle of Cristal Champagne.

“I poured it into a Styrofoam cup, tasted it while finishing my shift, and my life changed forever,” says Turnbull, who from that day on became known to friends as the guy who would bring wine to keg parties.

After graduating from Sedona Red Rock High School in 1998, Turnbull worked a series of jobs, including at Sedona’s Cowboy Club where he earned the role of wine buyer by 23. There, he met and became close friends with regular and local winemaker Eric Glomski.

“He was just starting Page Springs Cellars at the time, and in the mid-2000s, I was volunteering with him and his crew during har vest,” Turnbull says. “By 2007, I started making my own wine under my Burning Tree Cellars brand and in 2008 I was hired to manage Eric’s tasting room.”

Over the next decade, Turnbull opened a Burning Tree tasting room in Cottonwood while continuing to work at Page Springs. He also worked as a winemaker at Arizona Stronghold Winery in Verde Valley.

“In 2018, I became head winemaker at Page Springs, where we are crafting 60 to 80 types of wine annually – even apple wine,” Turnbull says. “I still own Burning Tree, but after my business partner Mitch Levy passed away in 2021, I am scaling it down to develop a new brand – Rubrix – to showcase Rhone-inspired Arizona wine, a personal favorite.”

Set to launch in 2023, Rubrix is a play on rubrics, which teachers use to measure their students, and the word “brix,” a measurement of sugar.

PHOTO BY BROOKE BATES

SAM PILLSBURY

Though born in the United States, Sam Pillsbury moved to New Zealand in his early teens.

“I went to high school and college there and even bought land in Auckland with eyes to make wine on another continent one day,” Pillsbury says. “But then Hollywood came calling.”

Pillsbury earned a position with the National Film Unit of New Zealand at just 23 and before he could make good on his plans to work his land, offers to direct films and televi sion came pouring in, many of which took him back and forth to Los Angeles.

“In 1993, I visited Phoenix while shooting a television pilot and instinctually knew the mountains beyond the main part of the Valley could yield quality grapes,” Pillsbury says. “I didn’t make my move until 1999, at which time I was living in Scottsdale and tasted a locally made chardonnay that deliciously confirmed my hunch.”

Within months, Pillsbury purchased 100 acres in Willcox across the street from where that chardonnay was made. In 2006, he debuted his first varietals.

“Mark Tarbell was among the first to review my wines, giving a red 93 points and a rosé 89 points,” Pillsbury says. “I then began submitting to the San Francisco Chronicle competition and, despite many initial snickers, have earned medals for 71 of the 73 bottles I have entered over the years.”

Today, Pillsbury’s wines are sold across Arizona at AJ’s Fine Foods, Total Wine & More, Cactus Flower Company, and – of course –Tarbell’s Wine Bar & Store. He also owns a tasting room in Cottonwood.

“We opened in 2009 at the same time as Arizona Stronghold Tasting Room across the street. Our shared vision was to transform the city into a food and wine mecca, and I’d say it’s a success,” Pillsbury says. “In fact, we’ve outgrown our space!”

As such, in late October Pillsbury will move to a 3,500-square-foot, refurbished 100-year-old home up the street to accommo date demand.

Owner and winemaker, Pillsbury

PHOTO BY CLAUDIA JOHNSTONE

CURT DUNHAM Owner and winemaker, LDV Winery

Curt Dunham had a singular dream as a child: to live in Arizona.

“While I grew up in New York, New Jersey, Texas and Ohio, my grandparents owned a roadside A&W Root Beer stand in the Valley, so we visited often. I loved it,” says Dunham, who made his dream a reality when he moved here to attend Arizona State University in 1975.

After earning both business and account ing degrees, Dunham set down permanent roots when he started a local finance business at just 22.

“My clientele were primarily farmers and ranchers across rural Arizona, which opened my eyes to the possibilities of one day investing in land and trying my hand at wine, maybe in retirement,” says Dunham, a wine connoisseur thanks to his parents, who discovered Napa when Dunham was just a teenager.

Spoiler alert: Dunham did not wait until retirement.

“By my 40s, I was happily married and running a business with my wife, Peggy Fiandaca, when we found 40 acres near the Chiricahua Mountains,” Dunham says. “I would love to say I then enrolled in a program and learned to make wine over several years, but I just kind of rolled up my sleeves and taught myself.”

Thankfully, Dunham was a quick study and a natural talent. He and Fiandaca launched LDV Winery in 2007 and released their first wine, a petite sirah, in 2009.

“Our property has an ultra-diverse soil makeup thanks to an explosion in the region more than 15 million years ago. Visually, you might think you were in Sedona – not Southern Arizona – if you visited given the brilliant red and orange of the topography,” Dunham says. “Given this, we decided showcase the tremen dous terroir by exclusively making estate wines.”

The decision paid off. So much so, the couple opened a downtown Scottsdale tasting room in 2014 before expanding to the brand’s current location at the Scottsdale Waterfront in 2018, growing from 300 to 2,500 cases per year along the way.

CORY WHALIN

Owner and winemaker, Su Vino Winery

Cory Whalin has the Marines to thank for his eventual leap into winemaking.

“I was working toward my undergraduate degree, first at University of Texas at Arlington and then at the University of Houston, while interning at an international consulting firm,” Whalin says. “But as a member of the Marine Corps Reserve, I took a break to serve 2 1/2 years on active duty.”

After four tours, which took him to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa, Whalin returned to find his planned post-service position at the firm no longer existed.

“It was a blessing in disguise,” Whalin says. “I decided to finish my degree at the University of North Texas and just needed a side gig to pay the bills.”

When Whalin saw an ad in the school newspaper for a winemaker’s apprentice at Su Vino Winery Texas, he applied, thinking it might be fun.

“Talk about hard work! I quickly learned that for every 30 minutes spent on winemaking, there are at least three hours of cleaning – be it tanks, floors, or bathrooms – required,” says Whalin, who, despite the glorified janitorial duties, fell in love with the Marine-like pro cesses to make good juice.

By 2006, Whalin was engaged to his now-wife and planned to relocate to her home town of Scottsdale.

“I knew winemaking was my passion by then, so I wrote a business plan and convinced ownership to sell me rights to bring Su Vino to Arizona in 2007,” he says.

Over the next 15 years, Whalin grew the brand to as many as 34 varietals while opening a tasting room in Old Town Scottsdale and a production facility in the Scottsdale Airpark, all while earning distribution at both independent and national grocery and liquor stores state wide.

Currently, Whalin is refurbishing the air park facility after closing the Old Town winery earlier this year to streamline production and the customer experience. He plans to open a new tasting room at the airpark locale in early 2023.

PHOTO BY CLAUDIA JOHNSTONE

LOWDOWN / DO / CALENDAR / EVENT / OUT / CULTURE

BY GABBY LEIGHTON

Get ready to rock at High Street for the annual AZ Jazz Fest. More than 20 bands will take the stage at the outdoor music-filled festival, which will take place Oct 21 23. Artists expected to perform include Eric Benet, Eric Darius, Raheem DeVaughn, Norman Brown, Mindi Abair, Boney James, Michael Lington, and dozens more. In addition to great music, the all-ages event will include food vendors and delicious drinks for purchase. Three-day passes and single-day tickets are both available, with group discounts offered. Times vary. www.azjazzfest.com.

Now

MORNING INDULGENCES

A SUB ABOVE

Northern California staple Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop recently opened its first Arizona location in North Scottsdale, with a second spot in central Scottsdale set to open by the end of 2022. The mom-andpop-style, quick-ser vice spot part partners with artisan bakers, regional farms and ranches to source its products. Both loca tions will feature the most popular hot and cold sandwiches from the eatery’s menu, but also two new sand wiches of note with a connection to the area. www.mrpickles. com.

The Americano, helmed by James Beard Award winner chef Scott Conant, recently joined the morning food game. The Italian-inspired steak house’s Bougie Brunch combines glamour, chic eats and inventive cocktails every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Saturday service beginning Oct. 15. Menu highlights include a chamomile

honey bun, wagyu beef cheek hash, prosciutto and truffle eggs Benedict, and both large format mimosas and new cocktails. The experience is complete with a custom cart that makes tableside stops and rotates its offering – from champagne and caviar to seafood towers and flaming des serts. www.theamericanorestaurant.com.

BROWSE AROUND

Enjoy the beautiful fall weather while shopping local at High Street farmers market. Kicking off the season this month, patrons (and their pups!) will enjoy close to 100 vendors selling food, art and more. Vendors include farm fresh produce, sauces and olive oils, flowers, baby clothes, jewelry, and home decor. The market will be open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through spring 2023. www.highstreetaz.com.

Do you feel scared, frustrated, stressed, or anxious?

Want to feel good instead?

Shift into an abundance mindset.

What is an abundance mindset? Most people have collapsed the concept of abundance with the specific condition of having plenty of money. And it does include money, but not limited to just money. True abundance encompasses far more than only material possessions or luxuries.

Satisfaction, fulfillment, joy, ease, happiness, creativity, compas sion, freedom, love and wellbeing… these are all expressions of the essential, internal energy of abundance. When we deliberately cultivate this energy within ourselves, the external manifestations of abundance flow more easily into our lives.

You feel less stressed, anxious and feel good instead.

An abundance mindset is our birthright. It is our divine design. Because there is no end to the universe we live in, there is no end to the possibilities that we can create for ourselves or our lives.

Abundance always feels good. Lack or limitation feels bad.

How do you shift into abundance?

Ask yourself “What do I WANT?” “Why do I want it?” How will I FEEL when I get it?

Feel that feeling now. Start with the words you say to others or to yourself.

Do they feel good?

