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Learning the Ropes Anthem’s Caitlin Jones

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Caitlin Jones acknowledges that most parents make their children take piano lessons. She, however, fell in love with it.

“I decided to stick with it,” the 16-year-old Anthem resident says. “I enjoy playing pop songs on the piano and doing my own thing. I love to play Lana Del Rey songs. Any popular song of the century is really easy to play because I already studied classical.”

is accepted to Grammy camp

The Boulder Creek High School student will participate in the 16th annual Grammy Camp from July 14 to July 18 with 84 other kids from across the United States. Performers Kat Cunning, Moon Taxi, OK Go, Tim Lopez and Tom Higgenson from Plain White T’s, and Bryce Vine will discuss their career paths and help students prepare for the music industry.

“While Grammy Camp will be a virtual experience this summer, we still intend for it to remain one of the most immersive summer camps for high school students interested in a career in music and continue to give young people the opportunity to study with music industry professionals, resulting in a genuine learning experience about life in the music industry,” says Michael Sticka, Grammy Museum president.

“The program is a prime example of our education initiatives and mission.”

Grammy Camp has historically taken place in Los Angeles as a five-day summer music experience. This year, in light of COVID-19, Grammy Camp will be a virtual interactive experience via digital conferencing. Focusing on all aspects of commercial music, this unique opportunity provides instruction by industry professionals in an immersive, creative online environment. The program

features eight music career tracks: audio engineering; electronic music production; music business; music journalism; songwriting; video production and motion graphics; vocal performance and instrumental performance. All tracks culminate in virtual media projects, recordings and/or performances.

The daughter of John and Jen Jones, the teen says she is looking forward to getting a better grasp of what she wants to do in the future—performing or otherwise.

“I don’t know if I want to be an instrumental performer or work in music business,” she says. “I want to be a studio musician, I think. They go and play piano for artists who need it for their songs. I could get meet a wide variety of people.”

Jones—whose first concert was Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour—has been studying with Grammy-nominated piano teacher Nancie Kozel Tobison.

“Caitlin is a wonderful piano student and an exceptionally talented musician with the drive and determination to become a highly

successful studio musician,” Tobison says. “Over the past three years, I have worked with her as she has made quantum leaps in her pianist skills, as an accompanist and as a knowledgeable young musician.”

Jen Jones has noticed her daughter’s skills improve with Tobison as well.

“She really took a hold of Caitlin and guided her,” Jen says. “She skills went way up after getting Nancie as a teacher. Nancie is a godsend. She’s really taken Caitlin. She’s done really well because of her guidance.

“I’ve been told by many teachers that she has a natural gift for it. She does have perfect pitch. That’s something you can’t teach. She has a natural way of figuring it out.”

After Boulder Creek, Jones is considering studying music at USC or ASU.

“I would love to be a part of the music industry one day,” she says. “Music will always be a big part of my life.”

Applications for Grammy Camp 2021 will be available online in August at grammyintheschools.com.

A Lana Del Rey fan, Caitlin Jones will take part in the 2020 Grammy Camp this summer. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

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Local Honors

Two customers win big at Spencer’s

By Annika Tomlin

Two local Spencer’s TV & Appliance customers were awarded major shopping sprees at its original location in Mesa recently.

Patti Everts of Scottsdale and Richard Holmes of Peoria each won $10,000 to spend at the store for being its 4 millionth transaction.

John Polainer, the Scottsdale location’s general manager, gave them certificates. He also served as the salesperson who sold Everts her appliances at the Scottsdale store.

Everts’ prize-winning trip was her first visit to Spencer’s.

“I bought a whole new kitchen,” Everts says gleefully. “I bought everything that a kitchen should be—a washer and dryer, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher, the whole kitchen.”

Everts says she never won anything like this. At first, she thought she thought the phone call from Spencer’s was a trick.

“I received a phone call in the afternoon, and I thought I was punked; I really did,” Everts says matter-of-factly. “I didn’t know the person calling me. I didn’t recognize the number on my cellphone. I was trying to be excited for him, but I didn’t want to be super excited and be wrong.

“Then John (Polainer), my salesperson, calls me about an hour later and congratulated me, and then I knew it was real.”

Everts is not sure how she will spend her $10,000, but she’s excited to return to Spencer’s when she is ready.

Holmes is a long-time customer of Spencer’s and was also surprised that he had won.

“One of the managers let me know,” Holmes says. “I was surprised, and right after that the salesman called me.”

To enter into the competition, Holmes bought a new stove and refrigerator. He bought all of his appliances at Spencer’s in the last 15 years.

