Lovin' Life After 50 - Southeast Valley - January 2022

Leibo At Large Worst state? Hardly, when you look at the facts

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ

You live in Arizona for a few decades, you get used to our state’s inferiority complex: Reporters and residents here love to bash the place. I’ve never lived anywhere that so reveled in national studies and stories calling out its glaring shortcomings.

Some headlines ripped from the pages of real life:

“Arizona Ranked One of the Worst States to Raise a Family, According to New Study.” And: “Arizona Ranked Worst State in the Country for Teachers.” And: “Arizona Ranks Worst in the Country for Food Waste.”

The coup de grace, as determined by CNBC in July: “Desert in Distress? New Study Ranks Arizona as Worst Place to Live in 2021.”

Memo to CNBC: I checked the primetime ratings for all TV networks. Don’t feel bad about nishing 62nd, one spot ahead of the Motor Trend channel. You did pull 249,000 viewers at peak viewing time. In a country of 330 million people, that’s a whole lot of upside.

Anyway, rather than celebrate Arizona’s perpetual worstness, I’m here today with some uplifting news.

It’s likely you’ve been hearing that our country is in the middle of a national homicide epidemic, with the murder rate spiking about 30% in 2020. In the last few days, a dozen major American cities have set new annual records for killings — with three weeks remaining in 2021. In Philly, Indianapolis, Portland and Louisville, folks are murdering one another like crazy. Even Tucson — which I’ve always considered merely boring — set a new record for homicides in the year, with 80 murders as of Dec. 7.

Given Arizona’s a nity for guns, you’re probably thinking, well, we must be atop the state list? Nope.

The homicide rate in Arizona jumped 30% between 2019 and last year. But — and it’s a big but — that’s merely average. In South Dakota, the murder literally tripled over the same time span. It spiked 66% in

Wisconsin and 54% in Georgia and Delaware. Pennsylvania saw murders jump by 49%.

At the end of the day, Arizona’s murder rate of 6.9 intentional killings per 100,000 residents ranks a mere 22nd out of the 50 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

That’s right about the middle of the pack. A solid C. Ordinary. Who would’ve thought?

How do I explain this ranking? In two ways.

First, as one of the fastest-growing states in the country, Arizona has added about 800,000 new residents over the past decade. Our homicidal maniacs and gun loons can’t keep up with all the moving vans and California transplants.

My second explanation is slightly more complicated. In big cities around the United States, there has been a push to demonize police o cers and defund police departments, an absurd movement that has attracted support in Tucson (see above), Phoenix (where homicides jumped 44% between 2019 and last year) and Tempe (which logged eight murders in both 2019 and 2020).

The rest of Arizona has mostly rejected such nonsense, perhaps because most Arizonans have some common sense: We understand law enforcement is not perfect and should be both supported for the good it does and held accountable for its aws and bad actors.

But communities — or a nation — that spends years screeching about evil cops should not be surprised when actual murderous evil takes root in place of the many quality o cers who have found themselves under attack.

The moral to the story? Arizona is actually a ne place to live. Comparatively low taxes, solid economy, rising home values, incomparable weather. The Copper State is killing it. Just not like they’ve been killing it lately in South Dakota and Wisconsin.

The POWER of

Music

Chamber society fills a pandemic void

BY SUE BREDING

When internationally renowned violin and viola instrumentalist and composer Nokuthula Ngwenyama arrived to rehearse for the Phoenix Chamber Music Society’s concert on March 5, she noticed something unusual.

Several audience members were already there — seated, smiling and full of anticipation.

The global COVID-19 pandemic had stripped people of the ability to attend live shows, so in 2020, the society streamed concerts and interviews with artists.

Then, just as vaccines became available, they found an innovative way to bring live music back. They held outdoor concerts with mandatory safety precautions. It was early Spring 2021, and the society became one of the few chamber music organizations in the country offering anything like that.

“Those concert-goers who were there early for my performance were so grateful that they were going to be seeing a live performance and feel a sense of community again,” Ngwenyama says.

From a performer’s perspective, Ngwenyama knew exactly what they were experiencing. As someone who could read and write notes before she could speak words, music is an integral part of who she is.

“That makes it my primary written, expressive language,” Ngwenyama explains.

While she could focus on composing and writing and could perform for her family during the pandemic, there was a void.

“I missed the energy and being able to play for people,” the artist says. “To have it be in the midst of a pandemic and have

people be there to watch that beautiful evening, it was an amazing, perfect night.”

The pandemic brought a variety of challenges for many people. Ngwenyama has always believed music is an ideal antidote in difficult times.

Research backs her up. They include a study done in England by a researcher with Goldsmiths University showing that music can boost moods even more than yoga or being with a dog.

Another study published in the Journal of Public Health found that experiencing live music can melt away stress by reducing stress hormones.

Chamber music means songs that are composed for small groups of instruments and ensembles, and it is most often associated with classical music. Board certified music therapist Julie Hoffer with Valley Music Therapy LLC says classical music in particular has several wellness benefits.

According to Hoffer, it includes better emotional awareness and improved quality of sleep. She says listening to music, especially live music, can release endorphins in the brain, like exercise.

Also, music often holds many memories, so a single tune can take a person to a special time and place

The Phoenix Chamber Music Society has been serving the Phoenix area for 62 years.

“In all that time, our goal has always been the same — bringing the most acclaimed small ensembles of classical musicians from across the globe here, for a season of concerts,” says Executive Director Janet Green.

The season’s performances, which span from October to April, are held at Central United Methodist Church. When the pan-

demic hit, the society streamed videos including six Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center concerts. Then, something lucky happened.

“We were fortunate that our concert venue, Central United Methodist Church, partnered with Phoenix Theatre Company to construct an outdoor performance venue in the church’s courtyard,” Green explains.

“Phoenix Theatre Company then graciously allowed us to use that stage and the lighting and sound system, for concerts so we had three outdoor concerts for individuals who had been vaccinated, wore masks and were distanced.

“Having this innovative collaboration and the ability to have live concerts during this time was a true gift for us.”

All but one of their regular concerts were rescheduled, either as later than originally planned or piggy-backed onto this current season.

For all the artists, including Ngwenyama, those initial outdoor concerts were their first live performances since March 2020.

“It was a profound moment to feel a sense of community again,” Ngwenyama says.

“There is a human expression that comes through when I hear live music and I’m in the moment. I feel it viscerally, it is so meaningful that it goes right to my soul.”

She is preparing for her upcoming performance by Umama Womama, an all-women’s composers’ trio she founded with flutist Valerie Coleman-Page and harpist Hannah Lash. They will premiere a jointly written three-movement work at

the society’s Spring 2022 music festival.   Green says some of the chamber’s musicians have described themselves as “giddy” with excitement about the chance to be on stage in front of a live audience again.

Their 2022 concert series includes one by recent Grammy winner Pacifica Quartet. Also on the schedule is wind quintet Imani Winds, the New York-based Manhattan Chamber Players, the Musicians from Marlboro and the East Coast Chamber Orchestra.

Green says safety precautions for audience and performers will continue. She is simply grateful that the finest music the world can offer, is now back live.

“Music can transport you,” Green explains. “It gives people a place to escape and just immerse themselves into an art form where they don’t have to think about daily life.”

Phoenix Chamber Music Society

602-252-0095, pcmsociety@aol.com phoenixchambermusicsociety.org

Nokuthula Ngwenyama says music is an integral part of who she is.

(Photo by Mark Morgan)

50-Something and Fabulous

Tips for skin treatments in 2022

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Time and gravity naturally reveal the markers of aging — wrinkles, sunspots, leathery texture and the loss of volume — which is why many look to overhaul their skin care routines in search of the best options, especially women who are older than 50.

“From newly FDA-approved aesthetic treatments to improving your at-home skin care regimen, if you’re looking for that new-year, new-you glow, there are countless options that have remarkable results,” says Marissa Abdo, who co-founded Lumen + Bevel Aesthetics in Scottsdale.

The benefits of healthy skin care habits include preventing or clearing up a blotchy complexion, retaining skin’s youthful firmness longer, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, avoiding leathery skin, and reducing cancer risk.

2022, which is beauty brands working on innovative ingredients to minimize blue light’s damaging impact on skin.

“Things that can protect your skin against blue light damage include wearing a tinted, broad-spectrum sunscreen or complexion makeup and using skin care products with antioxidants,” Abdo says.

“Look for ingredients like hedychium coronarium (butterfly ginger) root extract, theobroma cacao (cocoa) extract and algae extracts. If a company is selling a product that makes blue light claims, they should be using an extract that’s been specifically tested against blue light.”

Next, collagen is among the most abundant proteins in the body. It makes up for 30% of all the protein in one’s body, and most of the protein in skin at 75%. Women begin to lose collagen as early as 30 years old, but around the age of 50, collagen production diminishes significantly, and visible aging accelerates.

“Unfortunately, nowadays, we have a lot more than sun damage to think about,” says Morgan Renfro, co-founder of Lumen + Bevel.

“During the pandemic, people were forced to adopt technology into their lives completely by relying on it to continue their daily activities. This dependency also increased our exposure to blue light, which is known to have a damaging effect on skin.”

Sculptra Aesthetic is an FDA-approved aesthetic treatment that encourages the growth of natural collagen to add firmness to the skin.

“We like to describe it as a fertilizer for your face because it provides a natural volume replacement that can last for more than two years,” Renfro says.

“We inject Sculptra in the face, chest, buttocks and anywhere there is skin laxity like elbows and knees.”

developing healthy skin. That can be taken a step further with acid layering. It works by breaking down and eliminating dead skin cells on the outer layer of skin to expose brighter, fresher skin.

Alpha hydroxy acid, beta-hydroxy acid, glycolic acids and salicylic acids are staples.

“We recommend acid layering for patients who struggle with uneven skin tones, fine lines and wrinkles,” Renfro says. “While it can be highly effective, it’s important to know which one works for your skin because there are so many. Layering AHAs and BHAs is a good place to start.”

Retinol is the “gold standard” of anti-aging serums, as it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and renews skin’s surface. A derivative of vitamin A, it complements the skin’s natural renewal process.

“As you age, skin renewal begins to slow,” Renfro says. “Retinol boosts the skin’s surface renewal process and helps to strengthen the skin’s foundation to minimize the look of age spots, improve texture and help resist the look of lines and wrinkles.”

“The other we’d recommend is Alastin Restorative Skin Complex because it’s formulated to help volumize and lift skin, combat all visible signs of aging and restore skin health for a vibrant, youthful appearance.”

QWO is a newer treatment for 2022. Approved by the FDA, the injectable treats moderate to severe cellulite in the buttocks of adult women. Cellulite is a fat deposit beneath the skin that looks like lumpy, dimpled flesh on the thighs, hips, buttocks and belly.

“The enzymes in QWO — called collagenases — are believed to target a structural cause under the skin working in three ways by releasing fibrous bands, redistributing fat cells and stimulating the growth of new collagen,” Abdo says.

Research shows blue light from electronic devices can lead to changes in the skin cells, including shrinkage and death. Exposures as short as 60 minutes can trigger these changes. Too much blue light could also lead to pigmentation. This new dependency has led to one of the most anticipated trends expected in

As a poly-L-lactic acid collagen stimulator, Sculptra Aesthetic helps restore the deep, underlying structure of the skin to diminish facial wrinkles and works with the body within the deep dermis to revitalize collagen production. It helps restore skin’s inner structure and volume.

“If you want to appear more youthful-looking without looking like you’ve had work done, Sculptra Aesthetic would be the best choice,” Abdo says.

Wrinkles also respond well to moisture, which is why barrier creams are increasing in popularity. Also known as skin balms, salves and ointments, they all aim to keep skin hydrated and protected. Barrier creams stop transepidermal water loss and skin breakdown by providing a topical barrier on the skin, while also healing skin tears and existing wounds. These products can be useful if the natural barrier function of skin isn’t working as it should, whether that be because of a skin condition (eczema, dermatitis, rosacea and acne) or effects of the cold, dry winter.