If you want to feel GREAT, watching your words is essential. I have created a free 30 day video coaching program (just 2-3 minutes per day) that will help you feel hopeful, excited and at peace. www.watchyourwords.com/scottsdale

As a Master Certified Law of Attraction coach for over 20 years, and a Lightworker, I look forward to helping you feel great in every aspect of your life.

DINNER & A SHOW

Scottsdale Quarter’s annual fall concert series is back and better than ever. The 11th annual event, which takes place every Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. in The Quad, will run through Nov. 12. Each week a different local band will take the stage, with genres ranging from rock to reggae. This month’s musical acts include Sugahbeat, Shallow Water, Chad Freeman & Redline, and Rock Lobster. While watching, attendees can dine alfresco with a picnic basket from Etta. The baskets ($65), which must be preordered, serve two and include the restaurant’s sig nature focaccia, charcuterie, fried chicken, a salad, and chocolate chip cookies. See acts at www.scottsdalequarter.com.

DRY FUN

Celebrate Sober October at Royal Palms with exciting non-ABV spirits and fun classes. This month, the resort will launch a dedicated mocktail menu at Mix-Up Bar, available Friday to Sunday throughout October. The menu will showcase an inventive collection of Ritual zero-proof spirits with beverages, including drinks showcasing lavender, passionfruit and more. Additionally, the bar will host Mockology Class, a special version of its ongoing mixology class, Saturdays at 3 p.m. throughout the month. www.royalpalmshotel.com.

DYNAMIC DUO

AR Concepts, the restaurant group behind Mesquite Fresh Street Mex, recently opened two new grab-and-go concepts in one 2,000-square-foot Old Town Scottsdale location. First, grab a drink at Grindhouse Espresso Bar, which will serve coffee like espresso, cappuccinos and more in addition to fruit smoothies, blended frappes, hot chocolate, matcha, and chai lattes. Then, indulge in some Southern-style, hand-breaded fried chicken at Chickadees Chicken and Fries. Menu high lights include six different fried and grilled chicken sandwich and salad options, along with housemade sides like waffle fries, queso mac and cheese and slaw. Learn more at www. grindhouseespresso.com and www.eatchickadees.com.

CELEBRITY THREADS

The House of LR&C recently opened its first Arizona location at Scottsdale Fashion Square. This is the fourth location of the store, which was co-founded by retail veteran and CEO Christine Day in partner ship with Super Bowl Champion Russell Wilson and Grammy Award winner Ciara. Shoppers will find products from two of the company’s sustainable brands, Good Man Brand and LITA by Ciara. When purchasing both online and in-person, 3% of profits will go to the powerhouse couple’s Why Not You Foundation. www.thehouseoflrc.com.

GREAT EVENTS THIS MONTH

BY ELIZABETH LIBERATORE

Connections of Hope

Oct. 7, Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia Each year, Teen Lifeline hosts its largest fundraising event which supports the organization’s mission to prevent teen suicide by enhancing resiliency in youth and fostering supportive communities. Beyond celebrating the Valley’s youth, attendees of this impactful gala will enjoy an awe-inspiring program, entertainment, dinner, live and silent auctions, and an opportunity to support Teen Lifeline’s life-saving work. Local businesswoman and philanthropist Mandy Purcell will be this year’s honoree. 6 p.m. $300. www.teenlifeline.org.

A Night of Pawsibilites

Oct. 8, Paradise Garden at the Arizona Biltmore Dogs love unconditionally, their loyalty is unmatched, and their companionship knows no bounds. For these reasons, dogs are idyllic emotional support animals. Gabriel’s Angels understands the impact a pet can have in a child’s life, which is why they are dedicated to inspire confidence, compassion, and best behaviors in at-risk children through pet therapy. The organization’s annual event will support this mission while providing attendees with a memorable evening of dinner, drinks, entertainment, auc tions, and more. Don’t skip out on an evening celebrating the Valley’s furry friends and their incredible impact. 6-10 p.m. $250. www.gabrielsangels.org.

UMOM New Day Center’s Buckles & Bangles

Oct. 14, Copper Canyon at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Attendees of UMOM’s 13th annual Western-themed event will enjoy a delectable dinner, live entertainment, auctions full of incredible items, and much more. Event proceeds will benefit UMOM’s mission to restore hope, rebuild lives, and end family homelessness in the Valley. So, grab your cowboy hat, party boots, and corral all your friends to what is affectionately known as the Valley’s “Boot Scootin’ Ball.” 6 p.m. $350. www.umom.org.

The Heart of the House Island Party

Oct. 15, Hotel Valley Ho Ready to hula under the stars in the name of philanthropy? The OH Pool of retro-chic Hotel Valley Ho will set the stage for the this celebration honoring Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona. Guests are encouraged to wear island-chic attire (think colorful, flowy dresses and patterned button-down shirts) to a celebration that will boast serious aloha vibes. The event agenda includes a culinary journey of Hawaiian food, a reception, auctions, and live entertainment by J Forte and Volcano Island Band. 6-10 p.m. $500. www.rmhccnaz.org.

Saddle Up III

Oct. 15, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West

Saddle Up and support the arts! This third annual event will once again support the mission of Scottsdale’s Museum of the West to boldly immerse its guests in the unique story of the Greater Western region, illuminating the past to shape its future. Guests will enjoy a program, dinner, auctions, and spectacular live performances by Emmy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jim Salsestrom and local country rock band, DaisyTrain. 6 p.m. $325. www.scottsdalemuseumwest.org.

Trick or Tot Family Run

Oct. 23, McCormick Ranch Golf Club

The Childhelp Arizona Wings Chapter’s second annual daytime event invites partici pants to take part in a 1- or 3-mile run or walk through the scenic McCormick Ranch Golf Course. All ages are welcome and are encouraged to don their best Halloween costumes. Children will get to trick or treat along the course, and there will be a DJ, games, activities at the Zombie Zone, food trucks, and much more waiting past the finish line. Best of all, funds raised at the event will go to support Childhelp’s mission to help Valley children impacted by abuse and neglect. Check-in, 9 a.m.; Race, 9:30 a.m. $25 per person; $60 per family. www.childhelp.org.

DIA DE MUERTOS

Oct. 29, Desert Botanical Garden

The vibrant, colorful Mexican tradition of Dia de Muertos will come to life at Desert Botanical Garden’s two-day festival. Celebrations will include Mexican music, dancing, storytelling, and more. Attendees are invited to honor a loved one at the community altar by artist Rufina Ruiz Lopez. There will also be a procession honoring passed loved ones in La Procesion. Times vary. Included with garden admission or membership. www.dbg.org.

BY GABBY LEIGHTON

Immersive King Tut Through Nov. 13, Lighthouse ArtSpace

Unique immersive art experiences are all the rage right now and this specific exhibit will be just as excit ing as the others that have come before it. Celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb during the mythical journey through the Egyptian after life. Times vary. Advance tickets required. $30-$40. www.immer sive-kingtut.com.

Paella Night Oct. 6, Sanctuary Camelback Mountain

Diners will be transported to Spain as the resort’s own chef Samantha Sanz prepares a traditional paella feast. Chef Sanz will cook in front of guests while they sip on Sanctuary’s inspired recipe of refreshing sangria. In addition to paella dishes prepared on-site, there will also be tapas, live music, authentic wine pairings and desert breezes. 6 p.m. $195. www. gurneysresorts.com.

Four Peaks Oktoberfest

Oct. 7-9, Tempe Town Lake

This famous three-day festival will return for a 49th year, bringing live music, drinks, entertainment, food and more with it. New additions to the festival will include two new carnival rides, a wiener dog show, empanadas and a celebrity brat eating contest. Additionally, attend ees can look forward to music headliners Authority Zero & Wyves, the Four Peaks Party Lounge, an ASU tailgate and watch party, and

an Arizona Lucky Dog Invitational. Times vary. Friday and Saturday, $20; Sunday, free; 20 and under, free. www.fourpeaksoktoberfest. com.

Harvest Moon Feast Oct. 9, Tarbell’s

This eighth annual event will raise funds for the Careers through Culinary Arts Program. Hosted for a second year by chef Mark Tarbell, restaurateur and Emmywinning TV host, the evening is set to include a variety of innovative culinary creations made by high school culinary teams and their chef mentors. Guests will also enjoy cocktails, wine and live musi cal entertainment by Nate Nathan and the MacDaddy-O’s. $125. 5:30-9 p.m. www.tarbells.com.

Maricopa County Home & Garden Show Oct. 14-16, WestWorld of Scottsdale

Creating the home of your dreams? Get inspired at this threeday show featuring hundreds of home improvement vendors, holi day lighting, unique kitchen acces sories and more. The one-stop shop will also feature seminars by local pros, the Tiny Homes Street of Dreams, make-and-take crafts, and DIY demos. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $8. www.mchomeshows.com.

UnMasked

Oct. 15, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Celebrate 15 years of MASK (Mothers Awareness on Schoolaged Kids) with the organization’s annual ball. In addition to a gourmet meal, guests will enjoy dancing and both silent and live auctions. Event proceeds will go to further MASK’s mission to provide programs to children so they gain tools to handle issues, including bullying, responding to peer pressure, dealing with trauma and technology-related challenges. $250. 6-10:3- p.m. www.maskmat ters.org.

OktoberWest

Oct. 15, The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa

Put on a cowboy hat and boots and head to this inaugural fes tival, a signature Kierland After Dark Event. A unique twist on Oktoberfest, the modern, Westernthemed event will be headlined by Mogollon Band and feature a performance by country music artist Ashley Wineland in addition to music by a lively DJ. Once done working up an appetite boot-scoot

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boogie-ing, guests can enjoy bites from food trucks along with a variety of cocktails, local beers and more. Additional highlights will include a mechanical bull, corn hole and surprising entertainment. 4-10 p.m. $45. www.marriot.com.

