Lovin' Life After 50 - Phoenix - Sept. 2022

September 2022

The

Travel Issue!

Michael Bublé in 3 Acts

‘It’s Just Magic’

Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace focuses on guest experience

The crooner is ready to take fans ‘Higher’

Hotel Indigo LA’s Downtown hotel captures city’s past

Resurrecting a

Lost Art

Jazz and blues club lands in Northeast Mesa

Phoenix Edition

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3

SPECIALIZED MEMORY CARE

inside

THIS ISSUE 8 Resurrecting a Lost Art Jazz and blues club lands in Northeast Mesa

Opinion

5 6

Leibo At Large Ask Marisa

Features

10 Positive Vibes

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12 Michael Bublé in 3 Acts 13 Still Lovin’ It

18 The King of Rants

The crooner is ready to take fans ‘Higher’ at Footprint Center

From small club to royal stage, D2 to join Rock Hall elite Lewis Black ‘promises’ knock-knock jokes, songs

Music is a family affair for Jeffrey Osborne

Casinos

20 He’s Got the Look

‘Idol’ finalist recalls The Purple One

21 Casino Calendar 24 Hotel Indigo

Travel

LA’s Downtown hotel captures city’s past

22 ‘It’s Just Magic’

Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace focuses on guest experience

25 The Inside Scoop

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29 The Healthy Geezer 30 Gadgets Gossip

Columns

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Beverages and Books

14 Calendar of Events 16 Duran Duran

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Contributors

Summer Aguirre, Fred Cicetti, Lin Sue Flood, Scianna Garcia, Laura Latzko, David Leibowitz, Mark Moran, Marisa Peer

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Opinion

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WARNING!

Leibo At Large

Golf is a game of simple truth

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Let me begin by saying that this is not a column about golf, though it begins with a story involving golf. Or, to be specific, a thought about golf.

I was catching up with a buddy from high school, lamenting the state of mankind: politics, the workplace, gender relations, sports. Our friendship spans four decades, so we had a lot of complaining to do. We also share a golf addiction, so naturally the game was a topic.

Nongolfers, far more sane than actual golfers, having not subjected themselves to torturous years of chasing a dimpled white ball over hills, through deserts, into lakes and bushes, behind trees, and occasionally into holes in the ground, often ask golfers, “What the hell do you see in the game? It looks miserable.”

I’ve never had the perfect answer, until that talk. I haven’t experienced many epiphanies, but this was one. Golf is loveable for the exactly the same reason so many of us detest everything else, from MAGA loons vs. progressive scolds, the latest episode of “Love Island,” Hollywood preaching, Inflation Reduction Acts that won’t reduce inflation, election controversies, Supreme Court controversies, and even the PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf controversy.

Playing golf involves zero bull. Unlike virtually everything else in the 21st century.

You swing, you hit the ball, you count a stroke. Tally the strokes, that’s your score.

The ball goes in the hole or not. End of debate.

Which is why after hours spent drenched in controversy, consuming, managing or writing about the news, it feels liberating to stand on a 108-degree golf course facing a 103-yard shot from the fairway to the flag. You swipe at the ball with a wedge. It comes to rest — somewhere. That’s one stroke.

Unlike, say, casting your election balwww.LovinLife.com

lot. Which may be a vote or may not, depending on which political party you’re in and whether your preferred candidate wins the election. Or wishing a barista “good morning,” which risks using the wrong pronoun and creating a controversy where you only meant to be kind.

Or deciding whether or not to pay an exorbitant sum to see Bruce Springsteen, because being ripped off by the voice of the working man would still get you in to hear “Born to Run” live — a bucket list item — but also subject you to a lengthy political rant, which you would absolutely file under B. Not for Bruce or for Boss. But under B for “more bull.”

Over time, I seem to have shifted away from doing things that will likely deliver more such nonsense: scrolling social media, watching or reading the news, going to Fourth of July barbecue picnics, striking up a conversation in line at Bashas’.

Instead, I try to hit golf balls on all the days of the week that end in the letter -y.

The sand shot rises out of the bunker and nestles beside the hole — or you skull it over a condo. Your putt spins around the hole and falls out. You tap in and add two strokes to your score. There’s a truth to the game that no longer seems to exist in so much of what we call life.

Like I said, this isn’t a story about golf.

It’s a story about missing the days before all the bull, back when the news, actually real, was the only form of “reality TV.” Back when the phrase “Hey, guys” wasn’t grounds for a complaint to human resources. And back when someone could write “these truths are self-evident” and inspire a revolution, not a food fight on three different TV networks with two political slants.

And now, friends, back to the bull.

David Leibowitz has called the Valley home since 1995.

Contact david@leibowitzsolo.com.

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AND CHRONIC PAIN TREATMENTS NOT WORKING!!

Mesa, AZ – When it comes to chronic pain and/ or neuropathy, the most common doctor-prescribed treatment is drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin.

The problem with antidepressants or anti-seizure medications like these is that they offer purely symptomatic relief, as opposed to targeting and treating the root of the problem. Worse, these drugs often trigger an onset of uncomfortable, painful, and sometimes harmful side effects.

The only way to effectively treat chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is by targeting the source, which is the result of nerve damage owing to inadequate blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet. This often causes weakness, numbness, tingling, pain, and balance problems. A lack of nutrients causes the nerves to degenerate – an insidious and often painful process.

cannot survive, and thus, 1. Finding the underlying cause The number of treatments slowly die. This leads to 2. Determining the extent of required varies from patient those painful and frustrating the nerve damage (above to patient, and can only be following an consequences we were talking 95% nerve loss is rarely determined in-depth neurological and about earlier, like weakness, treatable) numbness, tingling, balance 3. The amount of treatment vascular examination. As long as issues, and perhaps even a required for the patient’s you have less than 95% nerve damage, there is hope! burning sensation. unique condition The drugs your doctor might prescribe will temporarily conceal the problems, putting a “Band-Aid” over a situation that will only continue to deteriorate without further action.

Thankfully, Mesa is the birthplace of a brandnew facility that sheds new light on this pressing problem of peripheral neuropathy and chronic pain. The company is trailblazing the medical industry by replacing outdated drugs and symptomatic reprieves with an advanced machine that targets the root of the problem at hand.

As displayed in figure 1 above, Effective neuropathy treatment the nerves are surrounded relies on the following three by diseased, withered blood factors: vessels. A lack of sufficient nutrients means the nerves

Aspen Medical in Mesa, Aspen Medical begins by analyzing AZ uses a state-of-the-art the extent of the nerve damage – electric cell signaling a complimentary service for systems worth $100,000.00. your friends and family. Each exam This ground-breaking comprises a detailed sensory treatment is engineered evaluation, extensive peripheral to achieve the following, vascular testing, and accompanied by advanced comprehensive analysis of neuropathy diagnostics and a findings. basic skin biopsy to Aspen Medical will be offering this accurately analyze results: free chronic pain and neuropathy 1. Increases blood flow 2. Stimulates and strengthens severity evaluation will be available until October 31st, small fiber nerves 2022. Call (480) 274-3157 to 3. Improves brain-based pain make an appointment.

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5

Ask Marisa

Missy Shy needs to get her mojo back

BY MARISA PEER Marisa: Missy Shy, Q Dear A Dear After five years being single, I I am delighted to hear that your

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| SEPTEMBER 2022

am in such a good place and recently decided to start dating again as while I am perfectly happy on my own, I would love someone to share my time with.

At first I was worried it would be a bit of a minefield at my age (I’m 56), but I have met the most wonderful man who makes me feel alive and like I’m 25 again! We have so much in common and have been on several dates now. While we are taking things slowly, I can really see myself with him long term and we have agreed that we are now exclusive.

I couldn’t be happier, but now that we have agreed we are committed to only dating each other, I have started to get panicked about progressing our relationship to the next level — because while we have kissed and cuddled, we haven’t been intimate yet.

We are really open with each other — which is so refreshing — and have discussed this. He has reassured me that there’s no rush and he is happy to just go with the flow when I’m ready, but I feel so stressed out, because while I want to be physical with him, I am so self-conscious about my body and terrified of getting naked in front of him.

I’m not overweight, but just very conscious of how my body looks, particularly as I haven’t been with someone sexually for so long.

My new partner tells me all the time that I am beautiful and he finds me sexy, but when I look in the mirror all I see is an average looking middle-aged woman looking back. It’s crazy because I would describe myself as a confident woman, but when it comes to seeing myself as a sexual being again, I am struggling to get my mojo back!

Please help, Marisa!

Missy Shy Mesa

dating experience has been a good one!

Clearly, you took the time to work on yourself and are in a great place to begin a new relationship now.

After five years of being single, of course, it’s going to be an adjustment being with someone again, and you are likely to be apprehensive at first — but your new partner is being supportive and isn’t pressuring you, which is great to hear.

It’s also a good sign that you already seem to have clear lines of communication with one another — which is so important when building a healthy, happy relationship. If you feel comfortable and haven’t already, why not tell your partner about how you are anxious about moving to a physical relationship.

You say that he tells you that he finds you desirable but that you don’t have that belief in yourself, so here’s what we need to work on!

When you’re next looking in the mirror, take a moment to notice your thoughts — what is that little voice inside your head saying to you? For example, if you are looking in the mirror and it’s saying you are old and ugly — ask yourself, is that fact or fiction? (It’s always the latter.)

But it’s these stories we tell ourselves each day that hugely impact our lives, beliefs and confidence.

However, when we stop to observe our thoughts, we find that most of the time, these are actually untruths — a habitual story we tell ourselves — but when we challenge it, we can start to develop better patterns of thought and habit. I write about this in my latest book, “Tell Yourself a Better Lie.” So instead of honing in on what you perceive as unattractive, take some time and focus on parts of your body and features you like most. Silence that inner critic and call on your inner cheerleader — who tells you that you are beautiful, shouts about how strong and amazing you are, and how that has reflected out

into the universe and drawn a wonderful new partner to you. Then, over time, watch how your viewpoint and feelings change. When we care for someone, they are beautiful to us, and your man is not looking for a perfect body; he is looking for a warm lovely authentic woman and that’s who you are. I work with many women with perfect bodies whose relationships don’t work out as that is not what we want.

It is very important to work on body confidence. If you are still struggling with it, I recommend checking out my I Am Enough program. It can help you understand the root cause of this issue and rewire your thinking to leave you with an unshakable certainty and conviction that you are enough and will always be enough.

Finally, take your time, talk about your concerns and relax! Why not plan a weekend away together, buy some new clothes and lingerie which make you feel good? Make it special, ease the pressure, let it flow, and most of all, enjoy it!

You’ve got this, beautiful lady!

Lots of love, Marisa x Send your questions to media@marisapeer.com, and keep up with her 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.

For more information about I Am Enough, visit shop. marisapeer.com

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SEPTEMBER 2022 |

7

Features

RESURRECTING

A Lost Art

Former commercial airline pilot Bill Travis is hosting six blues and jazz acts during the grand opening of his club, Mesa Jazz and Blues Theater.

(David Minton/Staff)

Jazz and blues club lands in Northeast Mesa

BY MARK MORAN Northeast Mesa is not the sort of place one would expect to find a traditional acoustic jazz and blues club.

Leave it to an 88-year-old former commercial airline pilot named Bill Travis to bring Mesa Jazz and Blues Theater to a nondescript strip mall. He’s aiming to keep the art form alive and thriving.

“It doesn’t matter what color you are.

Everybody can have the blues, man,” says legendary 88-year-old blues man Pete “Big Pete” Pearson, who has played multiple instruments over the years and now sings.

Mesa Jazz and Blues Theater has 29 shows booked through the end of next year, starting with a grand opening Sunday, October 2, featuring half a dozen performers, including Pearson.

Pearson played his first show at the Triple J bar in Austin, Texas. He was, by his recollection, 9 years old.

“It’s really been my life,” says Pearson, who played with pretty much every blues legend you can think of, most notably with B.B. King, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and Ray Charles.

“It’s a part of history for one thing. It’s not just blues. It’s about people’s lives and a way of living and the way they have carried themselves down through the years. It explains about slavery and how it got started. Blues tells a lot of stories.

Blues had a baby, and they named it rock ‘n’ roll.”

But unlike rock ‘n’ roll, traditional jazz and blues has been dwindling in both popularity and availability.

Travis was born in 1933 in Dickson, Tennessee, less than an hour outside of Nashville.

“I was a country boy,” says Travis, who with his family were regulars in the audience at the original Ryman Auditorium.

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“I was about 7 years old. My mother had me take guitar lessons. All you had there was country music from the Grand Ole Opry and so that was my favorite, but the guitar lessons didn’t last long.”

And neither did his interest in country music.

For Travis, it was all about jazz from the first time he heard it.

“It was the improvisation,” he says. “I learned right away what they were doing, and it just amazed me. They could make up a song on the fly, make up a melody and never repeat the same melody.”

Travis discovered percussion, settled on drums and wanted to become a pro.

His parents moved to Detroit in the 1940s in search of factory jobs.

That opened a whole new world of musical opportunity for Travis.

By age 13, and with a lot of exposure to jazz and blues in the big city, he was hooked on soon-to-become legends like Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole, Earl Bostic and “Big Pete,” regulars in Detroit at places like the Fox Lounge and Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, where he once watched jazz pianist Oscar Peterson stop mid-performance to scold someone in the audience for talking.

“These people came to hear music,” Travis recalls Peterson saying. “If you want to talk, go outside.”

Travis worked his way into gigs playing drums in a band and making $5 on a good night before his career hit a detour in 1953 when he was drafted into the Army.

He kept his dream of being a pro drummer alive by playing in the Army’s 4th Armored Division band while stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas, playing in officer’s clubs and other military venues.

In 1957, he put the Army behind him, but not the music.

To keep performing professionally, he considered becoming a “territory musician,” a group that covered “maybe two or three states” playing for pay.

But he faced head on a decision over a nemesis that derailed a lot of jazz musicians during that time.

“I had a propensity for alcohol, and that’s also the time that heavy drugs were out.

I had experimented with marijuana one night, and it just tore me up,” he says. “I didn’t care whether I went on. I thought that’s not for me.

“If I would have gone on these territory (jobs) with my propensity for alcohol, it probably would have ended up with drugs. If I had gone out on the road, I would probably have been coerced into it by peers. I didn’t go on the road.”

Travis chose college instead. The Army was paying for it after all, thanks to the GI Bill.

He studied business but soon realized that wasn’t for him.

He eventually wound up as a Pan American Airlines pilot for 28 years but always kept his hands on his drum set, playing when and where he could. He finally stopped performing in 2004 and retired to Dreamland Villa in Mesa.

Travis is still in love with jazz. So much so that with $25,000 of his own money and some really good connections in the music community, Travis has started Mesa Jazz and Blues theater inside the Connect Church at the corner of Higley and Brown roads.

“It’s for the purpose of preserving the music,” he says. “It was born in the United

States, in the South. “It’s something I love, and I like to stay busy.

“Anybody over here that wants to hear jazz has to go across the city. Mostly what’s here is tribute bands and country and ’70s rock. You find some blues in some of the bars, but you don’t find the top blues.”

Travis aims to change that with his nonprofit.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing that he’s trying to preserve it,” Pearson says. “It’s kind of dying out. All of the old blues artists that were around are kind of slipping away from us.”

Mesa Jazz and Blues Theater grand opening w/Dennis Rowland, Sandra Bassett, Sir Elton John Tribute, Beth Lederman Trio, “Big Pete” Pearson, Rhythm Edition Band WHEN: 6:45 p.m. Sunday, October 2 WHERE: Mesa Jazz and Blues Theater, Inside Connect Church, 5255 E. Brown Road, Mesa COST: Tickets start at $34.50 INFO: mesajazzblues.com www.LovinLife.com

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9

Positive Vibes Relationship coach draws inspiration from her past

BY SUMMER AGUIRRE Melanie Verstraete lives a life of positivity and fulfillment despite challenges life has thrown at her. She says she is called to help others do the same.

The Phoenix resident and single mother entered her newest chapter as a mindset and relationship coach, which she says she believes is her life’s purpose.

Through her program The Wild Heart Life and newly released “Silence the Sh*t Talker” podcast, Verstraete takes her own experiences to help men and women break free from negative cycles and attract positive energy to attain what they desire in life.

“My hope and my gift and my purpose is to enlighten and awaken people to the real truth of who they are and to step into that and to raise the consciousness of this world,” she says.

“I worked with the best of the best coaches and mentors, reprogrammed my subconscious mind, my way of thinking.

I just did exactly what I teach my clients, and it’s just so beautiful to be on the other side of that and then be able to share this and to understand that.”

Verstraete’s “Silence the Sh*t Talker” podcast, which drops two episodes a month, focuses on battling energy blocks and fears of everything from relationships to finance.

She says negative inner voices are the root causes of fears, patterns and mindsets that tell us we are unworthy and unable to achieve our goals. The essence of her work is to silence that negative voice, as the key to attracting positive energy boils down to having a good relationship with oneself.

“You are the only problem you will ever have, and you are the only solution.

That’s it,” she says. “That all begins and ends with you, and the relationship you have with you will be indicative of the relationship you will have with everything else, including money, humans, the

world, the earth, everything.”

Through The Wild Heart Life, Verstraete coaches individuals, groups and businesses in person and virtually.

Men and women of all ages approach her for assistance, mostly regarding unhealthy relationships. Many clients are between 35 and 70 years old and have experienced a failed relationship or a divorce.

Verstraete uses the same approach she did. Describing it as “science meets spirituality,” she works with individuals to reframe their way of thinking, replacing negativities with thoughts of their desires.

“It’s like an unlearning. It’s an unbecoming. It’s learning how to think properly,” she says.

Verstraete also teaches her clients how to step into their “divine masculine” and “divine feminine,” which helps them embody the idea that they can have everything.

During her clients’ time with her, she says that they see their relationships improve, which in turn improves other parts of their lives. They make more money, find fulfillment, achieve healthier physical lifestyles and, sometimes, they even meet their soulmate.

