Lovin' Life After 50 - Phoenix - August 2022

August 2022

Living to the Fullest

Fifty Years

Organ Stop Pizza offers keys with a side of pie

At 105, Mesa woman still has a zest for life

The Dirt on Nitty Gritty

Bob Carpenter shares the band’s pandemic life

The

Real Beav Rick Connelly inspired his sitcom-writing dad’s scripts

Phoenix Edition

Def Leppard stretches its legs on ‘Diamond Star Halo’ Page 13 CONTACT US TODAY TO LEARN MORE

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Helping you enjoy life to the fullest 2 Levels of Service

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10 The Real Beav

Rick Connelly inspired his sitcom-writing dad’s scripts

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Opinion

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Leibo At Large Ask Marisa

Features

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Bargain for a Cause

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A Show of Hits

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The Dirt on Nitty Gritty

Sweetest Thing

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Casino Calendar

Food & Drink

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Fifty Years

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What’s Cooking?

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The Healthy Geezer

Living to the Fullest

At 105, Mesa woman still has a zest for life

Entertainment

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Leap of Faith

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Calendar of Events

Def Leppard stretches its legs on ‘Diamond Star Halo’

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AUGUST 2022

Bob Carpenter shares the band’s pandemic life

Organ Stop Pizza offers keys with a side of pie Cornell barbecue chicken

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Opinion

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AUGUST 2022

Griner case illustrates plight of detained Americans

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ The open letter to President Biden, written by hand and released on the Fourth of July, tore at the heart. This is the unfortunate plight of Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner, wrongfully detained for 143 days and counting in a godforsaken gulag 6,000 miles from home.

“As I sit here in a Russian prison,” Griner wrote, “alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever.”

She went on to beseech Biden: “I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American Detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home.”

We have been told by the White House press secretary Biden has read the letter.

We also have been told his administration will “use every tool we possibly can” to bring Griner home. I hope so, because Russian news reports have said Griner, arrested on Feb. 17, faces up to 10 years in prison for allegedly having 0.702 grams of hash oil in two vape cartridges in her luggage. She pleaded guilty to drug charges on July 7.

Biden and the U.S. State Department should use every tool in America’s toolbox to secure Griner’s release — exactly as he should on behalf of the more than 60 Americans currently held hostage in foreign countries.

Like Paul Whelan, a former Marine wrongfully detained in Russia since 2018. Like “the Citgo 6,” petroleum executives wrongfully held in Venezuela since 2017. And like Alina Lopez-Miyares, wrongfully locked up in a Cuban prison since January 2017.

In a more just world, we would care about all these Americans with the same vigor and at the same loud volume. The truth? As a culture, we have a limited attention span, a finite amount of compassion we spend in dollops — a sprinkling for the homeless here, a few spoonfuls for the struggling poor there and a drip or two for

Brittney Griner.

Is that right? I don’t think so. I wish we had an endless reserve of compassion, enough to go around in the right proportions.

Even so, I disagree wholeheartedly with Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard, who took dead aim at America in comments supporting Griner last month.

“If it was LeBron, he’d be home, right?”

Nygaard declared. “It’s a statement about the value of women. It’s a statement about the value of a Black person. It’s a statement about the value of a gay person. All of those.

We know it.”

Actually, it’s a statement about how little we pay attention to wrongful detainees and their suffering. Virtually no one save the families of the imprisoned has made a peep about wrongfully imprisoned Americans anywhere, about Whelan, the Citgo 6 or Lopez-Miyares. This silence has nothing to do with race, gender or who someone loves. It has everything to do with our culture’s capacity to empathize.

Nygaard seems to think if Griner was male, white and straight, America would be threatening nuclear war. Reality says otherwise. Nygaard is correct about one thing, though. If LeBron James was wrongfully imprisoned, Americans would be rioting in the streets.

That has everything to do with celebrity, which is the only reason you have heard about Brittney Griner’s case at all. If Griner couldn’t dribble, couldn’t dunk, wasn’t a six-time WBNA All-Star, her imprisonment would be occurring in silence.

Nygaard is dead wrong about for whom we care and why. We reserve the greatest compassion for the most famous among us — it is a perverted truth about the American way.

I hope Brittney Griner comes home soon.

And I hope we bring every other wrongfully detained American home with her.

David Leibowitz has called the Valley home since 1995.

Contact david@leibowitzsolo.com.

www.LovinLife.com

Ask Marisa

Returning to dating scene?

Go with the flow

BY MARISA PEER

Q

Dear Marisa: Just over 12 months ago my husband told me he didn’t love me anymore and ended our 20-year marriage.

His decision was very much out of the blue, and I felt I had no control over the situation as he moved out of our family home very quickly without any attempt to try to fix things or reconcile. We are going through a divorce.

While it left me devastated at the time, I have taken time to heal and rediscover who I am as a person beyond the wife and mother role I knew for so long. Now, I am at a point where I would like to get out and potentially meet someone.

My children have left home, I run my own business and work the hours I choose, so I feel like I am in a good place to dedicate time to a new partner.

However, the reality is that I am 54 years old, haven’t dated in over 20 years, and the prospect of getting back on the horse terrifies me!

I am considering online dating, as it seems to be how you meet people these days, but it all seems a bit frivolous, whereas I would really like something meaningful and a long-term relationship rather than a fling.

Even writing a bio for a profile scares me. I have no idea what to say or how to “sell” myself. Is this a nonstarter?

Please help, Marisa!

Ms. Independent, Mesa

these if you are looking for someone of a similar age who also has relationship aspirations.

Remember, 50 is the new 40! It’s much

more common for people to date in their 50s now, as there is less of a stigma attached to people separating later in life.

It’s actually a great time to start a new relationship because, at this age, many people have had families, their children have flown the nest, they have a plethora of life experience and know what they want. You also have the freedom and possibly the financial stability you may have lacked earlier in your life. I got married at 50, and for me it was the perfect time.

As for your dating bio, my best advice

September 1

would be to keep it simple — just be yourself. Give a brief outline of your interests, key values and beliefs. Explain what lights you up and what you are looking for. Give your profile a little flavor of your personality. Don’t think of it as “selling” yourself; think about it as a way of drawing someone who matches your energy to you. Your photo is important, so make it natural and smile.

Enjoy the process — don’t make it all about the end goal of a relationship.

Marisa...continues on page 8

September 13

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October 23

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November 19

December 6 & 7

December 16

February 26

A

Dear Ms. Independent: If you feel you are ready to start dating again, a good starting point is to consider what you’re looking for in a partner.

Focus on what is important to you, energizes you and brings you joy. What are your values and beliefs — and is it important that a partner shares these? This will help you get a clear idea of what you want (and don’t want!) next time around.

When it comes to dating sites, you’ll find several dedicated to over-50s dating, so consider registering with one of www.LovinLife.com

AUGUST 2022

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Marisa...continued from page 7 Instead, relish getting dressed up and meeting new people. Don’t put pressure on yourself — or your potential partner — to be “the one” the first time you meet. Go with the flow!

Dating sites are just one option. Taking up a hobby can also be a great way to meet like-minded people in a fun, relaxed way. We all have things we have wanted to learn — be it a new language, French cuisine or photography — so now is the time to try it while building a social circle and maybe even finding love in the process. One of my friends met her now-husband while volunteering at an animal shelter, another while walking her neighbor’s dog, and a third in a running club. When you are involved in doing what you love, you become a compelling person to date. You can also meet people through your existing friend set, so work on expanding that.

Most of all, go out and enjoy yourself.

Don’t hang everything on a relationship.

Live your life, be active and get out a lot, and often love finds you where or when you least expect it! Even in the aisle of your grocery store. Believe you are absolutely worthy of love, and that will radiate from you.

If you feel there is still some unresolved emotional trauma from the past, a rapid transformational therapy (RTT) session could help, particularly if you have previously found yourself repeating negative behavior patterns. RTT gets to the root cause of the beliefs and behaviors that may be holding you back and gives you the understanding you need to move forward more constructively.

Lots of love, Marisa x Send your questions to media@marisapeer.com, and keep up with me online at marisapeer.com, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

“Tell Yourself a Better Lie: Use the Power of Rapid Transformational Therapy to Edit Your Story and Rewrite Your Life” is available on Amazon.

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Features

The

REAL

Beav

BY JIMMY MAGAHERN In “Bel-Air,” the hit 2022 reboot of the ’90s sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” the comedy is reimagined as a gritty drama, recasting once beloved characters as deeply flawed individuals and replacing the reliable comic relief of the Carlton Dance with a recurring “Scarface” snort from the beleaguered Banks son.