Scottsdale’s Taste of Italy and Music Festival

Oct. 15-16, Scottsdale Canal Say “caio” to this two-day event celebrating Italian culture. Attendees will indulge in delicious authentic Italian food, enjoy live music performances, show their moves on a light-up dance floor, and shop Italian items from artisans. Hosted by the Italian Association of Arizona, the event will also include wine tastings, a spaghetti eating contest for kids and a variety of Italian desserts. Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $10 presale; $20 day-of; 12 and under, free. www. italianassociation.org.

Ava’s Tree House Gala

Oct. 21, The Phoenician Resort Benefitting the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children, this special event will raise funds to provide social, emotional and finan cial support to families managing the health and wellbeing of a loved one with pediatric cancer. The eve ning will feature a cocktail hour, an exquisite dinner, live entertainment, and a silent auction. 6 p.m. $500. www.azcancerfoundation.org.

Yoga in the Outfield Oct. 22, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

In a collaboration with Earn Your Booze, this intimate fitness event will blend yoga and toasting with friends. Yogis will head down to the stadium field, where local instructor and Arizona native Courtney Fox will teach an hourlong yoga class. After savasana, sip on a drink while socializing on the Pepsi Patio. Each ticket includes one free drink before or after class, with the option to buy additional drinks. Participants must bring their own yoga mat. 8 a.m. $30. www.saltriverfields.com.

Salt & Lime Fiesta Oct. 22-23, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

Taco bout a good time! This festival will include tacos, tequila, margaritas, music, and more. Indulge in taco row, where local taco trucks and vendors will line up for attendees to taste their best handheld treats. In addition to over 40 food vendors, there will

Halloween Pups on the Patio Oct. 29, Etta

Grab your four-legged furry friend and head to Scottsdale Quarter to celebrate Halloween. Tickets get dogs a spot in the costume con test (with a big prize for the win ner!) and a puppy party tote to-go. In addition to countless photo ops, the day will include a specialty fall cocktail made with Tito’s and an exclusive dog menu. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $10. www.ettarestaurant.com.

Cave Creek Wicked Oct. 29, Various locations

PHOENIX FASHION WEEK

Oct. 14-15, Chateau Luxe

Check out the fall fashion forecast at the local style event of the season. Unique national emerging designers will compete for the title of Designer of the Year as 40 Arizona models will launch their careers and global celebrity designers will debut their fall collections on the 88-foot outdoor runway. The two-day event will also include a VIP Champagne lounge, designer meet and greets, live music, performances, pop-up shopping and more. 5:30 p.m. Prices vary. www.phoenixfashionweek.com.

The Town of Cave Creek invites locals to celebrate Halloween with the return of the town’s bar crawl and costume contest. Guests will enjoy drink specials and spooktac ular activities at participating bars and restaurants. A complimentary party bus will be offered every hour to take participants to the next venue, which will include: Mountain View Pub, Local Johnny’s, Big Earl’s Greasy Eats, The Hideaway, Buffalo Chip Saloon, Harold’s Corral, and The Roadhouse. The bus will continuously loop to and from the town’s top saloons throughout the evening. 6 p.m. Free. www.facebook.com/ cavecreekwicked.com.

Phoenix Suitcase Party Nov. 4, Ross Aviation Luxury Hangar

be over 20 nonfood merchandise vendors to browse. There will also be more than 40 tequilas and 10 different margarita flavors to taste. Additional highlights include lucha libre wrestling, a mechanical taco ride, a low rider show, and live music and entertainment. 3-9 p.m. Prices vary. www.saltlimefiesta. com.

Compassion with Fashion Oct. 23, Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

Don’t be late for this very important date – one that will raise funds for Arizona Humane Society. The 23rd annual daytime soiree will bring animal advocates together for a day of giving, fashion and fun. The Alice in Wonderland-themed luncheon will consist of silent and live auctions, a fashion show presented by ASU’S Herberger

Institute for Design and the Art. There will be 16 adoptable pets strutting down the runway who are looking to find their fur-ever home. 11 a.m. $250. www.azhumane.org.

Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival

Oct. 28-29, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

Celebrate spooky season under the stars at this family fun-filled fes tival. Over 20 hot air balloons will illuminate the night sky, and each will serve as a trick or treat station with candy (over 4,000 pounds available both days!) and treats handed out all night long. There will also be spooky costume con tests for kids, adults and groups, as well as tethered hot air balloon rides (adults, $25; 10 and under, $15). 5 p.m. Adults, $22; children, $17. www.azspooktacular.com.

Back your bags and head to Active 20-30 Club of Phoenix’s signature soiree. The event, themed around midcentury travel, will feature food, drinks, retro decor, interactive entertainment, gambling and live music throughout the night. Additional highlights include luxury cabanas with bottle service, and a photo booth. Best of all – the grand prize raffle winners will take a private jet trip of a lifetime. 6-11 p.m. $175. www.phoenix2030. com.

AZ Central Wine + Food Experience

Nov. 5, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

Savor and explore the culinary scene with tastes from local ven dors under the fall night sky. Don’t miss the Grand Tasting, a gourmet showcase by local chefs, emerging talent and nationally renowned culi nary leaders. For an extra charge, indulge in the Arizona Wine VIP Lounge experience, which will allow guests to arrive an hour early as well as sample Arizona wines. 1-4 p.m. General admission, $65; Arizona Wine VIP Lounge, $100. www.wineandfood.usatoday.com.

Now EVENT

OPEN HEARTS, HEALING HORSES

Open Your Heart Gala returns to celebrate Hunkapi’s commitment to mental health

BY JORDAN MORENO / PHOTO BY BLAIRE HAWES

IF YOU GO…

What: 8th Annual Open Your Heart Gala

When: Oct. 22, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Hunkapi Farm, 12051 N. 96th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Tickets: $250

Information: www. hunkapi.org

The eighth annual Open Your Heart Gala will return on Oct. 22 at Hunkpai Farms with a dazzling electric cowboy theme. Hunkapi’s longstanding heritage is grounded in the idea of interrelatedness and the responsibility that emanates from it. Hunkapi is from the Lakota Native American tribe, translating to “we are all related.”

Clever and timely, an electric cowboy evening evokes images of sequins, trendy cowboy boots, over-the-top Texas hair, neon lights and a little bit of boogey for a great cause. Just like years prior, Open Your Heart Gala will celebrate Hunkapi’s mission to serve 300 adults and children weekly with a range of diagnoses, varying from autism to post-traumatic stress disor der and a range of additional diagnoses,

through therapeutic horse programs on the historic 10-acre farm. All funds raised will go toward a wide array of services offered by the nonprofit including therapeutic riding, counseling, emotional regulation, somatic experience, and addiction recovery. The program focuses on the bond between human and animal and the reliance on one another that is created during the healing process.

“Every year, this gala is a chance for us to thank the incredible community that supports our mission to provide quality equine therapy to Valley residents who need it the most,” says Terra Schaad, exec utive director or Hunkapi. “Our farm is a home to people, animals and everything in between looking for second chances and

more importantly, a place to heal.”

The electrifying event, chaired by Michelle Cheverie and Nicole Carlson, promises to be bigger and better than ever with craft cocktails, engaging speeches by program participants and the program’s executive director, and a delicious dinner presented by 2322. The night will really spark with a mechanical bull, games, a best dressed contest, and photo opportunities with members of the herd. The evening under the stars, which will be emceed by Carey Pena, will also include a live auction hosted by Letitia Frye with exciting items from local Arizona businesses up for grabs. Highlights include an experience at Castle Hot Springs and a puppy from Puppy Luv Animal Rescue.

STEM

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If it is determined that you are a candidate for hair regeneration with stem cells, we will discuss a treatment plan for you. Most patients will undergo 2-3 stem cell treatments, 30 days apart.

The day of treatment, please arrive 15 minutes early to fill out our paperwork and consent forms.

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HAIR LOSS

4

PERFECT PAIRINGS

BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ

Hearth ‘61

Located at Mountain Shadows, Hearth ’61 exec utive chef Charles Wiley chooses winemakers, distillers, and brewers to join him for his Sunday Supper Club one Sunday each month. On Oct. 16, Wiley will kick off the fall lineup of guests with Robert Mondavi Winery. The vineyard, a Napa icon that helped put American wine on the map, will collaborate with Wiley on a four-course meal as well as co-host the event with him, offering little-known facts about the vineyard and details on its rich history throughout the evening. Bottles will be available for purchase with special pricing at the close of the evening. Starting at $189 per person. www.mountainshadows.com.

The Mick Brasserie

Since opening its doors in 2020, The Mick Brasserie has been ambitious with its wine pro gram, going so far as to host winemaker dinners every Wednesday. Each event starts at 6 p.m., with some focused on exploring wines from a par ticular region and others on a singular winemaker of note. Some nights there is a set four- or fivecourse menu, while others allow guests to pick and choose from a handful of options. Prices vary based on menu and winery. www.themickaz.com.

ZuZu

Hotel Valley Ho’s ZuZu has long provided a twist on the traditional wine pairing dinner by way of its monthly Versus series that challenges two wineries to pair their varietals with multiple courses from executive chef Russell LaCasce’s epicurean imagination. And while these events will continue, ZuZu now also offers a Take the Wheel tasting menu nightly. Available from 5:30 to 9 p.m., diners can enjoy a multicourse tasting menu that changes semiweekly. Each menu features curated wine pairings, and beer or cocktail pairings are also available by request. Prices vary, and full table participation is required. www.hotelvalleyho.com.

The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa

One night each month, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale hosts a winemaker dinner under the stars. Each evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with a wine reception and hors d’oeuvres before the featured wines are paired with a four-course dinner on the Hyatt’s grand patio. On Oct. 20, the resort will welcome Beaulieu Vineyard from Rutherford, California, and on Nov. 17, it will welcome Rombauer Vineyards from St. Helena, California. Starting at $149 per person. www.hyatt.com.

Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion

The award-winning, glass-encased fine dining restaurant at Wrigley Mansion recently unveiled Meet the Somm, a monthly wine dinner wherein executive chef Christopher Gross welcomes noted sommeliers from across the region to join him in developing an eight-course pairing dinner (plus surprises). Each evening begins with a wine reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by a seated dinner at 7 p.m. On Oct. 25, Jason Caballero, the newly named in-house advanced sommelier of Christopher’s, will collaborate with the kitchen and special guests on the next din ner in its series. Starting at $499 per person. www.wrigleymansion.com.

Local restaurants are celebrating harvest season throughout fall by welcom ing lauded winemakers to partner with their talented culinary teams for pairing dinners across the Valley. Here are some favorites.

Winemaker dinners are back in a big way this fall

IT’S ALWAYS AND ONLY ABOUT THE PATIENT

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Gateway for Cancer Research is committed to funding Phase I and II clinical trials for all types of cancers, prioritizing cutting-edge research that can help patients TODAY.

Join Gateway for Cancer Research in our mission to fund meaningful and breakthrough clinical trials worldwide that help people living with cancer feel better and live longer, as we work to end cancer as we know it.

OF EVERY DOLLAR DIRECTLY FUNDS CANCER RESEARCH

DATE NIGHT REMIX

Keep the magic alive with romantic rendezvous beyond the norm

Connect From Above

Let your love reach new heights with the heli copter tour at Volanti. The Scottsdale Airport restaurant and event venue offers a package that includes a three-course dinner; a 20-min ute private helicopter ride around the Valley; and the guests’ choice of a bottle of wine, a bottle of Champagne, or two cocktails per per son. Bask in the romance while taking in some of the most stunning sights as the sun sets on the Sonoran Desert. The tours run seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Starting at $795 for two guests. www.volantiscottsdale.com.

Go Wine Tasting

BY JORDAN MORENO

Ready to take an adventure right here in town? Take a trip filled with exploration and vino along the Scottsdale Wine Trail. Couples are invited to grab a map and their wine passport as they stop at six tasting rooms in Old Town Scottsdale. All the tasting rooms showcase wines made in Arizona and they are all walking distance from each other. The self-guided tour includes Aridus Wine Company, Arizona Stronghold Vineyards, Carlson Creek, LDV Winery, Merkin Vineyards, Salvatore Vineyards and The Wine Collective of Scottsdale. www. scottsdalewinetrail.com.

Take in an Art Exhibit

Located inside Scottsdale Fashion Square, Wonderspaces Scottsdale is the ideal night out when the stubborn heat just won’t break and a night indoors is a must. The immersive art experience is ever-changing and includes a full bar with signature cocktails and 14 exhibits to browse, contemplate and stroll together. www. wonderspaces.com.

Learn Together

A true hidden gem, Cosanti is a living piece of history marked by terraced landscaping, experimental earth-formed concrete structures, and one-of-a-kind wind bells. The structure, now a historic landmark, was once home to the architect Paolo Soleri for many years. Today the Cosanti Originals tour includes a look at Paolo’s design studio, residential structures, the bronze foundry and ceramics studios where wind-bells are handmade daily. Listen with your partner as the sound of love rings in the breeze! www.cosanti.com.

Explore Nature and Music

It’s hard not to fall in love when surrounded by such beauty. The expansive Desert Botanical Garden is home to thousands of unique cacti and endangered species nestled at the base of the picturesque Papago Park. Heat up the night as the sun goes down with the venue’s Music in the Garden series. On select Friday evenings through Nov. 18, guests are invited to stroll the garden then take in the sounds of various local artists. October will bring music of Puerto Rico and other Latin Music, vintage Cuban music with vocals and Cancionero Mexicano tunes. Music starts at 7 p.m. $36.95 per person. www.dbg.org.

Looking to keep the spark alive? Try thinking out of the dinner-and-a-movie box, and experiment with a unique activity. Unwind and reconnect with your partner during one of these fun outings.

OUT OF THIS WORLD

Ken Naiff creates stunning images through the combination of art, technology and science

BY GABBY LEIGHTON

Artist Ken Naiff has been enthralled with astronomy since he was a young boy growing up in the countryside of Sussex, England.

“I was enthralled as I watched Sputnik through my small telescope,” he says. “The opportunities to learn and explore are unparalleled. Cultural phenomena, beginning with Star Wars, and now with the astonishing photographs of black holes, real-life space exploration, and both the Hubble and James Webb telescopes have created multigenerational excitement and interest in space.”

Naiff had a successful 26-year technical career in semiconduc tors. He eventually made his way to the states, first to Delaware, and then, in 2004, to Scottsdale because of its clear skies.

“Arizona is among the best locations for astronomical observing and imaging,” says Naiff, who spent 10 years honing his craft before selling his first image in 2014 and launching his business in 2015.

As the owner of Dark Sky Images, Naiff combines art, astron omy and technology to create beautiful artwork. He camps in remote locations to photograph objects in deep space using telescopes, then returns to his studio and uses specialized software to refine the digital data and produce artistically inspired images.

“During my self-imposed apprenticeship beginning in 2004, I purchased telescopes, cameras, software, filters, and all manner of ancillary items. I attended workshops, networked with other astronomers, learned new software. I experimented with a variety of techniques to reduce image ‘noise,’ improve resolution, increase clarity, etc. I traveled to remote locations in Arizona, dry camping, to capture the data I needed for an image.”

Though Naiff loves imaging nebulae, he has quite a few favorite pieces from the work he’s done over the years.

“Each of my images has a story – an astrophotography chal lenge,” he says. “I hope my images capture the intensity and power of the night sky and will provoke questions, especially from children so they can gain some insight into the awe-inspiring objects, which our eyes cannot grasp in the star-studded Milky Way and beyond.”

This summer, Naiff’s Rho Ophiuchus Cloud Complex image was selected by Astronomy Magazine for its special IAAA Space Art Edition in July as one of the “50 Greatest Cosmic Scenes Of Our Time.”

He will be introducing his latest work, which is his rendition of the Pillars of Creation made famous by the 1995 image taken by the Hubble Telescope, at the upcoming 26th annual Hidden In The Hills artist studio tour (www.sonoranartsleague.org), which will take place at the end of November. His work will be on display at Scott Bechtold’s Studio No. 45 in Cave Creek.

Naiff’s artwork can also be found at On the Edge Gallery in Scottsdale and The Finer Arts Gallery in Cave Creek.

Learn more at www.darkskyimagesbyken.com.

BY GABBY LEIGHTON

Sparkle and shine in the Opyum YSL Pointed Toe Booties by Saint Laurent. Proving fall getups don’t have to be boring, these booties will bring a touch of glam to any outfit. The black leather pointed-toe shoes are encrusted with glittering crystals and feature a zip closure. Made in Italy, they showcase an interlocking 4 1/2-inch monogram heel. $3,950 at Nordstrom, www.nordstrom.com.

ALLURE / DWELL / SHOP / FASHION

Style

THE FOIL EFFECT

Metallic makeup perfect for fall and beyond

BY GABBY

Eye pencil, Byredo, $30 at Nordstrom, www.nordstrom.com.

Cream bronzer, RMS Beauty, $28 at Nordstorm.

Oil-infused lip gloss, Bobby Brown, $29 at Neiman Marcus, www. neimanmarcus.com.

Liquid highlighter, Ilia, $42 at Citrine, www.citrinenaturalskin. com.

Liquid eye shadow, $15.90 at Zara, www. zara.com.

Sequin crush eye shadow, Yves Saint Laurent, $30 at Neiman Marcus.

Style

SERVING STYLE

Eye-catching bowls for upcoming holiday soirees

BY GABBY

Gold leaf footed porcelain, Michael Aram, $370 at Neiman Marcus, www. neimanmarcus.com.

Green patterned stoneware, Marimekko, $140 at Nordstrom, www. nordstrom.com.

Blue splatterglazed ceramic, $150 at Aerin, www. aerin.com.

Red and orange swirl enamel, $49 at Pottery Barn, www. potterybarn.com.

Mango wood, $29.99 at H&M, www. hm.com.

Gold-splattered porcelain, $175 at Jonathan Adler, www. jonathanadler.com.

BY GABBY LEIGHTON

BEST VESTS

Layering essentials for an Arizona fall

Blue quilted, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, $140 at Nordstrom, www.nordstrom.com.

Pink cable knit sweater, BP., $49 at Nordstrom.

Tan plaid suit, $17.99 at H&M, www. hm.com.

Green puffer, $34.99 at H&M.

Ivory Sherpa, $168 at J.Crew, www.jcrew. com.

Black distressed denim, Mother, $325 at Neiman Marcus, www.neimanmarcus. com.

BY GABBY LEIGHTON

BOLD BAUBLES

Playful rings that make a statement

Resin evil eye cocktail ring, Kurt Geiger London, $88 at Nordstrom, www. nordstrom.com

Pink heart crystal ring, Timeless Pearly, $284 at Shopbop, www.shopbop.com.

Two-tone enamel vine ring, Bea Bongiasca, $65 at Neiman Marcus, www. neimanmarcus.com.

Blue and goldplated stacked ring, Sylvia Toledano, $185 at Neiman Marcus.

Yellow gold and diamond stacked chevron pinky ring, $3,000 at Shay, www. shayjewelry.com.

Aquamarine lucent cocktail ring, Swarovski, $330 at Nordstrom.

HAT: Red and black crinkle fascinator, $69. NECKLACE: Playing card suit chain, Collectif UK, $25. DRESS: Black and red pen cil, Glamour Bunny, $150. HANDBAG: Black patent leather crossbody, La Terre, $59. SHOES: Black patent peep-toe pumps, Banned Retro, $69. All from Quarter Past Dress, www. quarterpastdress.com.