According to Verstraete, society is the root cause of the “huge collective of manipulation and fear” that is ensuing in modern relationships.

She urges others to be aware of what they are exposed to, such as the ideas and media they encounter and their resulting opinions, to combat this.

“We are very, very, very easily persuaded as humans, so you always have to be on guard about what you allow yourself to consume,” she says. “What I mean by that is what you allow your five senses to take in: what you see, what you hear, what you taste, what you touch and smell.”

Verstraete’s knowledge is drawn from her personal encounters with toxic rela-

tionships, which began when she was young.

Born and raised in Michigan, she grew up with an emotionally unavailable mother who introduced a handful of unsuitable stepfathers into their lives.

Verstraete says her unstable upbringing instilled in her a low sense of self-worth and confidence, which in turn influenced a cycle of her own relationships.

Verstraete experienced a revelation following her second marriage, which led to her focusing on improving her relationship with herself and her career.

Then, around six years ago, she stumbled upon coaching.

“When coaching found me, it found me in a way of who I became, and then in my ascension, my growth, my unbecoming and stepping into my power,” she says. “I have to share this with the world. This is why I’m here. This is my purpose. This is my passion. This is why I went through that storm of a path to get me right here. I pushed here to share this.”

Verstraete denounces the falsity that once one becomes a coach, they don’t need any assistance. As she continues her new venture as a coach, she works on herself.

“Who I am is always trying to be better, and I think ‘better’ is such a beautiful word. … It’s just about being better than me, being better than I was yesterday, being better than I was the day before, continuing to grow, to learn to be open,” she says. “So that I can keep expanding who I am so I can keep helping more and more people, and be the best version of me for everybody in my life, including myself.”

Verstraete is writing her debut book, and is hosting her first retreat later this year.

She hopes to release episodes of “Silence the Sh*t Talker” more frequently. Her goal is to reach as many people across the globe as possible through her podcast.

The latest news and top local stories!

www.LovinLife.com

10

| SEPTEMBER 2022

Melanie Verstraete thewildheartlife.com

JUST A CLICK AWAY www.LovinLife.com

Beverages and Books Library club combines reading and happy hour

BY LAURA LATZKO These days, book clubs are increasingly taking place outside of traditional coffee shops and libraries, in spots such as restaurants, bars and homes. As part of its programming, the Desert Foothills Library in Cave Creek offers a happy hour book club called Get Lit Book Club.

The gatherings take place the second Tuesday of every month in restaurants around Cave Creek and Carefree. They are facilitated by three members of the library staff: acquisitions librarian Sara Zapotocky, circulation manager Kassie Green, and youth and teen services manager Heather Wurr.

Zapotocky says, from the start, the book club offered a more social setting for talking about books and has allowed locals to discover new places in their community.

“That’s the whole idea, is we want to encourage bringing business to local restaurants in the Cave Creek/Carefree area. That was one of our goals, not just to meet but to help our community,” Zapotocky says.

The book club started in the summer of 2019 but had to be moved online for a time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been back in person full time since March.

Zapotocky says even when the meetings went online, she encouraged participants to have a drink and a snack while discussing books.

During meetings at restaurants, the library provides appetizers for book club members, but they need to purchase their own beverages and entrees.

As for the “book” club, participants read a variety of works, including nonfiction, classics, memoirs and contemporary fiction.

“I feel like it’s a really good mix of books.

It’s eclectic, and I think that’s part of what our regulars like, is that it’s not tied to one genre,” Green says.

All the facilitators are avid readers who developed a love of books early in life.

Green grew up with a mom who was an English teacher. The book club gives the

facilitators an excuse to find and read something new.

“We are mostly choosing books that we want to read ourselves. This is a great excuse,” Zapotocky says.

The facilitators all have a chance to select books.

“We are taking turns picking the books, and then the month that it’s my book, the expectation is that I would facilitate it.

And staff are always there to be supportive, even if it’s not their month,” Green says.

Green is a fan of true crime and mystery books, while Zapotocky leans more toward nonfiction. Green says the facilitators look for books that will spark conversations, even when book club members may not like them.

“We just have gotten a lot of great contrasting viewpoints, as you might imagine, in the discussions,” Green adds.

The books discussed change monthly.

The library has digital and paper copies of the titles, or participants can choose to purchase their own copies.

In September, the book club will read Miranda Cowley Heller’s “The Paper Palace.” This fictional work follows Elle, a mother of three, as she wakes up at the summer home she has visited for much of her life. This time is different, as she had an adult encounter with her longtime friend Jonas and must choose the direction of her life.

October will be focused on the psychological/social commentary horror novel “The Only Good Indians” by Stephen Graham Jones.

Other books this year have included Stephen Davis’ “Gold Dust Woman: A Biography of Stevie Nicks”; Danny Trejo’s and Donal Logue’s “Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood”; a novel about the struggles faced by a Vietnamese family during the Vietnam War called “The Mountains Sing” by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai; a nonfiction story about the first women to attend Yale called “Yale Needs Women: How the First Group of

The Desert Foothills Library’s Get Lit Book Club encourages participants and library staff to get out into Cave Creek/Carefree. (Desert Foothills Library/Submitted)

Girls Rewrote the Rules of an Ivy League Giant” by Anne Gardiner Perkins; and a biography about the women in Benjamin Franklin’s life called “Poor Richard’s Women” by Nancy Rubin Stuart.

During one month, book club members were encouraged to choose from young adult books in the same reimagined fairy tale series.

Zapotocky says that through the book club, participants often discover new literature.

“It gets them to read a book that they probably never would have read,” Zapotocky says.

Generally, around eight core members show up to the meetings, but newbies are encouraged to come check it out. The number of attendees fluctuates, depending on the time of the year. But many reg-

ulars get to know each other over multiple book club meetings. There is always a portion of the meetings designated for catching up with each other.

“It always starts with, ‘What has been going on in our life,’ as we are ordering a drink or an appetizer. And then we will get to the book,” Zapotocky says.

Get Lit Book Club WHEN: 5 to 6:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month, including September 13 WHERE: Various restaurants in Cave Creek, Carefree COST: Online reservations required; charge for beverages and entrées INFO: 480-488-2286, dfla.org

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SEPTEMBER 2022 |

11

Entertainment

Michael Bublé in 3 Acts The crooner is ready to take fans ‘Higher’ at Footprint Center

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Michael Bublé has a knack for making cavernous venues feel intimate.

That’s exactly what he plans when he brings his Higher Tour 2022 to Footprint Center on Tuesday, September 20. And that intimacy is especially poignant now as the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I, along with everyone else in the world, wondered if this world was ever going to get to where we are right now and for us to all get back together,” Bublé says during a Zoom interview.

“I share that with my musicians, my crew, my local crew, your buildings. I think everybody feels this, and I think there’s just this great, this wonderful energy.”

To say the “Higher” shows are well thought out is an understatement.

“I spent two and a half years daydreaming every day, sitting up every night, thinking about how I could make this the greatest show in the world,” Bublé says.

“I wanted to change it and make it new for me, and give people who have seen me before something completely fresh.”

Wearing a burgundy suit and sitting on a black sofa at a rehearsal space, Bublé says he did it. He had a taste of it while on his recent England tour.

“I’m about to go in and start to make sure that all the pieces are fitting perfectly,” he adds about rehearsals.

“I knew it worked, though. I just came from England, where I had these massive outdoor shows. I didn’t have all the production I will have here, but I had the bones of the set.

“I just watched the people lose it — like literally losing it. It’s high energy.”

The show, he says, is essentially three acts. The venues will be transformed into a sophisticated, dramatic massive club.

“It’s explosive,” he says. “There’s this great sense of ‘drama.’ That’s the best way to say it.”

The middle part of the concert ramps up until it explodes in production surprises, which he’s quick to reveal.

“It’s like going to see the Stones or

12

| SEPTEMBER 2022

Coldplay,” he says. “You’re going to see a rock show, and it’s in the third act that you have this massive, goosebump-inducing finale. That’s my whole goal. I kept saying to my lighting designers, to my production team, I want people to feel like they’ve come into three different buildings in the same night.

“I want the environment to change.

I don’t need pyro. I don’t need massive confetti cannons. I don’t need all the lights,” he says before scooting closer to the camera.

“But I have them anyway.”

These three acts will give Bublé fans exactly what they want, he says. As much as he loves the songs on “Higher,” his 11th full-length album, he knows that fans long to hear hits like “Home,” “Save the Last Dance for Me,” “Haven’t Met You Yet” and “Feeling Good.”

“They need to have those core songs that they want to hear,” Bublé says.

“I’m really proud of this set list. When you walk away, no one’s going to say, ‘Ah, I wish he would have done… I wish he would have done…’ I don’t ever want to be so self-indulgent where I go, ‘And this is a new one. And this is a new one. And this is a new one.’ It’s a really clever mix, I think, of giving them some of the new stuff, but making sure that they get to hear their favorite hits.”

And others’ favorite hits. With the BBC Concert Orchestra, he covered Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” on a recommendation from a longtime friend, and it’s become such a radio hit abroad, he’s considering adding it to his set list.

“That’s a huge, huge hit in England right now for me,” he says. “That’s the No. 1 most-added record on radio — and it’s not mine. Olivia Rodrigo: I want some money from you.”

Bublé recorded the song with the help of musical director Nicholas Jacobson-Larson, a prodigy of John Williams.

“You can hear that in many of his arrangements,” he says. “This is very cinematic. You can hear that in many of his arrangements. He arranged ‘Higher.’ He

Michael Bublé is bringing his Higher Tour 2022 to Footprint Center on Tuesday, September 20. (Norman Jean Roy/Submitted)

arranged ‘Smile.’ He arranged ‘Crazy,’ the Willie Nelson duet. He’s had his fingerprints all over it.”

He and Larson were in a hotel room in England when Bublé sang how he would perform “Drivers License.”

“It had this ‘Eleanor Rigby’ feel with this really percussive string stuff,” he adds.

“He always just kills it. We showed up. I sang it. I did it. I didn’t think another thing about it. Then my manager started to call me and say, ‘You need to put this out.’

And I said, ‘I’m not putting this out.’ I had two singles I was working.”

“Then I had taken my kids to see ‘Matilda’ on the West End in London,” he adds.

“My manager sent me a note and said, ‘Listen, you just need to listen to it.’ So, I begrudgingly put in my earphones, and I sat in the theater about to watch the show. And I went, ‘Oh, this is good. Maybe I should release this.’ I just didn’t expect it to be a hit.”

While “Drivers License” is a strong “maybe” for the shows, fan TikTok videos are a must for them. He’s encouraging fans to submit their clips for inclusion at the concerts.

“I really love that platform,” he says.

“It’s really a community, and I love that

I get to be part of a community. I get to see kids sitting in their mom’s basement, playing the piano and showing off these amazing talents, or people being creative and making funny videos.

“There are people who have touching stories, and you actually get to connect with them and talk with them and write to them. It’s the first time in my career or my life that I ever felt there was really a way to have that real connection.”

Users of other social media outlets show off their morning breakfast or their workout routine. But TikTok is about relationships, he says.

“I can tell people in Albuquerque or South Africa, ‘You have a beautiful voice.

You’re amazing,’” he says. “‘You just brightened my day.’ ‘Thank you for sharing your mother’s cancer battle.’ It’s remarkable.”

Michael Bublé WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 20 WHERE: Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix COST: Tickets start at $65 INFO: 602-379-2000, footprintcenter.com www.LovinLife.com

Still Lovin’ It Music is a family affair for Jeffrey Osborne

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Jeffrey Osborne has been a touring musician for 50 years, and he still loves it at much as his L.T.D. days in the 1970s.

“I just love what I do,” Osborne says.

“I grew up in a big family, the youngest of 12. Everybody in my family sang or played music. It’s a big part of my life. We were always singing together.”

Osborne will bring his passion to the Chandler Center for the Arts on Friday, September 30.

“I do a little bit of everything in my show,” he explains.

“I get a lot of requests to do the L.T.D. songs that I recorded back in the day. I do quite a bit of L.T.D. and all of my albums.”

He saves his jazz material, however, for shows specifically geared toward the genre.

“Most are straight-ahead concerts, which is all the hit songs I’ve had over the years,” he adds.

As he mentions, family had — and still has — a heavy hand in his career. His father was an “incredible trumpet player,” and together, Osborne and his family performed together.

Osborne has been married to Sheri Osborne since 1983, and together they have three daughters — Tiffany Nicole, Dawn and Jeanine Osborne — and a son, Jeffrey Jr. “My first love is in front of people performing,” he says. “I love recording. You really can’t do much unless you have hit records out there.

“But it’s a whole different chemistry having an audience full of people. That’s all I knew growing up. In a family of 12, they had me singing at the age of 3 or 4. I miss those holidays with us altogether. On Christmas, we’d all go out and sing Christmas carols.”

Best known for his songs “On the Wings of Love” and the theme to the soap opera

“Loving,” Osborne is inspired by Jeffrey Osborne Jr., his sound engineer.

“He does all my live shows, and he’s very good in the studio,” Osborne says.

“He releases music digitally. These young kids are always putting something out digitally. He sings a little and raps a little. He’s an incredible engineer.”

Osborne’s son, who will do sound at the Chandler show, continually introduces his father to new music, especially while they’re driving together.

“The interesting thing is, they all sound alike to me,” he says with a laugh. “When I was coming up, there were so many distinct voices — you know, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Barbra Streisand. Today, it’s hard for me to tell who’s who.”

Osborne’s songs stand the test of time, however, although he contends music has changed in the last five decades.

“I’ve been able to hang in there,” he says.

“A lot of my songs are timeless because people have been married to them. Those are the songs that stay around forever with people’s memories. I’ve had quite a few hit records. I haven’t had an album in a while, though.”

Osborne is unsure when or if a new collection will come, but he knows it will be on his own terms.

“I’m going to do it myself instead of through record companies,” he says.

“I’ll put it out for my fans and see if it catches on. I have quite a few followers, so I hope they’ll want to hear new music from me.”

Jeffrey Osborne WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, September 30 WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler COST: Tickets start at $45 INFO: chandlercenter.org

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Jeffrey Osborne will visit the Chandler Center for the Arts on Friday, September 30. (Jeffrey Osborne/Submitted)

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Calendar of Events THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

Diabetes Support Series: Week 5, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 Mahjongg, 10 a.m. to noon Thursdays, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 Farm Basket Bingo: Country Western Theme, 1 to 2 p.m. Thursdays, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480325-4707 Alcoholics Anonymous, 5 to 6 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, 480-488-2286, dfla.org

eBook and Online Database Help, 11 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, $15, 480-488-2286, dfla.org

Chapter2Books Monthly Sale, various times, repeats September 10, Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free admission, 480-488-2286, dfla.org

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

Mindful Art, 11 a.m. to noon, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480325-4707 Wii Bowling, noon to 1 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480325-4707 Death Café, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free, 480-488-2286, dfla.org

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

Giant Paper Flower-Sunflower, 1 to 3 p.m., Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $50 class cost, $10 for cost of materials, registration required, hollandcenter.org

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Music at the Movies: “The Imposters,” 2 to 5 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free, 480488-2286, dfla.org

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

Library Book Club, 10 a.m. to noon, Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free, 480-488-2286, dfla. org. September’s book is “Bewilderment” by Richard Powers

Coffee and Cards, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 5:10 p.m., Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, tickets start at $15, dbacks.com. The Brewers are in town September 1 to September 4, but today is a Ketel Marte cap giveaway!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 It’s Eat an Extra Dessert Day!

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 Happy Labor Day!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Mexican Train Dominoes, 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707

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| SEPTEMBER 2022

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Coffee and Cards, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 Football Tailgating Social, 11 a.m. to noon, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 Movie and Popcorn: “The Blindside,” 1 to 3 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707

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

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

Sun Lakes Democratic Club Candidate Forum, 3 to 5 p.m., the Arizona Room at the Sun Lakes Country Club, 25601 E. Sun Lakes Boulevard North, Chandler, free admission, 480-899-5696, rbsldc13@gmail.com. The speakers are Ben Graff, Alexandra Arboleda, Javier Ramos and Jennifer Pawlik, among others.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Veterans Coffee Chat, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 Flu Shot Clinic with Walgreens, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, call for charge, 480-325-4707 Literate Foodie Club, noon to 2 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, $10, 480-488-2286, dfla. org, danarakinic@gmail.com, jan-kruse@cox. net. September’s book is “Taste” by Stanley Tucci.

The Healing Pathway Grief Support Group, 9:30 to 11 a.m., repeats September 26, Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free, 480-488-2286, dfla.org

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Get Lit Book Club, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Creek Patio Grill, 28244 N. Tatum Boulevard, Cave Creek, charge for meals, drinks, registration required by calling 480-488-2286, dfla.org.

September’s book is “The Paper Palace” by Miranda Cowley Heller.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

Coffee Chat with Customer Service Specialist Aaron, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 Charity Crafters, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 Sun Lakes Republican Club Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Sun Lakes Country Club’s Navajo Room, 25601 S. Sun Lakes Boulevard, Sun Lakes, free, 262-880-4620, slgop.org. Guests include State Sen. J.D. Mesnard, state representative candidates Liz Harris and Julie Willoughby, and Chandler school board candidate Charlotte Golla. In addition, a spokesperson for the Kari Lake gubernatorial campaign will also answer questions.