“QWO works by breaking up those fibrous bands that cause the appearance of cellulite.”

QWO is injected by an aesthetic specialist directly into the targeted dimples in the buttocks using a small needle. The same size needle that is used for Botox injections. Each QWO treatment will consist of somewhere between 12 and 24 injections, depending on the amount of cellulite on the surface of the skin. The number of treatments a patient receives is individualized.

“When it comes to trying out any new skin care trend, we highly recommend consulting an aesthetic specialist to ensure that you’re a good candidate, as well as to create a personalized treatment plan to get the results that you want,” Renfro says. Before After

The third biggest skin care trend to lookout for is acid layering. Morning and night skin care routines are crucial for

“One of our favorite barrier creams is SkinMedica’s HA5 because it blends five different types of hydrators that immediately go to work to replenish your skin’s hyaluronic acid and is ideal for pretty much all skin types,” Renfro says.

Lumen + Bevel co-founders Morgan Renfro and Marissa Abdo. (Submitted photo)

Active Aging

Physical therapy clinic helps active adults stay moving

BY JORDAN HOUSTON

A local physical therapist is dedicated to promoting a lifestyle free from painkillers, out of doctor’s offices and a noholds-barred approach to living life to the fullest.

they want to be,” Street says.

The physical therapy division offers a free phone or in-person consultation and provides one-on-one therapy that is highly tailored to the individual.

we age, she adds.

Although treatment plans vary, Spark Performance treats problem areas within the back and spine, such as low back pain, disc degeneration and sciatica, as well as pre- and post-surgical pain. It also tackles neck and head pain, and limb-related issues such as carpal tunnel syndrome and hip, knee and elbow pain.

“We try to incorporate our physical therapy philosophies into things people are going to experience on the daily,” Street says. “Things get a little weaker as you get older. Weight training and resistance training are known to positively impact bone strength and density or limit fall.”

Spark Performance’s philosophy stems from its owner and founder Steven Alexander, Street notes.

Mesa’s Spark Performance and Physiotherapy, located at 6056 E. Baseline Road, Suite 147, is a sports and orthopedic clinic that specializes in helping active adults prevent or recover from “painful injuries and get back to doing what they love without the use of medications, injections or invasive surgeries.” Founded in 2018, the clinic is divided into physical therapy and sports performance divisions.

According to Spark Performance and Physiotherapy clinic administrator Chelsey Street, it caters to those suffering from orthopedic and sports injuries, individuals looking to leave painkillers behind or avoid surgery, people in need of assistance in returning to the gym or “golf course” and injured athletes looking to minimize time away from their sport.

“The population we tend to target is middle-aged and older adults by helping them age gracefully and be as active as

What sets the physical therapy clinic apart from the rest, however, is its emphasis on remaining active in order to return to or continue living a “healthy” and “active” lifestyle, Street says.

“In other clinics, you might see people sitting down – but a lot of active people don’t sit down,” the clinic administrator expresses. “A lot of what we do is with people on their feet. We are a bit untraditional; our main hub is a squat rack. It looks more like a gym than it does like a physical therapy clinic.”

Most treatment plans tap into strength-centric workouts, including the use of barbells and dumbbells, she continues.

“Just because you are in your mid-50s doesn’t mean you can’t operate a barbell,” Street says.

Regardless of age, Street says incorporating proper form into all active activities, whether it’s playing tennis or lifting household objects like laundry baskets, is key to maintaining a healthy body.

Form, balance and coordination only become more crucial as

Spark Performance and Physiotherapy helps athletes and active adults over-

Alexander, a Mesa High School and Arizona State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, competed his doctorate in physical therapy from Regis University. He is also certified in dry needling.

Alexander was inspired to launch the clinic in 2018 after spending “a lot of time” working at “mill-like” physical therapy clinics, the website states.

“He’s an elite physical therapist and he broke out from the traditional clinic when he decided it was just too much of a mill with too many patients that weren’t getting the type of therapy essential for active lifestyles,” Street explains.

“You would have active people trying to get back to active lifestyles using three-pound dumbbells,” she continues. “You’re not going to get an athlete or active adult back to doing what they want that way.”

Spark Performance and Physiotherapy has since been a hotspot for active adults looking to stay moving – and it’s only continuing to expand.

Street says the clinic will soon launch a personal training service geared toward sports performance for young athletes.

“We’re looking to engage high school and college athletes more,” Street shares.

“We want to make it a lifestyle, so it’s not just the parents coming in, we can teach your kids, too.”

Spark Performance and Physiotherapy

6056 E. Baseline Road, Suite 147, Mesa

sparkperformancept.com

6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to noon Saturday

(Submitted photo)

China Before Communism

EXPERIENCE the brilliance and majesty of China’s civilization before communism.

Exquisite beauty from the heavens, profound wisdom from dynasties past, timeless legends and ethnic traditions all spring to life through classical Chinese dance, enchanting live orchestral music, authentic costumes, and patented interactive backdrops. It is an immersive experience that will uplift your spirit and transport you to another world.

Join us for a night filled with courage and wisdom, light and hope... Experience Shen Yun!

“A fascinating insight into what China’s culture used to be and what I hope one day will be restored to China.”

—Edward McMillan-Scott, former Vice-President of the European Parliament

“There is massive power in this. It brings great hope...”

—Daniel Herman, former Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic

“It is breathtaking! I am walking away deeply inspired and profoundly moved!”

—Rita Cosby, Emmy Award-winning journalist

“I encourage everyone to see and all of us to learn from.”

—Donna Karan, creator of DKNY

Putting Health First

Annual wellness visits lead to preventative care

BY LAURA LATZKO

Staying healthy is more than just going to seeing a doctor for sick visits.

With annual wellness visits, patients like Venetta Clark can discuss their potential health risks, family histories and status of chronic conditions. Doctors and patients can devise a plan to stay healthy.

The 69-year-old Central Phoenix resident is a patient of Dr. Tara Ostrom, an internal medicine specialist and medical director at Optum Care’s 19th Avenue location.

Optum Care is a nationwide health network with over 50,000 physicians and more than 1,400 clinics around the country. It provides primary care as well as specialty care for patients such as Clark.

Ostrom deems it important to discuss long-term health concerns with her patients.

Clark — who suffers from breathing, blood pressure, kidney and diabetes-related health problems — says regular visits every three months along with annual wellness visits help improve her well-being.

She was introduced to Ostrom after a hospital stay for pneumonia.

“I was going to doctors, telling them about how I was feeling, the fact that I was constantly coughing at night,” Clark says.

“My husband couldn’t get any sleep because I was coughing so much when I caught pneumonia — and nobody was listening. Nobody was paying attention. The doctor told me when I went into the hospital, if I had waited another day, I may not have made it. After that cleared up, I found somebody who was willing to take the time to listen to what I had to say.”

Ostrom says patients of all ages can benefit from annual wellness visits, partnered with other office visits, like Clark.

“We spend so much time investing and planning financially for our future, but it’s really time to take time investing in our future physical health,” Ostrom says.

“We screen for depression and anxiety disorders that may not have come up in other visits, and memory testing is part of some of those wellness visits. It helps you to identify something before it’s a problem so an early intervention can be done.

“Fall prevention is a huge thing, especially with 65 and up, to identify what puts somebody at risk for a fall. You can do physical therapy, order a cane or a walker or anything to prevent that hip fracture, which impacts future quality of life.”

Optum Care proactively reaches out to patients, reminding them of these visits. Often, these appointments are scheduled at the beginning of the year, although some insurances require that wellness visits be at 12-month intervals.

Counseling the patient

With annual wellness visits, Ostrom discusses a variety of topics with patients, including medicine management, lifestyle risks, family health histories and long-term health conditions.

“It’s a counseling visit mostly, where you take a full set of vitals, but most of the entire visit is having a conversation backand-forth and learning about the patients about all of these different things that usually don’t come up in an office visit,” Ostrom says.

Ostrom says that lifestyle risks often play a major part in a person’s well-being.

“Lifestyle risks are ways that we live our lives that by doing so put us at an increased health risk for the future,” Ostrom says.

“The top ones that we touch on are

smoking, to include chewing and vaping. People don’t realize vaping has significant health risks. Alcohol use, trying to get an idea of how much, what’s okay and what’s a bit much.

Drug use…. And then how many minutes of exercise every day, fruits and vegetables and healthy diet. And where we are at with weight. By looking at all of those and by having that discussion, I might recommend these particular labs to screen you for high cholesterol, to screen you for diabetes.”

For Clark, to improve her health, she has to stick to a plan that she and Ostrom established.

“When Dr. Ostrom and I first met, we made a contract with each other that I would make my visits when I said I would be there, and she would help keep me well,” she says.

“I would have to say so far, she’s done as excellent job of that. All of the things that were bothering me when I went to see her, we have under control. We have controlled everything but one thing, and that’s my weight.

“One of the things that I’ve found with Dr. Ostrom is that she listens. When I go in there and have a complaint about something, she takes the time to investigate it. She also keeps me on track for what visits I need to have, when I need to go through my mammogram. I have a specialist for everything but when I really want to get down to the nitty gritty, I go to see Dr. Ostrom because she will look into it.”

During annual wellness visits, Ostrom often asks patients about vaccinations like the flu, pneumonia, tetanus and shingles. Recently, COVID-19 vaccines have become part of this conversation.

Under the hood

Ostrom says the annual visits require more time, if possible.

“If you think about if you are taking your car in for the 20,000-mile checkup, the car is running fine,” she says. “You

are taking it in to see what needs to be checked if it hits 20,000 miles. That’s what that annual wellness/annual physical is.

“We are just seeing that everything is going well but what should we get checked out?”

Annual wellness visits usually require physicals, cancer screenings, tests such as bone density scans and bloodwork. Through labs, Ostrom can detect if patients are deficient in certain areas. Clark, for example, has low magnesium levels. These visits are important — especially for folks who are high risk for conditions such as breast, prostate, testicular, ovarian, lung or skin cancer because of their ages, lifestyles or family histories.

She reminds patients of other exams, like ophthalmological or dental visits. Through these appointments, Clark found out early that she is developing cataracts.

“That is an opportunity to find out what’s going on,” Ostrom says.

“It may be that they didn’t want to tell me that they were having some side effects, or maybe it was expensive, and they didn’t feel comfortable telling me. But it’s an opportunity to say, ‘I think this is important. Let’s maybe find something else if this isn’t working out. Or if you forget, let’s talk about it.’”

Clark says she visits with Ostrom with a list of questions at the ready.

“I have her really explain things to me, not just on the surface, but we can go a little bit deeper,” Clark says.

“The kinds of questions that I want to know is what type of impact me taking

Dr. Tara Ostrom, internal medicine specialist and medical director at Optum Care’s 19th Avenue location. (Photo by Stevenson Photography)

An Optum Care physician takes her patient’s pulse during an exam. (Photo by Dennis Murphy)

this medicine has with the medication I’m already taking, those types of questions,” Clark says.

In the age of COVID-19, wellness visits are often relegated to telemed, which has done “quite well,” according to Ostrom.

She found that many individuals liked the convenience of the video conversations during that time.

“It’s a longer conversation,” she says. “That is one of the things that you can do well on video. Most of my patients have the ability to check their blood pressure at home. We are able to do a good portion of the wellness visit and determine based off this conversation, we should get some bloodwork done. I might have the patient come into the office, and we get their height and weight when they are getting their blood drawn. It actually made patients happy, sitting in their living rooms having those longer conversations, especially last year when there weren’t COVID vaccines, and people were afraid to be any place for a long period of time.”