HAT: Purple and blue organza, $125. NECKLACE: Purple beaded, Collectif UK, $25. DRESS: Purple floral swing, Retrospec’d $185.

HANDBAG: Green clutch, BC Bags, $59. PETTICOAT: Purple crinoline, $25. SHOES: Green opentoe heeled mules, Cape Robbin, $39. All from Quarter Past Dress, www.quarter pastdress.com.

BY GABBY LEIGHTON / PHOTOS BY CLAUDIA JOHNSTONE / HAIR: SANDRA GOODMAN, 910.518.5031

MAKEUP: GABI VILLATA, WWW.AZGLAMONDEMAND.COM / STYLING: STACEY RICHMAN / MODEL: FORD/RBA / LOCATION: MOD JETS HANGAR

HAT: Multicolor floral straw, $39.

NECKLACE: Purple beaded, Collectif UK, $25. ROMPER: Yellow printed with skirt overlay, Glamour Bunny, $185.

SHOES: Pink opentoe heeled mules, Cape Robbin, $39. All from Quarter Past Dress, www.quarter pastdress.com.

HAT: Red mesh pillbox, $39. BRACELET: Wild berries, Collectif UK, $19. NECKLACE: Wild berries, Collectif UK, $25. JACKET: Black cardigan with berries, Collectif UK, $59. TOP: Black cropped with berries, Collecttif UK, $49. PANTS: Black cig arette, Vintage Diva, $115. HANDBAG: Black tote, BC Bags, $89. SHOES: Black polka dot sandals with berries, Banned Retro, $69. All from Quarter Past Dress, www. quarterpastdress.com.

HAT: Black cambric cloche, $69. DRESS: Black-and-white houndstooth pencil, Glamour Bunny, $150. HANDBAG: Black-and-white houndstooth clutch, $59. SHOES: Black patent peep-toe pumps, Banned Retro $69. All from Quarter Past Dress, www. quarterpastdress.com.

HAT: Rose fascinator, $49. DRESS: Rose print satin pencil, $159. HANDBAG: Red sparkle clutch, Alessia, $59. SHOES: Red leather flats, Charlie Stone Shoes, $59. All from Quarter Past Dress, www.quarterpast dress.com.

HAIRPIN: Flower bouquet, Collectif UK, $15. NECKLACE: Green beaded, Collectif UK, $15.

DRESS: Multicolor printed knife pleat ed, Retrospec’d, $185. PETTICOAT: Crinoline, $25.

SHOES: Pink opentoe heeled mules, Cape Robbin, $39. All From Quarter Past Dress, www.quarter pastdress.com.

HAT: Fuchsia fascinator, $39.

DRESS: Green belted button-down, Glamour Bunny, $135. HANDBAG: Green faux crocodile clutch, Alessia, $59.

SHOES: Multicolor printed pumps, Ruby Shoo, $89. All From Quarter Past Dress, www.quarterpast dress.com.

6 SIGNS OF BREAST CANCER THAT AREN’T A LUMP

Fordecades, the medical community and the media have waged an effective awareness campaign about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, educating the public about the importance of diligently mon itoring their breasts for lumps. And the tac tic has worked. Early detection has contrib uted to a 38 percent decline in breast cancer deaths in women from 1992 to 2018, according to the National Cancer Institute. While that’s an important step forward, many other abnormal ities that may also indicate breast cancer are lesser known and discussed. Some, then, may be led to assume that no lump and no tumor mean no cancer, but that may be a dangerous conclusion to draw.

When most people think about breast can cer symptoms, they think of breast lumps. But doctors say visual changes may be especially key in helping detect breast cancer early. You may notice some of these changes just by changing the way you look at your reflection in the mirror, says Cynthia Lynch, MD, Medical Oncologist at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA), Phoenix.

“You can see a lot of things just by looking at your breasts in the mirror. When your arms are by your side, you don’t always see everything,” says Dr. Lynch, Breast Cancer Program Clinical Advisor for CTCA®. “Put your hands on your hips or raise them up. Having arms in two dif ferent positions while looking is also helpful.”

WARNING SIGNS

These other warning signs of breast can cer include:

Changes to the nipple and the surround ing area: Changes in the nipple area may be a genetic malformation or alteration, but nip ple retraction—when the nipple becomes inverted—may be a sign of cancer. If the nipple wasn’t inverted before and becomes inverted, consult with your doctor.

Bloody nipple discharge:  Bleeding from the nipple may be limited and difficult to see, but if you notice blood stains on your bra, pay attention. Clear or milky secretions may result from normal physiologic changes during pre-pubertal stages. But if the secretions are unusual, bloody or

continuous, speak to your health care provider.

Change in color and/or thickening of skin on the breast: Known in the medical commu nity as peau d’orange (a French term meaning skin of an orange), any dimpling or thickening of breast skin that resembles an orange rind is a red flag. These symptoms are often asso ciated with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), a rare but aggressive disease that usually does not involve a lump and may not be detected by a mammogram. IBC symptoms are caused by cancer cells blocking lymph vessels in the skin.

Symptoms of IBC include:

• Rash

• Thickening of the skin

• Shooting pain

Some changes are localized to the breast, upper abdomen or the rear part of the chest. Changes in color may be difficult to detect in African Americans and in obese patients with very large breasts. You may see changes in the breast from one day to the next, and skin changes may occur in less than six months.

Though IBC represents 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancers, it accounts for 10 to 15 percent of all breast cancer deaths.

OTHER SIGNS

Other possible signs of IBC include:

• Increased warmth in the breast

• One breast appearing larger and feeling warmer and/or heavier than the other

• Pain, itching or tenderness in the breast

A non-healing sore anywhere on the breast, including the nipple: A red, scaly, flaky nipple, and any persistent skin change, including blood or fluid from the nipple, may be a sign of Paget’s disease of the breast, another rare form of breast cancer. This disease originates in the nipple. It’s not usually invasive and is most commonly diag nosed in patients in their 70s and 80s.

Swelling of axillary lymph nodes (lymph nodes in the armpit): Some patients with breast cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes may have no symptoms in the breast or changes in the structure of the breast. But they feel some thing unusual under their arm. This may mean that cancer from the breast has traveled to

the lymph nodes. These affected nodes may also be in the lower part of the neck if the cancer is a little more advanced. Cancer cells often use the lymphatic system to invade distant organs.

It’s important to also remember that not all breast lumps are signs of cancer, a fact that underscores why it’s important to be familiar with the look and feel of your breasts. “Have an awareness of your breasts,” Dr. Lynch says. “You need to touch them to be aware. Breast selfawareness is the terminology now used instead of a self-breast exam.”

Breast pain with no lump: Breast pain when there’s no visible or physical lump may still cause concerns about breast cancer. Breast pain, also known as mastalgia, can be associ ated with many conditions, including:

• Hormonal changes during menstrual cycle

• Water retention, which may also occur during menstruation

• Breast injury

• Breast infection

• Pregnancy

• Breastfeeding

• Medication side effect

• Breast cancer

Breast pain may be chronic in some women, but it typically resolves on its own.

While breast pain can occur with breast cancer, it’s often not a symptom. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the risk of breast cancer in patients with breast pain and normal breast exam and mammogra phy results is about 0.5 percent.

IBC can cause pain and typically has no lump, but still only accounts for 1 percent to 5 percent of breast cancer cases in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Breast pain and the menstrual cycle also have a close relationship, with premenopausal women experiencing breast pain more than postmenopausal women.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT CANCERCENTER.COM. CALL 602.883.1463

TODAY TO SCHEDULE A SCREENING.

Luxe

WHEELS / WANT / HAUTE PROPERTY / PLACES

BY GABBY LEIGHTON

Looking to become a proper gardener? Get a little help from Hartley Botanic, an England-based glasshouse and greenhouse manufacturer. Located in Lancashire, the historic company, which will celebrate its 85th year of business in 2023, creates distinctive, unique designs ranging from small patio models to imposing glasshouses. Each structure is handmade to order in England using the customer’s exact requirements. Shoppers can pick from three designs (Victorian, Heritage and Modern), each of which is available in a variety of colors. Prices vary. www.hartley-botanic.com.

2023

BY JIM PRUETER

RIVIAN R1S

There’s a very strong likelihood that the name Rivian doesn’t ring any bells. The new electric vehicle startup is the first to bring an EV pickup to the market. And while it’s possible to spot the original models on the road (though currently scarce), it’s likely most have not seen brand’s second vehicle, the three-row R1S SUV tested here.

The Rivian R1S is basically the R1T Rivian pickup truck with an enclosed rear area with a third-row seat. Both vehicles come off the same assembly line in Normal, Illinois. R1S is a firstclass, family-friendly SUV with incredible off-road capability that’s targeting affluent families who love spending their time camping, going on trips to the beach, hiking, and kayaking.

Although it weighs over 7,000 pounds, the car has a stupefying total combined 835 horse power and 908 pound-feet of torque. It takes just 3 seconds to reach 60 mph and clip the standing one-fourth mile in 11.8 seconds along with a 316-mile driving range on a single charge.

It is all-wheel drive and can tow more than 7,700 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,800 pounds.

When tested, the R1S Adventure trim had a firm ride quality with confident handling and lightening quick acceleration – enough to push drivers back into their seat. While unable to test it off-road, Rivian says the standard air suspension system can be raised up to 15 inches of ground clearance, that it can ford water up to 39 inches deep, and it can handle the most rugged of trails. Beneath its full glass roof, the Rivian interior is minimalist in style yet elegant with first-rate materials and build quality. Interior color choices are unique and something not seen in any other luxury vehicle. There are a few actual knobs giving way to a large digital screen that serves as an instrument and operational panel.