Now imagine an even grittier reboot set in Bel-Air, this one a dramatic reworking of “Leave It to Beaver,” examining the real lives of the idyllic middle-class Cleaver family as they navigate the turmoil of the late 1960s.

That’s the between-the-lines story that runs throughout the recently published book “Not Really Hollywood,” where author Rick Connelly, who recently moved from Pebble Beach, California, to the PebbleCreek retirement community in Goodyear, details his wonder years as the real-life kid whose antics inspired the classic TV character Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver.

“I basically wrote it to give something to my grandchildren,” the now-73-yearold says, FaceTiming from his home office.

“Because they’ll probably still be watching ‘Leave It to Beaver’ when they get older, and may wonder about how their great-grandfather came up with all those stories.”

Rick’s dad was screenwriting legend Joe Connelly, who, along with writing partner Bob Mosher, created the archetypal family comedy that broke new ground by being told from the children’s point of view.

Even today, the show is most revered for how it authentically captured the way kids really talked in the late ’50s and early ’60s — and essentially still do today.

Turns out, the kids’ voices sounded authentic because Joe followed his own kids around with a notebook, capturing every juvenescent gem for story ideas and dialogue.

Decades before social media would

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Author Rick Connelly, the real inspiration for Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver on “Leave It to “Beaver,” recently moved to the PebbleCreek retirement community in Goodyear.

(Enrique Garcia/Contributor)

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AUGUST 2022

Rick Connelly inspired his sitcom-writing dad’s scripts create influencers out of ordinary adolescents, Joe was creating scripts for Beaver and Wally based on the dopey day-today doings of a young Rick and his older brother Jay. “That’s absolutely true about the notebook,” says Rick, although he confesses he didn’t actually watch the show much growing up. He only learned his dad was mining his minions for material about a year into the show’s six-season run, when he accompanied his dad and stars Jerry Mathers and Tony Dow on a photo op in Iowa.

It was there Joe asked young autograph seekers shunned by the stars, “Do you want to meet the real Beav?” That’s when Rick learned his antics around the house were being weaved into TV comedy gold.

Not that junior’s muse status allowed him to shrug off broken windows or accidentally drilled-through garage doors as mere script fodder. Did Rick’s golden goose ever try to wriggle out of a jam by saying, “Gee, Dad, wouldn’t this make for a great episode?”

“No!” Rick says, emphatically. “I mean, yeah, I was the kid who pulled the blinds down when I broke a window so my parents wouldn’t see it” — a dirty deed that became a “Leave It to Beaver” plot line. “And maybe my dad put up with me a little more than other dads would have because he could see the humor in things like that.” If anything, Rick would sometimes become annoyed by how his preteen tribulations always drew laughs around the dinner table.

“One time something came up and I remember storming away from the kids’ table in a huff, and as I was walking up the stairs I turned and said, ‘I’m not going to give you any more lines for your TV show!’” Rick says with a laugh.

“But I also wasn’t as wild when I was younger, which was when the show was going on. I got into more trouble as I got

older.” Thankfully, he says, his dad stopped following him around with a notebook by then.

Dark side of the Beaver

Rick shudders to think what a gritty reboot of “Leave It to Beaver” might look like if his dad had continued to mine his and his brother’s antics as they grew up in wealthy Bel-Air during the latter half of the Swinging Sixties.

“There is no way that would’ve ever made the air!” he laughs. But readers can sample the anecdotes in his book and imagine their own plot lines.

In the pilot episode of the rebooted “Leave It to Beaver,” Ward Cleaver, now a widower, takes the boys on a vacation to Rome, where now 14-year-old Theodore, whose childhood nickname has begun to draw snickers from his peers, begrudgingly agrees to serve as altar boy at the Vatican. But the adolescent Beaver is more interested in eyeing the women on the Italian beaches, where he’s introduced to topless sunbathing.

Later in the season, Ward walks in on Beaver smoking a joint. But rather than punish him, Ward ridicules his now-teenaged son’s choice of cannabis, bragging about the grade-A hash he used to smoke in the Merchant Marines. Beaver instantly loses all interest in marijuana.

In another episode, Eddie Haskell, now revealed to be a dangerous delinquent with a checkered past, tries to talk Wally into joining his street gang, which he gallantly passes off to the Cleavers as a roving coin collector club.

All these scenarios might have made it onto TV screens if Joe had continued to document his personal family life in sitcom scripts — the real-life stories, minus the imagined comedic tweaks, are all in Rick’s book.

But at some point, the Connellys’ lifestyle veered far away from that of the middle-class Cleavers. By the mid-’60s, Joe and Mosher were successful screenwriters and producers, having added “The Munsters” to their string of hits, and the Connellys were living large on the secluded hills of Bel-Air. “We had the maids, the butlers, the chauffeurs,” Rick says. “It was a different life — but very enjoyable!” Not surprisingly, the excesses of the era collided with the maturing Connelly kids’ excess wealth — and not always in a good way. Rick says his brother Jay, once the model for Wally, got into some “dark moments” he didn’t even want to include in the book, particularly since Jay is now gone. “We kept a lot of stuff with him out of the book.”

Ditto for the real Haskell, the model for Wally’s rascally best friend. Rick says the real-life counterpart for the TV troublemaker actually ran with the West LA gangs and was “a lot meaner” than Haskell. “But I can’t tell you his name,” he says.

“All I can say is his dad was a sportswriter for the Los Angeles Times.”

If anything’s lacking in “Not Really Hollywood,” it’s that it strategically stops short of being a tell-all. Rick says his own wife, Stephanie, has always laughed at the absurdity of the “Real Beav” moniker he’s been saddled with since before they wed.

In a 1985 article for the Chicago Tribune, she called Mathers “the wimpy Beav” and said her husband was always “more into

Beav...continues on page 11 www.LovinLife.com

Living to the Fullest At 105, Mesa woman still has a zest for life

BY MARK MORAN Mesa resident Nora Leesley wants to know why she didn’t received her absentee ballot for the recent election.

At age 105, she still has a vivid interest in politics.

Born in 1917, Leesley has lived through 25 presidential administrations — she was born during Woodrow Wilson’s term but liked Dwight Eisenhower the best.

Growing up, she rode her horse four miles each morning past the farm where the outlaw Jesse James and his family lived to a one-room school that housed grades 1-8 in Kearney, Missouri, population 500.

“I never wanted to miss a day of school,” Leesley recalls. “Now they close the roads and they have buses. I never missed a day of school.”

Her mother taught all eight of those grades.

“She rode side-saddle horse to school,” Leesley says. “Made her own fire and all that stuff. Just a country school. This day and age, she would have been teacher of the year. Everybody called her Miss Emma. She was strict, but all the kids loved her.”

Nora had a brother and sister, both older.

And there was no sugarcoating it, she says: Life was just plain difficult for her family.

“We lived on a farm,” she says. “We went through hard, hard, hard times. We had nothing … like everybody else. Went through the Depression. All of our crops died. My dad was a farmer. The house burned when I was about 7 years old. We lost everything we had. I don’t think we ever really recovered from that.

“Dad had a lot of hard luck. Lightning struck his team of mules, and that was his means of plowing the field. We didn’t have tractors and all that stuff.

“I grew up with no running water, no electricity, no anything. We hauled the water up the hill from the well to the kitchen. It was a hard life.”

She says she and her family lived a sparse and modest life that had one saving grace: There was always music in the house.

“Mother was a good pianist. She gave lessons before she was married. My sister and I took piano lessons, and both of us took violin lessons. My brother played the trumpet. Dad played the harmonica,” she says.

“That was our entertainment. My cousin played the violin and banjo. Another played the saxophone. We just made our own entertainment.”

Leesley earned a college scholarship when she graduated high school in 1935 but ended up not using it.

“I got married instead of getting that piece of paper,” she says.

She married her high school principal and moved with him to Durango, Colorado, where they Nora Leesley continues to stay involved in politics, losing no interest even after living through 25 presidential administrations. (David Minton/ Staff Photographer)

www.LovinLife.com

spent all they had to buy a $2,000 home in 1936.

“Furnished,” she says. “It was nothing.

But it was ours. It recently sold for over a million.

“You make your way on what you have.

You don’t live beyond your means. That’s the whole problem with the young people today. Everything goes on plastic.”

Some years later, her husband, Harvey Hollar, retired from teaching and went into politics as a county commissioner in Durango. That’s where Leesley earned her stripes as a back-office political worker bee.

“I was very active,” she says.