Entertainment

‘It’s

Always Been Music’

Michael Gerry finds his home at the Silver Star

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

When Michael Gerry was a toddler, he was transfixed by a phonograph player. It was a sign of things to come — a lifelong dedication to music.

“There was never any dispute what I was destined to do,” he says. “It’s been throughout my entire life.”

Now, Gerry is the bassist/saxophonist/ vocalist at East Mesa’s Silver Star Theater in shows like Solid Gold Rock ‘n’ Roll, Malt Shop Memories and True Country.

“The real thrill of being involved with the Silver Star is all the entertainers and musicians and singers are top rate,” he says.

“This is not a bar band. We’re not weekend warriors. Everybody on the stage has a wealth of experience. The level of the show and the entertainers is far above what any other theater or venue would get, except for a touring show coming into town from out of state somewhere. It’s a special environment.”

Gerry is no different. He was “handpicked” by Andrew Lloyd Webber to perform music for Broadway shows like “Cats,” “Phantom of the Opera” and “Les Misérables.”

Born and raised in Chicago, Gerry studied at the American Conservatory of Music and graduated from Indiana University as a woodwind major but was equally

involved playing bass guitar and string bass. Gerry has also played on commercials for major airlines, Coors, McDonald’s and Sears.

Lifelong love

While most kids were in school, Gerry was taking “serious” music lessons. Gerry’s first instruments were the accordion, which, he says, he “zipped” through at 5 years old, and the saxophone.

“I ended up continuing to play the saxophone all through high school and college,” he says. “I started at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago as a woodwind major and then I transferred to Indiana University, where I graduated and did post-grad master’s degree work. It’s always been music.”

At the “ripe old age of 12 or 13,” Gerry formed a band with friends and played the saxophone. The act needed a bassist, so he swapped instruments.

“We couldn’t find a bass player in our age range,” he says. “I always loved hearing the bass. We went to a pawn shop in Downtown Chicago with a buddy at 13 or 14 and bought a Sears Silvertone bass.

“It was about $30 — it was all the money I could afford back then. It came very easy to me. Within a week or two, I was playing bass in this rock ‘n’ roll band.”

At 17, the band — who went by a va-

riety of names, he says — was signed to the William Morris Agency, a Hollywood-based talent agency. He spent a summer opening for the Beach Boys on tour.

“This started pretty young for me,” Gerry says. “Mercury (Records) was interested in us. All of us were underage. Two of the parents refused to sign the contract. They knew that if we went on the road and continued touring, we could not go to college.

“We would have given up that window of opportunity to go to college and have a ‘normal’ college experience. I went to college and a couple of the guys in the band went into the Army.”

After attending Indiana University, Gerry returned to Chicago.

The doors keep opening

Jingles — and the need for bassists who could read music — were booming.

As a result, Gerry spent his days in recording studios working on hundreds of commercials. He mentioned to a contract

musician that he was interested in theater work.

The doors kept opening.

“I started working at theaters, backing the shows that came into the Chicago area,” Gerry says. “I was super, super fortunate to play with real stars who did them — Yul Brynner in ‘The King and I,’ Robert Goulet in ‘Camelot’ and Angela Lansbury

Gerry...continues on page 15

Michael Gerry keeps his career fresh with the variety of shows that the Silver Star Theater in Mesa offers. (Photo by Dennis Murphy)

in ‘Sweeney Todd.’

“I did that for about 10 years in Chicago, doing jingle work during the day and in the theaters backing up the top, top shows at night.”

After frequently saying no, he accepted a position touring with Broadway shows. He received an invitation to audition for Andrew Lloyd Webber.

“Andrew Lloyd Webber was sitting there. He wanted to hear rhythm sections, which is bass, drums, guitar and keyboards,” he says. “That is the nucleus going on all the time. The other instruments are important, but sort of sweeteners.”

His rhythm section was chosen, and he hit the road for about a decade. Not being at home for an extended length of time, he says was “mind changing.”

(Photo by Dennis Murphy)

“It really affects your life,” he says.

His life changed even further when he was in Seoul, Korea, performing with “Les Misérables.” He was lost and met a Korean woman who put him on the right path. Ann is now his wife and the gift shop manager at Silver Star Theater.

“You never know when you’re going to meet someone,” he says. “Everybody loves her. She can’t do enough for everyone. She just goes out of her way. That’s part of her DNA.”

Gerry eventually bought a house in Mesa, where Silver Star Theater is based. He performs in a variety of bands, hitting stages at corporate events, RV parks and retirement centers.

He enjoys the variety at the Silver Star Theater as it keeps his career fresh.

“The songs aren’t the same from show to show,” he says. “We do ’50s music. We do classic rock ‘n’ roll, which is everything from the 1960s on. The shows really encompass everything. We have a variety show that has jazz and Broadway, country, and rock ‘n’ roll. Plus, there’s a buffet. Guests can get a taste of everything.

“We have a country show and we put special shows together for New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day. It’s a great environment and a great venue to play in.”

Star Theater 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

Gerry...continued from page 14

‘Me, Myself & Shirley’

Cindy Williams says her TV show was a ‘blessing’

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Actress Cindy Williams does not mind that fans forever link her with her late1970s/early 1980s character Shirley Feeney from the beloved sitcom “Laverne & Shirley.”

“It’s such a blessing and a privilege that it’s played to so many people and so many generations,” she says.

“And it has stood the test of time. There’s a human commonality about it. It’s like when someone trips and falls. You kind of laugh. You’re really laughing at yourself. The cast and the writers were aware of that with ‘Laverne & Shirley.’”

Williams will take the Herberger Theater Center stage for two shows on Saturday, January 29, in a one-woman show, “Me, Myself & Shirley,” during which she will share memories of her career and backstage tales from her lifetime in entertainment.

“It’s 90 minutes of fun and laughter,” she says. “You’ll burst out laughing at least one time. There’s a question-and-answer session at the end. Basically, I share fun stories about my show, my business life and a little about my real life.

“There is a lot of ‘Laverne & Shirley,’ a lot of ‘American Graffiti’ and ‘Star Wars,’ and how I auditioned for the role of Princess Leia. There’s no intermission and, boy, this is what the world needs now. Phoenix could use a dose of it, as could the rest of America.”

Born in Van Nuys, California, Williams fell in love with acting during high school. After graduation, she attended LA City College, where she majored in theater arts.

After leaving college, she landed her first TV roles on “Room 222,” “Nanny and the Professor” and “Love, American Style.” Her guest-starring roles include “Law &

Order: SVU,” “7th Heaven” and “8 Simple Rules.” It’s her time during “Laverne & Shirley” that she particularly cherishes.

“Because of TV Land and reruns, new generations are watching the show,” she says about “Laverne & Shirley.”

“I had no idea it was on TV Land until I was picking up my daughter from school and all these little girls ran over to the car. They had seen it on TV Land.”

Williams was frequently surprised by that fanbase, as was the late Penny Marshall, who played Laverne DeFazio. Sometimes, it felt a little “bizarre,” she says.

During a drive in California when “Laverne & Shirley” was on reruns, Williams and Marshall could see the beloved TV show playing inside of a house in Hollywood.

“We look over and people are sitting in their living room watching ‘Laverne & Shirley,’” she says. “We could see us on television. It was bizarre — but fabulously so. It was so amazing, and it still is. I love people and people, like Anne Frank said, are really good at heart.”

Williams and Marshall, who died in 2018, had plenty of laughs themselves during the sitcom’s filming.

“Penny and I had this litmus test,” she says. “During rehearsals, if it made us laugh out loud, we knew the audience in the studio would laugh out loud and it would translate to a TV audience.

“We wanted to have fun and we wanted to take the audience along with us. It was one big audience — the whole cast was an audience, too.”

She explains, for example, she had to bite her tongue when “the boys” — David L. Lander (Squiggy) and Michael McKean (Lenny) —came in so she wouldn’t burst out laughing. The rehearsals, she says, yielded some of her biggest laughs.

“Penny said the same thing,” she says. “We would laugh until we cried. We’d make it sillier to make ourselves laugh even more.”

To keep the proper laughs on track, the “Laverne & Shirley” cast had to adhere to the rules of a Christian censor, she says.

“I’m prime time, we had family hour, which I don’t think we have anymore,” she says with a laugh. “He wouldn’t let us say diddly squat. There were innuendos sometimes, so children and adults ended up loving it.”

at our heels,” she says.

“Everyone feels that. We had fun with it, and it was for everybody.”

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“Laverne & Shirley” tackled serious issues as well, but always with a comedic twist. The two working girls weren’t privileged, she says. After all, they lost their brewery jobs and moved to Burbank. However, they always carried a great enthusiasm for life, and they made it somehow.

“We kept the show on par with not knowing where the rent was going to come from, how we were going to pay our electric bill. We had the wolf nipping

What: “Me, Myself & Shirley”

When: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 29

Where: The Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix

Cost: Tickets start at $30

Info: herbergertheater.org

“Laverne & Shirley” star

Cindy Williams enjoyed her time playing the former brewery worker. She’ll share stories of her career during “Me, Myself & Shirley” at The Herberger Theater Center. (Photos by Christopher and Amy Pasquantonio)

A RE T HE HO LIDA YS

AROUND THE

y t o d etect a nd sta ge fatty li ve r di sease for their p at ien ts . Fib ro sca n i s a non - in vas i ve scree ning t ool th at ca n tak e as li tt le as 15 m inu tes t

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Devoted Health Plans

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Fellowship Square Historic Mesa

Fitzmaurice Hand Institute

Fletcher Music Centers

For Energy

Home Concepts Custom Remodeling

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2022 Mesa Expo Exhibitors

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Leading Edge Senior Car

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National Cremation Society

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Entertainment by The Duttons & Ms. Senior Arizona

2022 Event Schedule

9 a.m. ........................................................................ Exhibit opens 9:15 a.m. ...................................... Official welcome - Sean Hoy

10 a.m. ........................ Door prizes; $100 drawing giveaway

10:05 a.m. ........................................ Sponsor announcements

10:10 a.m. ...................... Ms. Senior Arizona performs

11 a.m. ........................ Door prizes; $100 drawing giveaway

11:05 a.m. ........................................ Sponsor announcements

11:10 a.m. ...................... Ms. Senior Arizona performs

Noon ........................... Door prizes; $100 drawing giveaway

12:05 p.m. ........................................ Sponsor announcements

12:30 p.m. ................................... The Duttons perform 1 p.m. ................................................................... Expo concludes

Sean Hoy, emcee

Meet the Host

Sean Hoy brings energy and fun to the expos

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Sean Hoy likes to say he has four talents: painting, cartooning, teaching and interviewing.

“When I was younger, I always had little talk shows,” he says with a laugh. “I’d even interview myself — ‘What do you think about that, Sean?’ ‘I think that’s great, Sean!’ ‘What a great idea, Sean!’”

When he hosts the Lovin’ Life After 50 Expos, he incorporates the skill set.

“I love doing those,” says Hoy, who will appear at the expos on Wednesday, January 12, in Tucson; Monday, January 24, in Sun City; and Wednesday, January 26, in Mesa.

“I have such a free rein of just being me and bringing my personality. I just love it. I’ve been doing it now for three years. It’s neat that I get to see the same people I’ve befriended. It’s such a neat thing.”

The pandemic has been troubling to most, but Hoy used his art as a way of dealing with it. He painted murals and portraits of deceased pets for fur parents and created stickers. Hoy’s work can be seen at Copper 48 in Downtown Gilbert and The Perch Brewery in Chandler.

“It really hit me, finally, that I’ve been doing the same thing since the fourth grade, but now I’m getting paid for it,” he says.

“People say, ‘You’re living your dream.’ I say, ‘Wait a minute. I am.’ I’ve been printing these stickers. I’m totally into it. I’m calling it the Hoylarious Sticker Movement. I must have at least 20 to

25 sticker designs, all with positive messages. Everything I do is more whimsical and positive.”