Rivian vehicles are sold online and there’s a growing network of service centers available along with over-the-air software updates. But, there’s a flood of customers with reservations so be prepared to wait awhile.

VITAL STATS

2023 Rivian R1S

Base Price: $91,075

Price as Tested: N/A

Engine: Quad elec tric permanent magnet synchronous AC

Horsepower: 836

Fuel economy: 69/73 EPAe city/ highway

Seating: 7

Fab features: Stupefying power

Luxurious, fashionable interior

Amazing off-road capability

An all-new electrified, futuristic SUV

single visit

At most hormone

NEVER

&

There are no weekly visits required as with most hormone replacement centers. All medication is taken at home.

We schedule your visits at your conve nience including evenings and weekends.

Membership with Elite includes body composition monitoring to achieve your individual goals. We follow your progress by analyzing & tracking your body fat per centage, muscle mass, weight etc. to track tangible results. All plans are completely individualized and doses of medication carefully adjusted for patients to meet their specific goals based on hormone lev els and biochemical markers.

We stress the importance of nutrition in reaching the ultimate level of fitness, strength, and health and therefore provide our clients with personalized nutritional advice along with exer cise and fitness counseling. Our goal is to help you stay in the best shape of your life and to achieve optimum health.

SPOTLIGHT: ARCADIA LUXE

Arcadia dreams come to life in this move-in ready, 5,182-square-foot home. Though designed and built by RafterHouse in 2015, the interior space was recently completely redesigned by Ryan O’Meara and the exterior spaces were renovated by Refined Gardens.

BY GABBY LEIGHTON

The gated front exterior of the home, which faces Camelback Mountain, features patio seating with a fireplace, guest park ing, a French-style garden fountain, walking paths and lush grounds.

Inside, the four-bedroom, 4 1/2-bath room space showcases a causal, livable elegance. The home has a split floorplan, and each room is furnished with timeless fixtures and handcrafted wall coverings and draperies made in Belgium.

The open-concept family room and kitchen combination serves as the center piece of the home. Complete with soaring 18-foot ceilings, the family room features a custom-made mirrored tile fireplace. Each tile has been designed with a beveled edge to fit seamlessly and creates a puzzle perfect fit.

The gourmet kitchen, which comes with a Wolf/Subzero appliance package, is made complete with an all-glass wine cab inet, an oversized island, custom cabinetry, slab marble countertops, and a charming butler's pantry.

There is a formal dining room, which opens to the kitchen, right off of the entrance. The informal dining area is also off the kichen. The informal living area is comfortable and features built-in storage. Additional rooms include a private office and guest quarters.

The primary suite is tranquil, with impressive custom his and hers bou tique-style closets.

Outside, the backyard offers a full-size (120-foot) Olympic-length lap pool and spa. There is also a fire pit, a ramada, an outdoor kitchen, two fire features and multi ple seating areas.

6115 E. Lafayette Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251. Listed for $4,750,000 with Frank Aazami and Dinesh Wilson of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. Frank. Aazami@russlyon.com or Dinesh.Wilson@ russlyon.com; 480.266.0240.

To live a healthy lifestyle you need to take care of your mind and body. At the Village we have everything you need in our clubs for complete wellness. We have yoga studios for your meditation practice, Spa & Salon for beauty and recovery, Med Spa, chiropractic care, physical therapy, and nutrition to ensure you are healthy and feeling your best.

Luxe WANT

GAME CHANGER

PGA National Resort’s stay-and-play package showcases new course enhancements

BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ

The PGA National Resort – a legendary golf, vacation, culinary, and spa destination located in South Florida just 15 minutes from Palm Beach International Airport – recently completed a jaw-dropping $100 million revital ization touching every aspect of the property.

The update added two bold and innovative Andy Staples-designed golf course layouts – The Match and The Staple – not to mention an impressive bunker and cart path renovation to the iconic Champion Course, which is best known for hosting the 1983 Ryder Cup, 1987 PGA Championship, and two decades of the Senior PGA Championship and is currently home to the Honda Classic. This is all in addition to the other courses still on property in The Palmer, The Fazio, The Estate, together now totaling 99 challenging holes.

The resort’s 360 guest rooms and private villas also saw a massive update, redesigned to pay homage to the charm and elegance of 1960s Palm Beach, a theme that runs throughout the property. The rooms and villas are a complete departure from the resort’s previous aesthetic, now evoking a nostalgic retro-chic feel. All accommodations now offer an outdoor lounge,

allowing guests the option to relax outdoors and embrace the resort lifestyle.

While the courses and accommoda tions are stunning, the culinary program and spa may showcase the boldest upgrades. Over the past year, the resort introduced six wholly new culinary con cepts, including Birdie’s Diner, a retro diner with quintessential American favorites dotted with South Florida flavors; The Butcher’s Club, a high-end restaurant led by Top Chef season 13 winner Jeremy Ford; Honeybelle, an indoor-outdoor beach cafe led by fellow Top Chef alum Lindsay Autry; the fast-casual MKT; chocolate shop Sugarplume; and Big Drip, a retro-inspired ice cream parlor. The 40,000-square-foot spa features three mineral pools with enriching salts from around the world, two Himalayan salt rooms, couples’ treatment rooms, a full-service salon, wet and dry treatment rooms, an outdoor pool deck and bar, and a retail shop. Resort guests can also enjoy the high-tech 33,000-squarefoot Sports & Racquet Club, featuring a wide array of fitness classes and activities, including pickleball and tennis.

Over the next several months, the resort will offer a variety of packages and experiences, including the Game Changer. Starting at $667 per night (per person, dou ble occupancy), the Game Changer pack age includes a minimum two-night stay with accommodations in a beautifully transformed guestroom, suite, or a spacious cottage as well as one round each on The Match and The Staple. The offer also features one addi tional round on either The Champion Course (with surcharge), The Palmer Course (with surcharge), The Estate Course, or a replay round on The Match Course. All cart fees are included except the walking-only Staple Course, and enhancements, including spa packages, state-of-the-art club-fitting, dining experiences and more, may be added for additional fees.

Learn more at www.pgaresort.com.

Event proceeds

Luxe PLACES

SNOW DAY

Sun Valley offers alluring adventures all winter long

BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ / PHOTOS BY SUN VALLEY RESORT

As with many Western states, American and European settlers first made their way to the region seeking gold and silver. While neither gold nor silver were prevalent, miners found copious other valuable minerals through the discovery of Sun Valley’s ample hot springs. News of the healing properties of the minerals in the hot spring traveled fast, and by the 1880s, the region transformed from mining town to tourist mecca with 13 saloons, four restau rants and two major hotels. Alas, as with all boom towns, this one eventually went bust until the 1930s when Union Pacific saw its potential as a ski destination, founding Sun Valley Resort in 1936.

More than 80 years later, the region and resort are bigger and better than ever.

While all four of its seasons are majestic, Sun Valley is especially beautiful and alive with activity during its winter season, which takes place from approximately November to April. Sun Valley Resort will soon welcome visitors from around the globe when the Idaho icon kicks off its 2022-2023 winter season.

Many visitors in the know choose to stay right at the mountain resort itself, opting to make reservations at Sun Valley Lodge, Sun Valley Inn or one of the many townhomes, cottages or condos operated by the mountain. Sun Valley Lodge is a best bet for those seeking a little pampering as it boasts a 20,000-square-foot spa, yoga studio, and expansive fitness center as well as five spe cialty suites named for important figures who frequented the hotel, notably Marilyn Monroe, Ernest Hemingway, and Clint Eastwood. Sun Valley Lodge is also home to Gretchen’s, a popular modern restaurant named to honor Sun Valley’s own Gretchen Fraser, the first American to win an Alpine Olympic Gold Medal.

If seeking space for a larger group or family, the cottages are a dream. There are nine total Sun Valley cottages, ranging in size from two to seven bedrooms, each with dining and entertaining spaces as well as epic views.

Adrenaline Boost

Sun Valley Lodge and the Sun Valley cottages as well as the nearby inn, condos and townhomes are all a short distance to most of the area’s premier attractions, starting with “Baldy.”

Baldy, the name given to the region’s beloved Bald Mountain, offers 3,400 vertical feet of snow-covered terrain. There are 1,000 distinct runs to choose from as well as five daytime lodges – three of which have 360-degree views – with food, drink and rest areas. Baldy is also home to the Roundhouse Gondola, which transports guests up 7,700 feet to The Roundhouse. When it was founded in 1939, it became the first on-mountain dining experience in the United States.

While offering runs for beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders, Baldy is also home to some of the most premier heli-skiing in the world. Sun Valley Heli Ski picks guests up from Baldy daily, whisking them to 750,000 acres of pure pow der in the Idaho backcountry.

Want even more adrenaline? Fly Sun Valley offers paragliding tours daily from Bald Mountain, using its ski runs and slopes on the mountain as runways to launch the glider. Each flight is in tandem with a professional, certified, insured pilot and includes a training session, extensive safety information and anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour in the air.

Tamer Pasttimes

Galena Lodge is about 20 minutes from Baldy and it is the perfect spot for those who prefer snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The lodge even boasts its own eatery, which is known for its elk burgers.

Throughout Sun Valley, both at Baldy and across its nearby villages, there are also several fat bike outfitters. A popular winter workout and means for adventure, a fat bike is an off-road bicycle with oversized tires that allow for riding safely on both snow and pavement. Sun Valley Nordic, conveniently in the heart of Sun Valley Village, has five fat biking trails open each winter, while Sawtooth National Recreation Area offers some of the bestgroomed fat bike trails in the country just less than an hour away.

There is also fishing – even in the winter. Silver Creek Outfitters offers fly-fishing trips that include guides, anglers and lunch. During the colder months, expect rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, and whitefish. The master casters that guide each trip focus on teaching versus taking over, meaning by day’s end guests will feel like Brad Pitt in A River Run Through It rather than a passive observer of the action.