That’s an understatement.

“Typing about 5,000 letters on the clunky typewriter. A mountain of envelopes. I addressed them all. Filled out all the sheets to mail out to everybody.

Worked day and night in all our spare time getting that done. We walked the whole town door to door, knocking on doors soliciting votes. And he won. Every time. He never lost an election, and he had five of them.”

To this day Leesley does not consider herself partisan.

“Mark Kelly, I definitely want him,” she

Beav...continued from page 10 experimenting with life … getting into trouble, doing deviant things.”

That full story may never be told. “I wanted to keep it, let’s say, PG,” Rick says.

“Putting in racy stuff to sell books wasn’t as important to me as just having the book for the grandkids.” Plus, he adds, “I’m not sure the world wants to read that.”

Protecting the legacy

“Leave It to Beaver” is, after all, an iconic show that represents a certain idealized view of the American family. And the Connellys, as well as the family of Mosher, who died in 1972 at age 57 (Joe passed away at age 85 in 2003), are effectively protectors of that legacy.

“We still own the show, and it works out very well for both families,” Rick says.

“We are in partnerships with what’s now called NBC Universal. They own 50% of the show, the Connellys own 25% and the Mosher family owns 25%. So, it keeps on going for us.”

As such, there’s little incentive to do anything that might taint the mythology

says of the Arizona Democratic senator.

She also likes Karrin Taylor Robson, a conservative Republican gubernatorial candidate.

“I’ve never yet voted a straight ticket,” she says. “I vote for the person that I think is best for the job. To heck with whichever party. In fact, I’d just as soon be independent as either a Democratic or Republican.”

Leesley doesn’t exactly have the parental genes for longevity. Her mother died at 62 from influenza and her father at 57 from a heart attack.

“I don’t know why I have lived so long.

I’ve outlived all my family, all my friends.”

But somehow, here she sits, lively, sharp as a tack, having sidestepped or been spared all of the maladies that typically accompany old age.

She does lean on a walker and takes the occasional breath of bottled oxygen.

But by and large, Leesley looks like she still has plenty of life to live.

Her advice? “Love the Lord. Don’t drink.

Don’t smoke. And don’t have tattoos,” she says.

And don’t have enemies. “I don’t have a single enemy in this world. I have outlived them all.” of the show. And even previous efforts to recapture the magic of “Leave It to Beaver,” in the 1983 reunion telemovie “Still the Beaver” and the made-for-cable TV series “The New Leave It to Beaver” (1984 to 1989), have fallen short.

Rick is excited about the upcoming Rob Zombie-directed reboot of “The Munsters,” with surprisingly faithful character costuming and visual style — not to mention a planned PG rating. But he doesn’t expect that gritty dramatic reboot of “Leave It to Beaver” to happen anytime soon.

“I think they’re pretty well done with the remakes,” Rick says. “But let’s put it this way: The Beaver doesn’t go away.

And like I said, when the grandkids are older, they’ll probably be still watching this show, which is tremendous for my dad.”

“Not Really Hollywood”

by Rick Connelly Available on Amazon, Apple and Barnes & Noble, among other retailers AUGUST 2022

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Bargain for a Cause Glendale White Dove wins congressional recognition

BY LIN SUE FLOOD The Glendale White Dove Thrift Shoppe has been a favorite destination for bargain shoppers since 2015, thanks to the dedication of its friendly staff and compassionate volunteers.

The work they do each day to raise funds for Hospice of the Valley’s charity care has earned the store a Community Advocate Recognition Award from Rep. Debbie Lesko. The award honors nonprofits in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District that “strive to improve people’s lives.”

Outreach Director Monica Yelin presented the award on behalf of Lesko and Congress on July 15.

“Your staff and volunteers are your most precious assets. Everything you have done has not gone unnoticed,” she says. “We are immensely grateful for your commitment to our community.”

Located at 59th Avenue and Bell Road, the spacious Glendale store is one of four

White Dove Thrift Shoppes that support care for patients and families without insurance or financial means. The others are in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa. The stores can also provide essential items at no charge — clothing, bed linens and medical equipment to patients experiencing hardship.

Hospice of the Valley’s nonprofit mission — bringing comfort, dignity and compassionate care to our community — is always front and center.

“Our amazing team is focused on one thing: supporting patient care. That’s what it’s all about,” Glendale store manager Michael Baumann says.

That team includes volunteers like Rita Mazzacone.

“I was coming in as a shopper, and they asked me if I would be interested in volunteering. I said ‘yes,’ and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. We all do it for the love,” she says.

It’s not surprising customers feel so

Glendale White Dove Thrift Shoppe received the Congressional Community Advocate Recognition Award, thanks to a nomination by Rep. Debbie Lesko. Pictured from left are sales associates Judy Hackett and Sandy Milder; assistant manager Erin Wirta; manager Mike Baumann; Lesko’s Outreach Director Monica Yelin; and sales associates Sharron DuPlantis, Eusebio Medina and Chelsea Sheriff.

(Hospice of the Valley/Submitted)

welcome and keep coming back. A firsttime shopper recently posted this review about the Glendale location: “New favorite thrift store in Arizona! Not only is it

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clean and nice, but the prices reflect prices of an actual thrift store! Their workers are also as kind as can be and seem like they really enjoy what they do. I have fallen in love with this store. Go check it out yourself!”

Interested in volunteering at any of our stores? Contact White Dove volunteer coordinator JoEllen Feltham at jfeltham@hov. org. We would love to have you join us!

Lin Sue Flood is director of community engagement for Hospice of the Valley.

White Dove Thrift Shoppes

All stores are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday-Saturday. For information on special sales or to make a donation, visit whitedovethrift.org.

• Glendale White Dove, 17045 N. 59th Avenue, Glendale, 602-9420011 • Mesa White Dove, 1255 W. Guadalupe Road, Mesa, 480-491-1361 • Midtown White Dove, 2711 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 602957-1204 • Scottsdale White Dove, 8461 E. McDonald Drive, Scottsdale, 480-609-1190

ACCREDITED BUSINESS ®

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AUGUST 2022

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Entertainment

Leap of Faith Def Leppard stretches its legs on ‘Diamond Star Halo’

BY DAVE GIL DE RUBIO The pandemic may have pressed an existential pause button on normal life, but for Def Leppard, it sparked a creative rejuvenation that yielded “Diamond Star Halos,” the band’s 12th studio album and first since 2015’s self-titled predecessor.

“For me and (singer) Joe (Elliott), selfishly, we had the best time ever,” Collen shares in an early June phone interview.

“We had no kids at home and actually experienced the most creative period artistically that we’ve ever had. Because of the pandemic and because we weren’t really (intentionally) making an album, there was no business agenda. We didn’t even have a label when we started. We were writing for the pure love of writing songs. Me and Joe started getting giddy (because) we were on a roll. We had to stop writing because we had to release this album. We had a few more (songs) in the can as well, so that was great.”

The result was 15 songs that dip into the ’71 to ‘74 sweet spot of music history Def Leppard has unabashedly tapped into since the band was founded in Sheffield, England, in 1977. And while Collen only came aboard after being asked to replace founding member Pete Willis in 1982, he shared the same love of glam rock that continues to this day and can be experienced on this latest outing, which borrows its title from the T. Rex 1971 hit “Bang a Gong (Get It On).”

Powerful guitar-driven harmonies dripping with hooks erupt on the anthemic opener, “Take What You Want,” which is quickly followed by “Kick,” an earworm adorned with hand claps and an infectious chorus that reverberates with the kind of hooky pop nuances of vintage Sweet.

The glitter connection is further enhanced by the contributions of pianist Mike Garson, who cut his teeth working with David Bowie and plays on the string-kissed ballad “Goodbye For Good This Time” and the soaring “Angels (Can’t Help You Now).” Garson got involved afwww.LovinLife.com

Def Leppard is, from left, bassist Rick Savage, drummer Rick Allen, singer Joe Elliott, and guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell. They headline State Farm Stadium on Thursday, August 25. (Anton Corbijn/Submitted)

ter Elliott brought the pair of songs to the band, knowing piano-based songs had never been Def Leppard’s stock and trade.

“Joe had written these two wonderful songs on piano, and he played them for me a while ago,” Collen recalls. “I said they were great, and I asked why we couldn’t do them. He said they were piano songs, and I said ‘Angel’ sounds like an Elton John (tune) that turns into Pink Floyd in the end. He said what if he asked Garson because he was speaking with him all the time. Mike was straight away in for it. He’s my favorite piano player, so that was an obvious thing. He really added a dimension that we wouldn’t have had.”