Hoy was born in Alexandria, Virginia. His father was the White House photographer for The Washington Post from 1963 to 1972. His mother worked there as well.

“He has pictures of Kennedy, Nixon and Johnson,” Hoy says. “He has pictures of him and Johnson shaking hands and talking. He earned a doctorate and taught at Syracuse, before coming here to help start the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication with the man he called ‘Wally.’

“Photojournalism was his thing at ASU. I was the State Press cartoonist for three and a half years, and he mentored photographers. We were very close.”

Hoy has worked with underprivileged children and also does corporate training.

“I go to different companies and teach the staff how to communicate better with improv techniques,” Hoy says. “I don’t like to say ‘comedy,’ because people will think it’s dirty.”

He’s not one to take any of his talents for granted.

“Every day, I am grateful for all my talents,” he says. “I want to use them to the best of my abilities. I want people to smile. I don’t need a belly laugh. When people say, ‘You’re a breath of fresh air,’ that’s the best compliment in the world. If I made you smile or made your dog wag his tail, that’s my day. I’m done. Drop the mic.”

Sean Hoy has hosted Lovin’ Life After 50 Expos for four years. (Photo by Kimberly Carrillo)

Let’s explore your Medicare plan options

Let’s explore your Medicare plan options

Let’s explore your Medicare plan options

Programs & Services

A directory of programs and services for senior residents in the Phoenix and Tucson areas

GENERAL INFORMATION

Arizona Assisted Living Federation of America

EMPACT Suicide Prevention Center

Phoenix: 480-784-1500

Statewide, toll free: 1-866-205-5229

Together, we can discuss your needs and review plan options. I can even help you enroll. After all, you deserve to feel confident in your decision.

Together, we can discuss your needs and review plan options. I can even help you enroll. After all, you deserve to feel confident in your decision.

602-322-0100

Arizona Department of Health Services 602-542-1000

1-on-1 help in person, online, or over the phone

1-on-1 help in person, online, or over the phone

Together, we can discuss your needs and review plan options. I can even help you enroll. After all, you deserve to feel confident in your decision.

Arizona Health Care Association 602-265-5331

Philips Lifeline 520-465-4111

Tucson Medical Center’s Seniors Program 520-324-1960

1-on-1 help in person, online, or over the phone

Candy Garmon

Candy Garmon

AREA AGENCIES ON AGING

1-520-237-1857, TTY:

Candy Garmon

711

1-520-237-1857, TTY: 711

Arizona Hospice & Palliative Care Organization 480-967-9424

8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week

8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week

1-520-237-1857, TTY: 711

Maricopa County: 602-264-2255 Pima County: 520-790-7262

candy.garmon@anthem.com

candy.garmon@anthem.com

AZ Lic. # 18522918

8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week

AZ Lic. # 18522918

Authorized Agent

candy.garmon@anthem.com

Authorized Agent

AZ Lic. # 18522918

Authorized Agent

For costs, exclusions, limitations, terms, and complete details of coverage, please contact your agent or the health plan. Amerigroup Ohio, Inc. and Amerigroup Texas, Inc. are Medicare Advantage Organizations with Medicare contracts. Enrollment in Amerigroup depends on contract renewal.

Y0114_21_123303_I_C_6017 10/01/2020

For costs, exclusions, limitations, terms, and complete details of coverage, please contact your agent or the health plan. Amerigroup Ohio, Inc. and Amerigroup Texas, Inc. are Medicare Advantage Organizations with Medicare contracts. Enrollment in Amerigroup depends on contract renewal.

Y0114_21_123303_I_C_6017 10/01/2020

Benevilla 623-584-4999

Community Services Administration 602-542-6600

Family Caregiver Alliance 1-800-445-8106

Foundation for Senior Living 602-285-1800

Gila, Pinal County: 520-836-2758

ARIZONA LONG-TERM CARE

Glendale: 602-417-6000

Phoenix: 602-417-6600 Mesa: 602-417-6400 Tucson: 520-205-8600

Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging 602-542-4710

CASE MANAGEMENT PROVIDERS

510637MUSENMUB_6017

510637MUSENMUB_6017

For costs, exclusions, limitations, terms, and complete details of coverage, please contact your agent or the health plan. Amerigroup Ohio, Inc. and Amerigroup Texas, Inc. are Medicare Advantage Organizations with Medicare contracts. Enrollment in Amerigroup depends on contract renewal.

Y0114_21_123303_I_C_6017 10/01/2020

Meulenberg Law Office

510637MUSENMUB_6017

Information and Referral Services Phoenix: 602-263-8856 Tucson: 520-325-1303

Long Term Care Ombudsman 602-542-4446

OASIS 520-795-3950 x 2113

Office of Aging and Adult Administration 602-542-4446

Senior Help Line 602-264-4357

Volunteers for Hospice 623-583-4490

HEALTH SERVICES

Alzheimer’s Association 602-528-0550

American Cancer Association 602-224-0524

American Heart Association 602-414-5353

American Lung Association 602-258-7505

American Parkinson Disease Association 1-800-908-2732

American Red Cross 602-366-6660

Arthritis Foundation 602-264-7679

Easter Seal Society of Arizona –Stroke Club 602-252-6061

Senior Adult Independent Living –Help Line

Maricopa County: 602-264-2255

Adult Protective Services – AZ 1-877-815-8390

Our Family Services 520-323-1708

Jewish Family & Children Services 520-795-0300

City of Phoenix Community Services 602-262-6631

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Arizona Veterans Service Phoenix: 602-627-3261 Tucson: 520-207-4968

Catholic Social Services Phoenix: 602-997-6105 Tucson: 520-623-0344

Arizona Department of Economic Security Phoenix: 1-800-352-8168 Tucson: 1-800-835-2100

Medicare/Social Security 1-800-772-1213

Medicaid (AHCCCS) Phoenix: 602-417-4000 Tucson: 520-205-8600

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 1-800-772-1213

Resort-Style Living

BY LAURA LATZKO

The thought of living in a senior community can be daunting — but it doesn’t have to be. The Citadel: A Senior Living Community in East Mesa keeps residents engaged while receiving the assistance or care they need.

With 270 residents, The Citadel Senior Living offers assisted living, memory care and independent-living housing. The community is a Lovin’ Life After 50 Expo sponsor.

At The Citadel, independent-living residents enjoy activities such as karaoke, a heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi, water aerobics classes, walking paths, billiards, blackjack, bingo, chair volleyball, beanbag baseball, and an inflatable game called Big Bad Bowling.

“We do have a very active independent-living group of residents,” says Sue Copenhefer, marketing director for The Citadel.

Many of the community’s activities are

also available to those who are in assisted living.

“If they are still active, they have a full activity calendar pretty much just like the independent residents,” Copenhefer says.

“They do have a beautiful courtyard that is surrounded by the building. They can enjoy that 24/7 because they are safe if they want to go outside.”

Independent and assisted-living residents often spend quality time with their friends in the community, she says. A gazebo is a comfortable way to congregate, and it boasts a gas grill and picnic space.

“If they need to transfer to assisted living, they can still see their friends. Some of the activities, we do bring both sides together,” Copenhefer says.

An on-site chapel has proven to be important to residents.

“A lot of communities — especially newer communities — do not build chapels,” she adds. “Our chapel is beautiful.”

Residents in memory care have access to a secure courtyard designed specifically for them.

“There’s no bells or alarms on the doors,” Copenhefer says. “I think, for them, that’s huge. They don’t feel like they’ve done something wrong. They do have some freedom. If they want to go outside, they can go outside but still be secure.”

The Citadel offers various floor plans for those in independent housing, depending on needs and budgets. The facility has studio, one-bedroom with one bathroom, and two-bedroom with oneor two-bathroom options available, with amenities such as air conditioning, private balconies or patios, and Wi-Fi.

Assisted-living residents live in either studios or one-bedroom accommodations.

The independent-living apartments are open to the outside, which Copenhefer says gives residents a feeling of normalcy and independence.

“We have a very comfortable, home-like atmosphere, especially for our independent residents,” Copenhefer says.

Those in assisted living receive personalized care, whether it is with bathing, grooming, going to the bathroom, or managing medications. The staff also takes care of weekly housekeeping, laundry and trash. Extra assistance is available 24 hours a day.

“We assist them with needs of their daily activities. That allows them to still be semi-independent,” Copenhefer says.

Residents receive three restaurant-style meals a day. They can go with a special entrée or choose from an a la carte menu with 15 options.

The staff can accommodate special pureed diets for those who have trouble swallowing.

Copenhefer says Citadel residents enjoy a high-quality lifestyle.

“It’s kind of assisted living resort-style,” Copenhefer says.

The Citadel Senior Living is located at 520 S. Higley Road, Mesa. It can be reached at 480-498-7600 and through the website citadelretirement.com.

Have Extra Time On Your Hands?

‘Live Life Until You Die’

Patricia Person crowned 2022 Ms. Senior Arizona

BY JORDAN HOUSTON

At 27, Patricia Person vowed to never compete in a beauty pageant again. The California native recalls the moment she was announced the winner of a local competition, only to have the title stripped from her seconds later.

“They called me as the winner, and as I was walking on the stage, happy with a big smile, they retracted it,” she recounts. Now, the 64-year-old finally got her moment of glory — and on a much larger stage.

In September, Person was crowned the 2022 Ms. Senior Arizona at the Cameo Foundation’s 32nd annual pageant at the Vista Center for the Performing Arts in Surprise. The nonprofit organization refrained from crowning 2020 and 2021 title holders due to COVID-19-related obstacles.

Open only to women 60 and above, Ms. Senior Arizona is more than just a “beauty contest.” The pageant honors the “Age of Elegance” by embodying the motivation and inspiration of senior women, grandmothers and great-grandmothers.

The nonprofit organization strives to offer older women a platform to showcase their achievements, talents and values, while reenforcing the importance of self-worth, inner beauty and charm.

“I am feeling proud, excited and happy,” says Person, an activity coordinator at MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care. “I wanted to win. I practiced to win, but I was still shocked.” Contestants must live in Arizona for at least three months prior to the state contest and are judged on four categories: their philosophies of life, judges’ in-

“This time, when they called my name, I was looking around like, ‘Let me wait. I don’t want this to be a repeat,’” Person says with a laugh. The mother of three also earned herself the Most Elegant recognition.

terviews, evening gown presentations and talent.

Person, who grew up in Los Angeles and frequently modeled in local fashion shows, says she adheres to her philosophy of life, “Live until you die,” every day.

“When I was in California, I was robbed at gunpoint,” recalls Person, who now lives in Mesa. “After I was robbed, I was afraid everywhere I went. I was scared, skittish, and when I went to the store, everybody looked suspicious.

“I just woke up one day and said, ‘I’m just going to live my life until I die and carry on and be cautious, but I can’t walk around and be scared of every single thing.’”

It’s safe to say that Person, an original “Soul Train” dancer and Zumba instructor, has embodied that promise to live her life to the fullest.

Person went on to work for Boeing in various capacities for almost 40 years. She simultaneously earned a bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in marketing at the University of Phoenix.

Now, she balances her time at the Fountain Hills assisted-living facility with operating her own hot dog catering business, LA Hot Dog Catering Service. Person is proud of not only her title of Arizona’s Ms. Senior queen but as a woman of color title holder as well.

For her talent, Person paid tribute to Bessie Coleman, the first African American and first Native American woman pilot, according to the National Women’s History Museum. The 64-year-old performed a dramatization of Coleman’s

story from her “successes to her demise,” she explains.

“It made me feel great,” Person says. “It makes me feel like what she did wasn’t lost and I kind of brought her back around, in a way, to make me feel better and to let people know how courageous and brave she was. It was sort of full circle, if you will.”