No matter which adventures chosen, everyone will end the day hungry for more – and just hungry. In addition to Gretchen’s and Roadhouse, Sun Valley’s food and drink scene is sublime. Founded in the 1930s, The Ram is the region’s oldest eatery. Today, it features both modern favorites as well as a heritage menu with dishes one may have enjoyed after a day on the mountain nearly 100 years ago. Enotca, the Grill at Knob Hill Inn and the Lounge at the Limelight Hotel also shine, and for an extra-special meal, book a horse-drawn sleigh ride to Trail Creek Cabin. Offered throughout the winter, this package takes guests on a one-hour ride to the log cabin-turned-restaurant along Trail Creek, which features a menu that is as lovely as its Baldy views.

Learn more at www.sunvalley.com.

DRINK YOUR DESSERT

Indulge your sweet tooth with these spirited treats

Looking to mix things up after the main course? Why not substi tute that piece of pie for a cocktail instead? These Valley restau rants and bars offer sweet ways to enjoy a sip or two after supper.

Coconut Margarita

Cala Scottsdale

This modern-day mashup of a margarita and pina colada com bines Basico Tequila with Liquid Alchemist’s luscious coconut syrup. The cocktail build is com plete with both naturally sweet agave syrup and zesty lime for a hit of balanced acidity. It is finished with toasted coconut shavings. $9. www.calascottsdale.com.

Maker’s Mark Espresso Martini

Bottled Blonde Scottsdale

Equal parts latte and libation, this exceptional espresso martini fea tures Maker’s Mark Whiskey, Kahlua, and Jim Beam Bourbon Cream as its base. After a shake, Dekuyper Hazelnut Liqueur and coffee are added to the mix, shaken with ice and served up for the ultimate pick-me-up. $19. www.bottledblondepizzeria.com.

Pink Rose

Rita’s Cantina & Bar at JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

An adult Jolly Rancher? Yes, please! The Pink Rose is the perfect combination of Grey Goose Essences Strawberry & Lemongrass Vodka, muddled mint, and strawberry puree. All the sweetness is balanced just right by a adding touch of slightly bit ter Ramazzotti herbal liqueur. $16. www.camelbackinn.com.

Hero du Monde

Grey Hen Rx at Century Grand Spirit-forward yet silky with bal anced sweetness, this cock tail starts with Hardy Legend 1863 Cognac, Plantation O.F.T.D. Blended Rum, Caffè Borghetti Espresso Liqueur and Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur. A true work of edible art, it is then mixed with chicory, tamarind, cacao malted milk, whole egg, and roasted fennel seed to give the drink both

spicy and sweet fall notes. $18. www.centurygrandphx.com.

Cereal Killer

Bevvy Old Town Scottsdale

Enjoy breakfast and dessert at the same time with this delectable drink, which features Cruzan Aged White Rum, coconut, white cacao, toasted almond bitters, and cere al-washed almond milk. It is gar nished with cereal marshmallows, evoking delicious childhood mem ories with every single sip. $14. www.bevvyaz.com.

Café de Fuego

La Hacienda at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

As much a show as a sweet treat, this hot cocktail is made table side and then set on fire before it’s served. It starts with the guest’s choice of tequila and 1921 crema or Bailey’s Irish Cream and Frangelico and is then topped with coffee, cinnamon, sugar, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings. $16. www.scottsdaleprincess.com.

Unicorn on Acid

The Hot Chick

This sugar rush in a glass starts with Ketel One Peach Botanical Vodka and Red Bull Coconut Berry. It is paired with rich coco nut cream and topped with Blue Curacao as well as a gener ous garnish of rainbow sour bites candy to nibble on between sips. $14. www.thehotchickaz.com.

Fireside

UnderTow at Century Grand

Though developed to transport guests to an island bonfire, this drink also evokes feelings of sitting around the campfire on a perfect autumn night thanks to a mix of Plantation O.F.T.D. Blended Rum, Germana Umburana Cachaca and Jagermeister with pumpkin, pine apple, lemon, lime, condensed milk, and cinnamon. $17. www. drinkundertow.com.

DRINK / CHEERS / CUISINE / FOOD FILES

BY CHRISTINA BARRUETA / PHOTO BY DEBBY WOLVOS

Chula Seafood has been delighting seafood lovers since it began delivering fish straight from the company’s boat in San Diego to Arizona in 2015. At the new Grayhawk location, crowds continue to line up for the ocean bounty found in the restaurant’s market and on its menu. Take, for example, cioppino, a San Francisco staple. Chula’s version ($28) is a showstopper with a fantastic sauce that starts with a two-day process, gently steeping charred fish bones in an aromatic vegetable stock to extract maximum flavor. Tomatoes, fennel and garlic are then added to create a luxurious foundation for ladles of seafood, such as mussels, clams, halibut, scallops, prawns, and cornmeal-encrusted calamari. Alongside is grilled Noble Bread slathered with more chile butter to sop up every delicious drop. Chula Seafood Grayhawk, 20581 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale; 602.354.3599; www.chulaseafood.com.

SMOLDERING SIPPER

Mezcal is in the driver’s seat for Highway to Helayna, El Chorro’s twist on a traditional sour

BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ / PHOTO BY DEBBY WOLVOS

The bar team at El Chorro travels to 18 East, which is Breakthru Beverage’s stateof-the-art cocktail lab in Phoenix, several times a year to research and develop its seasonal menus.

“We start with a central theme, but then it is all about collaboration, creativity and seasonality when we start testing flavor profiles,” says Helayna Hudak, head bartender at El Chorro. “For the fall, we decided it would be fun to theme each cocktail around song titles.”

Hudak also saw the new menu as a chance to introduce El Chorro patrons to mezcal in an approachable way.

“While it has been trending for a few years, we hadn’t as yet used the smokey spirit in any of our signature cocktails,” Hudak says.

Enter Highway to Helayna ($16), named both as an homage to the classic AC/DC tune and for Hudak herself, who designed the drink using one of her favorite mezcals, Mezcal Naran Espadin.

“Mezcal Naran, made in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, is a bit softer than some other brands on the market, making it a nice introduction to the spirit,” Hudak says.

It is combined with freshly squeezed lemon and lime juices for acidity then pineapple puree and agave syrup to add sweetness.

“We add egg white and then give it a dry shake. Once frothy, we add ice and shake the contents again to chill it,” Hudak says.

The foamy mixture is then double strained into a rocks glass. It’s garnished with both a Luxardo cherry and a lemon peel.

“It is a lightly smokey twist on a tradi tional sour with an ultra-creamy texture and some surprisingly rich notes of barbequed pineapple,” Hudak says. “It tastes heavenly despite its name.”

El Chorro, 5550 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley; 480.948.5170; www. elchorro.com.

CHEF CONVERSATIONS

In the kitchen with Alejandro Martinez of The Hermosa Inn

BY CHRISTINA BARRUETA / PHOTO BY DEBBY WOLVOS

An Argentine native, executive chef

Alejandro Martinez’s world travels inspire the globally-inspired menu found at The Hermosa Inn, including at Lon’s, its award-winning restaurant.

Tell us about your background.

My first experience abroad was on Disney Cruise Line. Once I came back to Argentina, I worked at a French restaurant that was part of the Relais & Chateaux and one of the best in the country. After that, I worked at Relais & Chateaux resorts and restaurants in Italy and France, which was a fantastic experience learn ing from Michelin-starred chefs. I also worked on another cruise ship that traveled around the world, so all in all I spent about 10 years in Europe and on cruise ships.

How did you end up in Arizona?

I worked for two and a half years in Bermuda, where I met my wife, Christie. My first job after moving to the States was at Silverleaf Country Club in Scottsdale.

Do you have a favorite ingredient?

Having lived in Italy for years, it taught me a different approach to pasta and risotto. The possibilities are endless; those ingredients can be transformed in so many ways.

Is there a must-order dish on the Lon’s menu?

I’m really proud of our pork pastrami. It’s a play on the pastrami sandwich with pickled cabbage, pork and rye gnocchi. It’s colorful and full of flavor.

Do you have a favorite food memory? My grandma on my mom's side was of Spanish heritage and my grandma on my dad's side was from Ukraine, and they were married to Italian and Spanish men. Every Sunday both families would get together. We’d have 14 or 18 peo ple at the table with fresh pasta, salami and cheese, Spanish, Ukrainian and Polish dishes. It was really amazing.

What may readers be surprised to know?

I speak fluent English, Spanish and Italian, can get by with French, and understand some Portuguese. I’ve always tried to learn as much as I could from different cultures.

The Hermosa Inn, 5532 N. Palo Cristi Road, Paradise Valley; www.hermosainn.com; 602.955.8614.

SNOWBIRD STAPLES

Modern twists on the Midwest’s most beloved comfort foods

BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ

Each year when fall approaches, friends and family from the Midwest –affectionately nicknamed snowbirds – fly south to escape the impending harsh winter. They bring with them their hearty appetites, which local restaurants are all too happy to please by offering updated takes on their favorite foods. Here are some sure to please everyone’s palates.

Mac and Cheese Trio

STK Steakhouse

Enjoy all the ooey, gooey goodness of macaroni and cheese, but with a few impressive updates. This dish features three versions of the comfort food classic, each in its own chic mini cast-iron skillet. The first is the most standard offering made with a five-cheese blend and served bub bling hot. The second kicks things up a notch with chopped smoked bacon, and the third is piled high with declawed lobster tail and chives. $42. www.stksteakhouse.com.