While the Leps’ self-described “Queenmeets-AC/DC” sound can be heard on other notable tracks like the arena rocker “Fire It Up” and driving riff machine that is “SOS Emergency,” the band took the opportunity of not having label oversight to take radical chances like tapping Alison Krauss to contribute to a pair of cuts — “Lifeless” and “This Guitar,” the latter a gem Collen had been sitting on for 17 years. The Krauss connection, the guitarist says, came out of a soccer rivalry Elliott shared with Robert Plant (who has recorded a pair of albums with the bluegrass superstar).

“Joe was talking to Robert Plant about whose soccer team sucked the most,” Collen explains. “Robert asked Joe what he was doing, and he said we were doing

an album. Robert had worked with Alison Krauss and said she’d love to do (something with us) because Def Leppard is her favorite band. We thought she’d perhaps like to sing a line or two. We sent two songs that we thought would be suitable, and she loved them both. She had done all of these vocals — lead and backing vocals on the whole. It was like a Queen version of Alison Krauss with counter melodies and a beautiful duet with Joe. We kept it all on there. It was another dimension that we loved.”

As someone who grew up in London and was bitten by the guitar bug after seeing a Deep Purple concert in support of “Machine Head” (“I was in the front row and got to touch Ritchie Blackmore. He smashed his Strat. I could hear him playing all this right in front of me and right in front of the cabinets. It blew my mind”), this kind of musical risk-taking is nothing new for Collen. Reggae, ’70s funk, and catching seminal artists like jazz guitarist Joe Pass at Ronnie Scott’s in London all shaped his musical worldview. But it was the Thin White Duke who became a major game changer.

“I saw Bowie doing ‘Starman’ on TV when I was 14,” he says. “I was already into guitar playing since I’d seen Deep Purple, so I was already smitten. Then my world went from black and white to color just that quick.”

And now with Def Leppard embarking

on a twice-canceled stadium tour with Mötley Crüe, Poison and Joan Jett, Collen is thrilled with how his own crew sounds.

“We were actually in Pennsylvania for production rehearsals, and I realized this was the best live band I’ve ever heard in my life,” he says.

“This is us. We recorded it and played with the lights, lasers and God knows what other production stuff. We’ve never sounded this good. Joe has never sung this good. Rick Allen has never played the drums as well, and we’ve played this well as a band. It’s easier to play guitar. The singing part is always hard — you have to do warmups, and it’s such an important thing. The band — everything about it — we’ve just raised the bar. That’s really exciting more than anything else. And these new songs just blend straight in with the set, so it’s totally exciting.”

Fans can expect a set chock-full of hits with a few surprises thrown in along the way that may or may not have come out of Def Leppard’s pre-pandemic Vegas residency. In the meantime, Def Leppard (which also includes guitarist Vivian Campbell and bassist Rick Savage) continues to plow on and enjoy longevity that Collen credits to that most un-rock ‘n’ roll of reasons.

“It really comes down to our parental influences,” he explains. “We loved our

Def Leppard...continues on page 16 AUGUST 2022

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Calendar of Events

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3

MONDAY, AUGUST 1

Craft N Chat, 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays, Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free admission, 480-488-2286, dfla.org.

Veterans Coffee Chat, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 to RSVP. Caring for the Caregiver, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free admission, 480-488-2286, dfla.org. Led

by Hospice of the West facilitators.

Coffee and Sudoku, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-3254707 to RSVP. Coloring and Conversations, 11 a.m. to noon, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 to RSVP.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2

Quilters Anonymous, a chapter of the Arizona Quilt Guild, 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month, at Christ’s community United Methodist Church, 104 W. Western Avenue, Avondale, Arizona. For more information, contact Julie at 623-363-5187.

EBook and Online Database Help, 11 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free admission, 480-488-2286, dfla.org.

Gentle Tai Chi-Qigong, 10:30 to 11:25 a.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays and 1 to 1:55 p.m. Friday, Kaleidoscope Dance, 2848 S. Carriage Lane, Mesa, $14 per drop-in class, $48 for four-punch card, 602-345-0496, kaleidoscope-dance.com, info@ kaleidoscope-dance.com.

Mexican Train Dominoes, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Tuesdays, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 to RSVP.

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Gentle Tai Chi Sequences, 1 to 1:55 p.m. Tuesdays, Kaleidoscope Dance, 2848 S. Carriage Lane, Mesa, $14 per drop-in class, $48 for four-punch card, 602-345-0496, kaleidoscope-dance.com, info@kaleidoscope-dance.com.

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AUGUST 2022

Death Café, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free admission, 480-488-2286, deathcafe.com.

Death Café is a gathering to talk about death and dying.

Wii Bowling, noon to 1 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-3254707 to RSVP. Spanish Social with Juan, 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 to RSVP.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4

Diabetes Support Series: Week One, 9:30 to 11 a.m., continues on Thursdays, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-3254707 to RSVP.

ater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49, silverstartheater.com.

Mick Adams and the Stones, 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, visit website for ticket information, fhtheater.com.

Brain, Stroke and Aneurysm Survivor Support Group, 2 to 4 p.m., Acute Rehab Unit, Abrazo Central Campus, 2000 W. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, free, register at 1-877-649-3311, abrazohealth.com/events#4018.

Crane Dance-Gentle Tai Chi, 9:15 to 10:10 a.m.

Saturdays, Kaleidoscope Dance, 2848 S. Carriage Lane, Mesa, $14 per drop-in class, $48 for fourpunch card, 602-345-0496, kaleidoscope-dance. com, info@kaleidoscope-dance.com.

The West Valley Survivors of Stroke Group Meeting, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month, Abrazo West Campus’ second-floor conference room, 13677 W. McDowell Road, Goodyear, free, RSVP at abrazohealth.com/events.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12

Celebrate those who take care of us.

It’s Aged Care Employee Day!

MONDAY, AUGUST 8

The Healing Pathway, 9:30 to 11 a.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free admission, 480-488-2286, dfla.org. The open-ended group provides practical tools and supportive conversation for those grieving.

Coffee and Crosswords, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480325-4707 to RSVP.

Mahjongg, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 to RSVP.

Mindful Art, 11 a.m. to noon, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-3254707 to RSVP.

Farm Basket Bingo, 1 to 2 p.m. Thursdays, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 to RSVP.

Sun Lakes Democratic Club Meeting, 6:30 p.m. meet and greet, 7 p.m. meeting, Sun Lakes Country Club’s Navajo Room, 25601 E. Sun Lakes Boulevard North, Chandler, free, wlkariz@aol.com. The meetings are held in person (masks recommended) and Zoom. Email for Zoom link.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5

International Film Noir Series with Gary Zaro, 2 to 5 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free admission, 480-4882286, RSVP at dfla.org. This month’s movie is 1949’s “Stray Dog.” Coffee and Cards, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 to RSVP. Movie and Popcorn: “West Side Story” (2021), 1 to 3 p.m, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 to RSVP.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6

Malt Shop Memories, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star The-

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11

TUESDAY, AUGUST 9

Get Lit Book Club, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free admission, 480-488-2286, RSVP at dfla.org.

This month’s book is “Dark Archives” by Megan Rosenbloom at the library. Join the group for drinks and light refreshments, and book discussion.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10

Charity Crafting, 11 a.m. to noon, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-3254707 to RSVP.

Chapter2Books Monthly Sale, various times, Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free admission, 480-488-2286, dfla.org.

Find Relief from Back Pain, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 to RSVP. Movie and Popcorn: “Cruella,” 1 to 3 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 to RSVP.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 13

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

Dementia-Friendly Awareness Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown Street, Glendale, free, register at https://bit.ly/ GlendaleAZDementia. The event includes community resource fair, presentations by Banner Alzheimer’s Institute and free brain health checks.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14 It’s time to cool down on National Creamsicle Day!

MONDAY, AUGUST 15

Coffee and Word Search, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480325-4707 to RSVP. Simple Changes for Managing Cholesterol, 11 a.m. to noon, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 to RSVP.

Calendar...continues on page 15

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A Show of Hits

Calendar of Events continued from page 14

TUESDAY, AUGUST 16

Tour is a snapshot of the new wave era

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Singer Mike Score is grateful any time his band, A Flock of Seagulls, can play music live.

After all, gigging is just as much fun now as it was during the early 1980s heyday of the Liverpool-bred new wave band.

“I like playing,” Score says. “It doesn’t matter where it is — Phoenix, Los Angeles or Canada. It’s always a good time.