A caregiver by nature, Person adds that she is looking forward to working with the Cameo Foundation, a national organization of previous pageant contenders.

The local nonprofit works to provide resources to arm its members with the needed expertise and self-confidence to maximize their potential. It also funnels fundraising proceeds to support survivors of domestic violence.

“I want to use my title to go around to different facilities and let them know I

Mesa resident Patricia Person, 64, was crowned in September as the 2022 Ms. Senior Arizona. The Morning Star Assisted Living Center activity coordinator is now gearing up to compete in nationals in Hershey, Pennsylvania, next year.

(Photo by Dennis Murphy)

The Citadel Senior Living Community is conveniently located in Mesa, AZ. We are a private pay community offering both Assisted, Independent, and Memory Care Living with an extensive range of services.

Here at The Citadel, you will find a warm, dedicated staff committed to creating a community you will be delighted to call home. Features include a beauty salon, lush landscaped courtyards, beautiful lounges and sitting areas for visiting with family and friends, chapel, exercise room, library, activities room, heated pool and Jacuzzi and dining room. With no buy-in fees and a convenient month-to-month lease, our residents have flexibility and freedom should their needs change.

Our Independent Living has studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom and 2 bedroom deluxe floor plans. Included in the monthly rate:

• Morning assurance checks

• Bi-weekly housekeeping

• Apartment maintenance

• On-site laundry units available 24/7 (free of charge)

• Scheduled transportation

• Utilities including Cox cable

• Full calendar of social, recreational and educational programs **Meals are available at an additional cost

Our monthly rates for Independent Living are competitive, please call me to discuss our current rates. They are based upon availability, location and services offered.

Retirement Community

520 S Higley Road Assisted Living 444 S Higley Road Independent Living Mesa, AZ 85206

Main: 480-832-7600

Citadel

Making a Difference

The Duttons understand the value of music

BY ALLISON BROWN

Known for their upbeat, family-friendly shows, the Duttons weren’t always performers.

In fact, matriarch Sheila Dutton admits she never really saw the value in performing until she had the chance to do it with her kids.

“As a matter of fact, if you were to pick someone, the most unlikely thing that I would be doing would be performing out on a stage with my family, but the kids really wanted to do it together as a family,” she says. “We never made a conscious decision to be performers or entertainers. It was just one thing kind of led to another.”

in a bus, and then if they have issues, they have to work them out.

The Duttons will show off their performance chops as the musical entertainment at the Lovin’ Life Expos on Monday, January 24, at the Sundial Recreation Center in Sun City and Wednesday, January 26, at the Mesa Convention Center.

“They can’t run to their bedrooms or to their friend’s house. They have to sit and talk about it and work it out. So, the kids learned early on to forgive each other really quickly. I think that was an unexpected advantage of touring.”

She says there is more to the Duttons than performances and accolades. The music comes down to the fans. Sheila says she was amazed to learn how their shows could bring joy to audiences.

She recalls fans telling her that their performances encouraged them to reunite with their own families or pursue music.

The family has been hitting stages full time since 1991 and has since become a force. They landed among the top 10 finalists on “America’s Got Talent”; were voted America’s most musical family by Nickelodeon; won several awards for performance; and entertained thousands at their theaters, including one in Mesa.

The Duttons first brought their show to sunny Arizona in the winter of 2005 and have since made it their winter home. In 2010, the Duttons partnered with East Valley High School in Mesa to renovate and update their auditorium. Shows that blend bluegrass and country kick off on Friday, January 14, and continue every weekend through Thursday, March 31.

What began as just mom, dad and their four children has grown to include their inlaws and grandchildren. Dutton says the family ties run deep. Everyone is closely involved in all aspects of the business.

She says working, performing and touring with family has brought them closer together.

“We traveled over a million miles giving all these concerts around the United States,” she says. “So, they grew up together in the bus, and I always said that the best way to help families be together is to get

Dutton isn’t quite sure what the future holds for the family business. As the children have aged, they’ve pursued different lines of work. However, there is a third generation of Duttons who may choose to take up the mantle. No matter what lies ahead, Dutton says she feels they are forging the right path.

“We just feel so honored and blessed that we’ve been led into something that we didn’t even see the value in the beginning,” she says.

“It has enriched our lives, provided us with the best friends in the world that we have met through performing, provided us with a second family who we had adopted and given us an opportunity to work on something that makes a difference and that is really a positive thing in our lives.”

The Duttons will perform at the Lovin’ Life Expos in Sun City and Mesa. (Photo courtesy of the Duttons)

Helping Others

Cameo Foundation aids domestic violence shelters

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

When Herme Sherry was named Ms. Senior Arizona in 2004, she was asked what she planned to do during her reigning year.

“I said, ‘I want to help somebody,’” Sherry says. She, in turn, created the Cameo Foundation, the beneficiary of the Ms. Senior Arizona Pageant. The Cameo Foundation originally raised funds for Alzheimer’s disease nonprofits, but Sherry has since changed her focus to domestic violence shelters.

dation donations are down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ms. Senior Arizona contestants are offering help to Faith House.

The Cameo Foundation holds fundraisers throughout the year to raise monies for those shelters. Keep tabs on cameofoundation.org for a list of events. The next Ms. Senior Arizona Pageant will be held in March 2023, as the current winner, Patricia Persons, will reign throughout 2022. For more info, call 602-788-9556.

The Cameo Foundation works with A New Leaf’s Faith House Crisis Shelter, a safe haven for women, children, and transgender and nonbinary people escaping domestic violence.

Sherry says now is the time to start talking openly about domestic violence.

“When I grew up, it was a secret,” she says. “You didn’t talk about it. It still is, to a certain degree. Ladies need to know that they do have an option. They don’t have to stay. The children are frozen in fear. And shelters are struggling for funds to keep the doors open.”

Although the Cameo Foun-

Live...continued from page 12 am part of the Cameo club and that we want to help those that have been hurt by domestic violence,” Person explains.

The Cameo Foundation showcases performances for nursing homes, veterans’ and children’s hospitals, schools, senior citizen centers, fairs, and other community and charitable organizations.

Person is also gearing up to compete in nationals next year.

The Ms. Senior America pageant, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to enriching not only “the lives of seniors” but also to encourage them to “tap their energy to enrich the lives of others,” is

slated to take place in September in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

“I’m feeling very good,” Person says.

“Me winning the title here has built my confidence, but I’m going against all of the winners. I like to say I’m competing with them because all of the ladies are so nice and friendly.”

Person will continue to work with her coach, Kim Anderson, to finetune her skills before the big day.

For more information about Ms. Senior Arizona, visit the website at msseniorarizona.com. To learn more about the Cameo Foundation, head over to cameofoundation.org.

Modern health care delivery

Improving patient health and helping to make health care work better Optum® is a care delivery organization that helps keep patients healthier by providing coordinated care, resulting in a positive patient experience. We provide care to more than 14 million patients, delivered by 7,000 advanced practice clinicians and 32,000 physicians, nationally. Optum Care Network of Arizona is here to help make sure your clients get the right care, when and where they need it.

To find out more information about Optum Care Network of Arizona, visit optumCare.com/state/az or call 1-866-339-3755.

Ken and Herme Sherry, Ms. Senior Arizona 2004, run the Cameo Foundation. (Photo special to LLAF)

Sun Health

BY LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50 STAFF

Truly comprehensive health and wellness. Sun Health delivers a superior level of health care and support for adults throughout the West Valley region — from its Life Plan communities and at-home services to its innovative, evidence-based wellness programs.

Sun Health o ers:

• Truly comprehensive health and wellness. Sun Health delivers a superior level of health care and support for adults throughout the West Valley region — from its Life Plan communities and at-home services to its innovative, evidence-based wellness programs. The sta believes that its West Valley neighbors deserve the highest-quality health care, neighborhoods and wellness services available. That’s why it also provides targeted philanthropy to bene t everyone across the region.

• Innovation and a ordability. Every-

one deserves a long, healthy and purposeful life. By funding innovative health care and health care organizations, Sun Health empowers adults of all ages, backgrounds and incomes to receive the resources and peace of mind they need and deserve. Sun Health’s communities and at-home services help people continue to be dynamic contributors to the home area, con dent that their longterm needs are covered. Sun Health’s wellness programs help a wide range of ages and incomes to improve their lives from the comfort of their homes.

• Financial stability and stewardship.

Sun Health is a nonpro t corporation. It raises its funds primarily in the West Valley — and it invests them in the West Valley. After all, it’s Sun Health’s home, too. Sun Health is a careful steward of the contributions entrusted to it, both as individual donations and through careful investments and corporate grants. It

believes in transparency, with professional management that ensures that it delivers as much value as possible to the time, talent, treasure and testimony of our employees as well as the community.

For more information about Sun Health’s o erings, visit sunhealth.org.

Serving the Courageous

Valiant Hospice helps ease the transition

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Valiant Hospice and Palliative Care owner Carmen Klemis believes in going the extra mile for her patients.

“We understand specific, end-stage illnesses and will treat them appropriately,” says executive director Sabrina Johnson. “Our patient satisfaction scores are above average for Arizona and the nation.”

With Valiant Hospice and Palliative Care, patients are cared for in their own

homes in either Maricopa or Pinal counties. Medications, medical equipment and supplies related to the life-limiting diagnosis are covered by Medicare or insurance and always delivered to the patients’ doorstep for their convenience.

They can keep their own doctors, or the Valiant medical doctor can oversee care, if they desire.

“We provide care in people’s own residential homes, group homes, longterm care facilities, assisted living centers — we go wherever the patient calls home,” she says. “We had a patient who lived in a cardboard box on the side of the road. They deserve someone by their side at the end of life just as much as anyone else.”

Johnson has been with Valiant for two years and admires Klemis, who purchased the former Highway Christian Hospice in 2017. “We changed the name to

Valiant because valiant stands for courage,” she says. “Our patients and their families are courageous in the face of the unknown. Our big motto is, ‘Your life. Your goals. Our commitment.’”

Valiant goes beyond end-of-life care. The organization offers help with food, finances and housing, among other things. But the true focus is on hospice.

“There’s no greater course than that,” she says. “Everybody’s always excited when babies come into this world. That’s such a sacred time of life. We’re there to make this transition better. It makes things easier for the family to deal with and understand, although they may never be fully accepting of it.”

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Aged Like Fine Wine

‘Wise

Women Artists’ have their own show

BY ALLISON BROWN

They say that everything gets better with age, and longtime Mesa artist Susan Paige can attest to that.

Through OneOhOne gallery in Mesa, she organized the “Contemporary Wise Women Artists” show to highlight women who have been influential in the art world but have gone largely unnoticed.

It’s on display from Saturday, January 8, to Saturday, January 29.

“I just felt like these women are kind of unrecognized,” Paige says.

“We’re not in the famous galleries. We’re not in a really successful Scottsdale gallery, but we still sell our art and we’re successful. I just thought of the idea of wise women and all of the knowledge we have from all of our life experiences kind of giving a different perspective in art. Everyone in the show is over 65. Our oldest

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one is 79 and she does metal work.”

In the show are seven women — Paige, Elvie Becker, Joni Anderson, Linda Jones, Kathy McClure, Loralee Stickel-Harris and

Diane Black. The exhibition will feature mediums like metal work, mixed medium abstract pieces, oil art, watercolors, acrylics and photography.

Each of the artist brings her own subject matter, too, from abstract to super realism, and she specifically chose them to have a variety of work.

“Everybody’s just a little different. The reason I call it ‘Contemporary Wise Women’ is you can just see that they’re very accomplished and can incorporate their personality into their art,” Paige says.

“So, the more experience, the more time you spend on your art, the longer you’re with it, it brings you more wisdom in how you execute the art, so the viewer understands what you’re saying.”