How to Travel for Free: Part III, 10:30 a.m., Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $10 donation, registration required, hollandcenter.org Estate Planning Workshop, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Grandview Terrace, Grand Ballroom, 14515 W. Granite Valley Drive, Sun City West, free, registration required, 623-471-8501, andrea. james-mishra@sunhealth.org. Presenter will be Garret Olexa, Esq., from the Jennings, Strouss & Salmon Law Firm.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

Giant Paper Flower: Dahlia, 1 to 3 p.m., Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $50 class cost, $10 for cost of materials, registration required, hollandcenter.org

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Coffee and Cards, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707

Calendar...continues on page 15

www.LovinLife.com

Calendar of Events

A Novel,” 11 a.m. to noon, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480325-4707

Rate Your Plate + Cooking Demo with Chef Melanie, 10 a.m. to noon, Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707

September Birthday Social, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707

Movie and Popcorn: “Death on the Nile,” 1 to 3 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707

Giant Paper Flower: Rose, 1 to 3 p.m., Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $50 class cost, $10 for cost of materials, registration required, hollandcenter.org

continued from page 14

American Legion Post 34 to honor National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 6 p.m., Post 34, 6272. E. Cave Creek Road in Cave Creek, free, 480-488-2669. The formal event features guest speaker Tom Kirk, a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot in Korea and Vietnam, who spent five and a half years in the Hanoi Hilton. Following the keynote speaker, there will be a toast to those still missing. This event is open to the public.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Coffee and Cards, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Huma-

na, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 Boost Your Digestions, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 Movie and Popcorn: “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” 1 to 3 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 Gourd Doll, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $89, registration required, hollandcenter.org

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Summer Heat Quick Recipes, 2 to 3 p.m.,

Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, $15, 480-488-2286, dfla.org

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 It’s Gold Star Mother’s Day!

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

Coffee and Crossword, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 Coffee with the Mesa Fire Department, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707

Calendar...continues on page 18

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

Practicing Feng Shui: Thriving Spaces in the Desert, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $25, registration required, hollandcenter.org You Can Be Happy…No Matter What! 9 a.m. to noon, Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $40, registration required, hollandcenter.org

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Hmmm, it’s First Love Day!

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

Coffee and Word Search, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 Breathe Easier with COPD with CenterWell, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480325-4707

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Flu Shot Clinic with Walgreens, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, call for charge, 480-325-4707 Forever Fused Glass Flowers, 1 to 4 p.m., continues September 27, Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $10, registration required, hollandcenter.org Sports in America: Jim Sherbert Lecture Series, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $50 class cost, $10 for cost of materials, hollandcenter.org

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

Coloring and Conversations, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 Book Club: “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand: www.LovinLife.com

SEPTEMBER 2022 |

15

Duran Duran From small club to royal stage, D2 to join Rock Hall elite

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Duran Duran has had plenty of “pinchme” moments in the last 44 years. But drummer Roger Taylor said performing at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June was near the top.

“It was a huge event for us,” Taylor said.

“To be chosen for an event that is put on by the royal family is a pinch-yourself moment.

“We’re this little band that was created in this little club in Birmingham in a back room all those years ago. Fast forward and we’re playing for the royal family. It’s an incredible honor. Also, we have an emotional attachment because (Princess) Diana was a big fan of the band. So, it felt natural for us to be there.”

Fans who saw the concert in person or on U.S. television saw a sneak peek of Duran Duran’s tour, which comes to the Footprint Center at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7. The title of Duran Duran’s newest album, “Future Past,” tells the whole story.

For its 15th collection, Duran Duran hearkened back to the Roger Taylor and

16

| SEPTEMBER 2022

bassist John Taylor heavy rhythm section.

Producer Erol Alkan instigated that, he said.

“The new album was about reclaiming our old sound a little bit more,” Taylor said.

“We’ve been down quite a few different avenues over the years. We’ve gone down the electronic avenue. We’ve gone down the avenue where we programmed a lot more. This is definitely more about organic playing.”

Alkan is a fan of Duran Duran’s early 12inch records where John and Roger laid down grooves organically.

“He’s a great DJ, and he wanted to capture that groove that John and I have,” Taylor said of Alkan.

The decision is a rarity in Duran Duran’s record-making world that is more spontaneous than planned.

“We literally just go into the room, and we let the universe take us down whichever path it wants to take us,” Taylor said.

“I think it’s because, when we started, we had so many different influences. We were listening to Kraftwerk, New York

New wave band Duran Duran was formed in Birmingham in 1978. The band is, from left, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor, singer Simon Le Bon and drummer Roger Taylor. (John Swannell/Submitted)

disco, the New York Dolls, Sex Pistols and Chic. We were very lucky to be forming at a time when there was a lot of great, different forms of music.

“I think that worked its way into the DNA of the band. So, when we sit down and write, we can really go down any of those paths.”

Duran Duran has never been absolutely success driven either, Taylor added. The mainstay quartet — Taylor, singer Simon LeBon, bassist John Taylor and keyboardist Nick Rhodes — doesn’t feel the need to remake “Rio” to return to Top 40 radio, either.

“We’ve always done what we’ve felt like doing,” Taylor said. “If it’s commercially successful, amazing. But that’s never been the driving factor behind us.”

Along with Alkan, “Future Past” was produced by Italian film composer, songwriter and the “Father of Disco” Giorgio Moroder, while former Blur guitarist Graham Coxon played guitars on each song.

“It was great working with Graham,” Taylor said.

“God bless (former guitarists) Andy (Taylor) and Warren (Cuccurullo) and Dom Brown, who plays with us now. But it was really interesting to have somebody come into the room from the get-go, from the start of the writing sessions, because we’ve not had that for a while. It was really creative, and it changed the shape of the record as well.”

Coxon was great to work with, but Taylor calls Moroder “the real legend.”

“We’re huge fans of his, so it was wonderful to work with him. He’s such a big part of our DNA. I think it was great to have the original article in the room with us. It was great to work with Mike Gaston.

He’s another legend who played on great Bowie records.”

“Future Past” was recorded and written during the lockdown and, with “very little else going on in our world, we couldn’t travel, we couldn’t even go out for dinner together.” The energy was focused on making the record.

“It was a tough time, but I think it really helped us deliver a great record,” Taylor added.

That record will be reflected in the live show as well. But Taylor said Duran Duran is cognizant of fans’ request of a hit-driven set.

“The album seems to be really well accepted,” he said. “We’re going to showcase some of the songs from the new record, obviously. But we’re going to play all of the classics that people still love all these years later. It’s a brand-new live show with new screen footage. It’s a really great show.”

After the tour ends, on Nov. 5, Duran Duran will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Taylor is looking forward to it. The ceremony is “rumored” — according to Taylor — to include Andy Taylor and Cuccurullo.

“They’re inductees, so we thought it would be right and proper to invite them to come and play with us,” he said. “So that’s going to be interesting.”

Duran Duran w/Nile Rodgers and Chic

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 7 WHERE: Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix COST: Tickets start at $24.50 INFO: footprintcenter.com www.LovinLife.com

WHO’S the BEST? The votes are in.

The people have spoken…

It’s the Best of Lovin’ Life After 50!

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ENRICHING THE QUALITY OF LIFE

for older adults, caregivers, and diverse populations through partnering with our community to foster innovative programs and services.

Call the 24-Hour Senior HELP LINE 602-264-4357

BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

• SEPTEMBER 2022

3

Dining COFFEE SHOP

Dutch Bros

Multiple Valley locations dutchbros.com Dutch Bros was created in 1992 on a pushcart by the railroad tracks in Downtown Grants Pass, Oregon. Dutch Bros now has over 400 locations and is taking action in philanthropy, sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion to make a difference, one cup at a time. Be sure to try the Cocomo, a blended coffee beverage made with coconut syrup and chocolate milk with whipped cream on top.

READER RECOMMENDED Enroute Coffee & Tea House 15605 W. Roosevelt Street, Goodyear 623-230-3031 enroutecoffeeaz.com

Bikini Beans

Multiple Valley locations bikinibeanscoffee.com

TACOS Nando’s Mexican Café Multiple Valley locations nandosmexicancafe.com

Nando’s is a locally owned and operated Sonoran-style Mexican restaurant with a mouth-watering menu. It has six a la carte tacos made with shredded or ground beef, machaca beef, chicken, grilled veggie, carne asada and carnitas.

Try the specialties on the menu, including mesquite tacos ($16) and Barrio tacos ($16), both served with rice, beans and flour tortillas.

DELI/SANDWICH SHOP 228 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert 480-794-1116 nytdeli.com

NYT Deli was created to make a difference. Not only does it serve incredible charcuterie boards, hero sandwiches and delicious cookies, but it also has an integrated work environment for those with developmental disabilities. The food truck is located behind The Farmhouse restaurant, right underneath the water tower.

Guests can take the food to go or enjoy a nice evening on the patio.

It is open 5 to 10 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays.

380 N. Estrella Parkway, Goodyear 623-925-2020 sandwichmasterz.com

LOCAL BURGER AZ/88

7353 E. Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale 480-994-5576 az88.com

PUBLISHER Steve T. Strickbine ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Ryan Brown VICE PRESIDENT Michael Hiatt EXECUTIVE EDITOR Christina Fuoco-Karasinski STAFF WRITER Mary Hoffman Delap ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Katie Muller, Gordon Wood, Barbara Duran, TJ Higgins, Chris Ross, Steve Insalaco, Jane Meyer, Dick Walters, Laura Meehan, Zac Reynolds, Mark Ruiz ADVERTISING DESIGN Jay Banbury, Paul Braun, Christy Byerly, Ruth Carlton, Trisha Chairez, Shannon Mead, Tonya Mildenberg, Nathalie Proulx PRODUCTION MANAGER Courtney Oldham, 480-898-5617 production@timespublications.com CIRCULATION AAaron Kolodny, Circulation Director aaron@phoenix.org Brian Juhl, Distribution Manager brian@timeslocalmedia.com COVER Cover illustration: Craig LaRotondo Layout design: Tonya Mildenberg ADVERTISING CONTENT

READER RECOMMENDED Manuel’s

AZ/88 is a modern saloon with award-winning cocktails and classic cuisine. The burger patties at AZ/88 are ground fresh and delivered daily by a local butcher. The burgers are served with waffle fries, fresh fruit and raw vegetables. Guests can split the burger and double the sides for $4. Try The Bigger Mac made with thousand island dressing, lettuce, American cheese, pickles and onions on a toasted sesame roll ($18).

La Ristra New Mexican Kitchen

READER RECOMMENDED Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers

Lovin’ Life After 50 is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation company owned & operated by Times Media Group. The public is limited to one copy per reader. For circulation services, please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@phoenix.org.

Uncle Bear’s Grill and Tap

To start or stop delivery of the paper, please visit: https://timespublications.com/phoenix/ or call 480-898-7901 To receive your free online edition subscription, please visit: https://lovinlife.com/subscribe/

Multiple Valley locations manuelsaz.com Multiple Valley locations laristraaz.com

Multiple Valley locations coldbeers.com Multiple Valley locations unclebearsaz.com

4

DINING .............................................................4-11 COMMUNITY.............................................. 12-13 FUN & ENTERTAINMENT ..............................14 BUSINESS/SERVICES ................................ 15-29 MEDICAL ..................................................... 30-38

READER RECOMMENDED Firehouse Subs Sandwich Masterz

Multiple Valley locations firehousesubs.com

BESTOF

2022

Not Your Typical Deli

SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

The Best of Lovin’ Life After 50 is published yearly and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout the East Valley, Southeast Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale and the West Valley/Sun City. The content and claims of any advertisement are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. The Best of Lovin’ Life After 50 assumes no responsibility for the claims or content of any advertisement.

© Strickbine Publishing, Inc. TIMES MEDIA GROUP 1900 W. Broadway Rd., Tempe, AZ 85282 Main number: 480-898-6500 Advertising: 480-898-5624 Circulation service: 480-898-5641 THE BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50 WINNER RESULTS ARE COMPILED FROM ONLINE PUBLIC VOTING.

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VISIT: WWW.REGENCYSPECIALTIES.COM BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

• SEPTEMBER 2022

5

ITALIAN FOOD

Twisted Italian

9940 W. Happy Valley Parkway, Peoria 623-537-4000 eattwisted.com

Pete’s Fish & Chips

SEAFOOD

Multiple Valley locations petesfishandchips.com

Pete’s Fish and Chips has been servingits unique recipe of fish and chips since 1947. With eight Valley locations, it offers an extensive menu of seafood including, of course, fish and chips, shrimp, crabettes and scallops. It also has burgers, chicken nuggets, hot dogs and corn dogs. A must-try is the Pete’s special sauce that comes in 2-, 5-, 8- or 14-ounce containers. It only takes cash payments, and there is an ATM on-site.

READER RECOMMENDED Vito’s Pizza & Italian Ristorante Multiple Valley locations vitospizza.com

Venezia’s New York Style Pizzeria Multiple Valley locations venezias.com

Twisted Italian is a locally owned and operated, family-friendly restaurant that specializes in Italian classic dishes as well as some not-so-classics. Guests have options of a full bar, dine-in or carryout, daily happy hour specials, and lunch specials. Be sure to try the creative dishes it offers, including the king cut lasagna and loaded Chicago beef.

READER RECOMMENDED High Tide Seafood Bar and Grill 2540 S. Val Vista Drive, Gilbert 480-821-9950 hightideseafoodbar.com

Ocean Prime

5455 E. High Street, Phoenix 480-347-1313 ocean-prime.com

BEST LUNCH UNDER $7.00 (Total Bill)

BESTOF

2021

Thank you for voting us Best Seafood!

THE ORIGINAL FISH & CHIPS Family Owned & Operated Since 1947

BESTOF

2022 Best Seafood

22 South Mesa Drive, Mesa • 480.964.7242 3920 South Central, Phoenix • 602.268.1828 1017 East Apache Blvd, Tempe • 480.968.6265 4121 North 44th Street, Phoenix • 602.840.0630

Pete’s Has Been Serving Deep Fried Goodness For Over

75 Years!

1111 East Buckeye, Phoenix • 602.252.9341 5516 West Glendale Avenue, Glendale • 623.937.6001 2628 West Van Buren, Phoenix • 602.278.3351 9309 West Van Buren, Tolleson • 623.936.3111

Our Prices Can’t Be Beat! 8 Convenient Locations Drive-Thru/Take-Out Our Specialty

www.petesfishandchips.com 6

SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

DC Steakhouse

STEAKHOUSE

180 S. Arizona Avenue, Chandler 480-899-4400, dc-steakhouse.com

Downtown Chandler Steak House has created a space where guests are made to feel at home while they enjoy a delicious meal. Visitors have 11 steak and chop options to choose from, plus seafood choices as well. All the entrées are served with a mixed greens salad and a choice of baked potato, French fries or sweet potato fries. Guest can even upgrade to a loaded baked potato with cheese and bacon.

READER RECOMMENDED The Keg Steakhouse + Bar Steak and Stone Steakhouse Multiple Valley locations kegsteakhouse.com

2613 N. Thunderbird Circle, Mesa 480-830-6100 steakandstone.com

You’ve Made us BEST DEALERSHIP 2 YEARS in a ROW!!

BESTOF

2022

The Jones family founded their business on Honesty, Integrity, Hard Work, and Taking Care of People.

2023 FORD F-150

2023 FORD MACH-E

2023 FORD BRONCO SPORT

Our philosophy is to operate dealerships just outside the Metro Phoenix area. We offer the small-town buying experience, keeping costs low, which enables us to sell vehicles for less.

2023 FORD MAVERICK

A Family Tradition in Arizona for 50 Years

BESTOF

2021

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THANK YOU VOTERS FOR TRUSTING IN US AND VOTING US JONESFORDBUCKEYE.COM LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50 BEST DEALERSHIP, AGAIN!!

24600 W Yuma RD Buckeye AZ - 623-386-4429

24600 W Yuma RD Buckeye AZ | 623-386-4429

JONESFORDBUCKEYE.COM BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

• SEPTEMBER 2022

7

Family owned & operated since 1986.

Originality never tasted so good!

Thank You For Voting Us Best Mexican Food!

Ranch Center 480-860-2611 9393 N. 90th St. Scottsdale, AZ, 85258

BESTOF

2022

MEXICAN FOOD

Ajo Al’s Mexican Café Multiple Valley locations ajoals.com

Agua Caliente Plaza 480-998-1734 6990 E. Shea Blvd.

Scottsdale, AZ, 85254

Family owned and operated since 1986, Ajo Al’s Mexican café prides itself on an extensive menu of Mexican food including appetizers, soups, salads, Al’s originals, pizzas, fajitas, combos and desserts. Try the picado dinner made with diced chicken or steak, grilled with tomatoes, onions, green chiles and Monterey Jack cheese ($19). It also has gluten-friendly selections.

READER RECOMMENDED Caramba Mexican Food Valle Luna Multiple Valley locations carambamex.com

Multiple Valley locations valleluna.com

THANKS FOR VOTING US BEST PIZZA IN THE VALLEY Celebrate with us with a slice (or several) soon.

Order Award-winning deep dish now.

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria

PIZZA

Multiple Valley locations loumalnatis.com

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria stays true to the Chicago-style deep dish pizza recipe that Grandpa Malnati helped create in 1943. It uses the freshest and finest ingredients available, including the finest vine-ripened plum tomatoes that are blended and canned exclusively for Lou Malnati’s. The secret family recipe for the flaky, buttery crust has been passed down from generation to generation, and each pizza is handmade from scratch.

order.loumalnatis.com

ARCADIA • CHANDLER • GILBERT • GLENDALE • MESA • PHOENIX • SCOTTSDALE 8

SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

READER RECOMMENDED Brooklyn V’s Pizza Grimaldi’s Pizzeria

Multiple Valley locations brooklynvspizza.com

Multiple Valley locations grimaldispizzeria.com

2ND PLACE

BESTOF

2022

BESTOF

2022

Best Mexican Food

Best Tacos

BESTOF

2021

2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 Best of Chandler

BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

• SEPTEMBER 2022

9

BEER/BREWERY

DELIVERY

Uncle Bear’s Grill and Tap

Brooklyn V’s Pizza

Multiple Valley locations unclebearsaz.com

Multiple Valley locations brooklynvspizza.com

At Uncle Bear’s Grill and Tap, guests can enjoy a selection of locally brewed craft beers paired with Uncle Bear’s tasty food selections, including craft burgers, Tex-Mex, sandwiches and wings, to name a few. Uncle Bear’s own specially made craft beers are available at all its locations; however, guests can see where the drinks are made locally at the brewery location in Gilbert. Uncle Bear’s has 10 flagship beer varieties and seasonal varieties available.