We’re a bunch of friends, and when we get up there and play, it’s more about having a good time than playing music.

“We play the same songs a lot. It just comes automatically. But it’s so much better having your friends up there with you. We have just as much fun onstage and off stage. We go out for meals. We’re all too old to be drinking. We just have our favorite inside jokes.”

A Flock of Seagulls is coming to the Celebrity Theatre on Thursday, September 1, as part of “Lost ’80s Live” with Wang Chung, Missing Persons, Naked Eyes, Stacey Q, Dramarama and Musical Youth.

“The Phoenix show is a show of the hits,” he says. “We don’t do any new songs. We do songs that everybody knows. They know them, and they can sing along and feel like they’ve been in-

volved in a way.”

That inclusion stretches to the performers as well.

“Once you’ve been out on tour with people a few times, you get to know them,” Score says. “It’s not like we’re best friends. But I respect the fact that they’re in another band, and we treat each other like brothers and sisters.”

Score is hoping A Flock of Seagulls will put out a new album this year; a solo album will follow, too. The band’s music fits snugly in the catalog.

“It’s definitely been a bit of an evolution,” Score says.

“I like to mess around and experiment with songs and music. I’m not looking to write ‘I Ran’ again. It’s a good song, but I don’t want to write it again.”

“Lost ’80s Live” w/Wang Chung, Missing Persons, Naked Eyes, Stacey Q, Dramarama and Musical Youth WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 1 WHERE: Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix COST: Tickets start at $45 INFO: celebritytheatre.com

Project Presley: A Celebration of the Music of Elvis with Chance Tinder, 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, visit website for ticket information, fhtheater.com.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17

Coffee Chat with Customer Care Specialist: Aaron, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 to RSVP.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18

Five-Way Street: The Music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, visit website for ticket information, fhtheater.com.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19

Foods to Boost Your Brain Power, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 to RSVP. Healthy Cooking Demo: Brain-Boosting Foods with Chef Melanie, 11 a.m. to noon, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480325-4707 to RSVP.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20

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

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21

It’s National Senior Citizens’ Day!

MONDAY, AUGUST 22

The Healing Pathway, 9:30 to 11 a.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free admission, 480-488-2286, dfla.org. The open-ended group provides practical tools and supportive conversation for those grieving.

Good Fats, Bad Fats, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-3254707 to RSVP. Heart Health Jeopardy, 11 a.m. to noon, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480325-4707 to RSVP.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23 Singer Mike Score of the band A Flock of Seagulls is grateful for any chance they get to play music live, saying, “It’s always a good time. We’re a bunch of friends, and when we get up there and play, it’s more about having a good time than playing music.” (Submitted)

Appreciate your significant other on Hug Your Sweetheart Day!

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24

Charity Crafting, 11 a.m. to noon, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-3254707 to RSVP.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25

If a creamsicle wasn’t enough earlier in the month, try National Banana Split Day!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26

Decompress from Stress, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480325-4707 to RSVP. Movie and Popcorn: “The Lost City” (2022), 1 to 3 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 to RSVP.

Calendar...continues on page 16 www.LovinLife.com

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The Dirt on Nitty Gritty

Def Leppard...continued from page 13 parents. They were so great, so helpful and so accommodating. They were World War II survivors. The Nazis were trying to blow our city up, and so our parents were in air raid shelters. (Our folks) had a value system that they shared with us. I’m from London, Joe is from Sheffield, Rick is from Northern Ireland, so it’s slightly different. But we all had that experience from our parents. When they did their first EP, Joe and his mum sat up all night sticking 1,000 labels on the records. It’s stuff like that. And that really helped, and we still have all that. We haven’t ticked all our boxes yet — we’re getting there. We still have a lot to go.”

Bob Carpenter shares the band’s pandemic life

BY JOSH ORTEGA It was supposed to take 10 days, but it turned into a year and a half.

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band returns to Arizona with shows in Gilbert on August 27 and Tucson on August 28. Bob Carpenter says the band’s newest album highlights their favorites from Bob Dylan’s vast catalog “done the Dirt Band way” and includes contributions from three new band members. Carpenter has held various roles in the band and attributes their success to their willingness to keep a fluid sound.

“Fifty-six years, everybody I guess got bored, so they start changing around, but we do whatever we have to do to make music,” he says.

Carpenter officially joined the band in 1980 and currently plays the accordion.

He’s changed instruments over the years, including electric bass, acoustic and electric guitar, and keyboard.

“They really never had a dedicated keyboard player in the band ever,” he says.

“So, this was sort of like a new wrinkle for them.”

Their newest album, “Dirt Does Dylan,” contains 10 tracks that had them reinterpret some of their favorites from Bob Dylan.

It included contributions from three new band members: fiddle specialist Ross Holmes; band founder Jeff Hanna’s son Jaime; and singer-songwriter and bass player Jim Photoglo, who wrote one of the band’s biggest hits, “Fishin’ in the Dark.”

Carpenter says the band started working on the album in March 2020 and finished a majority of it within about five days.

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band planned to perform two shows and then return to the studio to finish it. Then “it” happened.

“We went out and did two of the shows, and then everybody rushed home because of the pandemic,” he says.

They didn’t return to the studio until August 2021, when they recorded the last

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AUGUST 2022

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band plans to play about 70 shows in 2022, having them travel through 27 cities, including Gilbert on August 27 and Tucson on August 28. (Jeff Fasano/Submitted)

track, “Forever Young.”

As the pandemic started to subside and people tested negative, Carpenter says band members who lived in Nashville would sneak back into the studio to finish their parts.

He says drummer Jimmie Fadden had to work remotely from Florida until he could return to the studio.

Carpenter remained in California and had to wait until he could jump on a plane back to the studio to finish his work.

On top of that, the band also toured from September to November to make up for some of the shows postponed by the pandemic, and he says they didn’t finish the album until right before Christmas 2021.

During the pandemic, Carpenter says the band realized they missed playing in front of crowds and it harked back to their early days.

“We went out when we were young guys in our late teens,” he says. “We started playing music in bars and stuff in front of people, and that’s what we’ve always done.”

The band started planning in January to play about 70 shows in 2022, and while they’ve had several scattered throughout the first half, the major part of the year starts now.

The tour started on May 20 and has them traveling through 27 cities, including Gilbert on August 27 and Tucson on August 28.

He says the band plays about four songs from the new album, such as “For-

ever Young,” that Jeff, Jaime and Carpenter each sing lead on different verses.

“We took part of the ballad version and part of the up-tempo version that not many people know about … we combined them and rearranged it.”

The album also includes a rendition of “She Belongs to Me” the Hanna men sing from the “Bringing It All Back Home” album from 1965.

Along with classics like “Mr. Bojangles,” “Long Hard Road” and “Fishin’ in the Dark,” they also play hits from all three Circle records.

Carpenter says the band’s success through the years derives from a confluence of a lot of different things, including their popularity, health and projects that stimulate them enough to go on tour.

“It’s been a one-in-a-million shot because I don’t know how many other bands have been touring and recording for 56 years, but I can’t think of any.”

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, August 27 WHERE: Higley Center for the Performing Arts, 4132 E. Pecos Road, Gilbert COST: Tickets start at $39.50 INFO: higleycenter.org WHEN: 8 p.m. Sunday, August 28 WHERE: Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress Street, Tucson COST: Tickets start at $40 INFO: rialtotheatre.com

Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, Poison and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts WHEN: 4:30 p.m. Thursday, August 25 WHERE: State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale COST: Tickets start at $69 INFO: statefarmstadium.com, ticketmaster.com

Calendar...continued from page 15 SATURDAY, AUGUST 27

Variety Show Spectacular, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49, silverstartheater.com Hendricks Cocktail Party and Class, 2 to 3 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, $15, 480-488-2286, RSVP at dfla. org. Join the group for an educational class that teaches guests how to create gin-based cocktails using at home ingredients and Hendricks gin.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28

Dress up! It’s National Bowtie Day!

MONDAY, AUGUST 29

Stamping and Scrapbooking, 11 a.m. to noon, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 to RSVP. Coffee and Brain Teasers, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480325-4707 to RSVP.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 30

Show empathy on National Grief Awareness Day.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31

August Birthday Social, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480325-4707 to RSVP.

www.LovinLife.com

Puzzles ANSWERS ON PAGE 26 ACROSS 1 Hotel amenity 4 Beach bucket 8 “-- it going?”