Holmes had also never won something to the magnitude of this prize.

“My first experience with them was really good and every experience since has been great, so I just keep coming back,” Holmes says. He already used most of the gift on more appliances and will finish using the winnings and continue to be “a Spencer’s customer forever.”

“We got another new stove and another new refrigerator and a deep freezer and a TV. Now we’re just waiting to get some more stuff,” Holmes says.

After buying a new stove, Holmes sold his other one but now has three refrigerators and a freezer in his house.

Spencer’s has 10 Valleywide locations that are practicing social distancing during the pandemic and offers virtual listings of its appliances on its website.

Polainer was happy to award the winners and is hopeful that by next year the company will have reached the 5 millionth transaction mark.

Patti Everts was a first-time Spencer’s customer when she bought a new kitchen. The move entered her into a grand prize competition.

Peoria resident Richard Holmes is a loyal customer. He has bought every appliance in his home at Spencer’s over the last 15 years. (Photos by Annika Tomlin)

What our clients have to say about us:

Dennis Jones

Lisa Jones

Dan Bachelor

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Dave Nolan

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Jennifer Merrill

Sandra Christiansen

to the parking lot.

Or, you can go the reverse direction and hike around the lake via the Arizona Trail. At the first trail marker, turn right. You’ll follow this and pass the lake on your left, but you won’t be at the lake yet (off in the distance). Continue until the trail marker and turn left. This will loop you back down to the lake. Enjoy the lake and views and then follow the trail back to the parking lot.

In both cases, it is one mile to the lake. It is the loop and using the Arizona Trail that adds another mile for a total of 3 miles round trip. Note: Bismarck Lake varies in size and relies upon rain to fill up. It can be a good-size lake or a pond … or a mud puddle. You don’t know until you get there, but the views are spectacular regardless. It had enough water in it for a swim. Ah, so refreshing! We met my kind who had already swam in it, and by the time we got there, we had it all to ourselves. After I cooled off, we set up camp for a picnic. We ate lunch and then dad set up a hammock for mom. Good dad! Dad took a snooze on the grass, as did I. We enjoyed the sounds of nature: wind whistling in the pines and birds chirping. The winds can be strong in the meadow by the lake, so we were nestled in the trees.

Depending upon the time of year you go, watch the skies. I wouldn’t want to get caught in a monsoon and worry about lightening. Today, it was high 70s and just perfect. Although we saw some others hiking the trail, it was not heavily trafficked. That made us happy! This was a great find, and it will be on my top, best hikes of all time. Looking to get away from the heat? This is worth the drive.

Kumaito (Kuma for short) is a multi-tan Shiba Inu, the oldest and purest from Japan. I personally was born in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, moved to Friendswood, Texas, and now call Phoenix home. I enjoy running or hiking almost every day with my mom, chasing rabbits out of my neighborhood, playing with toys, pestering my brother Edmond, eating and napping.

Lorraine Bossé-Smith is the founder of the FIT Leader Formula. She shares Kuma’s adventures. She is a motivational speaker, corporate trainer, business consultant, executive coach, behavioral-wellness expert, and author of eight published books.

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BRAINTEASERS

LIMóN Urban Kitchen

2750 W. Dove Valley Road, Suite 190, Phoenix, 623-466-7500, limonurbankitchen.com

LIMóN Urban Kitchen provides everything that guests need to sit back; relax; and enjoy friends and family for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Build your own bloody mary ($12) and pair it with a flight of 10 tacos ($29.99).

Nara Thai Café

3655 W. Anthem Way, Anthem, 623-551-6676, narathaianthem.com

Dara Thai Café is now Nara Thai Café to

lessen the confusion for customers ordering at the other locations. This Thai restaurant still packs a punch with menu items such as Evil Jungle Princess (chicken stir fried in coconut milk, lemongrass, straw mushrooms and special Thai spices, $11.95). Or try the drunken noodles with flat noodles stir fried with chicken, carrots, white onions and scallions with Thai basil ($10.95).

Osteria Mia

2530 W. Happy Valley Road, Suite 1271, 623-434-4604, osteriamia.com

Norterra’s new entry, Osteria Mia, is an Italian restaurant featuring wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta and other Italian specialties with an ever-changing wine list. Build your own charcuterie board with various choices of bruschetta, cheese and meat ($17). Grab a handcrafted Cavoletti pizza with a garlic oil base, housemade mozzarella, Brussels sprouts, gorgonzola and pancetta ($14).

rub smoked with mesquite and pecan wood served with two sides ($20).

Tru. Burger Co.