Susan Paige has been involved in the art world for 40 years and has single-handedly put together the “Contemporary Wise Women Artists” exhibit. (Submitted photos)

but she calls herself and the other women “silent artists.” Their pieces may not be in large galleries, but they are in homes and businesses.

Stickel-Harris is a 79-yearold sculptor who does metal work, something she only started 10 years ago after taking a class at the Mesa Arts Center.

Paige adds that it’s “pretty amazing” that Stickel-Harris took on this new hobby in her late 60s and is still welding and making art pieces. Stickel-Harris says her art reflects her life.

“My metal art has no boundaries, which, in my late 70s, is how I approach life,” Stickel-Harris says. “I weld and bend metal, which depicts to the viewer both flexibility and strength which comes with many life experiences.” Paige says she chose the women after following their careers. With Stickel-Harris, there is a mutual respect for their work. Paige says each has proven to be accomplished women and artists, which is why she thinks they deserve a show to themselves.

So, she made it happen. Paige says she rents out the OneOhOne gallery for shows that she wants to put together. Then, she single-handedly organizes the exhibit from start to finish.

Apply today at mpsaz.org/careers or call 480-472-7200

If art imitates life, these women have plenty of experiences and knowledge to express in their work. Paige says the artists have been working on their craft for so long, they have found their niche and honed their skills in that area. She adds that the wisdom that comes with aging shines through their art.

“Women with age bring experience, knowledge and, hopefully, good judgment,” Black says.

These artists have been taking art classes for 10 or 20 years or have a degree in art.

A 40-year artist, Paige earned an art degree and has managed several galleries in Phoenix and Chicago. It could be said that she’s had a successful art career,

“I rent it periodically and curate exhibits,” she says. “So, this is the one that I’m curating for January. I come up with my own theme and then I find the artists, put the show together, advertise and hang the show.”

MORE INFO

What: “Contemporary Wise Women Artists””

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from January 8 to January 29

Where: OneOhOne Gallery/Paige Artists Studio, 101 W. Main Street, Mesa Cost: Free Info: oneohone101.com

Mesa, AZ — The most common method your doctor will recommend to treat your chronic pain and/or neuropathy is with prescription drugs that may temporarily reduce your symptoms. These drugs have names such as Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin, and are primarily antidepressant or anti-seizure drugs. These drugs may cause you to feel uncomfortable and have a variety of harmful side effects.

Chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and the most debilitating balance problems. This damage is commonly caused by a lack of blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet which causes the nerves to begin to degenerate due to lack of nutrient flow.

As you can see in Figure 2, as the blood vessels that surround the nerves become diseased they shrivel up which causes the nerves to not get the nutrients to continue to survive. When these nerves begin to “die” they cause you to have balance problems, pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and many additional symptoms.

The main problem is that your doctor has told you to just live with the problem or try the drugs which you don’t like taking because they make you feel uncomfortable. There is now a facility right here in Mesa that offers you hope without taking those endless drugs with serious side effects.

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In order to effectively treat your neuropathy three factors must be determined.

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The treatment that is provided at Aspen Medical has three main goals.

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The Sanexas electric cell signaling system delivers energy to the affected area of your body at varying wavelengths, including both lowfrequency and middle-frequency signals. It also uses amplitude modulated (AM) and frequency modulated (FM) signaling. During a treatment session, the Sanexas system automatically changes to simultaneously deliver AM and FM electric cell signal energy.

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Aspen Medical will do a chronic pain and neuropathy severity examination to determine the extent of the nerve damage as a public service to you and/or your family and friends. This neuropathy/pain severity examination will consist of a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and a detailed analysis of the findings of your neuropathy.

Aspen Medical will be offering this chronic pain and neuropathy severity examination from now until January 31, 2022. Call 480274-3157 to make an appointment to determine if your chronic pain and peripheral neuropathy can be successfully treated.

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Calendar of Events

SATURDAY, JANUARY 1

Happy New Year!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 2

Jazz Matinee: Paul-Eirik Mehus, 3 to 5 p.m., The Nash, 110 E. Roosevelt Street, Suite A, Phoenix, $22-$30, 602-795-0464, thenash.org.

MONDAY, JANUARY 3

Art workshop, 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Optum Community Center, 985 W. Chandler Heights Road, Suite 12, Chandler, free, optumcare.com. Classes include painting, printmaking, sketching, watercolor and pencil art. No supplies needed.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 4

BrainSavers, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Optum Community Center, 985 W. Chandler Heights, Suite 12, Chandler, free, optumcare.com.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5

Beading, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Optum Community Center, 985 W. Chandler Heights, Suite 12, Chandler, free, optumcare.com.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6

Westernaires Chorus Orientation and Rehearsal, 8 a.m., Stardust Theater, 14401 N. RH Johnson Boulevard, Sun City, free, 402-366-7377, westernaires.cwclubs.com. One of the oldest chartered clubs, the Westernaires will thereafter rehearse there from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Thursdays.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7

“Say Goodnight, Gracie,” various times, through January 23, Fountain Hills Theater, 1145 N. Saguaro Boulevard, Fountain Hills, $35 adults, $18 youth 17 and older, $30 seniors on Thursdays, 480-837-9661, ext. 3, fhtaz.org. George Burns, whose career spanned 100 years, is now “miraculously alive and kicking” in a stunning tour de force.

Maricopa County Home Shows, through January 9, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix, $6, $3 for seniors 60 and older from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, maricopacountyhomeshows.com.

Solid Gold Rock ‘n’ Roll, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49, silverstartheater.com.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 8

Arizona Gold Mining Experience, 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. second Saturday of each month, Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E. Skyline Drive, Cave Creek, $7 adults, $5 seniors, free for children ages 12 and younger, 480-488-2764. The Golden Reef Stamp Mill and Tramway is Arizona’s only fully operational 10-stamp ore crushing mill.

Chef Robert Irvine Appearance: Mission Possible, 6 p.m., Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, a Gurney’s Resort & Spa, The Views Ballroom, 5700 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley, $295, 1-866-975-3039, sanctuaryoncamelback.com. The dinner event, dubbed “Mission Possible,” will be co-hosted with Sanctuary’s chef Beau MacMillan and 10% of proceeds will benefit the American heroes supported by Irvine’s eponymous foundation, including the families of active, retired and veteran military members and first responders.

Variety Show Spectacular, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49, silverstartheater.com.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 9

Painting in the Desert/Kiwanis Family Days, 2 to 4 p.m., Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E. Skyline Drive, Cave Creek, free, 480-488-2764. Local artist Robin Ray will present a watercolor techniques class.

Ekstasis Duo, 3 p.m., Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, 1090 S. Vulture Mine Road, Wickenburg, 3 p.m., tickets start at $20 for adults, 928-684-6624, dewpac.org. Consisting of a Juilliard-trained pianist and cellist, the concert program will introduce audience members to music by often-overlooked minority composers.

MONDAY, JANUARY 10

Sun Lakes Democratic Club Meeting, 6:30 p.m. (social), 7 p.m. (meeting), virtual meeting, free, 480-200-3322, craftidoll1@ gmail.com. Speakers are Marco Lopez, Democratic candidate for governor; Adrian Fontes, Democratic candidate for secretary of state; Rep. Jennifer Pawlik (LD-17) and AJ Kurdoglu, candidate for AZ senate, LD 17.

GriefShare, 1 to 3 p.m. for 13 weeks, Bellevue Heights Church, 9440 W. Hutton

Drive, Sun City, $5 for this session, $15 extended series, 623-977-8308. This is a special two-hour session on finding help to cope with a spouse’s death. This will be followed by a 13-week series of GriefShare seminars at the church, beginning January 17 and continuing every Monday through April 11.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 11

Staying Healthy and Active After 55, 2 to 3 p.m., Optum Community Center, 985 W. Chandler Heights, Suite 12, Chandler, free, optumcare.com.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12

Origami, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Optum Community Center, 985 W. Chandler Heights, Suite 12, Chandler, free, optumcare.com.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13

Nutrition, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Optum Community Center, 985 W. Chandler Heights, Suite 12, Chandler, free, optumcare.com.

Malt Shop Memories, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49, silverstartheater.com.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14

The Desert Cactus Kickers, 4 p.m., Desert Hills Presbyterian Church’s Fellowship Center, 34605 N. Tom Darlington Road, Scottsdale, free, 480-488-3384. Featuring senior tap dancers, The Desert Cactus Kickers is a local dance company that has been entertaining area audiences with energetic and high-spirited performances for almost 30 years.

Variety Show Spectacular, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49, silverstartheater.com.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15

Build Your Own Website, 10 a.m. to noon continues January 22 and January 29, The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $25, hollandcenter. org, click on Lifelong Learning.

Solid Gold Rock ‘n’ Roll, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49, silverstartheater.com.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16

Joselyn Wilkinson, 10 a.m., Poolside Card Room at Oakwood Country Club, 24218 S. Oakwood Boulevard, Sun Lakes, free, 480-802-4902, joytoyspartonos@aol. com, copperstatepost691.com. Joselyn Wilkinson serves as the Homeless Veteran

Program administrator for the state of Arizona and the Arizona Department of Veteran Services. Reservations required by 5 p.m. Friday, January 14.

MONDAY, JANUARY 17

It’s Civil Rights Day.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18

Scottsdale Civil War Roundtable with Dr. Lorien Foote, 6 p.m., via Zoom, free, scottsdalecwrt.org for Zoom instructions. Dr. Lorien Foote is a history professor at Texas A&M University. She will lecture on “Rites and Retaliation: Civilization, Soldiers and Campaigns in the American Civil War.”

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19

Women’s Investment Group Meeting, 4 to 5 p.m., Anthem Civic Center, 3701 W. Anthem Way, Anthem, free, reservations required, drewdoreen@gmail.com. The organization is looking for women who want to learn about investing.

Variety Show Spectacular, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49, silverstartheater.com.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20

Virtual Book Discussion: “We Share the Same Sky: A Memoir of Memory & Migration” by Rachael Cerrotti, 2 p.m., virtual, register at azhjs.org. Sheryl Bronkesh, president of Phoenix Holocaust Association, will lead the discussion.

Solid Gold Rock ‘n’ Roll, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49, silverstartheater.com.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21

The Black Market Trust, Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, 1090 S. Vulture Mine Road, Wickenburg, 7:30 p.m., tickets start at $32 for adults, 928-6846624, dewpac.org. The Black Market Trust is a traditional pop/vocal jazz group from Los Angeles who combines the sounds of the legendary American crooners and vocal groups with the fire and energy of gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt.

Variety Show Spectacular, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49, silverstartheater.com.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22

Creating a New Normal with Healing, Love and Unity, 9 a.m. to noon, The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $45, hollandcenter.org, click

Calendar of Events

continued from page 20

on Lifelong Learning.

Malt Shop Memories, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49, silverstartheater.com.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 23

“The Life and Music of George Michael,” 7:30 p.m., Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, $38, mesaartscenter.com. “The Life and Music of George Michael” captures the performance and sound with concert-style staging and lighting while telling his story through early music hits from Wham! and his solo career. The show includes “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go,” “Freedom,” “Faith,” “Careless Whisper” and “Father Figure” and other trademark tracks.

True Country, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49, silverstartheater.com.

MONDAY, JANUARY 24

AAUW Northwest Valley’s Women’s Scholarship Fundraiser: Trendy Fashions for Your Lifestyle, 10 a.m. to noon,

with lunch from noon to 1 p.m., repeats January 25, Briarwood Country Club, 20800 N. 135th Avenue, Sun City West, 612-799-5474, shrnphleps45@gmail.com.

This two-day luncheon and boutique shopping event features fashions by Calle Rose. Lunch is a choice of grilled salmon or chicken piccata.