12 Sandwich meat 13 Roughly 14 “Garfield” dog 15 Class that includes newts and frogs 17 Style 18 Corn serving 19 Took the helm 21 Clara of the Red Cross 24 Guffaw syllable 25 Lawyers’ org.

26 Label 28 Potato, for one 32 Toy block name 34 “Uh-huh” 36 The Big Easy acronym 37 Put in office 39 Sea, to Henri 41 Kimono closer

42 Nanny’s charge 44 Beach robe 46 Boris’ cartoon partner 50 Twitch 51 Hgt. 52 Highway turnoff 56 Aachen article 57 Snitch 58 -- -jongg 59 June honorees 60 Sheltered 61 Group of seals DOWN 1 Na Na lead-in 2 Nonstick spray 3 Electrical strength 4 Christie sleuth 5 Wall St. wheeler-dealer 6 Egyptian deity 7 Reluctant 8 Four-bagger 9 Air freshener target 10 Broad

11 16 20 21 22 23 27 29 30 31 33 35 38 40 43 45 46 47 48 49 53 54 55

Feeder filler Fez, e.g.

“Dig in!”

Hay bundle First victim Opposing vote Wrigley product Training site Exile isle Picnic spoiler Scale ranges Chest muscle Lean- -- (sheds) Baby’s toy Letter before iota Fragrant tree Must have Inter -See to Skater’s leap -- -de-France Chinese chairman Prof’s degree

GOby FIGURE! Linda Thistle

SUDOKU TIME

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.

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK ★ ★

★ Moderate ★★ Challenging ★★★ HOO BOY!

EVEN EXCHANGE

by Donna Pettman

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.

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK ★ ★ ★

★ Moderate ★★ Challenging ★★★ HOO BOY!

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!

www.LovinLife.com

AUGUST 2022

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17

Casinos

Sweetest Thing L.A.vation makes its mark as U2 tribute act

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Bart Davis and the rest of the U2 tribute band L.A.vation were in Holland in 2012 when they decided on a whim to head to Paris for a photo shoot near the Eiffel Tour.

“It was raining cats and dogs,” Davis says.

“We walked up to the plaza, and the rain stopped and the sun came out. It was an amazing shot. As soon as we posted that to our website and people started to look at it, we had calls from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Romania, Belgium. All of a sudden, this stuff started happening. It was really organic.”

In between return trips to France and Belgium, L.A.vation will play Casino Arizona on Friday, August 19, and Saturday,

August 20.

“We’ve been playing Casino Arizona since 2013, so this will be nine years,” says Davis, of San Pedro, California.

“We’ve created a nice little following in Arizona. It’s a great showroom.”

The show covers the whole of U2’s career, including about 10 hits and then other tracks.

“We basically play something from all of their albums — just not necessarily at every show. We find people come to hear the songs they know and love and can sing along to.

“It’s a pretty easy equation. We also like to play hidden gems. On a 90-minute show like Casino Arizona, we’ll stick mostly to the hits.”

Those kinds of sets, Davis says, are per-

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L.A.vation, a U2 tribute band, will perform some of U2’s greatest hits and then some at Casino Arizona on Friday, August 19, and Saturday, August 20. (L.A.vation/Submitted)

fect for U2 fans.

“We bring them back to a time that’s nostalgic,” Davis says.

“The band’s been around for 40 years.

Fans know all of those songs that mark times in their lives, maybe high school, college, got married, moved out, whatever.”

Davis says he feels the same way. He moved from Northern California to Hermosa Beach for guitar school. He and his roommates drove in a Datsun pickup truck to Santa Barbara to surf. The soundtrack? U2’s “The Unforgettable Fire.”

“We were listening to ‘Bad,’ ‘Pride (In the Name of Love)’ — all the famous songs off that album,” he says.

“Now, when I play those songs, they take me right back to that ride up to Santa Barbara in 1985. It’s crystal clear. It’s

locked in my memory.”

Those memories bring U2 fans together, he adds.

“Wherever we go, that band and that music seem to cross all of the international borders, the color lines, the political lines, any line you can name. It brings people together.

“We really embrace that wholeheartedly, and it’s worked really, really well for us.”

L.A.vation: A Tribute to U2 WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 19, and Saturday, August 20 WHERE: Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale COST: Tickets start at $10 INFO: 480-850-7777, casinoarizona.com

MEDICARE CHOICES CONFUSING?

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This material is not provided by, nor was it approved by the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) or by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).

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www.LovinLife.com

Casino Calendar Rodney Carrington

8 p.m. Friday, August 5, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $45, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com

Bayou Bandits

Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Brad Paisley

8 p.m. Sunday, August 21, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $25, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com

8 p.m. Saturday, August 13, Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, tickets start at $45, 1-855-765-7829, casinodelsol.com

Buddy Martell

8 p.m. Friday, August 5, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

8 p.m. Saturday, August 13, We-KoPa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

The Faux Fighters: A Tribute to the Foo Fighters

Rebelution

7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 18, Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, tickets start at $45, 1-855-765-7829, casinodelsol.com

7:30 p.m. Friday, August 5, and Saturday, August 6, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $10, 480-850-7777, casinoarizona.com

Str8 Up

Bien Tinh

8 p.m. Saturday, August 6, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, playatgila. com

Quantum

8 p.m. Saturday, August 6, We-KoPa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

8 p.m. Friday, August 19, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

L.A.vation: A Tribute to U2

7:30 p.m. Friday, August 19, and Saturday, August 20, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $10, 480-850-7777, casinoarizona.com

Ice T w/Too Short, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and others

Thaddeus Rose

8 p.m. Friday, August 12, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Release After Dark: Bassjackers + MAKJ

at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480-850-7777, tickets start at $30, talkingstickresort. com, releasevip.com

8 p.m. Thursday, August 18, Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, tickets start at $35, 1-855-765-7829, casinodelsol.com

5 p.m. Saturday, August 13, The Pool

Priminition

8 p.m. Saturday, August 20, We-Ko-

Get your copy of

Lovin’ Life After 50 today!

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Lonestar

Tina Bailey Band

8 p.m. Friday, August 26, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Led Zepagain: Tribute to Led Zeppelin

7:30 p.m. Friday, August 26, and Saturday, August 27, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $10, 480-850-7777, casinoarizona.com

Jim Jefferies

8 p.m. Friday, August 26, Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, tickets start at

$15, 1-855-765-7829, casinodelsol.com

SNBRN: Summer Oasis Pool Party Series

2 p.m. Saturday, August 27, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $40, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com

Basketball Jones

8 p.m. Saturday, August 27, We-KoPa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Release After Dark: Nervo + Moguai

5 p.m. Saturday, August 27, The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480-850-7777, tickets start at $30, talkingstickresort. com, releasevip.com

Steve Earle & the Dukes

8 p.m. Saturday, August 27, Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480-850-7777, tickets start at $30, talkingstickresort.com

SECTION COMING SOON! BESTOF

2022

Our reader poll is designed to let YOU tell us about your favorite people, places, shops, restaurants and things to do in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Scottsdale, Phoenix and the West Valley.

PEOPLE | PLACES | SHOPS | RESTAURANTS | THINGS TO DO

Section Coming September 2022!

AUGUST 2022

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19

Food & Drink

Pisa Lisa opened in the Village of Oak Creek in July.

(Scott Yates/Submitted)

Ever the Optimist Lisa Dahl opens her 2nd Pisa Lisa

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Acclaimed chef Lisa Dahl is ever the optimist — even when it came to opening her second Pisa Lisa in the Village of Oak Creek in July.

“I didn’t like the idea of opening the slowest month of the year, but, in a way, it’s a godsend,” Dahl says.

“The busiest month is around the corner — September, October. This is giving us the opportunity to ease into it. What I’m thrilled about is it’s not really slow.

That’s blowing my mind.”

Serving wood-fired pizzas, organic salads and artisan gelato, Dahl’s Pisa Lisa debuted in 2013 and quickly became a destination. The new Oak Creek store is her sixth restaurant in red rock country.

Named after an affectionate term given by Dahl’s late father, Pisa Lisa shares signature personalized touches evident throughout the restaurant.

Popular food selections are named after her family members like the Da Dorothy pizza after Dahl’s mother and made with Mother sauce, provolone-mozzarella, fennel sausage, picante peppers, Parm-Reggiano; and the Justino pizza dedicated to her late son and made with Ricotta, provolone-mozzarella, San Danielle prosciutto gold, organic arugula and white-truffle oil.

The new location will also feature Tuscan tomato bisque soup along with gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options.

To meet customer demand, there are two Mugnaini pizza ovens, both embellished with mosaics, as the expansive space has allowed Dahl to broaden the dine-in menu inspired by Pisa Lisa’s first location.