The Hot Italian

Brat Haus

Bratwurst, a type of a sausage made most often from pork but sometimes beef or veal, is second only to cheese as far as famous food in Wisconsin goes, and it is just as popular in neighboring states. At Brat Haus, there are several modern and traditional versions of brats available, but this one is of note given its spice, and how it gets its kick. The pork sausage is infused with fennel, allspice, and cayenne pep per. Once grilled, the brat is topped with the guest’s choice of sauerkraut, sweet onion jam, dill relish, pickled red onion, and peppers. $12. www.brathausaz.com.

Mashed Pizza

PHX Beer Co.

A fan of pizza? How about potato skins? Enjoy the best of both worlds with this truly masterful mashup. It starts with hand-formed pizza dough, which is stretched into a square black iron pan. Rather than red sauce and mozzarella, however, the dough is topped with mashed red skin potatoes, roasted garlic puree, a triple cheese mix, ample bacon, and a garnishment of green onions. It comes with sour cream on the side or on top. $19.50. www.phxbeerco.com.

Bacon PB&J Burger

Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers

As with the mashed pizza, this is a combination of two Midwest favorites in peanut butter and jelly and a big, juicy hamburger. The base of the burger is a half-pound of fresh ground chuck, which is cooked to order based on the guest’s preference. Once grilled, it is topped with creamy peanut butter that immediately melts into the meat. Once melted, grape jelly is added, followed by sugar-cured bacon, ched dar cheese and chipotle honey sauce. Guests can add lettuce, tomato, pickles, and other condiments by request and may choose from a variety of buns, including gluten-free. $15.50. www.coldbeers.com.

Pretzel Knots

Proof, an American Canteen at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

While doughy, salty soft pretzel knots are cer tainly popular in the Midwest, this dish makes Snowbirds’ mouths water for the dipping sauce, which is a spicy take on a traditional beer cheese made using American cheese and Proof’s own proprietary Pilsner and served in a petite fondue pot tailor-made for sharing. $14.

www.fourseasonsscottsdale.com

Sonoran Dog

Diego Pops

The barbecue’s best friend gets a Southwestinspired upgrade at Diego Pops. The Sonoran dog is named for the Mexican state that borders Arizona to the south where the recipe was first invented before becoming popular across State 48. Diego Pops’ version is an all-beef hot dog wrapped with bacon before being grilled. Once the bacon is crispy, the hot dog is nestled in a brioche bun and piled high with pinto beans, mayonnaise, avocado creme, cotija cheese, and grilled onions. It is served with a side of chips and salsa. $9. www.diegopops.com.

Loaded Chips

Windsor

There is nothing like taking that first bite of a crunchy, salty potato chip. Except, perhaps, these out-of-this-world house potato chips, which are cut fresh and fried to order. They are topped with oodles of hot caramelized onions, crumbly bacon, dollops of blue cheese, and a hefty drizzle of Windsor’s own rich cream sauce that is infused with chipotle and spices. $12. www.windsoraz.com

Crafted Grilled Cheese

Cook & Craft

While Mom’s version with a slice of Kraft American cheese between two pieces of Wonderbread is tasty, Cook & Craft’s inspired take on grilled cheese is in a league of its own. It starts with two slices of French baguette, each of which is covered in butter. Hand-cut provolone, cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyere cheeses are all added, then the sandwich gets cooked until melty. Guests may add their choice of bacon, chicken, or short rib for an added cost and all grilled cheeses are served with homemade tomato basil soup. $12. www.cookandcraftaz.com.

Local Hickman’s Farms Deviled Eggs

Beckett’s Table

Each week, chef Justin Beckett dreams up a new way to wow guests using three local Hickman’s Eggs. Though it changes often, if ordering his inspiration of the moment, expect deviled eggs topped with everything from Cincinnati chili with noodles to hot dogs with pickled relish to mushroom duxelles with goat cheese crema to shrimp with asparagus salad. $7. www.beckettstable.com.

Smoked Gouda Tater Tots

Ocean Prime

Tater tots at a top steakhouse? Yes please! To make, fluffy mashed potatoes are combined with both smoked Gouda and cheddar cheeses and then a dash of onion. They are hand-formed and coated in flour and spices before being fried until golden, which signals the cheese has melted into the potato mixture. Decadent does not begin to describe each bite, made more indulgent with the garlic aioli served on the side. $15. www.ocean-prime.com.

Chocolate Toffee Brownie

Grassroots Kitchen & Tap

Though it is tough to top the millions of Midwest kitchens baking up homemade brownies by the dozens each day, Grassroots certainly has a contender with this love letter to chocolate. The brownies are the perfect chewy consistency yet moist thanks to the copious amounts of Ghirardelli chocolate inside. While mind-bending on their own, each brownie is served with handmade caramel, toffee crum bles, a scoop of Sweet Provisions vanilla ice cream, and a sprinkle of sea salt flakes. $9. www.grassrootsaz.com.

Seen EVENTS

BAR BRAWL

Chef Beau MacMillan closed out Bar Brawl Season 6, which took place at Cala restaurant in Senna House. Some of the best local bartenders and mixologists competed against one another for a winner’s title as well as a donation to their charity of choice.

BY DAVID APEJI

Danielle Russo and Basia Mysza

Connell Miller and Dana Hollinger

Shaylee Brown and Ethan Oman

Cortnie Cozeck and Breanne Bettencourt

Hurley Byers and Shari Banwyck

Adrian Fontes and Nicole Wheatcroft

Cherish Brown and McKenna Kaup

Amy Slethaug and Christina Sowley

James Barham and Ashley Cibor Lisa Sass and Madison Breuer

Cisco Zazueta and Linda Schneider Amber Hodges and Jordan Mills

Jordan Mills and James Barham Fran Castillo and Rachel Arnette

Laura Walin and Tinny Peterson Dana Hollinger and Jean-Mario Irigon

Cherish Brown and Naddy Calloway Jeanine Dougherty and Cooper

Seen EVENTS

TOAST!

Local nonprofit Homeward Bound hosted this second annual event at The Clayton House. Attendees enjoyed wine and spirit tastings, local shopping vendors, brunch, and a live cocktail competition.

BY BEVERLY SHUMWAY

Karina Smith and Neil Warburton

Tara Kohnke and Amanda Hayden

Andrew and Tammie Evans

Charlie Crews and Carrie Bailes

Elissa Kelly and Kristen Howard

Valerie Locati and Sara Rice

Shokouh Shojai and Saba Shojai

Brian Bednar and Karolyn Kiburz

Addison Waller and Nic Robson

Alison Fontana and Justin Keller

Justin and Amanda Jones

Seen EVENTS ART PARTY

Royse Contemporary gallery hosted a party to celebrate five years of business. Guests perused art, including the gallery’s annual Summer Spectacular group exhibition featuring their stable of artists, along with several special guest artists.

Beth Malapanes

Jared Wick and Jolie Vanier

Joe Ray

Sharon and Bob Lewis Daniel Shepherd and Nicole Royse

Casey and Fred Wakefield James Anthony Peters

Marcelle Nowitz and Jon Dunn

Charmagne Vasquez and Rafael Navarro

Larry Roc and Mary Holland

Ron Bimrose and Cherie Buck-Hutchison

PRIME TIME

Steak, seafood and all sorts of shellfish are always in season at newly opened Collins Bros. Chophouse

BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ

Valley native and lauded chef Christopher Collins is no stranger to the local culinary scene.

A fourth-generation restaurateur, Collins is the founder of Common Ground Culinary, through which he owns and oper ates Grassroots Kitchen & Tap, Wally’s American Gastropub, The Collins, The Macintosh, Neighborly Public House, Sweet Provisions, St. Urban, Arcadia Catering Co., and – until recently – Twisted Grove Parlor + Bar.

Collins closed Twisted Grove earlier this year with a vision to reinvent the space into an approachable neighborhood steak and seafood house. Enter Collins Bros. Chophouse.

Now open at The Villages at Hayden, Collins Bros. is a modern space with exposed brick, rich dark woods, over sized black leather-wrapped booths, and industrial light fixtures throughout. Though nearly 7,000 square feet inside and out, the sprawling restaurant feels cozy given sev eral seating nooks and deliberately placed art features that warm the aesthetic.

Expect hearty sandwiches, dips and salads as well as oysters, rotisserie chicken

and select entrees for lunch. Come dinner time, the menu is divided into several sec tions, with the most striking dishes coming from the Butcher’s Shop and From the Sea portions. The a la carte Butcher’s Shop features a carefully curated list of differ ent cuts of meat including a 12-ounce dryaged pork porterhouse ($28) with apple cider gastrique, a 12-ounce Sonoma rib eye ($30) with housemade steak sauce, and a 16-ounce prime rib ($32). From the Sea boasts fresh seafood options includ ing jumbo lump Maryland style crab cakes ($38) with shattered fries, an Old Baydredged shrimp platter ($26) with shat tered fries, and a rotating market fish.

Many longtime guest favorites from Twisted Grove as well as Collins’ other local concepts are on both menus, includ ing the twisted noodle salad ($20), the Collins Bros. French dip ($20); and organic Scottish salmon($28).

There are at least a dozen signature cocktail options ($13-$18). Early standouts include Stars Align ($14) with pea flow er-infused Aviation Gin, Yellow Chartreuse, Giffard Passionfruit and lemon; Espresso in Paris ($16) with vanilla-infused Remy Martin 1738, espresso, Tempus Fugit Crème de Moka and Nux Alpina; and the 2-1-2 ($18) with Whistlepig 10-Year, La Quintinye, sweet vermouth, amaro, and mole bitters. There are also more than 20 wines by the glass and 10 beers by draft or bottle, including local options. Happy hour is offered 3 to 6 p.m. seven days a week, with food and drink specials including twofor-one fresh oysters, Old Bay shrimp and more than half a dozen wines by the glass under $10.

Collins Bros. Chophouse is open Sunday to Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Collins Bros. Chophouse, 8220 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale; 480.699.0811; www.collinsbrosaz.com.