Lovin’ Life Expo, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sundial Recreation Center, 14801 N. 103rd Avenue, Sun City, free, lovinlife.com/expos. This is the premier event for the over 50 crowd. Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet new friends, network with peers and build new relationships. There will also be raffle prize giveaways and live entertainment.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25

It’s National Opposite Day!

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26

Lovin’ Life After 50 Expo, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center Street, Mesa, free, lovinlife.com/expos. This is the Premier Event for the Over 50 crowd. Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet new friends, network with peers and build new relationships. There will also be raffle prize giveaways, live entertainment and a $100 cash prize at 10 a.m.,

a.m. and noon.

Solid Gold Rock ‘n’ Roll, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49, silverstartheater.com.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27

Introduction to Pastel, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $50, hollandcenter. org, click on Lifelong Learning.

Variety Show Spectacular, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49, silverstartheater.com.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28

An Evening with AJ Croce, 7:30 p.m., Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, 1090 S. Vulture Mine Road, Wickenburg, tickets start at $32 for adults, 928-6846624, dewpac.org. Accompanied by a band that features a horn section, AJ Croce, the son of the late Jim Croce, traverses decades and genres, including folk, rock and blues, in celebration of a music career spanning 30 years.

“Grease,” various times through February 13, Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Boulevard, Fountain Hills, $35 for

adults, $18 for youth 18 and older, discounts for groups, seniors, veterans and active-duty military, 480-837-9661, ext. 3, fhtaz.org.

Malt Shop Memories, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49, silverstartheater.com.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29

Cave Creek Museum’s Antique Appreciation Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E. Skyline Drive, Cave Creek, $20 donation, 480-488-2764. Expert Sean Morton will share with guests the worth of their antiques and what it was used for. Limit two items per session with unlimited sessions. Preregister at cavecreekmuseum. org. Walk-ins are welcome.

Solid Gold Rock ‘n’ Roll, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49, silverstartheater.com.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 30 It’s National Croissant Day!

MONDAY, JANUARY 31

John Denver Tribute, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49, silverstartheater.com.

Mayhem and Excitement

Warrant singer says nostalgia leads to success

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Valley resident and Warrant singer Robert Mason says hometown shows mean one thing: nonstop calls and texts.

“Seriously, it’s cool to see familiar faces in the audience,” says Mason, whose band will play the Pool at Talking Stick with Skid Row and Winger on Saturday, January 29.

“I get to sleep in my own bed, if I choose. There’s always a weird pressure but no pressure. I feel like I’m in this traveling circus and I’m always playing these other cities. Very rarely do we come home; probably six or eight times in the 13 years I’ve been in the band. There’s a little more mayhem because it’s a hometown show.”

With a pair of double-platinum albums and three top 10 singles, Warrant inked a deal with Columbia Records in January 1998 and released “Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich” one year later.

The album spawned the singles “Down Boys,” “Sometimes She Cries” and “Heaven,” the latter of which reached No. 2 on the U.S. charts. Warrant’s follow-up album, “Cherry Pie,” featured the singles “I Saw Red” and “Cherry Pie,” eclipsing the band’s previous effort.

The key to Warrant’s longevity are those songs and the corresponding nostalgia. Mason says the track recall a simpler time.

“I think there’s a strong nostalgic pull for that era and these songs,” he says. “The demographics are not only the people who lived through it the first time, but

a generation or two later are able to have fun.

“They recognize the ‘fun’ factor and the recklessness these songs have. It’s tongue-in-cheek sometimes, romantic and nostalgia at other times. The ballads hold up and stood the test of time because people loved them so much back then.”

1992 album) ‘Dog Eat Dog’ songs,” he says. “That record deserves attention and, 30 years later, it’s remembered fondly by enough fans. The songs have great energy, and the band was on fire musically. It may not have blazed a trail in the charts the way ‘Heaven’ or ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ did. But it definitely deserves attention, and we love it.”

Mason says the songs have been given a second life in video game, movie and TV placements, introducing a new generation to the songs.

“It transcends the ’80s, early ’90s, Sunset Strip hair rock or whatever bad moniker you want to put on that time period and musical style,” he says. “I just call it good rock music.”

The band will also talk about “Dog Eat Dog.” The rest of the show will feature hits.

“I like inciting a little mayhem and excitement in the audience. We want them to stare at our shows, not stare into their phones. Rock is heart, rock and a little south of the belt buckle. It’s supposed to be all those things. It’s how I grew up and I’m proud to be able to bring that.”

MORE INFO

What: Skid Row, Warrant and Winger

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, January 29

Where: The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale

Cost: Tickets start at $25

For the 2022 tour, Warrant is revamping its set, thanks to a discussion between Mason and guitarist Joey Allen.

“We’re going to do a little block of (the

“It’s all the songs you know and love by heart and want to sing,” he says. “Our show is pretty heavy on the first three records. That’s where the nostalgia and biggest success of the band lies. Obviously, we feel some sort of obligation to play those songs. Basically, it’s just a bunch of high-energy rock by guys who are happy to be out and doing what we do. Hopefully it shows.

Info: 480.850.777, talkingstickresort.com

Warrant, featuring singer/Valley resident Robert Mason, center, plays Talking Stick Resort on Saturday, January 29. (Photo by Stephen Jensen)

King Crossword Puzzles

GO FIGURE!

by Linda Thistle

The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once.

SUDOKU TIME

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine. ACROSS

1 Earring site 5 Smack 8 Blog entry

Regrettably

Fuss 14 “May It Be” singer

15 Dealer’s foe

16 Moving-day rental

17 Aviation prefix

18 Energetic person

20 Galley supply

22 Strikers’ queue

26 Manhandled

29 Chemical suffix

30 Hobbyist’s abbr.

31 Rue the run

32 German conjunction

33 Lavish party

34 -- Paulo

35 Fuel stat

36 Devil’s domain

37 Playgoer’s souvenir

40 Writer Quindlen

41 Short jacket

45 Gambling game

47 Jay follower

49 San --, Italy

50 Help a crook

51 Hosp. sections

52 Author Sheehy

53 Striped fish 54 Perched

55 Deco artist DOWN

1 Crow’s-nest cry

2 Skin care brand

3 Hoedown site

4 Jailbreak participant

5 Mayhem

6 Greek mountain

7 Ad nauseam

8 Oyster’s prize

9 Biased

10 Aleppo’s land (Abbr.)

11 Eastern “way” 19 Central 21 Consumed 23 Monarchs

24 Evening, in an ad 25 Peepers

26 Bygone days

27 Exotic berry

28 “So what?”

32 Chimney pipes

33 Maker of ornate eggs

35 Gents

36 Coloration

38 Shoelace woes

39 Secret rendezvous

42 Dread

43 Send forth

44 Portrayal

45 “Terrif!”

46 Lawyers’ gp.

48 Altar constellation

EVEN EXCHANGE

by Donna Pettman

Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.

SCRAMBLERS

Unscramble the letters within each rectangle to form four ordinary words. Then rearrange the boxed letters to form the mystery word, which will complete the gag! DIFFICULTY

Food & Drink Drink Local

Arizona Wine Festival celebrates Arizona’s vino

BY ALLISON BROWN

The Willcox Wine Country Partnership is traveling north to Downtown Phoenix to celebrate the Grand Canyon State’s vino with the Arizona Wine Festival on Saturday, January 29, and Sunday, January 30.

The event with the party atmosphere will feature 20 Arizona wineries and more than 150 wines.

“This is the biggest celebration of Arizona wine in the state,” says Rod Keeling, president of the Willcox Wine Country Partnership and owner of Keeling Schaefer Vineyards.

“Two years ago, we had a record number of wine tasters attend the festival. We are excited that festivals are once again being produced and we will have a chance to share our wines with everyone. This is our biggest event of the year and it’s wonderful to be able to share the story and evolution of the Willcox, Arizona, wine industry with so many people.”

Although it may seem rare, Arizona wine is plentiful. Experience Arizona Wine owner Mike Barnacastle says the state has 122 wineries and more than 65 vineyards that produce 1 million bottles annually.

In 2020, the festival had over 4,000

people, and Barnacastle says he expects to meet or succeed that again this year. Tickets are $30 to $45 and include admission, 10 tasting tickets and a commemorative wine glass. The tasting tickets can be used for a 1-ounce sample at any of the participating wineries. Additional tickets can be purchased onsite and bottles will be for sale.

Winery representatives will educate Arizona Wine Festival attendees and provide samples, Barnacastle says.

“Each winery will have its own booth that they will be serving from,” Barnacastle says.

“In many cases, this is the premier Arizona wine festival of the year and the winemakers make it a point to be here for this weekend. So, you’ll get to meet the winemakers and wine ambassadors and learn about each of the wineries’ operations, what their philosophy is for making wine and what they’re trying to do with their brands.”

Attendees do not necessarily have to be oenophiles. They can serve as a designated driver, watch the NFL playo s leading up to the February 13 Super Bowl, or listen to music.

Barnacastle says there will be four or ve food trucks, 10 to 15 artisan craft vendors and dozens of artists. Vendors will include cheesemakers, chocolatiers and artisan crafters with soaps and candles.

20 years. He recalls when the state had about six wineries.

While there might be tasting rooms in Phoenix or Tucson, Barnacastle says Arizona’s wine grapes are grown at high elevation that ranges from 3,500 to 5,000 feet. He says there are only three American viticultural areas (AVAs) in Arizona, which are designated wine-growing regions de ned by a variety of factors like the proper soil, temperature and weather conditions.

The largest of those areas is Willcox, where 75% of Arizona’s wine grapes are grown, Barnacastle says. Willcox’s Carlson Creek Vineyard will appear at the festival.

Owner Robert Carlson says his winery was established in 2009 and is now the third-largest vineyard in Arizona at 320 acres.

“I’ve got somebody who takes wine bottles, smashes them, melts them and makes things out of them,” Barnacastle says. “I’ve got a guy from Double Barrel AZ who creates furniture and things out of old wine barrels. I’ve got a gentleman from Blue Steel Builds who does metal artwork.”

Barnacastle has been involved in the Arizona wine industry for the last

Carlson Creek also has tasting rooms in Willcox, Scottsdale and Cottonwood. Carlson says the winery bene ts from the festival.

“It attracts a lot of attention and a lot of tra c,” Carlson explains. “We have a tasting room in Old Town Scottsdale, so we usually consider it — other than a good sales day —good marketing year-round. People who weren’t aware that we have a tasting room usually follow up and go check it out. You really can’t try everyone’s wine at the festival. You wouldn’t be walking out afterward.”

Carlson suggested tasting his Rule of Three blend and their rst sweet rose.

Sonoita Vineyards is the oldest commercial winery in Arizona, having opened in 1983. In the Sonoita Appellation AVA region, the vineyard will have a booth at the festival. According to Lori Reynolds, the third-generation winemaker for Sonoita Vineyards and granddaughter of

the company’s founder. She is “so excited” to return to the wine festival.

Cella Winery will make its wine festival debut, according to owner Micah Spencer. Founded in 2007, the winery changed ownership near the end of 2020. Cella Winery stands out because, for one reason, it’s in Kingman.

“We’re at around 3,200 feet elevation and a little bit warmer,” Spencer says. “So, you know, it gets over 100 degrees in the summertime, so it’s good for growing red varietals in this area.”

He suggests trying Cella Winery’s zinfandel and malbec.

Whether a wine connoisseur or just trying it out, Barnacastle says there’s something for everyone.

“Come out and have fun,” he says. “We have a whole world of wines to expose people to and teach people about. The wineries are excited to get back out and share what they’ve been working on. So, we have a lot of new vintages, blends and wineries that are going to be there that are excited to get to meet the residents of Phoenix.”