“We have two ovens, and they’re bigger than our original, so wait times are less,” she says.

“All the people (in and around Oak Creek) have been waiting a long, long time — three years — to go through COVID. The timing got us between a rock and a hard spot. Labor and construction hit us square between the eyes and delayed us. We were committed to the project, though. At long last, it’s darling.”

Pisa Lisa Oak Creek introduced new

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AUGUST 2022

dishes like the antipasto selection Lisa’s Plate, an antipasti sampler with fresh bocconcini mozzarella, tomatoes, finnochio slaw, magic mushrooms, caselveltrano olives and fire-roasted artichokes.

The dessert menu is rich with choices like affogato and newcomer cookie monster, a warm and molten giant chocolate chip cookie sundae with strawberry-stracciatella plant-based gelato (vegan and gluten free).

The lemon lover’s cheesecake made with homemade limoncello is among the favorite flavors, which change seasonally.

Beverage offerings include natural sodas, local mead, 16 taps for craft beers, and wines. Grab-n-go items are aplenty, including paninis, prepped pizzas, morning treats and locally sourced roasted coffee.

The new 3,500-square-foot restaurant has an expansive dining area with 110 seats (64 indoors, 46 patio seating) as well as two communal artisan-style butcher board tables.

The elevated bar (seating 14) surrounded by an eclectic collection of music memorabilia from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s are sourced from a Capitol Records executive by Dahl’s brother, Jay Levinson. The centerpiece is an 8-foot vintage chandelier fitted with handblown glass and LED lights made by sculptor Dale Evers.

Cooking with love

As the executive chef and CEO of the Dahl Restaurant Group, Dahl has earned international recognition for her cuisine stemming from five restaurant concepts: Mariposa, Cucina Rustica, Pisa Lisa, Butterfly Burger and Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano.

Her cooking styles are diverse, including traditional Italian cuisine, rustic Mediterranean fare, South American-inspired dishes, creative burgers and wood-fired pizza.

Dahl lives by her mantra, “When you

cook with love, you feed the soul.”

She’s hoping to spread those feelings to the Valley — when she finds the right space and offer.

“I wanted to be stronger operationally in Sedona first,” she says. “I always planned it with the hopes before the pandemic that Pisa Lisa and Butterfly Burger were the types of restaurants that would do well in any market. I want to first go into San Diego and Phoenix, where we’re so well known by travelers.”

Still, she’s a celebrity in Sedona. Dahl recently struggled to leave a coffeehouse because three locals jumped up to share their love of her food.

“I had my earbuds in. I had to take them out,” she says with a laugh. “They were beaming. They had been in at the early stages of Pisa Lisa. They loved it and were telling me how proud they were to have something they could call their own out here on that side of town.”

Dahl, who moved to Sedona 26 years ago from the Bay Area, immediately saw a need for restaurants in red rock country.

She lives in Oak Creek, in a townhouse on the heels of Cucina Rustica. Along with being a two-time James Beard House-featured chef, Dahl was recognized with the top honor of 2019 Food Pioneer award by the Arizona Restaurant Association’s Foodist Awards.

“I feel like a pioneer,” she says. “This is too pretty out here to not be thriving.

This is the gateway to Sedona.”

Pisa Lisa

6657 AZ-179, Suite D1, Sedona dahlrestaurantgroup.com

Acclaimed chef Lisa Dahl shares signature personalized touches evident throughout the restaurant Pisa Lisa. This includes a dessert menu rich with choices. (Scott Yates/Submitted) www.LovinLife.com

Fifty Years Organ Stop Pizza offers keys with a side of pie

BY SCIANNA GARCIA Mesa’s Organ Stop Pizza — one of the country’s last “pizza and pipes” restaurants — will celebrate its 50th anniversary this August.

“In the last 50 years we have had many ups and downs, especially the last couple of years during the pandemic, but when the world feels unpredictable, coming together and hearing music brings people delight and comfort,” says Jack Barz, Organ Stop Pizza co-owner.

“We are proud to carry on the pizza and pipes tradition and provide escapism for our guests night after night.”

Opened in 1972, Organ Stop Pizza is home to the “Mighty Wurlitzer,” the largest and most valuable theater organ in the world, worth more than $6 million.

Organ Stop Pizza’s Wurlitzer theater organ was built in 1927 for the Denver Theatre, where it was used until the early 1930s.

Today, Organ Stop’s instrument has been embellished and is now the largest Wurlitzer theater pipe organ. The console mimics that of a Fox Special, Wurlitzer’s largest.

Through the years, several rare sets of pipes have been added to the organ, 32foot wood diaphones, which are visible from the front of the building.

“Our Wurlitzer is a genuine living piece of history,” says Barz, who rose through the ranks from dishwasher to owner.

“We are proud to be the home of one of the greatest instruments ever created, and our patrons come from across the world to experience this lost art form. Many visitors have even likened their experience to seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time; now that’s a heck of a comparison.”

Each night, the Mighty Wurlitzer rises above the audience on an 8,000-pound rotating hydraulic elevator to sit 10 feet above the 700-seat dining room. The organ has 1,074 keys, buttons and switches linked to a series of xylophones, glockenspiels, gongs and cymbals to create the sound of a full orchestra. Nightly shows also include dancing marionette cats, disco balls and spectacular light shows.

“The range of emotions our guests experience when they hear the Mighty Wurlitzer are infinite,” Barz adds.

The 18,000-square-foot Organ Stop Piz-

Jack Barz, owner of Mesa’s Organ Stop PIzza, is excited to celebrate 50 years of service. www.LovinLife.com

za restaurant was designed to enhance the Wurlitzer’s sound. The building’s 46foot ceilings provide unparalleled acoustics so the instrument can “speak.” Patrons are surrounded by the organ as they enjoy their meals.

At the console, the organist also controls the lighting and special effects such as the disco ball and bubbles.

“Essentially, the organists are part orchestra conductor, performer and stage director, all rolled into one,” Barz says.

Each year, Organ Stop Pizza attracts roughly 300,000 dinner patrons who enjoy compositions such as “The Flight of the Bumblebee,” “The Hills Are Alive” from “The Sound of Music,” “The Circle of Life” from “The Lion King,” the “Star Wars” theme, and “God Bless America.”

“Every visit to Organ Stop Pizza is unique, with patrons hand-picking the songs via request,” Barz adds. “By the end of the night, an eclectic mix of music is enjoyed by audience members ranging in age from 2 to 102.”

According to Barz, there is practically nothing the Organ Stop Pizza musicians can’t play.

“You name it and our amazing organists can play it,” he said. “You will never encounter a more spectacularly talented group of musicians in the world.”

Barz said he owes 50 years of success to the people of Arizona who have supported the restaurant through all times of the year. He also said he feels lucky to be in Mesa, a large tourist destination during the winter months, where the entire restaurant is filled to capacity every night.

He said the restaurant has been kept alive by those of all ages, as the daily performance is inviting to everyone.

“Two-year-olds are enthralled by it, because of the noise and the lights and the dancing cats and the bubbles coming down from the ceilings,” he says.

“There is something magical about

Besides the Mighty Wurlitzer, Organ Stop Pizza offers pizza, pasta, sandwiches, appetizers and a full salad bar to enjoy while listening to the pipes. (Ivan Martinez Photography/Submitted)

what happens in here. The fact that you can sit in the organ and feel it radiating through your body as you’re sitting in the dining room is something you don’t experience anywhere. Older folks remember these instruments when they were young in the theaters, and it brings back memories from their childhood.”

Besides the prized Mighty Wurlitzer, Organ Stop takes a deep pride in the great quality of its food and service.

The restaurant serves pizza, pasta, sandwiches and appetizers and has a full salad bar as well as soft drinks, beer and wine and Blue Bell ice cream.

In honor of the 50th anniversary, Barz said plans are still in the works, but customers can expect a “50 days to celebrate 50 years” type of concept to “celebrate the fact that the people of Arizona have loved Organ Stop for 50 years and we get to celebrate with them.”

Organ Stop Pizza 1149 E. Southern Avenue, Mesa 480-813-5700 organstoppizza.com AUGUST 2022

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21

What’s Cooking?

Cornell barbecue chicken

BY JAN D’ATRI

chicken nugget. (McDonald’s generally gets the credit for inventing the chicken nuggets, but Baker published his chicken nugget recipe in the 1950s, while McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets recipe was patented in 1979.)