Brooklyn V’s Pizza is family owned and operated by Brooklyn-born Vito LoPiccolo. He has owned restaurants in Brooklyn, Staten Island and Queens for 20 years and brought that experience to Arizona. The dough and sauce are made from scratch with fine, fresh ingredients. The team at Brooklyn V’s prides itself on customer service and strives to provide great tasting food at reasonable prices with a comfortable atmosphere.

READER RECOMMENDED Saddle Mountain Brewing Company 15651 W. Roosevelt Street, Goodyear 623-249-5520 saddlemountainbrewing.com

The Casual Pint

READER RECOMMENDED Zesty Zzeeks Pizza & Wings Multiple Valley locations zzeeks.com

Multiple Valley locations thecasualpint.com

Ballpark Pizza & Subs

7615 W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria 623-979-8222 ballparkpizzaandsubs.com

PLACE TO GRAB A COCKTAIL The Living Room

Multiple Valley locations livingroomwinebar.com The Living Room is a local wine café and lounge with an array of cocktails to choose from, including the James Brown, made with Old Forester bourbon, Montenegro amaro, brown sugar, simple syrup and orange essence. Guests will notice the charming ambiance and welcoming atmosphere when they stop in. It also has an intriguing food menu including appetizers, soups, salads, bruschetta, flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers, sushi rolls and desserts to pair with a cocktail.

Flower Child

Multiple Valley locations

HEALTHY FOOD iamaflowerchild.com

Flower Child is a healthy lunch and dinner restaurant with a customizable menu of bowls, wraps, salads and a variety of mix-and-match veggies, grains, fruits and healthy proteins. All the meals are made from scratch, and there are options for various meat, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, keto and paleo diets. A must-try is the chicken enchiladas made with guajillo chili, smoked gouda, poblano crema, organic black bean, roasted corn and avocado.

READER RECOMMENDED Original ChopShop ProteinHouse

Multiple Valley locations originalchopshop.com 10

SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

Multiple Valley locations protein-house.com

READER RECOMMENDED AZ/88 7353 E. Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale 480-994-5576 az88.com

Saddle Mountain Brewing Company

15651 W. Roosevelt Street, Goodyear 623-249-5520 saddlemountainbrewing.com

Nothing Bundt Cakes

BAKERY/DESSERT

Henhouse

Multiple Valley locations nothingbundtcakes.com

BREAKFAST SPOT

In 1997, Dena Tripp and Debbie Shwetz founded Nothing Bundt Cakes in their Las Vegas home kitchens, and it has grown to more than 400 bakery locations. Nothing Bundt Cakes bakes everything on-site in every bakery in a variety of delicious flavors and sizes. Try the red velvet bundtinis, bite-size red velvet Bundt cakes that come in a box of 12 topped with cream cheese icing.

READER RECOMMENDED Rock Springs Café

In 2010, the Grebe family opened the Henhouse location at Higley and Guadalupe roads in the same community they raised their children. The company has grown into three locations offering mouth-watering breakfast and lunch selections. Be sure to try the kitchen sink omelet with ham, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, red onions, mushrooms, red and green peppers and mixed cheese.

Throughout the year, the Henhouse also donates meals, time and resources to the community.

READER RECOMMENDED

Rise Up Bakery

35900 Old Black Canyon Highway, Black Canyon City 623-374-5794 rockspringscafe.com

Multiple Valley locations henhouse-cafe.com

Eggstasy

861 N. Higley Road, Gilbert 480-264-3026 riseupbakeryaz.com

Multiple Valley Locations eggstasyaz.com

TJ’s Homestyle Restaurant 310 N. Dysart Road, Avondale 623-932-0309 tjhomestylerestaurant.com

So much of our success comes from community support these past 14 years.

We look forward to serving you for many more.

“The Rooster May Crow...but The Hen Delivers”

Without your support, we wouldn’t be where we are now.

Thank You Gilbert!

Winner of Best Breakfast Spot

BESTOF

2022

BESTOF

2022

BESTOF

2022

3244 East Guadalupe Gilbert • 480-219-7379

BESTOF

2021

3133 South Lindsay Gilbert • 480-899-4214

www.Henhouse-Cafe.com 805 North Dobson Road Mesa • 480-550-7474 BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

• SEPTEMBER 2022

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COMMUNITY

BEST-KEPT SECRET

Musical Instrument Museum 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix 480-478-6000, mim.org

MIM began with a vision by Bob Ulrich to create a musical instrument museum that would be truly global. Today, MIM has a collection of more than 8,000 instruments from more than 200 countries. The museum uses interactive media to enable guests to see the instruments, hear their sounds and observe them being played in their original contexts. Be sure to check out the website for a list of the concerts in the acoustically perfect room.

READER RECOMMENDED Butterfly Wonderland Arizona Museum of Natural History

9500 E. Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale 480-800-3000 butterflywonderland.com

53 N. Macdonald, Mesa 480-644-2230 arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory.org

CHURCH/PLACE TO WORSHIP

St. Timothy Catholic Church 1730 W. Guadalupe Road, Mesa 480-775-5200, sttimothymesa.org

St. Timothy Catholic Church welcomes parishioners and visitors to a Catholic community that conducts the mission of Christ to make disciples of all nations. It recognizes the celebration of Holy Mass and regular reception of the Sacraments as mainstays of its faith. It strives to be a light of Christ to the larger community and world by modeling a Catholic lifestyle. St. Timothy is a stewardship parish with this motto: Pray. Serve. Give.

READER RECOMMENDED Christ’s Church of the Valley Multiple Valley locations ccv.church

Corpus Christi Catholic Church 3550 E. Knox Road, Phoenix 480-893-8770 corpuschristiphx.org

ARIZONA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY STAY COOL AND SEE SOMETHING COOL WITH DINOSAURS THAT ROAR & SO MUCH MORE!

SOUTHWEST NATIVE CULTURE

PREHISTORIC PATHWAYS

53 NORTH MCDONALD, MESA, AZ 85201 • 480-644-2230 • AZMNH.INFO@MESAAZ.GOV • AZMNH.ORG 12

SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

NONPROFIT

Hospice of the Valley Multiple Valley locations 602-530-6900, hov.org

Thank you for Voting for us In this year’s Best of Lovin Life After 50

Founded in 1977, Hospice of the Valley accomplishes its mission of bringing comfort, dignity and compassionate care to the community.

It provides specialized care for people facing a life-limiting illness including the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of patients, families and caregivers. The care it gives helps patients and families feel supported during every stage of the hospice journey.

READER RECOMMENDED Children’s Cancer Network

BESTOF

2022

6150 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler 480-398-1564 childrenscancernetwork.org

United Food Bank

Multiple Valley locations 480-926-4897 unitedfoodbank.org

BESTOF

2021

BESTOF

2022

150 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite 1 • Chandler, AZ 85226 Phone: 480-398-1564 • Email: info@childrenscancernetwork.org childrenscancernetwork.org

Children’s Cancer Network is a Qualified Charitable Organization for the Arizona Tax Credit. childrenscancernetwork.org

Thanks For Voting Us Best Funeral Home!

We make planning easy and even easier on your family

Mountain View Funeral Home 7900 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480-605-1463

FUNERAL HOME mountainviewfuneralhomeandcemetery.com Mountain View Funeral Home will help plan a memorial service to honor and say goodbye to loved ones by celebrating their life and reflecting on their legacy. According to its website, it is a full-service funeral home that includes a beautiful cemetery and on-site cremation. It offers 12 spacious Memorial Gardens covered year-round with a rich green lawn shaded by hundreds of pine, olive and palm trees.

READER RECOMMENDED Gilbert Memorial Park Cemetery & Funeral Home

2100 E. Queen Creek Road, Gilbert 480-935-5858 gilbertmemorialpark.com

Falconer Funeral Home

251 W. Juniper Avenue, Gilbert 480-892-9411 falconerfuneralhome.com

BESTOF

BESTOF

2022

2022

(480) 832-2850

BESTOF

2021

7900 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

• SEPTEMBER 2022

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fun & entertainment

PERFORMING ARTS/ THEATER

Mesa Arts Center

1 E. Main Street, Mesa 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com The Mesa Arts Center is an extraordinary facility located in the heart of Downtown Mesa. It is Arizona’s largest arts center, with four theaters, five art galleries and 14 art studios. Guests enjoy the finest live entertainment, visual art exhibitions and arts education classes. Mesa Arts Center’s mission is to invite all people to create and discover entertaining, challenging and diverse art and arts experiences within joyous, dynamic and welcoming environments.

TPC Scottsdale

GOLF COURSE

17020 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale 480-585-4334, tpc.com/scottsdale

The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale is the PGA Tour stop with the largest crowds of any golf event in the world with the WM Phoenix Open. Players and spectators will enjoy the most recognizable 16th hole on the course that transforms into a party coliseum with 17,000 seats during tournaments. The course is maintained to PGA Tour-quality standards year-round, and guests can enjoy playing on the same course as their favorite professionals.

READER RECOMMENDED Trilogy Golf Club at Power Ranch Ocotillo Golf Club 4415 E. Village Parkway, Gilbert 480-988-0004 powerranchgolfclub.com

3751 S. Clubhouse Drive, Chandler 480-917-6660 ocotillogolf.com

READER RECOMMENDED Scottsdale Center for the Herberger Theater Center 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix Performing Arts 602-254-7399 herbergertheater.org

7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale 480-499-8587, scottsdaleperformingarts.org

CASINO

Gila River Casinos - Wild Horse Pass 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler 1-800-946-4452, playatgila.com

Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino has multiple options for people looking for an amazing casino gaming experience, including blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat and over 1,100 slots. Guests can also take part in penny games, traditional reel slot classics, electronic craps and roulette, video poker, in-house progressives and wide area progressive linked games. Wild Horse Pass is also home to six restaurants and six bars/lounges that visitors can take advantage of.

READER RECOMMENDED Casino Arizona at Harrah’s Ak Chin (Tie) We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort 15406 N. Maricopa Road, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort Talking Stick Resort Maricopa McDowell (Tie) 480-802-5000 480-789-5300

9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480-850-7777 talkingstickresort.com

caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

wekopacasinoresort.com

OUT-OF-STATE CASINO

FatCats

PLACE TO ESCAPE Multiple Valley locations fatcatsfun.com THE HEAT FatsCats is a family entertainment center that includes a movie theater with reclining seats, 20 lanes of bowling, a glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course and a massive arcade all under one roof.

It also has many party packages available for groups, including birthday parties, company parties and other special events. Be sure to check out the half-price arcade games every Wednesday.

READER RECOMMENDED Musical Instrument Museum Celebrity Theatre

14

4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix 440 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix 480-478-6000 602-267-1600 mim.org celebritytheatre.com SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

The Cosmopolitan

3708 Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas 702-698-7000 cosmopolitanlasvegas.com For an amazing out-of-state casino experience, the Cosmopolitan is ready to please. With nearly 1,300 spinning reel, video reel and video poker machines available with denominations ranging from 1 cent to $500, there is something for every player. It also has classic table games including, but not limited to, blackjack, roulette, craps and baccarat. While enjoying the casino, be sure to notice the view of the Las Vegas Strip out of the Cosmopolitan’s floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

Paris

READER RECOMMENDED Mandalay Bay

3655 S. Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas 1-877-796-2096 caesars.com/paris-las-vegas

3950 Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas 1-877-632-7800 mandalaybay.mgmresorts.com

business & services TRAVEL AGENCY Sinclair Travel Center

3707 E. Southern Avenue, Mesa 480-981-3795 sinclairtravelcenter.com Founded in 1979, Sinclair Travel is proud to be a woman-owned, local business providing personal travel service to clients. It designs various travel packages, including cruises, tour packages, custom wedding packages and MotorCoach tours, to name a few. Sinclair travel takes the hassle out of planning a trip and reviews all travel documents with the client, even making sure the incidentals are included and all the details are handled.

BESTOF

2022

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2021

READER RECOMMENDED Dream Vacations A World of Travel 610 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert Karen Coleman-Ostrov & Associates 28 W. Juniper Avenue, Gilbert 480-646-4969 kcolemanostrov.dreamvacations.com

Thank You for the Votes!

BESTOF

2022

Dream Vacations - Karen Coleman-Ostrov & Associates 28 W Juniper Ave Suite 203, Gilbert, AZ 85233

480-892-4992 travelbetterarizona.com

480-646-4969

www.4myvacation.com

THANK YOU! We ca n’t tha nk you enough for supporting ou r small business since 1979!

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Sinclair Travel

3707 S Southern Ave., STE 2085 MESA, AZ 85206

PLEASE CALL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT! 480.981.3795 WWW.SINCLAIRTRAVELCENTER.COM

BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

• SEPTEMBER 2022

15

THANK YOU SENIORS!

VOTE PLUMBSMART BEST OF THE BEST 2022!

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PLUMBING & HVAC SERVICES • $99 Sewer Camera Inspection • $49 Seasonal A/C Tune-up!

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2022 Best Plumber

Over 1,000+ Five-Star Reviews

480-405-7099

ROC #223709 ROC #289252 | ItsJustPlumbSmart.com 16

SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

PLUMBING SERVICE PlumbSmart Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

3010 E. Main Street, Mesa 480-654-8865, itsjustplumbsmart.com PlumbSmart Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is family owned and A-plus rated by the Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List. PlumbSmart is centrally located and Valleywide for fast dispatch and quick response times. It offers 24/7 emergency plumbing services including repairing burst pipes and backed up drains, to name a few.

READER RECOMMENDED Christian Brother’s Plumbing 6827 W. Belmont Avenue, Glendale 623-201-5066 cbrothers.com

Forrest Anderson Plumbing & Air Conditioning 17225 N. 63rd Avenue, Glendale 623-780-4060 forrestanderson.net

Sparrow Living: Mera and Sage Multiple Valley locations sparrowliving.com

HOMEBUILDER

Sparrow Living is a senior living building company that strives to deliver an exceptional experience to its residents. According to the website, well-being is a top priority, and it makes sure to provide a stress-free environment that creates thriving senior communities, new friendships and happy memories. Features include spacious senior apartment homes, pools and private areas.

READER RECOMMENDED Woodside Homes of Arizona Amberwood Homes 1811 S. Alma School Road, Mesa 480-681-1477 woodsidehomes.com

4320 E. Brown Road, Mesa 480-832-8161 amberwoodhomes.com

BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

• SEPTEMBER 2022

17

GOLF CARTS A-1 Golf Carts

25820 S. Arizona Avenue, Chandler 480-895-2000, a1golfcarts.com A-1 Golf Carts has been serving Arizona for 30 years in the golf cart business. According to its website, it has over 40 employees, a 23,000-square-foot facility on 7 acres of land, and all the trucks and service equipment to provide the best sales and service statewide. Its No. 1 goal is to ensure customers receive the highest level of customer service and an all-around enjoyable experience.

READER RECOMMENDED Pohle NV Center Scottsdale Golf Cart Sales and Rentals

5026 E. Main Street, Mesa 480-830-9815, pohlenv.com

6991 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale 480-498-2201, scottsdalegolfcartrentals.com

Cool Blew

SOLAR

8927 W. Bloomfield Road, Peoria 623-234-2836, coolblewsolar.com

Cool Blew is an authorized SunPower solar panel dealer. The team’s experts can quickly assess client’s needs and connect them with the very best solar installation deals for them personally.

SunPower is on the cutting edge of solar technology and excels when it comes to innovation, design and production of solar equipment, so customers can be confident they will have high-quality products on their homes.

BANK

Desert Financial Credit Union

READER RECOMMENDED Solar Concepts SunPower By PGT Solar

Multiple Valley locations 602-433-7000, desertfinancial.com

Desert Financial Credit Union was started by 15 Arizona educators in 1939. According to its website, the team at Desert Financial Credit Union believes in contributing time and money to the community and its members. Benefits include free checking, free services and member discounts, cash back, ATM fee waivers and free custom checks. No matter what the financial goals are, the team at Desert Financial is there to help.

916 S. 52nd Street, Tempe 480-968-1777 solarconceptsaz.com

2 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix 480-613-4775 sunpowerbypgtsolar.com

READER RECOMMENDED MidFirst Bank

Multiple Valley locations midfirst.com

OneAZ Credit Union Multiple Valley locations oneazcu.com

TREE NURSERY Moon Valley Nursery Multiple Valley locations moonvalleynurseries.com

Massage Envy

Moon Valley Nursery offers acres of actively growing trees, palms, shrubs and other plants that can bring shade, privacy and beauty to any size landscape. The staff delivers and plants everything in their inventory. It also offers free landscape design to help customers create their dream yard. Whether someone needs just a tree or two, or an entire landscape, Moon Valley Nursey has it.

READER RECOMMENDED Whitfill Nursery A&P Nursery

Multiple Valley locations whitfillnursery.com 18

SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

Multiple Valley locations apnursery.com

MASSAGE

Multiple Valley locations massageenvy.com

Massage Envy is a nationwide wellness franchise providing massage, stretch and skin care services. The brand is built upon the belief that regular massage, stretch and facials are integral components of whole-body wellness. Customers can ask for either a full-body relaxation massage or a customized session focusing on specific parts of the body.

READER RECOMMENDED Elements Massage

Multiple Valley locations elementsmassage.com

The NOW Massage North Scottsdale 15435 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480-618-5788 thenowmassage.com

BESTOF

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tar

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The Glendale

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Best Air Conditioning

623-872-2900

americanstandardair.com • coolblew.com Military & Senior Discounts Available. Just ask when you call! Member of PORA APS & SRP Qualified Contractors • Nate Certified Techs • HOA Friendly • Se Habla Español AZ. H.P. Plmb Licensed • Bonded • Insured ROC Lic #176357 • #258992 • #267895 BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

• SEPTEMBER 2022

19

Thank You For Voting Us Best Law Firm!