39504 N. Daisy Mountain Drive, Anthem, 623-465-5000, geeconcepts.com

Peaks & Valleys Restaurant

711 E. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, 623-434-8370

Dine in with American cuisine served for breakfast, lunch and dinner while overlooking the Carefree Highway. Try the tasty Kyle’s Cave Creek Club with grilled chicken, ham, avocado, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo served on grilled Texas toast ($11.99).

The Tennessee Grill & Bar

4220 Summit Walk Court, Anthem, 623-551-1500, the tennesseegrill.com

The Tennessee Grill & Bar makes guests feel like family. Start with four baked potato skins smothered with cheddar cheese, sour cream and onion ($12) and end with a half-rack of smoked ribs prepared with the house

This family-owned and -operated gourmet burger restaurant serves healthy options including 100% antibiotic- and hormone-free black Angus beef, bison, grass fed, Impossible burger, veggie burger, turkey, salmon and ahi tuna patties along with homemade salads, sandwiches, appetizers and handcrafted cocktails. Burgers range from $9.95 to $13.95.

Two Brothers Kitchen

3655 W. Anthem Way, Suite C-137, Anthem, 623-551-2276, twobrotherskitchenaz.com

Two Brothers Kitchen prides itself in providing fresh, high-quality wholesome ingredients and products. Come for breakfast and try the South by Southwest omelet filled with all-natural chorizo sausage, diced onions, green chilis, tomatoes and jack/cheddar cheese topped with homemade salsa and sour cream ($12.50). Stay for lunch and dine on the Canadian burger with an 8-ounce Black Angus patty topped with Canadian bacon, grilled onions and cheddar jack cheese on a brioche bun with lettuce and tomatoes served with a side of potatoes or chips ($13).

Osteria Mia

The Tennessee Grill & Bar

Two Brothers Kitchen

Benefits of Pool Workouts

How they can do much more than cool you down

By Joella Hopkins, Vice President of Group Fitness at EoS Fitness

Summer is officially here. Think of backyard barbecues with friends and family, watching sunsets on the deck with a cool drink, and lots of fun in the sun. But one of the biggest things that always comes to mind when the temperatures start to climb is, “Where can I find a pool to beat the heat?”

Pools are social, fun and great exercise all in one. The pool is always a great way to get a workout, sometimes without even realizing you’re burning calories.

A workout for everyone

It doesn’t matter if you are a kid, middleaged or a senior—pool workouts can benefit all of them. You will get a whole-body workout in the water and can focus on building strength in your core, legs, arms, back and booty. Because the water surrounds your body and adds extra resistance without impact, you are able to do many things safely in the water that you may not be able to do on land. It can provide a cardio and resistance workout all in one without the added pressure on your joints, ligaments and bones.

Get back in the game

Water workouts can also be an amazing way to start a workout routine for the first time or after an extended period of time being more sedentary. Recently, we’ve all been through a strange time when we have been stuck in the house and unable to get to the gym, and many people have fallen off the fitness wagon.

If you’ve let your regular workouts fall by the wayside—or maybe you’ve never really been a workout person—now’s the chance to use the pool to your advantage and start a fantastic program to get into the best shape of your life. There are literally hundreds of different exercises you can do in the water that are fun and will get you real results. Pools are open and accessible to the public, all practicing social distancing guidelines and additional sanitation and safety measures. Most EōS Fitness locations have pools, as do local neighborhood community pools and recreation centers.

Don’t overdo it

Even if you are a world-class athlete, too much strenuous high-impact training can lead to injury and pain. This is where the pool can benefit even the most extreme fitness fanatics.

A pool workout is great to mix in with your other workouts so that you can continue to train hard—but make sure you’re not hard on your body.

The pool is also a great chance for people who suffer from chronic injuries to be able to get great exercise without the pain or the risk of re-injuring themselves. Pool workouts are a wonderful way to rehabilitate injuries so you don’t have to sit on the sidelines while you are recovering.

Don’t underestimate this Bottom line, the pool is a fabulous choice to help you train better and increase your fitness level. Add some uplifting music and pump up the fun factor and it will be an even better opportunity for you to really enjoy your workout.

You will feel refreshed, energized and be grateful that you have given yourself a great workout all while being kind to your body. The benefits of training in the water are extensive—better sleep, improved cardiovascular endurance, increased strength and an overall sense of enjoyment.

E S Fitness has 22 high-value, low-price gyms and counting throughout the Valley. Joella Hopkins has more than 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. For free on-demand and live workouts go to eosfitness.com/at-home-workouts.

Joella Hopkins has more than 20 years of experience in the fitness industry.

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