MORE INFO

What: The Arizona Wine Festival

When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, January 29, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, January 30

Where: Rosson House at Historic Heritage Square, 113 N. Sixth Street

Phoenix Cost: $30 to $45

Info: willcoxwinecountry.org

The Arizona Wine Festival will feature 20 Arizona wineries and more than 150 wines to choose from. (Submitted photo)

Owner Robert Carlson of Willcox’s Carlson Creek Vineyard, established in 2009, will appear at the Arizona Wine Festival. (Submitted photo)

What’s Cooking? Veggie Rainbow Round

BY JAN D’ATRI

You’ve heard it your entire life from Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa: “Eat your vegetables.”

But Grandma didn’t have the advantage of instant access to thousands of recipes for veggies trending online. There was no such thing as veggies gone viral in her day. Eating veggies often meant plowing through a pile of potatoes, noshing on fresh corn on the cob or sopping up baked beans. So, what do you get when you combine the age-old request to “eat your vegetables” with a veggie dish trending on social media?

You get an empty plate. It’s really that good. The veggie rainbow round combines any and all of your favorite produce in season, sliced in rounds and placed pinwheel style in a pie dish with a layer of tomato sauce and ricotta and Parmesan cheese as a base.

Ingredients

• 1 jar (approximately 12 to 16 ounces) pizza sauce, marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes

• 1 (16 ounces) container whole-milk ricotta

• 1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 large zucchini

• 2 yellow summer squash

• 1 small red onion

• 2 to 3 medium tomatoes

• 2 Japanese eggplants

• 2 medium potatoes, white

• 2 medium potatoes, purple

**Any other veggies you like, as long as you can cut them the same size

• 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon pepper

Directions

Slice all veggies about the same size, approximately 2 inches in diameter and 1/4inch thick.

Spread pizza sauce, marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes in the bottom of a 9-inch tart pan or glass pie plate. Dot with ricotta and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Just about everything “rainbow” is trending these days, from bagels and wa es to multi-colored pastas. So why not veggies? I’ve o ered up some of my ideas for sliced vegetables like Japanese eggplant, summer squash and purple potatoes. Make up your own rainbow of veggies, and then serve it up as a wonderful meatless main dish or colorful and tasty side.

Starting at the outside edge of the dish, lay alternating slices of veggies in a pinwheel pattern, working your way to the middle of the dish, allowing the slices to slightly overlap. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, garlic powder and pepper.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes or until veggies are cooked and top is slightly browned.

Note: If using a combination of hard vegetables like potatoes and onions, and softer veggies like zucchini, you can pan-grill, parboil or microwave harder veggies for just a few minutes to give them a jump-start in the cooking process and then arrange with softer slices in the pie plate. This step, however, is optional.

Thank you!!!!!

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Veggie Rainbow Round

Hospice Is Hope Community philanthropy truly changes lives

BY DEBBIE SHUMWAY

We are humbled by the outpouring of community generosity that helps expand our nonprofit mission. Since 1977, we have remained focused on bringing comfort, dignity and compassionate care to our community, and we could not do it without the people, businesses and volunteer groups who give their time, talent and donations.

This past year, Hospice of the Valley was privileged to serve over 22,000 people and provide more than $10 million in charity care and community support. Individuals, foundations and corporations make it possible to serve all who come to us — regardless of insurance coverage or financial means — and to create innovative programs to meet the needs of patients and families before they are ready for hospice care.

These programs include our homebased primary care practice that cares for high-risk patients with advanced illness who are unable to get to their physician. Our phone and visit support programs provide care for those dealing with chronic illnesses like cancer and lung disease. During the year, we were able to expand our Supportive Care for Dementia program, offering this service at no charge, thanks to a federal grant that allows us to serve more families living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

With the support of our community, we are very excited to open our Dementia Care and Education Campus early this year.

This campus will be a place where people can live life to the fullest and receive exceptional care for all types and stages of dementia, with an emphasis on helping family caregivers navigate this challenging condition and educating the next generation of dementia care providers.

We are thankful to everyone who donates to our four White Dove Thrift Shoppes, which support our charity care, and to our loyal shoppers and amazing volun-

teers. So many companies make a difference, sponsoring sales events and holding donation drives.

The talent and kindness of our volunteers is such an important part of our mission. Our volunteers support patients in their homes or in one of our inpatient units. They make lap blankets, quilts and even sensory pads for patients living with dementia. They collect donations for patient care packages. All these volunteers and many community service groups contribute in meaningful ways to support our mission.

Each year, we are amazed at the entrepreneurs who spearhead creative events to give back to our agency. From a classic car show to golf and fishing tournaments, from bake and garage sales to a drive-in movie night, these “fun-raisers” help fund community programs like grief support for children and adults, and music and pet therapy that brings joy and comfort to our patients.

We appreciate the support from Valley grocers and community donors who provide food gift cards and other essentials for patients in need; and the Thanksgiving meals donated by families who remember what it is like to face health and financial distress. Hospice of the Valley also is fortunate to partner with foundations that work with our care teams to fulfill our patients’ special wishes, creating joyful experiences and memories for

their families.

As we approach the holidays, we are grateful for the giving spirit that continues to flourish in a community that is supportive of nonprofit organizations. We are honored to be a part of this community.

Debbie Shumway is executive director of Hospice of the Valley. To learn about programs and services, call 602530-6900 or visit hov.org.

Hospice of the Valley’s Dementia Care and Education Campus is opening soon at 44th Street and Indianola Avenue in Phoenix. (Photos courtesy of Hospice of the Valley)

BY FRED CICETTI

What causes motion sickness?

Many people — including me — su er from nausea when traveling by boat, car or airplane. It also happens on rides in amusement parks and playgrounds. The symptoms of motion sickness are caused by con icting messages arriving at the central nervous system.

Di erent parts of your body let your brain know where you are and what you’re doing. The inner ears let you know if you’re turning or moving forward-backward, side to side, and up and down. The eyes also monitor the directions of motion and where the body is in space, such as upside down. Skin pressure receptors tell you what part of the body is touching the ground. The muscle and joint sensory receptors tell what parts of the body are moving.

If all the signals tell the same story, there are no problems. However, suppose you’re below deck in a heaving sea. Your body is getting information that the boat is moving violently, but your eyes see the unmoving walls of your cabin. If you are susceptible to motion sickness, this below-deck scenario is almost guaranteed to make you look for a porthole to get rid of your last meal.

How about the example of reading in the car? Well, your body is picking up all kinds of cues that you’re in motion, but your eyes see only the unmoving pages of your book.

Here are some tips to avoid motion sickness

• On an airplane, sit by the window and look outside. Also, choose a seat over the wings where there is the least motion. Direct the air vent at your face.

• On a train, take a seat near the front and next to a window. Face forward.

• Minimize head movement.

• Avoid strong odors and spicy or greasy foods immediately before and during your travel. Don’t overeat.

• Don’t smoke or sit near smokers.

• Before your travel begins, take motion sickness medicine recommended by your physician. There are over-thecounter drugs. There is also prescription medicine in an adhesive patch or in oral form.

There are other treatments for motion sickness that may bene t some people, but they have not been proven to be consistently e ective. High levels of ginger have helped some. There’s an acupuncture point of the wrist that provides relief of nausea during pregnancy and after chemotherapy, but there is contradictory evidence about its e ectiveness in treating motion sickness.

• Always ride where your eyes will see the same motion that your body senses. For example, sit in the front seat of the car and look out the windshield to distant scenery; don’t stare at the rapidly passing telephone poles outside the passenger window. I prefer driving so I am forced to look straight ahead.

• If you’re on a boat, go up on deck and watch the horizon. Request a cabin in the forward or middle of the ship, or on the upper deck.

Gadget Gossip Technology for the aging, headache relief, and more

BY ANNIKA TOMLIN

Welcome back to Gadget Gossip! Here we introduce readers to gizmos that can make life just a little easier — and healthier. Have an idea? Email editor@ lovinlifeafter50.com.

Scott tested the prototype on his neighbors.

“I will never forget, we did some early testing with my neighbors, Hal and Bonnie Carlson, who were both 90, and they were able to videocall their granddaughter who was across the country,” he says. “They were able to share photos, and we had music on there. When it came time to leave and we had one demo unit they said, ‘Oh, you can’t take that. We want to keep it.’”

GrandPad

Technology is always challenging — but even more so as we age. Eight years ago, co-founders Scott Lien and his son, Isaac, created a tablet suitable for those 75 and older. They were inspired by Scott’s mother, who was in her 80s at the time.

“My mom, in particular, is a brilliant lady,” says Scott, who developed software for companies like Target, Best Buy and Bank of America.

“She ran her own business. The big ‘aha’ moment was we were expecting (the older generation) to use technology that was designed by 30-year-olds for 30-year-olds. The people who built iPhones and Androids really hadn’t taken my mom’s unique needs as an 80-yearold into account.”

During their research, the father-son team discovered dozens of “points of frustration,” Scott says. They systematically removed the problems that “were frustrating my mom, my 80-year-old mother-in-law and all other super seniors out there over the age of 75. That was the genesis of GrandPad.”

its red “help” button. Within 15 seconds, a representative will answer for assistance.

Creating the GrandPad was challenging, but Scott sought out a peer group for advice.

“None of us have been 90 before. We don’t know what it is like to have the challenges of a 90-year-old,” Scott explains. “We have a group called ‘Grand Advisors.’ They’re about 10 of our employees who are in their 80s, 90s or 100s. Our oldest ‘Grand Advisor’ so far is Elmer, who was 106.

After additional fine tuning, GrandPad went on the market. It has reached more than 1.3 million seniors, families and caregivers in 120 countries.

The GrandPad resembles a standard tablet; however, it has oversized buttons; loud, front-facing speakers; and a creative user interface.

“We all know every app on our iPhone kind of works a little bit differently,” Scott says. “Facebook is different than LinkedIn is different than Gmail. We have a consistent user interface and much easier, so it is really spelled out clearly.”

The apps include music, games, photo sharing, videocalls and a safe web browser.

The tablet takes skin changes into account, too.

“We discovered that when we get into our 90s, our skin properties change,” Scott says. “We generally start to get dry and papery, leathery skin.

“Standard touchscreens don’t work, generally, for people over the age of 100. We’ve tested it. So, we actually changed the UI (user interface) and the physical aspect of the tablet. We also include a special stylus that has a big tennis ball on it so people with arthritis or dexterity issues can still navigate it.”

Users who need help can easily find it. GrandPad offers 24/7 customer care via

“We’re really just the hands that build the product that they want. They help us and guide us, and that’s what makes us really unique.”

Family members can easily and freely download the companion app to their smartphone to access videocalls, share photos, and talk on the phone.

GrandPad grandpad.net

Available on the website for $79/ month or $696 annually

Check out these too:

Headache Hat

Sometimes headaches seem like they’ll never go away. With its wearable ice pack, the Headache Hat promises to help.

The patented design features soft, flexible spandex and 24 plastic ice cubes that sit on pain points on the head, over the eyes, across the shoulders or strapped around the neck, among other spots.

The Headache Hat is reversible, so when one side warms, simply flip it over and relieve pain for another 30 to 60 minutes.

Headache Hat theheadachehat.com

Available on the website for $39.99

Fresh Peaches

Fresh Peaches Toilet Paper Gel provides an upgraded wiping experience that solves common toilet paper frustrations. This wet wipe alternative moisturizes dry toilet paper and eliminates friction for a superior clean.

Fresh Peaches is made from restorative ingredients like witch hazel, vitamin B and green tea. The products are made with 98% natural ingredients and are flushable and biodegradable.

One squeeze turns any toilet paper into a safe cleansing wipe. And, unlike cleansing wipes, there’s no fear of clogging the toilet at work or a friend’s house, no embarrassing wipes left in trash cans, and it’s safe for the environment.

Fresh Peaches freshpeaches.co

Available on the website starting at $16

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