BESTOF

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Personal Injury • Bankruptcy • Criminal & DUI Defense

6 0 2 . 9 7 7.1 900 LernerAndRowe.com • 2701 E Camelback Rd #140, Phoenix, AZ 85016 20

SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

We Are Honored To Continuously Earn The Trust Of Thousands Of Arizonans Each Year!

Here are just a few reasons why people repeatedly seek our help: • Proven results! We have recovered OVER $2 BILLION total for injured people.

• With our voted-best law firm, you NEVER pay out-of-pocket costs.

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• A caring and empathetic staff invested in your well-being.

• Always provide straightforward and honest advice.

• We collect millions of dollars EVERY WEEK for our clients!

Thousands of 5 Star Reviews

BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

• SEPTEMBER 2022

21

Thank You for Voting us the Best Living Wills and Trusts Attorney!

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STODDARD LEGAL SOLUTIONS PLLC

Providing peace of mind through compassionate estate planning • Wills, Trusts & Powers of Attorney • Probate Services • Estate Administration • Reduced Flat-Fee Rates

RACHEL STODDARD, ESQ. Local Ahwatukee Resident 15+ Years Litigation Experience

Making the tough decisions now ensures that, should the unthinkable occur, you will be able to control what happens to you and your assets. Getting your plan in order in advance will also save your family from having to struggle with those choices in the future.

The Firm honors those who selflessly serve our community. Ask about our discounts for military, law enforcement, first responders and teachers.

SCHEDULE A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION

480-210-6444

AHWATUKEE EXECUTIVE OFFICES 5010 E. Warner Rd., Suite 109 • Phoenix, AZ 85044

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Best Attorney

www.stoddardpllc.com

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VOTED BEST OF 2021 AND 2022!

Ridges at Peoria Senior Living offers more than just a residence, it offers a new lifestyle that’s designed to help build connections and create meaningful experiences. Come explore all that we have to offer: • Situated on a beautiful 28-acre, lush green setting • Courtyards and private patios • Two outdoor pools • Lifestyle activities include happy hours, live entertainment, fitness classes, and more

• Newly renovated common areas • 24-hour on-site staffing and care plans, when needed • Formerly known as Amethyst, has been part of the Peoria area for more than 20 years

Call Donna or Erika at 623-974-5848 to learn more.

18170 North 91st Avenue Peoria, AZ 85382 623-974-5848 ridgesatpeoria.org INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE

LAWYER/LAW FIRM

Lerner & Rowe

Multiple Valley locations, lernerandrowe.com Since 2005, the team at Lerner and Rowe has helped tens of thousands of injured people get their lives back on track following accidental injuries. It has over 240 years of combined litigation experience devoted to personal injury. Experience in various aspects of personal injury allows it to help clients obtain the maximum compensation for their injuries.

READER RECOMMENDED Stoddard Legal Solutions PLLC

5010 E. Warner Road, Phoenix 480-210-6444 stoddardpllc.com

Wilson-Goodman Law Group

1760 E. Pecos Road, Gilbert 480-503-9217 wgandf-law.com

VETERINARIAN/ HOSPITAL

Power Road Animal Hospital 2333 S. Power Road, Mesa 480-641-4141 powerroadanimalhospital.com

Power Road Animal Hospital provides top-quality veterinary care and urgent care to pets in the Mesa community. As a full-service veterinary office, it offers state-of-the-art testing and diagnostics, an array of advanced care, routine and advanced surgical procedures, and many other services to provide pets with the best possible care. Its staff treats clients like family, and each pet like its own.

READER RECOMMENDED Augusta Ranch Animal Hospital Val Vista Animal Hospital 747 N. Val Vista Drive, Gilbert 480-539-7999 valvistaanimalhospital.com

SENIOR LIVING

The Ridges at Peoria

18170 N. 91st Avenue, Peoria 623-974-5848, ridgesatpeoria.org The Ridges at Peoria is a 28-acre campus that offers various options for senior living, including independent living, assisted living and memory care. From the website, the campus is surrounded by walking paths, lush trees and grounds. The Ridges at Peoria has been part of the community for more than 20 years, and the team is committed to help each resident lead a purposeful life.

READER RECOMMENDED Discovery Point The Village at Ocotillo

6210 E. Arbor Avenue, Mesa 480-924-6474, discoverypointretirement.com 22

SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

2721 S. Ellsworth Road, Mesa 480-380-6710 augustaranchanimalhospital.com

990 W. Ocotillo Road, Chandler 480-630-3428, srgseniorliving.com

SKIN CARE Debbie Davis, Sleekskin Aesthetics

10900 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480-315-1364 sleekskinaz.com As owner of Sleekskin Aesthetics since 1998, Debbie Davis has a vast background in the skin care industry. Focused on healthy skin and anti-aging treatments, she strives to bring clients the most current and effective services to offer outstanding results including, but not limited to, enzyme micro peels, deep pore extractions, LED light therapy and microdermabrasion treatments.

LIVING WILL/TRUST

Stoddard Legal Solutions PLLC (Tie)

4855 Warner Road, Phoenix 480-893-6947 merlenorman.com

4500 S. Lakeshore Drive, Tempe 480-730-6469, kathleennielsenlaw.com

5010 E. Warner Road, Phoenix 480-210-6444, stoddardpllc.com

READER RECOMMENDED Merle Norman – Ahwatukee

Kathleen Nielsen, Esq. (Tie)

My Perfect Skin Clinic

1757 E. Baseline Road, Gilbert 602-962-4510 myperfectskinclinic.com

Stoddard Legal Solutions PLLC brings the high-quality legal representation of Rachel Reames Stoddard, Esq., to a private clientele.

Stoddard helps her clients achieve and protect their goals through compassionate representation and legally sound documentation.

Attorney Kathleen A. Nielsen has been providing family law, estate planning, probate and trust administration legal services to Arizona since 1989. She offers clients downtown legal experience in a small, personable legal environment.

READER RECOMMENDED Emphasis Advisors LLC Paulsen & Reissner PLLC 428 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert 1-888-664-4366 emphasisadvisors.com

17505 N. 79th Avenue, Glendale 623-428-1923 prlawteam.com

THANK YOU

HAIR SALON/ BARBERSHOP

FOR VOTING ME THE BEST LIVING WILL AND TRUST ATTORNEY IN THE VALLEY!

Kosmic Kreations

5270 N. 59th Avenue, Glendale 623-934-1969 kosmickreationssalon.tripod.com

BESTOF

2022

Trusts•Wills•Living Wills•Power of Attorney•Beneficiary Deeds•Probate

Kosmic Kreations is a hair salon that specializes in all types of services, including haircuts, color, perms, highlights, facial wax, weaves, braids, relaxers, acrylic nails, gel nails, manicures and spa pedicures. The salon is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Be sure to call for an appointment.

Kathleen A. Nielsen

Attorney At L Aw

READER RECOMMENDED Tantrum Hair Salon 1229 N. Gilbert Road, Mesa 480-833-7700 tantrumhairsalon.com

Haircutters in the ParkAveda Lifestyle Salon

2025 N. Pebble Creek Parkway, Goodyear 623-935-9505 haircp.com

Southwest Business Center 4500 S. Lakeshore Dr. Ste 300 Tempe, AZ 85282 (SE Rural & Lakeshore)

480.730.6469

kathleen@kathleennielsenlaw.com Serving the Valley for 35 Years!

BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

• SEPTEMBER 2022

23

CUSTOMER SERVICE

AZ/88

7353 E. Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale 480-994-5576, az88.com

AZ/88 is a stylish, modern bar and restaurant featuring American classics, a sizeable patio and art installations. The burger patties at AZ/88 are ground fresh and delivered daily by a local butcher and served with waffle fries, fresh fruit and raw vegetables. Also be sure to peek at the cocktails and dessert menus.

READER RECOMMENDED Dr. Dan Larke, Nothing Bundt Cakes Multiple Valley locations Thrive Regenerative Medicine

1835 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler 480-257-5022, thrivemed.com

nothingbundtcakes.com

Spencer’s TV & Appliance

HOME SERVICES

Multiple Valley locations spencerstv.com

Spencer’s TV & Appliance is an employee-owned discount appliance, electronics and mattress store founded in Arizona in 1973 with the motto, “It’s like having a friend in the business!” The team is always ready to answer questions and help customers get the products they need. It also offers delivery and installation. Be sure to check out its “Hot Buy” options.

MORTGAGE COMPANY

READER RECOMMENDED

AZ Lending Experts LLC

Brewer’s Air Conditioning

4500 S. Lakeshore Drive, Tempe 480-649-3825 azlendingexperts.com

9111 S. Hardy Drive, Tempe 480-893-8335 brewersac.com

Forrest Anderson Plumbing & Air Conditioning 17225 N. 63rd Avenue, Glendale 623-780-4060 forrestanderson.net

AZ Lending Experts is a full-service mortgage lender specializing in conventional home loans, VA, FHA home loans, USDA and jumbo residential mortgages. According to its website, its mortgage brokers’ commitment is to the borrower, not the banks; therefore, they can offer clients the absolute lowest available rates and fees.

READER RECOMMENDED HOUSE Team Home Loans Park Grove Lending LLC

2212 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert 602-435-2149 jeremyhouse.com

118 S. Park Grove Court, Gilbert 480-227-3238 parkgrovelending.com

REAL ESTATE AGENCY/AGENT

BVO Luxury Group

AUTO REPAIR

7702 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale 602-989-1287, bvoluxury.com BVO Luxury Group is a team of skilled, licensed real estate agents serving the Phoenix metro area with a reputation of rapid results and a constant direct line of communication with clients. BVO is committed to serving the community by leveraging state-of-the-art technology, providing passionate, exceptional, hyper-local service and partnering with world-class individuals and organizations.

READER RECOMMENDED Rebecca Durfey, Melanie Nemetz, Infinity & Associates 2450 S. Arizona Avenue, Keller Williams (Tie) Keller Williams (Tie)

7025 W. Bell Road, Glendale 830 S. Higley Road, Gilbert 623-297-4536 480-221-3034 rebeccadurfey.com fosteringre.com 24 SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

Chandler 480-258-3438 chandlerinfinity.com

Sun Devil Auto

Multiple Valley locations sundevilauto.com Sun Devil Auto is a family-owned, one-stop vehicle repair shop that has been serving customers since 1978. It offers a variety of services, including everything from an oil change to a full transmission replacement. According to its website, it is a member of the Arizona Better Business Bureau and employs ASE-certified technicians.

READER RECOMMENDED Mesa Auto Works 1636 N. Banning, Mesa 480-372-4253 mesaautoworks.com

Wilhelm Automotive Multiple Valley locations wilhelmautomotive.com

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• SEPTEMBER 2022

25

CAR DEALERSHIP

SENIOR SERVICES

Jones Ford

Area Agency on Aging

24600 W. Yuma Road, Buckeye 623-386-4429, jonesfordbuckeye.com

1366 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix 602-264-4357, aaaphx.org

The team at Jones Ford Buckeye strives to be welcoming to customers and put them in high-quality, suitable vehicles at an affordable price. It has a wide selection of new Ford vehicles and preowned models on hand. It also has competitive financing and lease plans available. Be sure to check out its on-site vehicle repair service center as well.

The Area Agency on Aging is a nonprofit organization that offers a large variety of programs and services that improve the quality of life for Maricopa County residents. It advocates, plans, coordinates, develops and delivers services for adults ages 60 and older, adults ages 18 and older with HIV/AIDS, adults ages 18plus with disabilities and long-term care needs, and family caregivers. The primary focus is to keep people safe in their own homes.

READER RECOMMENDED We Care Medicare City of Phoenix Senior Services

READER RECOMMENDED San Tan Ford Earnhardt Honda

1429 E. Motorplex Loop, Gilbert 480-821-3200 santanford.com

10151 W. Papago Freeway, Avondale 623-934-5211 earnhardthonda.com

602-954-9143 wecaremedicareaz.com

200 W. Washington Street, Phoenix 602-262-7379 phoenix.gov

AIR CONDITIONER/ REPAIR SERVICE

Brewer’s Air Conditioning

ROOFER

9111 S. Hardy Drive, Tempe 480-893-8335, brewersac.com

JBS Roofing

Brewer’s Air Conditioning and Heating has more than 30 years of experience in the air conditioning and heating industry. It meets the highest performance standards in the industry, from employee training to customer service. It also works collaboratively with clients to perform repairs or installations, educate the customer and care for the system throughout the life of the product.

READER RECOMMENDED Cool Blew (Tie)

8927 W. Bloomfield Road, Peoria 623-872-2900 coolblew.com

Forrest Anderson Plumbing & Air Conditioning (Tie) 17225 N. 63rd Avenue, Glendale 623-780-4060 forrestanderson.net

John’s Refrigeration Heating and Cooling 211 E. 10th Drive, Mesa 480-648-2400 justcalljohns.com

5537 N. 59th Avenue, Glendale 623-247-9252, jbsroofingaz.com JBS Roofing has been one of the leading providers of roofing services in Phoenix for over 40 years. It is committed to providing customers with top-quality, energy-efficient and low-maintenance roofs that will save money, reduce pollution and reduce the heat island effect. As a full-service roofing company, it serves residential and commercial clients.

READER RECOMMENDED Monsoon Roofing Porter Roofing Inc.

1901 S. 131st Street, Gilbert 480-699-2754, monsoonroofinginc.com

480-460-7602 porterroofinginc.com

Thank you for voting us the Best AC Company in the Valley and one of the Best Home Services!

Serving the Valley for over 40 years!

Brewer’s Air Conditioning & Heating’s staff member Mando Ybarra. Remember, never leave pets unattended in the car.

BESTOF

2021

40 Years Serving the Central Valley

BESTOF

2022

FREE Service Call (with repair) • Second Opinion 480-725-7303 www.BrewersAC.com SINCE 1982 ROC #C39-312643

26

SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

INSURANCE AGENCY/AGENT Diane Ayers, Ayers Insurance Agency 480-255-4005 ayersagencyaz.com

FINANCIAL PLANNING SERVICES Nicholas Goode, Edward Jones

3233 E. Chandler Boulevard, Phoenix 480-759-1324, edwardjones.com Nicholas Goode is an Edward Jones financial adviser serving the Phoenix area by helping people get the personal financial advice they need to achieve their goals. Goode listens to his clients, then works through an established process to help clients define goals, keep them on track over the long term and build a legacy.

READER RECOMMENDED Scottsdale Wealth Advisory

8501 N. Scottsdale Road, Paradise Valley 480-247-9090 scottsdalewealthadvisory.com

RJP Estate Planning

4110 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480-764-2985 rjpestateplanning.com

Ayers Insurance Agency of AZ LLC has 18 years of experience in helping people with Medicare health plan options as well as individual family plans. Diane Ayers walks clients through the entire process from the beginning, through learning, during enrolling and over the years as they age. She is committed to being on the client’s side and supporting them as they utilize health care insurance.

READER RECOMMENDED Daniel Meyers, Touchdown Insurance Pam Johnson, State Farm 11022 S. 51st Street, Phoenix 602-677-2310 touchdowninsurance.com

1489 S. Higley Road, Gilbert 480-633-0324 pamjohnson.com

I am a personal resource for YOUR Medicare Questions • Are you getting the most out of Medicare?

Call me with your Questions!

• Can you save money on healthcare costs?

When you call, we can review your current Medicare coverage and help you decide which plan’s benefits best fit your specific needs.

• How does Diabetes or other chronic conditions affect your Medicare coverage?

We clarify the options, answer your questions, and leave you with peace of mind.

Diane Ayers

Your LOCAL Medicare Advisor.

Licensed Medicare Agent

(480) 255-4005 - TTY: 711 ayersagencyaz@gmail.com

www.ayersagencyaz.com We do not offer every plan in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare. gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.

BESTOF

2021

BESTOF

2022

Thank you for your vote of confidence - 2 years in a row!

Bringing Clarity, Leaving Peace of Mind.

Diane L. Ayers BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

• SEPTEMBER 2022

27

In-Home Care for Total Peace of Mind Thank you from all our Valley Visiting Angels.

Thank You for Voting Us The Best of 2022!

Since 1998

BESTOF

2022

Best Senior Home Care

VisitingAngels.com/AZ Greater Phoenix/Scottsdale/Paradise Valley VisitingAngels.com/GlendaleAZ Glendale/West Valley/Peoria/Arrowhead/Westbrook Village/Phoenix VisitingAngels.com/Avondale Avondale/Goodyear/Surprise/Litchfield Park/El Mirage/Tolleson/Glendale VisitingAngels.com/NorthEastPhoenix Northern Metro Phoenix VisitingAngels.com/SouthPhoenix South Phoenix/Ahwatukee-Foothills/Laveen/Buckeye/Wadell/Maricopa VisitingAngels.com/Mesa Tempe/Mesa/Apache Junction/Queen Creek/Sun Lakes/San Tan Valley/ Florence/Chandler/Gilbert

We thank our clients, their families, and friends for your trust in us to provide safe care Caregiver Employment and companionship.

Opportunities are Available!

Each Visiting Angels agency is independently owned and operated.

SENIOR HOME CARE Visiting Angels

Multiple Valley locations visitingangels.com Visiting Angels is proud to be a leading provider of elder care since 1998. Its considerate caregivers help older adults live independently and comfortably in their own homes. The comprehensive services it offers are customized and tailored for each senior to ensure in-home care is an enjoyable experience including, but not limited to, respite care, companionship, personal care and hygiene assistance.