Another creation that probably helped land Baker in the Poultry Hall of Fame

(yes, there is one!) was his revolutionary method of binding breading to chicken, which is used in hundreds of food applications today.

In the book, “The Lexicon of Real American Food,” it says Robert Baker’s goal in life was to get people to eat more chicken. Mission accomplished.

Cornell barbecue chicken It’s one of the most famous chicken recipes in America. So, one delicious way to celebrate summer barbecuing is by popping a cold one in honor of the man who has helped to make barbecued chicken America’s favorite picnic food.

Cornell University Professor Robert Baker is the creator of the famous Cornell barbecue chicken sauce, the recipe that is often referred to as “State Fair Chicken.” The simple and tasty sauce can be used as a fabulous two-hour marinade or for basting chicken on the grill.

And the barbecue sauce that goes with the chicken is just as unique, with a mayonnaise base instead of tomato sauce.

INGREDIENTS: For the chicken: • 8 large skinless, boneless chicken thighs • 1 egg • 1 cup vegetable oil • 2 cups cider vinegar • 2 tablespoons poultry seasoning • 2 tablespoons salt • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

The Cornell barbecue chicken isn’t the only iconic recipe to come from Baker.

He is also the inventor of more than 40 other recipes, including chicken and turkey hot dogs and the world-famous

For the Cornell chicken barbecue sauce: • 1 cup mayonnaise • ½ cup cider vinegar • 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 1 teaspoon salt DIRECTIONS: For the chicken: Wash and pat dry chicken thighs. Place in a large bowl. Prepare the basting mixture by plac-

ing the egg and vegetable oil in a medium bowl and whisk vigorously to combine.

Add the vinegar, salt, poultry seasoning and pepper, whisking to combine. Set aside.

Heat a grill plate to medium high heat. Brush with olive oil.

Arrange the thighs on the grill. Immediately start basting the chicken with the basting mixture. Baste often, about once every 3 to 5 minutes, stirring the basting mixture as you use it.

Continue grilling until the chicken turns a rich golden brown and the meat is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes per side and internal temperature is 165 degrees. Serve with barbecue sauce.

Serves four.

For the Cornell chicken barbecue sauce: In a bowl, combine the mayo, vinegar, poultry seasoning, pepper and salt. Whisk to combine.

Brush lightly over chicken thighs and serve remainder in a small bowl on the side. Serves eight.

Watch Jan D’Atri’s how-to videos at https://bit.ly/JanDAtri.

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Columns

Hospice Is Hope

Certified nursing assistants in high demand

BY LIN SUE FLOOD

CNA always spoke with a loving voice and made the bedsheets so smooth. “My sister was a very pretty woman, and her CNA would style her hair. All of the little touches are big things in this type of situation.”

CNAs are also “the eyes and ears” of the care team.

“The nursing assistant may be the discipline that sees the patient the most often,” says Krogh, a registered nurse and former CNA herself.

“They may be the first ones to notice and report subtle changes that can be addressed immediately. It can make a huge difference in someone’s quality of life.”

At Hospice of the Valley, CNAs provide care wherever patients live, as well as in nine inpatient units. They support patients physically and emotionally and teach family caregivers how to help their loved ones — skills like moving them from bed to chair or adjusting a walker.

The nonprofit agency accounts for twothirds of all certified hospice and palliative care nursing assistants in Arizona.

“Achieving this status challenges our CNAs to grow personally and professionally. It validates their knowledge, professionalism and hard work,” Krogh says. “It also gives their patients and families that extra measure of comfort that their CNA has taken steps to broaden their expertise.”

After 40 years as CNA Shelly Wilmer cares for patients with pulmonary illness, helping them breathe easier. (Hospice of the Valley/Submitted) a CNA, Mitzie TewayThe global pandemic highlighted not only the skill and compassion of health care workers but also the stamina and resilience it takes to do their jobs. Certified nursing assistants are in higher demand than ever because they are often considered the “backbone” of a care team.

CNAs are the ones who help patients with personal care — bathing, dressing and personal hygiene. Patients who are unable to perform the activities of daily living by themselves due to advanced age, serious illness or dementia increasingly rely on nursing aides as their conditions progress. It’s an intimate relationship by its very nature.

“The personal care they provide, with warmth and graciousness, builds trust with the patient,” says Cindy Krogh, Hospice of the Valley’s clinical resource educator for CNAs. It’s not surprising patients develop a feeling of safety and comfort — and many see their CNAs as part of the family. One woman recalls how her sister’s

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guna still loves the special bond she has with the people she cares for.

“The work we do is so rewarding.

The smiles on our patients’ faces say it all!”

Eliana Medrano and Cinthia Ortega Medrano agree.

The sisters-in-law are both marking 10 years as CNAs CNA Mark Rivard enjoys spending time with his patient Lulu Ringlero. at the agency. (Hospice of the Valley/Submitted) “We love the oneon-one time we have with patients,” EliCNAs, certified caregivers and nurses ana says. seeking meaningful careers are encour“Connecting on a deeper level with my aged to visit hov.org/careers or call Tifpatients allows me to get to know them fany at 602-776-6843. Flexible schedules, beyond their medical needs,” CNA Kalya- career advancement and excellent benena Wright adds. “I experience something fits are offered. unique with each family, and to me that Lin Sue Flood is community engagement director for Hospice of the Valley. For more information, email info@ is priceless.” hov.org or visit hov.org.

Some CNAs even sing to their patients.

Over the years, Renee Brown and Lisa Abaton have used their beautiful voices to bring immeasurable comfort.

“If people are tense, it relaxes them,” Brown says. “Singing calms the nerves and soothes the spirit.”

“There’s not one day that I don’t want to go see my patients,” says Mark Rivard, a 20-year Hospice of the Valley CNA. “Every single day, I know I’m doing good and I’m really helping people. I can’t imagine a job that I can do more Feliciano Ordonez often sings or plays his guitar for his CNA, Danae Holt. (Hospice of the Valley/Submitted) good than this one.” www.LovinLife.com

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25

The Healthy Geezer

Stressing about falls leads to the inevitable

BY FRED CICETTI

Q A

I’m worried about falling.

What should I do about this?

Well, first of all, you can’t go around worrying about falling or you won’t be relaxed; that can lead to a fall. So, you should concentrate on employing techniques to avoid falls and then don’t let the fear take over you mind.

But a respect for the dangers of falling is justified by the statistics.

Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths and the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. Of all fall-related fractures, hip breaks cause the greatest number of deaths and lead to the most severe health problems and reduced quality of life.

As we age, the power of our senses, reflexes and coordination diminishes.

Maladies and the medicines we take for them can contribute to balance problems. Then there’s osteoporosis — a disease that makes bones more likely to snap.

There are many steps you can take to prevent a fall and the possibility of breaking a bone. I’m dedicating the remainder of this column to the best tips I collected from a variety of experts: • Get your bones tested. Your doctor can prescribe medications that will make your bones harder to break.

• Regular exercise makes you stronger and keeps your joints, tendons and ligaments flexible. Weight-bearing exercise such as walking may slow bone loss from osteoporosis.

• Alcohol impacts your reflexes and balance. Elaboration is unnecessary.

• Get up slowly from lying and sitting to avoid feeling light-headed.

• Avoid temperature extremes in your home; they can make you dizzy.

• Wear rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes.

• Always hold the handrails on stairways.

• Don’t stand on a chair to get to something. Buy a “reach stick,” a grabbing tool you can find at many hardware stores.

• Clear floors where you walk.

• Never carry any package that will obstruct your view of the next step.

• Mount grab bars near toilets, tubs and showers.

• Place nonskid mats, strips or carpet on all surfaces that may get wet, especially bathtubs and shower stalls.

• Let the soap suds go down the drain before you move around in the shower. If you are prone to falling, use a shower chair and a handheld shower attachment.

• Put night lights and light switches close to your bed.

• Use bright bulbs in your home.

• Keep your telephone near your bed.

During the day, keep a portable phone with you so you won’t have to walk to answer it.

• Tack down all carpets and area rugs.

• Close cabinet doors and drawers so you won’t run into them.

• When it rains or snows, consider using a cane.

• Use a shoulder bag, fanny pack or backpack to leave hands free.

• Check curb heights before stepping down.

• When entering rooms, look for differences in floor levels.

• Ensure every room in your home has a light switch near the entrance.

• Practice balancing. Hold on to something such as a countertop and stand on one leg at a time for a minute. Gradually increase the time. Try balancing with your eyes closed. Stand on your toes, then rock back to balance on your heels. Hold each position for a count of 10.

• Be especially careful around pets.

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