READER RECOMMENDED Home Instead Beam for Seniors

Multiple Valley locations homeinstead.com

care.com

JEWELRY STORE

Ganem Jewelers

Multiple Valley locations ganemjewelers.com Ganem Jewelers has been in business for nearly 40 years with consists of experienced professionals ready to help with all clients’ jewelry needs. It features customized diamond and gemstone jewelry and timepieces, including luxury brands like Breitling, Tag Heuer, Michele and Simon G, Honora. It also offers jewelry and watch repair.

READER RECOMMENDED Nelson Estate Jewelers Michael’s Creative Jewelry 2051 S. Dobson Road, Mesa 480-459-9867 nelsonestatejewelers.com

Multiple Valley locations michaelscreative.com

PET SERVICES

Happy Tails Barkery

743 S. Lindsay Road, Gilbert 480-534-4146, happytailsbarkery.co Happy Tails Barkery has been making high-quality, delicious, heathy snacks for dogs for 11 years. It makes sure the treats use only the highest-quality ingredients, are sourced locally whenever possible, and are made with a limited number of ingredients. It has various treats including grain free, gluten free and vegan. It also lists the ingredients along with the guaranteed analysis on every label.

READER RECOMMENDED 4 Paws Pet Resort

1608 N. Greenfield Road, Mesa 602-325-3459 4pawspetresort.com 28

SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

Mesa Dogs 24/7

2154 E. Baseline Road, Mesa 1-833-364-7247 mesadogs.com

YOGA/PILATES/ ALTERNATIVE EXERCISE

Cynshine Pilates & Integrated Movement 1090 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert 480-824-3776, cynshine.net

Cynshine Pilates and Integrated Movement is an upscale clinic/studio that is proud to offer training for Merrithew Stott Pilates, Pilates for neurological disorders, active isolated stretching, barefoot training, Reiki certification and anatomy-based yoga teacher trainings. The owner, Cyndi George, and her team educate clients on how to move with more efficiency, fluidity and, more importantly, without pain.

READER RECOMMENDED Burn Boot Camp Multiple Valley locations burnbootcamp.com

Ignite Yoga

5110 N. Dysart Road, Litchfield Park 623-374-7812 igniteyogastudios.com

Mountainside Fitness

Valley locations PLACE TO EXERCISE Multiple mountainsidefitness.com

Mountainside Fitness is the largest locally owned chain of fitness centers in Arizona, with 20 locations throughout the Valley. Amenities include strength equipment, cardio equipment with personal TVs, free towel service, an Accelerate Cycle Studio, a steam room, showers, a yoga studio and a basketball court, to name a few. Be sure to check out the several group fitness classes it offers.

READER RECOMMENDED Basic Training MedX Fitness and EōS Fitness Multiple Valley locations Strength Training Center 4390 N. Miller Road, Scottsdale 480-874-8008 basictrainingscottsdale.com

eosfitness.com

BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

• SEPTEMBER 2022

29

medical DERMATOLOGIST

Regency Specialties

14725 W. Mountain View Boulevard, Surprise 623-243-9077 regencyspecialties.com Regency Specialties has a team of dermatologists who are not only medically trained, but are cosmetic artists as well.

They offer many dermatology services including skin cancer detection, prevention and treatment as well as dermal fillers and neuromodulators for cosmetic dermatology needs. They also have services for medical skin concerns like acne, eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions.

READER RECOMMENDED Ahwatukee Skin & Laser

Arizona Heart & Vascular Clinic

CARDIOLOGIST

Arizona Heart & Vascular Clinic provides comprehensive cardiac and vascular disease management. According to its website, its team is comprised of board-certified cardiologists, mid-level providers with extensive vascular and cardiac experience, a caring staff of nurses, cardiovascular technologists and medical assistants committed to providing the highest-quality cardiac care.

Desert Sky Dermatology

4425 E. Agave Road, Phoenix 480-704-7546 ahwatukeeskincare.com

1688 E. Boston Street, Gilbert 480-855-0085 desertskydermatology.com

6316 W. Union Hills Drive, Glendale 480-765-2800, azheartandvascular.com

READER RECOMMENDED Southwest Cardiovascular Associates 7529 E. Broadway Road, Mesa 480-945-4343 swcva.com

Tri-City Cardiology

Multiple Valley locations 480-835-6100 tricitycardiology.com

Results you can see... Care you can feel.

Thank you for your votes!

Locally Owned and Operated Support Your Local Small Business!

2022 Sarah Neumann MMS, PA-C

Kendall Smith PA-C

www.suncitydermaz.com 623.377.SKIN (7546)

SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

Bradley Rasmussen MD

Thomas K. Barlow DO

General Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology

13843 W. Meeker Blvd. #101, Sun City West, Arizona 85375

30

BESTOF

Lauren Ax MSPAS, PA-C

2nd Place Winner Best Dermatology Practice

4425 E. Agave Road #148, Phoeniz, Arizona 85044

www.ahwatukeeskincare.com 480.704.SKIN (7546)

Is Your Heart In the Right Place?

Our team of cardiac and vascular experts have years of clinical and research experience – experience that can make all the difference in a diagnosing and effectively treating a cardiac or vascular condition. That’s why we have earned the trust of our patients and referring physicians year after year.

Give us a call today – and put our experienced team to work for you

BESTOF

Call today to schedule an appointment.

480-765-2800

Now Accepting New Patients GLENDALE 6316 W. Union Hills Drive, Suite 210 PEORIA *NOW OPEN* 26900 Lake Pleasant Parkway, Suite 200

BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

• SEPTEMBER 2022

31

Thank you for voting us

Best Audiology

in Best of Lovin’ Life After 50!

Schedule Your Hearing Test Today!

It is widely accepted that:

Vision screenings are performed annually.

AUDIOLOGY Fynes Audiology

2058 S. Dobson Road, Mesa 480-456-0176, fynesaudiology.com Fynes Audiology prides itself in helping people regain the confidence and security that comes with being able to hear comfortably. First, audiologists Dr. Cassandra Fynes or Roger Knighton provide patients a hearing evaluation to gain information about the scope of the hearing loss. Then patients are given individualized options for hearing loss solutions including hearing aids, assistive listening devices, earplugs and earbuds.

READER RECOMMENDED Better Hearing – Scottsdale

4807 E. Greenway Road, Scottsdale 602-765-7800 better-hearing.net

ABC Hearing

7165 E. University Drive, Mesa 480-964-2386 canuhearwell.com

Dental check-ups occur every six months.

What about HEARING?

Adults 55 years of age and older should have their hearing checked on an annual basis.

Check out our online hearing screener at FynesAudiology.com

Hearing Aids Hearing Protection Hearing Testing BESTOF

2021

BEST AUDIOLOGIST

BESTOF 2058 S. Dobson Rd., Ste. 9, Mesa, AZ 85202

2022

480-456-0176 | www.fynesaudiology.com 32

SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

MEDICARE BROKER

Diane Ayers, Ayers Insurance Agency 480-255-4005, ayersagencyaz.com

Ayers Insurance Agency of AZ LLC has 18 years of experience being a Medicare broker. Diane Ayers walks each client through the entire process from beginning, through learning, during enrolling and over the years as they age. She is committed to being on the clients’ side and supporting them as they utilize health care insurance.

READER RECOMMENDED We Care Medicare

602-954-9143 wecaremedicareaz.com

Compare and Enroll 480-326-2323

URGENT CARE

Banner Urgent Care

Multiple Valley locations urgentcare.bannerhealth.com Banner Urgent Care offers a range of health and medical resources as well as follow-ups. It routinely cares for medical conditions including sinus infections, bronchial infections, strep throat, insect bites and urinary tract infections. Its medical professionals also offer treatments for injuries involving ligament sprains, strains and wounds. Services also consist of flu shots, X-rays, sports physicals, stitches and diagnostic tests.

READER RECOMMENDED FastMed Urgent Care NextCare Multiple Valley locations fastmed.com

Multiple Valley locations nextcare.com

NEUROLOGIST

Gilbert Neurology

Multiple Valley locations 480-926-0644, gilbertneurology.com Gilbert Neurology has experienced and considerate doctors determined to diagnose, treat and care for all patients. They provide care for neurological issues including, but not limited to, headaches, migraines, concussions, strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, neck or back pain, Parkinson’s disease, seizures, sleep disorders, nerve injuries and tremors.

READER RECOMMENDED Phoenix Neurology & Sleep Medicine Foothills Neurology Multiple Valley locations 623-535-0050 phxneurology.com

4530 E. Muirwood Drive, Phoenix 480-961-2365 foothillsneurology.com

Hospice of the Valley

HOSPICE

Multiple Valley locations 602-530-6900, hov.org

Established in 1977, Hospice of the Valley achieves its mission of bringing comfort, dignity and compassionate care to the community. It provides specialized care for people facing a life-limiting illness including the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of patients, families and caregivers. The care it gives helps patients and families feel supported during every stage of the hospice journey.

HOSPITAL/ MEDICAL CENTER

READER RECOMMENDED

HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center

East Valley Hospice

2152 S. Vineyard, Mesa 480-895-5434 lhcgroup.com/locations/east-valley-hospice

9003 E. Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale 480-323-3000, honorhealth.com

Hospice of Arizona

Multiple Valley locations

HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center offers leading-edge inpatient and outpatient care and emergency treatment for a variety of injuries and illnesses. The medical center has 427 beds, women’s services, labor and delivery, cardiology, orthopedics, neurology and oncology services, a dedicated pediatric emergency department, pediatric ICU and a Level III neonatal ICU.

READER RECOMMENDED Banner Gateway Medical Center Phoenix Children’s Hospital 1900 N. Higley Road, Gilbert 480-543-2000 bannerhealth.com

1919 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix 602-933-1000 phoenixchildrens.org

EYE CARE Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center Multiple Valley locations goodeyes.com

Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center provides cutting-edge medical and surgical eye care in Arizona. Its team of ophthalmologists and optometrists uses advanced technologies and techniques to treat patients at all stages of life. Services include, but are not limited to, comprehensive eye exams, cataract treatment, LASIK, glaucoma treatment, dry eye care, retina treatment and cornea transplants.

READER RECOMMENDED Swagel Wootton Eye Institute Southwestern Eye Center Multiple Valley locations sweye.com

Multiple Valley locations eyeinstituteaz.com

BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

• SEPTEMBER 2022

33

ALTERNATIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT The Mint Dispensary

Multiple Valley locations 480-749-6468, mintdeals.com The Mint Dispensary provides a wide selection of medicinal cannabis to medical cardholders and adult-use customers ages 21 and older. It ensures cardholders and customers have access to safe, high-quality products in a secure, positive and comfortable environment. It also provides the most recent information to help patients better understand how to use marijuana responsibly and effectively.

MEDICAL SPECIALIST

READER RECOMMENDED Keystone Medical Wellness Oasis Cannabis Dispensary

Thrive Regenerative Medicine 1835 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler 480-257-5022, thrivemed.com

Thrive Regenerative Medicine is owned by Dr. Dan Larke, a board-licensed physician who works with clients to help them reach optimal sexual performance and their full health potential. Thrive Regenerative Medicine specializes in men’s health and sexual wellness, including erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, premature ejaculation and testosterone therapy. Larke is committed to building long-term relationships and being a trusted adviser for the health and well-being of his patients.

READER RECOMMENDED Keystone Medical Wellness Western Vascular Institute

3076 E. Chandler Heights Road, Gilbert 480-613-3099 keystonemedicalwellness.com

Multiple Valley locations oasiscannabisaz.com

DENTIST Kelly Jorn Cook

3800 W. Ray Road, Chandler 480-899-4477 kellyjorncook.com

Multiple Valley locations 480-668-5000 westernvascular.com

Kelly Jorn Cook, D.D.S., provides high-quality dental care in a stress-free environment at a full-service dental practice. Patients with dental phobia or anxiety will find a dentist’s office that is more fun and less fearful. The rock ’n’ roll décor in the office is a welcome distraction that reduces stress on patients.

BESTOF

2022

For Voting Us Best Medical Specialist & Reader Recommended Men’s Wellness, Plastic Surgeon/Body Improvement and Customer Service.

3076 E. Chandler Heights Road, Gilbert 480-613-3099 keystonemedicalwellness.com

READER RECOMMENDED Gentle Family Dentistry Dentistry at Power Ranch 4540 E. Baseline Road, Mesa 480-834-8035 rkeithfarrdds.com

4365 E. Pecos Road, Gilbert 480-988-2373 dentistryatpowerranch.com

BESTOF

2022

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Spooner Physical Therapy

✓ Premiere Men’s Wellness Clinic ✓ Managed Testosterone Replacement Therapy ✓ ED/Peyonie’s Specialist ✓ PRP/Sports Injury & Nutrient IV’s (including NAD+) The premier Gainswave provider in the Southeast Valley for Male Enhancement ED

Multiple Valley locations spoonerpt.com

Dr. Dan Larke & Staff thank you for your votes and support.

Wondering if you could benefit from physical therapy or hand therapy but not sure where to start? Ready to move better and feel better with daily activities? Seeking the Spooner team first for your injury or aches and pains can save you both time and money. The pros at Spooner are dedicated to serving you regardless of age, ability or situation. Get started today with a complimentary screening to see how PT can help you.

READER RECOMMENDED

480-257-5022

www.THRIVEMED.com

1835 W. Chandler Blvd. Suite 202 • Chandler, AZ 85224

34

SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

BESTOF

2021

BESTOF

2022

BESTOF

2022

Foothills Sports Medicine Physical Therapy

Multiple Valley locations 480-289-5502, foothillsrehab.com

Welch Physical Therapy 3011 S. Lindsay Road, Gilbert 480-814-8222 welchpt.com

BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

• SEPTEMBER 2022

35

PLASTIC SURGEON/ BODY IMPROVEMENT

Glo Medspa

10505 N. 69th Street, Scottsdale 480-245-6881, glomedspas.com Founded by Charles Small, BSN, RN, Glo Medspa provides clients with a pleasing atmosphere and attention to every detail. Services include injectables, microdermabrasion, microneedling, various facials, peels and liquid facelifts, to name a few. The team at Glo Medspa strives to provide amazing results by working with clients to determine their individual needs. Glo Medspa does not believe in overselling products clients do not need.

OB/GYN Care provided by an all-female staff

READER RECOMMENDED Dr. Dan Larke, Biswas Plastic Surgery 9401 W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria Thrive Regenerative Medicine 623-594-7400 biswasplasticsurgery.com

1835 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler 480-257-5022, thrivemed.com

MEN’S WELLNESS

Keystone Medical Wellness

3076 E. Chandler Heights Road, Gilbert 480-613-3099, keystonemedicalwellness.com Keystone Medical Wellness is a wellness facility that offers a variety of services including hormone replacement therapy, medical weight loss, IV therapy and primary care. Chad Dance, FNP-c, MSN, MS, has years of experience serving as a medical professional and is committed to providing the best quality of care for his patients.

BESTOF

2022

READER RECOMMENDED Dr. Dan Larke, Phoenix Men’s Health Center 2601 N. Third Street, Phoenix Thrive Regenerative Medicine

Thank you for voting us as Best Women’s Wellness!

“Never been in an office where I felt so comfortable and so listened to. Thank you so much!”

~patient Christina

We have all female OB/GYN doctors, certified nurse practitioners, certified physican assistants, and certified nurse midwives.

3 East Valley Hospitals

We provide 24/7 call groups at three excellent hospitals: Mercy Gilbert, Chandler Regional, and Banner Gateway

www.valleywomenfor women.com Text or Call 480-782-0993 36

SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

1835 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler 480-257-5022, thrivemed.com

602-908-5422 phoenixmenshealthcenter.com

WOMEN’S WELLNESS

Valley Women for Women

Multiple Valley locations 480-782-0993, valleywomenforwomen.com The team at Valley Women for Women offers complete obstetric and gynecologic services from an all-female provider staff including OB/GYN doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and certified nurse midwives. Services include prenatal care, delivery, postpartum care, colposcopies, endometrial biopsies, cryotherapy, well-woman exams, 3D/4D ultrasounds, infertility workups, contraceptives, menopausal management and STD detection.

READER RECOMMENDED SottoPelle Keystone Medical Wellness

8412 E. Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale 3076 E. Chandler Heights Road, Gilbert 323-986-5100 480-613-3099 sottopelletherapy.com keystonemedicalwellness.com

CHARLES SMALL Celebrity Injector and Aesthetic Artist GLO MEDSPA OFFERS ADVANCED BOTOX JUVEDERM FACIAL CONTOURING BODY CONTOURING FACIALS SKINCARE

BESTOF

2022

BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

• SEPTEMBER 2022

37

I’ve Got Your Back!

Thanks For Having Mine!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTES!

BESTOF

2022

CHIROPRACTOR

Dr. Christopher Judge, The Joint Chiropractic

6107 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480-426-8405 thejoint.com Dr. Christopher Judge is a fourth-generation chiropractor with over 40 practicing chiropractors in his family. Judge grew up in Scottsdale and attended Chaparral High School. He was a licensed massage therapist and fitness trainer for over 12 years before earning his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in Davenport, Iowa, at Palmer College of Chiropractic. He is dedicated to family chiropractic and spine health.

READER RECOMMENDED Kukurin Chiropractic 12409 W. Indian School Road, Avondale 623-547-4727 avondale-chiropractic.com

Christopher Judge D.C

Hilton Village 6107 N. Scottsdale Rd. Ste 102 Scottsdale, AZ 85250

Dr. Antonio Rodriguez, Infinite Healing Center 2509 S. Power Road, Mesa 480-900-4776 infinitehealingcenter.com

(480) 245-7844

BESTOF

2021

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US ONE OF THE BEST IN THIS YEAR’S LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50!

Experience the health benefits of

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WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOUR TREATMENT IS NOT WORKING?

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SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

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ARIZONA’S LARGEST GROWER DIRECT NURSERY FOR FOUR GENERATIONS! You’ll See The Difference As Soon As You Arrive!

• Best Plants In Town • Friendly, Knowledgeable Nurserymen • No Commissioned High-Pressure Sales People • Best Price In Town On Quality Trees!

g in it a W s r a e y e t s Why Wa W o r g o t s e e r t g n u o for y PALMS l l a t s in Arizona’s Best When We can Selection o Grower-Direct t s n e im c e p s e r u t a m From Our Farms it u r f e iv g , e d a h provide s ! is s a o t n a t s in n a e t a e and cr DELICIOUS CITRUS, SHADE TREES FRUIT TREES,

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Hundreds of acres of locally grown favorites in sizes from 15 gal to huge 72” box trees 30’ tall.

Ash, Elm, Ficus, Pistachio, Mesquite, Palo Verde, Olive, Pines, Ironwood, Orchids, Oak & many more!

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SEPTEMBER 2022 • BEST OF LOVIN’ LIFE AFTER 50

EAST VALLEY Cooper (Stapley) & Guadalupe 480-892-2712

NORTH PHX /SCOTTSDALE 824 E. Glendale Ave. 602-944-8479

2 0 2 2 -2 0 2 3 S E A S O N SERIES SPONSOR:

TOWER OF POWER OCT 7 | 8:00 PM

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE DIANA MAGALONI-KERPEL MESOAMERICA ILLUMINATED OCT 19 | 7:30 PM

THE FAB FOUR OCT 22 | 8:00 PM

Presented with Emporium Presents

BELINDA CARLISLE NOV 6 | 7:30 PM

UNDER THE STREETLAMP: HIP TO THE HOLIDAYS NOV 25 | 8:00 PM

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS BY CHIP DAVIS NOV 27 | 3:00 & 7:30 PM

Photo Credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

AN EVENING WITH BRIAN CULBERTSON NOV 20 | 7:30 PM

BLUE MAN GROUP NOV 21 & 22 | 7:30 PM

Photo Credit: Todd Rosenberg Photography

THE ILLUSIONISTS: MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS DEC 23 | 8:00 PM

THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS JAN 20 | 8:00 PM

CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WITH CONDUCTOR RICCARDO MUTI JAN 22 | 7:30 PM

RIVERDANCE: 25TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW MAY 3 – 7 | TIMES VARY

ONE EAST MAIN STREET MESA, AZ 85201 480.644.6500 | MESAARTSCENTER.COM

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SEPTEMBER 2022 |

17

The King of Rants Lewis Black ‘promises’ knock-knock jokes, songs

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Lewis Black says fans attending his October 1 Celebrity Theatre show can expect the “typical” gig.

“It’s pretty much the happy-go-lucky comedy fun stuff, complete with a lot of knock-knock jokes, a couple of songs,” he says sarcastically.

“I’ll be interesting. Who knows by then?

The way things are rolling.”

Of course, he’s kidding. He’s angry about everything from gun violence to the resurfacing of polio in New York. At the show, he’ll share a story he read four years ago about a gun that went off at a church that was hosting a gun safety talk.

“If I’d written it as a fictional article, it would have been really brilliant,” he says.

“It’s better that it’s not fiction. It puts things in perspective, I think, about gun safety.

“I think no matter what you think about guns, I think that article will make you laugh. If it doesn’t, then you don’t have a sense of humor.”

He’s pretty annoyed with the resurgence of polio in New York.

“Here in New York, polio is making a comeback,” he says. “Yessiree that’s what I want to see.”

Known as the “king of rant,” Lewis says touring again has been a blessing.

The pandemic was hard on Black, as he stopped doing comedy.

“I was just really trying to maintain my sanity and make sure that my anger didn’t boil over,” he says. “I tried to maintain my faith in my fellow man, too.

“But I stopped doing comedy. I don’t work with Zoom or the rest of it. I need to work in front of an audience consistently.

I write in front of an audience. I reached the point where my audience knows that’s what I’m doing, and they’ve been

really generous to give me the space to do it.”

He also rants about anti-vaxxers. For a nation who’s “scarfing down” supplements, he doesn’t understand why folks are afraid to have the vaccination. “‘Vaccine? I’m not going to take this one!’” he says, mimicking anti-vaxxers.

“Apparently, 34% of the American people don’t trust their government. I get that, but this is for everyone’s health, schmuck.

It’s separate from government. Government, politics and freedom are three different things.

That’s why they’re spelled differently.”

The podcast “Lewis Black’s Rantcast” kept him busy during the pandemic. To create it, he shares fans’ rants. He’s doing so now after his performances.

“It’s really important for those coming to those shows that I do an hour show and then im- Lewis Black will rant up a storm at the Celebrity Theatre on Saturmediately come back on day, October 1. (Lewis Black/Submitted) stage and do a livestream Lewis Black throughout the world,” he says.

“I read the rants by people who have WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, October 1 showed up from Tucson, Phoenix or WHERE: Celebrity Theatre, Scottsdale, Arizona. Stuff comes in from 440 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix Canada. I read stuff from Switzerland, COST: Tickets start at $49.50 Germany and England. I take some of the INFO: 602-267-1600, rants and put them together in the Rantcelebritytheatre.com cast. People can listen anytime.”

Calendar of Events continued from page 15

Take Charge of Your Health, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $10 suggested donation, registration required, hollandcenter.org The Healing Pathway Grief Support Group, 9:30 to 11 a.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free, 480-488-2286, dfla.org

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

Library Book Club, 10 a.m. to noon, Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free, 480-488-2286, dfla. org. September’s book is “Bewilderment” by Richard Powers

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

Flu Shot Clinic with Walgreens, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, call for charge, 480-325-4707 Books to Die For: A Murder Mystery Book Club, 3 to 4 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free, 480-488-2286, dfla.org. September’s book is “Magpie Murders” by Anthony Horowitz Charity Crafting, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

Gelli Printing 101, 1 to 3 p.m., Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, $60 class cost, $10 for cost of materials, registration required, hollandcenter.org

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

Guided Meditation, 9 to 10 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 Train Your Brain, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 Movie and Popcorn: “The War with Grandpa,” 1 to 3 p.m., Humana, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707 Puzzle Exchange, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, free admission, 480-4882286, dfla.org

Get your copy today!

18

| SEPTEMBER 2022

www.LovinLife.com

Puzzles ANSWERS ON PAGE 30 ACROSS 1 Beach accessory 6 Altar promise 9 Wd. modifier 12 Blazing 13 At once 14 Singer Rawls 15 Lightweight wood 16 Old Pontiac 18 More tightly packed 20 “Star Wars” royal 21 Photo, for short 23 “Fresh Air” airer 24 Party beverage 25 Unforeseen problem 27 Say 29 Elk’s horn 31 Wheel cover 35 Playful sea critter 37 Only 38 Barber’s tools 41 Aug. and Sept.

43 Knock

44 Region 45 Halloween sprite 47 Young shopping center regular 49 Milk dispenser 52 Paris summer 53 Flamenco cheer 54 Cat calls?

55 Shelter 56 Slugger Williams 57 Actress Debra

11 A son of Jacob 17 Book jacket promos 19 Sudden gush 21 Unpaid TV ad 22 Hostel 24 Little, in Lille 26 Worldwide 28 Pulsate 30 UFO crew 32 Deep-fried frank 33 Pie -- mode 34 Zing DOWN 36 Acted badly?

1 Bar bill 38 Caravan beast 2 One -- kind 39 Emulate Lincoln 3 Villanova athlete 40 Donnybrook 4 Gaelic 42 Batter’s dry spell 5 “Blue” singer Rimes 45 Big wind 6 Loose news-paper ad 46 Notion 7 Gloomy 48 Decay 8 Have 50 Ram’s ma’am 9 Sci-fi visitor 51 Trio after Q 10 Column style

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!

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SEPTEMBER 2022 |

19

Casinos

He’s Got the Look ‘Idol’ finalist recalls The Purple One

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Singer, dancer and actor Bettis Richardson is Prince Again.

(Prince Again/Submitted)

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A singer, dancer and actor, Bettis Richardson is bringing his triple-threat talents to the stage as Prince Again, a tribute to The Purple One. The band comes to Casino Arizona Friday, September 30, and Saturday, October 1.

“I had been singing Prince songs in a few other cover bands,” he says. “I was told I looked like him or sounded like him, but I never paid attention. It was just another song.

“Then I had the opportunity to dig a little further into the catalog when Nick (McDonald, guitarist/manager) approached me. I had been asked like 20 times to be in a Prince tribute band, but I thought it would be gimmicky. This one just worked.”

Born in Glen Cove, New York, Richardson was raised in South Florida by a Puerto Rican mother and a Sicilian/African American father.

Early on, he became interested in singing and dancing, and went on to choreograph school productions, cheerleaders and dancers. He opened a cheer and dance studio at age 17.

Two years later, he was a finalist on the second season of “American Idol,” which he parlayed into a singing and acting career.

Since then, he has appeared on “Dancing with the Stars,” “Academy Awards,” “America’s Got Talent” and “The Muppets.” He made his Broadway debut in “Bring It On: The Musical.”

Now he’s bringing it onstage as Prince.

The set runs the gamut of his career.

“We touch on the majority of his hits and do a medley of deeper cuts,” Richardson says.

“We play a lot of fan favorites. We really go there with the vocal performances, and the music is tight. We do a lot of live renditions of our own, inspired by his live performances. Sometimes we go off a little. We try and surprise them a little bit. We want the fans to groove and remember and be nostalgic.”

McDonald, who previously worked with Meat Loaf, says he’s impressed with Richardson.

“He’s such a phenomenal performer,” he says.

“He hits the stage and he’s in it. He doesn’t give 100%, but 200%. The dance moves will knock your socks off alone.”

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Prince Again WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, September 30, and Saturday, October 1 WHERE: Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale COST: Tickets start at $10 INFO: 480-850-7777, casinoarizona.com www.LovinLife.com

Casino Calendar Britain’s Finest: Tribute to the Beatles

7:30 p.m. Friday, September 2, and Saturday, September 3, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $15, 480-850-7777, casinoarizona. com

Silhouette

8 p.m. Friday, September 2, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort. com

Michael Carbonaro

8 p.m. Friday, September 2, Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $55, 480-8507777, talkingstickresort.com

Release After Dark: Steve Aoki

5 p.m. Saturday, September 3, The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $40, 480-850-7777, talkingstickresort.com, releasevip.com

Chad Freeman & Redline

8 p.m. Saturday, September 3, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Shania Twin: Tribute to Shania Twain

8 p.m. Saturday, September 3, Conference Center, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, tickets start at $30, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Mariachi Vegas

8 p.m. Saturday, September 3, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $45, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila. com

Still Alright: An Intimate Evening of Stories and Songs with Kenny Loggins

Road, Tucson, tickets start at $60, 1-855765-7829, casinodelsol.com

lencia Road, Tucson, tickets start at $35, 1-855-765-7829, casinodelsol.com

Caifanes

Uncorked the Band

8 p.m. Friday, September 9, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, 15406 Maricopa Road, Maricopa, tickets start at $51.50, 480-8025000, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Quantum

8 p.m. Friday, September 9, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort. com

Staind

Superhero

Boyz II Men

8 p.m. Saturday, September 10, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-KoPa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Kansas

8 p.m. Saturday, September 10, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $49, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila. com

Little River Band

8 p.m. Saturday, September 10, Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $25, 480-8507777, talkingstickresort.com

Amy Bruni

8 p.m. Thursday, September 22, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, sold out, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com

Twisted Gypsy

7:30 p.m. Friday, September 23, and Saturday, September 24, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $10, 480-850-7777, casinoarizona. com

Tracy Morgan

8 p.m. Friday, September 23, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, 15406 Maricopa Road, Maricopa, tickets start at $31.50, 480-8025000, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Andrea & Gemini

8 p.m. Friday, September 23, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Radio Dayz

Christopher Cross

8 p.m. Friday, September 16, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Selena Super Show

7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 17, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $10, 480-850-7777, casinoarizona.com

Ron White

8 p.m. Saturday, September 17, Desert Diamond Sahuarita Diamond Center, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita, tickets start at $49.50, ddcaz.com

Alejandro Fernandez

Los Tigres Del Norte

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8 p.m. Tuesday, September 20, Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, tickets start at $40, 1-855-765-7829, casinodelsol.com

8 p.m. Friday, September 16, Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $35, 480-8507777, talkingstickresort.com

8 p.m. Friday, September 9, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $60, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com 8 p.m. Friday, September 9, Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia

8 p.m. Saturday, September 17, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-KoPa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

7 p.m. Saturday, September 17, Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Va-

8 p.m. Friday, September 23, Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $30, 480-8507777, talkingstickresort.com

Arizona Blacktop

8 p.m. Saturday, September 24, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-KoPa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Falynne Lewing

7 p.m. Saturday, September 24, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $30, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila. com

Joe Satriani

8 p.m. Saturday, September 24, Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $35, 480-8507777, talkingstickresort.com

LeAnn Rimes w/Walker County

7 p.m. Saturday, September 24, Cliff Castle Casino, 555 W. Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, tickets start at $50, ticketmaster.com

Prince Again: A Tribute to Prince 7:30 p.m. Friday, September 30, and Saturday, October 1, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $10, 480-850-7777, casinoarizona. com

Banda MS

8 p.m. Friday, September 30, Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, tickets start at $45, 1-855-765-7829, casinodelsol.com

Daughtry

8 p.m. Friday, September 30, Desert Diamond Sahuarita Diamond Center, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita, visit website for ticket information

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SEPTEMBER 2022 |

21

Travel

‘It’s Just Magic’ Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace focuses on guest experience

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI The Nobu brand is known primarily for its iconic seafood restaurants, but, within the past 10 years, it has brought its penchant for hospitality to hotels.

Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace, a boutique space within the Las Vegas resort, debuted in 1993. Last January, it unveiled 182 redesigned guest rooms and suites after a multimillion-dollar refresh. It boasts a residential feel with design inspiration from kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold epoxy.

“We changed out our carpet, mattresses, sofas, coffee tables,” says Martha Morales, general manager, Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace.

“We’ve had a lot of feedback from our guests in the Las Vegas market that they wanted a desk. So, we added a desk in the key rooms. In the rooms with the two queens, we added a nice wood table that would double as a desk and a dining area.”

Other highlights include a custom sofa in a dozen patch-worked upholsteries, from painterly style prints to muted textured graphics; a quartzite coffee table with a gold base and a cracked kintsugi effect; along with additional lighting.

The custom carpeting has eggplant

22

hues, as well as abstract and painterly style florals, inspired by 19th century Japanese artist Tsubaki Chinzan, overlaid with gold kintsugi veining.

“We’ve had a lot of great feedback,” she says. “It’s because (architecture and design firm) Rockwell Group had done a great job making it feel homey with all the designs.

“We have this beautiful coffee table that looks like broken pottery and put together. Our sofa is comprised of different patterns put together. Even though we don’t have the elaborate pieces or decorative pieces around the room, the furniture is the artwork.”

Additionally, the redesigned guest corridors feature a custom carpet with rippling forms, suggesting a pond of koi fish that cluster at each guest room door, and patterns inspired by suminagashi — the art of Japanese paper marbling. The new inset lobby carpet depicts monumental slabs of marble and agate surrounded by gold veining, with pops of gray, rust and blue.

Longtime success

The first Nobu restaurant opened in September 1994 as a partnership between chef Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Robert De Niro, restaurateur Drew Nieporent

Nobu Villa Master Bedroom. (Submitted) | SEPTEMBER 2022

Nobu Penthouse with Terrace. (Submitted)

and investor Meir Teper. Its signature dish is black cod with miso.

Three years later, London was the site of the first international Nobu restaurant.

Now Nobu boasts about 50 restaurants.

The brand has since expanded to Nobu Hospitality, built on service, image and reputation.

Since the 2013 opening of Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace, the company has opened hotels in Manila, Miami Beach, Malibu, Shoreditch (London), Ibiza, Palo Alto, Marbella, Los Cabos, Barcelona, Warsaw, Chicago and Portman Square (London).

Nobu Hotels are in development for Marrakech, Riyadh, Toronto, São Paulo, Atlanta, Tel Aviv, Hamburg, New Orleans, Atlantic City and Thailand.

“The brand became so popular that they started leasing and opening within hotels throughout the world,” she says.

“They (restaurants) were so popular within hotels that they thought they would open their own hotel. That’s how the brand and hotel were born. We thought, ‘Let’s give guests what they want.’ They like the experience. It’s very minimalistic. We don’t use tablecloths.

We’re about quality. Everything is high quality. Our team doesn’t even wear nametags. We are not the focus. Our guests are the focus.”

And guests have a wide-ranging experience at Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace.

They’re not limited to Nobu’s offerings.

“The reason why we have repeat guests

is because they’re able to have that boutique experience, but once they come down to the casino, they’re in the iconic Caesars Palace,” Morales says. “They have everything they want while they’re here on vacation or business.”

The pairing of the two landmark brands has made the property a success.

“You have two well-recognized, wellknown brands, you marry them and, seriously, it’s just magic,” she says.

“Our guests who come stay with us are Nobu lovers. They’ve been to many restaurants across the world. They come to experience the Nobu Hotel and the food. Nobu is very special, as you can go to any Nobu across the world and every Nobu is a different experience.”

The staple dishes are there — black cod with miso, squid pasta with light garlic sauce — but each location has special dishes utilizing local produce.

“They are inspired by the food around the area,” she says. “Las Vegas is known for doing things bigger and celebrity branded. When guests come to Vegas, they not only get to eat and try out and see the different dishes that Nobu has, but they also get to be at Caesars, which is world renowned. That speaks volumes.”

Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace 3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas 1-800-727-4923, caesars.com

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23

Hotel Indigo LA’s Downtown hotel captures city’s past

BY SCIANNA GARCIA Home to the most renowned tourist attractions and the biggest major-league sports teams is Downtown Los Angeles.

DTLA, as it’s known by locals, is comprised of many diverse neighborhoods, each with its own personality and community, featuring a number of local businesses and attractions.

From its historic theaters on Broadway to the famed murals, there are an endless number of attractions and places to discover when visiting DTLA.

Stay: Hotel Indigo

In the heart of Downtown LA is Hotel Indigo, a property designed to interpret the city’s vibrant history and attractions.

Hotel Indigo, one of the largest intercontinental hotel companies in the world, with close to 7,000 properties, strives to encapsulate the history of its neighborhood.

With 22,000 square feet of meeting space and 350 guest rooms, each room design offers a true-to-the-era art inspiration and timeless take on LA’s storied past, along with floor-to-ceiling windows offering cityscape views in every direction.

The luxurious, modern-style hotel is inspired by the story of Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American actress.

All the rooms draw inspiration from LA’s colorful and immersive history with vintage and modern design touches with full-wall murals to pay homage to Wong’s legacy.

Guests are welcomed by an elegant, expansive lobby that truly glamorizes Downtown LA with nods to the Jewelry District, Hollywood’s Golden Age, La Fiesta de las Flores (now known as the Rose Parade), and the underground speakeasies of the Prohibition era.

From the lobby level, guests are intrigued with the La Fiesta de la Flores theme, with flower murals decorating the walls paired with velvet drapes and other nods to the parade.

From the wheel-shaped chandeliers representing the carriages in the parade to the varying dark and light elevator designs, truly every aspect of the hotel is a tribute to Wong.

24

| SEPTEMBER 2022

Also set right at the lobby entrance is the double display of top hats, each holding numerous hats, only one being bright red.

As the story goes, Wong and her father attended La Fiesta de la Flores and, to avoid losing her father in the crowd, he wore a red top hat.

Hotel Indigo’s meeting spaces are outfitted with state-of-the-art technology, both indoor and outdoor event spaces, a dedicated event management team, onsite catering and internet service.

A popular space for weddings is the grand staircase located in one of the junior ballrooms, with its 40-foot ceiling.

“We had to pay homage to the Jewelry District, which is walking distance from the hotel,” says Peter Choi, Hotel Indigo representative.

“The diamond pendants are a representation of the district, about half a mile away. Everything was kind of intentional, like the chandeliers being champagne bubbles to represent the end of Prohibition, which was a celebration, and there’s a lot of fun stories like that throughout this space.”

Along with a state-of-the-art fitness center, the hotel’s pool deck located on the fourth floor is notable for its full refresh, featuring new furniture, a heated pool, bar service, and an incredible view of the surrounding Downtown LA buildings.

The lobby-level Metropolis Bar + Kitchen restaurant furthers the neighborhood’s story of 1920s secret tunnels and underground parties of the Prohibition era. The design splits its space into two by inserting seating and a passageway through concrete tunnels.

18 Social is the upscale speakeasy cocktail lounge set in the skyline, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass walls that reveal unparalleled panoramic views of Downtown LA. The bar was purposely placed on the 18th floor, a nod to the 18th amendment that banned alcohol.

From the lounge, guests have all around views of Downtown LA’s most popular venues, including the Los Angeles Convention Center, LA Live, the Crypto.com Arena and the Microsoft Theater.

HBO series “Westworld” and Apple TV’s

“The Morning Show” both used the 18 Social space to film some scenes as well.

Eat: Grand Central Market

Open since 1917, the Grand Central Market has served as an eatery attraction for food lovers of all types.

In the beginning, the open-air market offered bakery, deli, meat, fish, flower, candy and specialty item stalls. Today, the market’s 40 stalls are home to an LA exclusive blend of legacy vendors like China Cafe and Roast to Go, and success stories from the city’s buzzing food scene.

At more than 30,000 square feet of food stalls and retail space, the market also has interior and exterior sitting spaces provide a shared gathering place to meet friends, bring a date, or take the kids on a trip to Downtown LA. Most-stop food stalls include Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria, specializing in authentic, wood-fired Neapolitan-style piz-

zas, or The Donut Man, offering a variety of treats, including the infamous, fresh strawberry and peach doughnut.

Customers can find a food concept based entirely on eggs at Eggslut, fresh slices of pie and other pastries at Fat & Flour, or next-level peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at PBJ.LA. The oldest vendor, Roast to Go, which sells tacos, burritos and meats by the pound, opened in 1952. China Café offers dishes like chow mein, fried rice, chop suey and wonton soup. Another of the market’s longtime vendors, the Latin grocer Chiles Secos, has operated at the market since 1975 and offers homemade moles, dried beans, rice and specialty products.

The owner of Tacos Tumbras a Tomas, a vendor offering items such as tortas, tacos and burritos, started working at the

Hotel Indigo..continues on page 25 www.LovinLife.com

Each room design at Hotel Indigo offers a true-to-the-era art inspiration and timeless take on LA’s storied past. (Hotel Indigo/Submitted)

Hotel Indigo...continued from page 24 market in 1972. His stall, which opened in the ’90s, continues to be one of the most popular spots at the market.

Visit: Grammy Museum

Paying tribute to music’s rich cultural history, this museum explores and celebrates the enduring legacies of all forms of music, the creative process, the art and technology of the recording process, and the history of the Grammy Award.

Through public and educational programs, exhibits and more, guests will experience an insider perspective that only the Grammy Museum can deliver.

The museum, located at LA Live, features four floors of permanent and special exhibits celebrating the power and history of music incorporating film, sound and interactive experiences, and exhibits highlighting genres such as rock and roll, hip-hop, country, Latin, R&B and jazz. Collections include lyric notebooks, archival photos, costumes, authentic Grammy awards and musical instruments.

Shop: Fashion, Jewelry, Arts districts

The arts district is perhaps Downtown’s most popular neighborhood, with its creative restaurants, microbreweries, art spaces filled with vibrant murals, and creative shops and galleries. www.LovinLife.com

The district belongs in an industrial area of former warehouses and factories in DTLA that has been home to artist studios since the 1970s. There are several guided and audio tours available for the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District, including the LA Art Tours offering regularly scheduled Downtown LA Graffiti and Mural Tours, as well as travels through other LA art enclaves like The Brewery and the Santa Fe Art Colony.

The Fashion District in Downtown LA is spread across 100 blocks, with 150 vendors in wholesale trade shops and the Santee Alley offering bargain fashion and accessory apparel.

Shoppers also have their share of options for dining, as streets are lined with cafes and restaurants, from chains like Subway and El Pollo Loco to small businesses that can only be found in the streets of Downtown LA. Roughly spread across 12 blocks is the jewelry district, a hotspot featuring thousands of wholesale and retail jewelers, suppliers and manufacturers. It’s renowned for wholesale prices on precious gems, watches and all types of fine jewelry.

Consumers can take advantage of savings ranging from 50% to 70% by purchasing from the source and cutting out the middleman. According to the Los Angeles Convention Center and Visitors Bureau, it is the largest jewelry district in the United States.

The Inside Scoop Longmont, Colorado, launches Text-a-Local program

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Nestled 10 miles from the base of the Rocky Mountains, Longmont has long been considered one of Colorado’s bestkept secrets.

Guests who make the trek to the city 30 miles north of Denver are learning the ropes — thanks to its residents.

Visit Longmont unveiled the Text-a-Local initiative to connect travelers to local business and community leaders to learn about the hottest restaurants, friendliest trails, fun arts and entertainment options, and comfortable accommodations.

“The way people travel has changed drastically since COVID,” says Kimberlee McKee, board chair of Visit Longmont.

“Not only are people more inclined to choose off-the-beaten-path locales, take road trips, and travel closer to home, they also want to create experiences and get a real taste of a new place.”

Funded in part by a Colorado Tourism Office grant, Text-a-Local removes online reviews from the equation. McKee cites a recent survey published by Travel Daily, even though 67% of anxious travelers admit they wouldn’t travel without consulting online reviews, 46% report that they have been let down by misleading feedback left by a stranger.

Here’s how the Text-a-Local program works: • By texting the word “local” to 303-2765546, people will be connected to a Longmont local.

• The team of Longmont locals will then proactively respond with insights, recommendations and advice on a variety of questions related to things to do and experience in Longmont.

The Longmont locals taking part include business leaders, long-time residents, creatives, consultants and hotel partners.

“Longmont is the perfect blend of small-town charm and adventure,” McKee says. “We are only minutes from the mountains. We have world-class dining, countless breweries, bike and hiking trails that go on for miles, art galleries and great shopping. Who better to introduce everything our community has to offer than a local? We hope passionate travelers and destination seekers will take part in our Text-a-Local program and see that Colorado’s best-kept secret is just a text away.”

Longmont, Colorado visitlongmont.org SEPTEMBER 2022 |

25

Food & Drink What’s Cooking?

Ice cream churro cones

BY JAN D’ATRI Ice cream in any shape, flavor or form is always on my list of favorite summer treats.

And if you want to create a cone with a real Southwest twist, how about a homemade, handcrafted ice cream cone that tastes just like a Mexican churro and holds as much ice cream as the cone you are willing to create!

While homemade churros are pretty tough to tackle (churro dough is very dense and sticky), this cone is made with store-bought biscuit dough, making the process a whole lot easier. The dough is wrapped around a homemade paper mold. It is then baked, rolled in cinnamon and sugar, baked again and coated on the inside with dipping chocolate, which seals it, preventing a soggy cone. Load it up with scoops of your favorite ice cream

for a cool and festive way to celebrate summer, Southwest style!

Ice cream churro cones

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INGREDIENTS: • 1 16.3-ounce package biscuit dough (Grand’s or larger biscuits work best) • 1/4 cup flour • 1/2 cup granulated sugar • 2 teaspoons cinnamon • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted • 1 cup dipping chocolate or chocolate coating • 1 pint ice cream • Candy sprinkles Special Equipment: • 6 sheets of heavy stock paper or manila folders, 8 by 10 inches • Painter’s or regular tape • Aluminum foil • Pastry brush INSTRUCTIONS: Place oven rack in the bottom third of the oven, removing the rack above the one you will be using. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Take the sheet of paper and roll into a tight cone, securing the end with a piece of tape.

Trim the wide end of the cone straight across so it will stand upright on a baking sheet.

Wrap cone tightly with foil (on the inside,

too), completely covering the paper. Lightly spray with cooking oil and set aside. Repeat with remaining sheets of paper. Dust work surface with flour.

Using a rolling pin, roll out the biscuit dough to a 1/4-inch-thick piece of dough large enough to wrap around the cone mold.

Wet your fingertips with water and press and seal dough around mold. Place the cone, base side down, on a lightly greased baking sheet.

Bake for about 12 minutes or until cone is golden brown.

In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar. Remove the cones from the oven and brush the outside with melted butter. Sprinkle cones evenly with cinnamon sugar and return to the oven, baking for an additional 3 minutes.

Remove the cones from the oven and let cool. While the cones are cooling, melt chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals until spreadable. When the cone is cool enough to handle, remove it from the mold. Pour chocolate into the cone and coat all the way around, pouring out any excess.

Let the chocolate harden. Fill the cone with a scoop of your favorite ice cream and sprinkles.

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

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Columns

Hospice Is Hope

Celebrating 45 years of service

BY DEBBIE SHUMWAY

Hospice of the Valley Executive Director

Hospice of the Valley is proud to be celebrating a very special milestone this year. It was 45 years ago in the fall of 1977 when a group of volunteers founded our not-for-profit community hospice. We began with just a few patients, very few staff and virtually no funding. But our commitment to serve was strong.

We traveled from one end of the Valley to the other, serving families with volunteer doctors, nurses, social workers, nurse aides and chaplains providing compassionate care and kindness. In the early 1980s, Medicare created a hospice benefit, which gave us the opportunity to hire employees and begin serving more

patients and families in need. From the early days through today, our mission has always been about delivering exceptional care.

As our community grew, we recognized the care needs of those dealing with significant health challenges but not ready for hospice. We began creating innovative programs to support families earlier, helping them manage chronic illnesses like cancer and pulmonary and cardiac disease and providing homebased primary care for high-risk patients with advanced illness.

Just like our hospice care, all of these programs are supported by a skilled clin-

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| SEPTEMBER 2022

Hospice of the Valley began as a community-based nonprofit with administration offices in a church basement. By the mid-1980s, the agency was serving 500 families. (Hospice of the Valley/Submitted)

ical triage team that provides visit and phone support 24/7, even at night and on weekends. With community support, we recently opened a first-of-its-kind Dementia Care and Education Campus to enhance quality of life for individuals and their families living with all types and stages of dementia.

As a not-for-profit, we are honored to be a safety net for our community. Hospice of the Valley cared for more than 22,000 patients and families this last year and provided over $12 million in charity care. Each day, I see how our care teams dedicate themselves to our mission: “Bringing comfort, dignity and compassionate care to our community.” What an honor to be here celebrating a legacy of caring that has spanned 45 years.

We could not do any of it without the amazing generosity of our community — which helps us care for all who come to us, regardless of financial resources. Every volunteer makes

a lasting impact: providing companionship to patients and respite to caregivers, bringing a friendly therapy pet to brighten the day, making flower arrangements, paying tribute to veteran patients, and greeting customers at our four thrift stores. Their gifts are endless and so appreciated.

Together we are caring for our community. Thank you for your trust and for supporting us these many years. We are excited about the next 45 years and beyond!

Debbie Shumway is executive director for Hospice of the Valley. For more information, email info@hov.org or visit hov.org.

Today, Hospice of the Valley care teams provide specialized expertise in illnesses such as ALS, cancer, dementia, and heart and lung diseases. (Hospice of the Valley/Submitted) www.LovinLife.com

The Healthy Geezer

Don’t delay aneurysm treatment

BY FRED CICETTI are pretty scary Q Aneurysms things. Do they have any symptoms?

are artery bulges.

A Aneurysms And, yes, they are scary because,

if they burst, they are lethal. Many victims of a ruptured aneurysm die before they get to a hospital.

The type and location of the aneurysm will determine the symptoms.

Chest aortic aneurysms, which occur in the large blood vessel (aorta) that carries blood from the heart to other parts of the body, may cause shortness of breath, a raspy voice, backache or shoulder pain.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms may cause pain or tenderness below your stomach, make you less hungry or give you an upset stomach.

Cerebral aneurysms may produce headaches, pain in your neck and face, or trouble seeing and talking.

Ventricular aneurysms in the heart’s main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) may cause shortness of breath, chest pain or an irregular heartbeat.

Fortunately, aneurysms can be detected by a physical examination, X-ray, ultrasound, and modern imaging systems such as a CAT scan or an MRI. The size and location of the aneurysm determines the treatment method. For example, aneurysms in the upper chest are usually operated on immediately. Aneurysms in the lower chest and the area below your stomach are watched at first.

If they grow too large or cause symptoms, surgery may be required.

If you have an aortic aneurysm, your doctor may prescribe medicines before

surgery or instead of surgery. Medicines are used to lower blood pressure, relax blood vessels, and lower the risk that the aneurysm will rupture. Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers are the medicines most commonly used.

The standard treatment for aneurysm once it meets the indications for surgery is replacement of that weakened portion of the aorta with an artificial graft. In recent years, a treatment has been developed to repair an aneurysm using less-invasive surgery.

The following increase the risk of getting an aneurysm: being older than 60, plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis), high blood pressure, smoking, injuries or infections of the blood vessels, a congenital abnormality and inherited diseases.

Most aneurysms are caused by a breakdown in the proteins that provide the structural strength to the wall of the aorta. These proteins can gradually deteriorate with age. But inflammation that is associated with atherosclerosis can accelerate this process.

There are also naturally occurring enzymes that cause the breakdown of the proteins. An excess of these enzymes or other conditions that activate these enzymes may also contribute to the formation of an aneurysm or its sudden growth. In rare cases an aneurysm may be caused by infection.

The combination of early diagnosis with safer, simpler and ever more successful treatments can prevent needless deaths due to ruptured aneurysms. If you think you or one of your family members might have an aortic aneurysm, see a doctor without delay.

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29

Gadget Gossip

Check out these items

BY ANNIKA TOMLIN

Veggie Saver Setex

Eyewear ranges from the medical side to the functional and even the fashionable. Regardless of the reason, it is one of the most popular and fundamental accessories in certain people’s daily lives.

Keeping them in place with comfortable eyeglass nose pads by Setex makes being on the move much easier. Between running, kneeling, cooking, playing with the grandchildren or working out, individuals will not have to worry about eyewear slipping down the bridge of the nose.

The nose pads come in clear, black, blue and red. setexgrip.com Available on the website for $9.99 for five pairs

Familink

30

Familink is a modern digital photo frame that is easy to use. Anyone can send photos, add captions and text messages via the mobile app, website, email, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp without the use of Wi-Fi. This device allows the whole family to exchange photos without any setup or settings. The frame is automatically connected by a 4G SIM card that is included, and it instantly displays the photos sent by family and friends. There is no limit on the number of users. All you have to do is plug it in and enjoy the shared moments sent your way. familink.io Available on the website for $149.99 | SEPTEMBER 2022

Letting food go to waste is not an option for seniors living on a fixed income who face rising inflation costs. Enter the Veggie Saver, which keeps fruit and veggies fresh for two weeks or more. These scientifically proven, reusable bags are 100% natural, nontoxic, machine washable and compostable produce bags that help reduce waste, plastic pollution and the number of trips taken to the store.

Simply dampen the Veggie Saver, fill it with your produce and place inside the fridge. veggiesaver.com Available on Amazon for $24.99

StaySafe 5-in-1 Fire Extinguisher

A fire can happen anywhere. Having a fire extinguisher in every room of the house is the easiest way to avoid disaster. Now seniors can say bye-bye to heavy and bulky fire extinguishers and hello to small, lightweight portable ones. The 5-in-1 extinguisher is no bigger than a can of hairspray, super lightweight, easy to store and easy to use at home, in the car or enjoying the outdoors. This extinguisher puts out five different types of fires from electrical, cooking oil, textile, petrol/diesel and paper/card. Once fully used, the canister is recyclable. lifesafetechnologies.com Available on the website and Amazon for $29.99 www.LovinLife.com

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