85085 Magazine December 2018

DECEMBER 2018

LOCAL GIFT GUIDE ONE-STOP SHOPPING IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

DEER VALLEY AIRPORT DEVELOPMENTS

t c n i t s n I l a m i An Dr. Cheryl Rahal and The Pet Wellness Center keep fury friends happy

ECRWSSEDDM LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO.5377 DENVER, CO

SONORAN FOOTHILLS | NORTERRA | FIRESIDE | DEER VALLEY AIRPARK CAREFREE CROSSING | VALLEY VISTA | AMBER HILLS | NORTHGATEWAY | CAREFREE HIGHLANDS

DECEMBER 2018 | Volume 5 | Issue 4

Publisher Steve T. Strickbine steve@timespublications.com

features

20 22

Vice President Michael Hiatt mhiatt@timespublications.com

Nostalgia & Growth Deer Valley Airport gears up for an influx in corporate traffic

Executive Editor Niki D'Andrea ndandrea@timespublications.com

Local Gift Guide

Managing Editor Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Neighborhood shopping complexes make seasonal spending fun

Associate Editor Madison Rutherford Graphic Designer Shannon Mead Contributors Alison Bailin Batz, David Bowen, Christopher Elliott, Jadyn Fisher, Shannon Fisher, Leann Grunwald, Kenneth LaFave, Pilar Mackey, Jimmy Magahern, Shelley Sakala, Tara Storjohann, Gerald A. Williams, Lauren Wise Staff Writer Eric Newman Staff Photographers Kimberly Carrillo, Pablo Robles

16

fresh

business

food

News

Take Two

Recipe

8

24

36

News Briefs

Engineer turned life coach

Roasted turkey

Arts

Business Spotlight

Dining

10

Starlight Community Theater

12

Schools

Theater programs

14

Smart Consumer 5G launches

26

Uniik Pillows

28

Business Spotlight

The Pet Wellness Center

home 30

Family

16

Christmas Gift

Danielle and Nick Cicogna

Crafts

Close to Home

18

Perspective

Symbols and Celebrations

19

Events

Things to do in December

4

38

26

85085 | DECEMBER 2018

38

Avenue 27

better 40

Ask the Pharmacist

Lake Havasu City

Circulation

85085 Magazine sets high standards to ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable manner. This issue was printed on recycled fibers containing 10% post consumer waste, and with inks containing a blend of soy base. Our printer is a certified member of the Forestry Stewardship Council, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and additionally meets or exceeds all federal Resource Conservation Recovery Act standards

42

Style

Tiny Baubles

34 AZ Travel

Production Manager Courtney Oldham

Glamorous glowing skin

31

Four seasonal events

Marketing Director/ Social Media Manager Eric Twohey eric@85085magazine.com

Beauty

Holiday wines and Champagne

32 Holiday

Advertising sales@85085magazine.com (623) 299-4965

44

Medicare Part D

46

Brain Teasers Puzzles

85085 Magazine is published 12 times a year for full saturation distribution in Sonoran Foothills, Norterra, Fireside, Deer Valley Airpark, Dynamite Mountain Ranch, Carefree Crossing, Valley Vista, and Amber Hills. You can also pick up 85085 Magazine at many businesses including specialty shops, salons, spas, auto dealerships, libraries, children’s and women’s specialty shops, boutiques, restaurants, health clubs, hotels, medical offices, and many rack locations. Statements, opinions, and points of view express written consent by the writers and advertisers and are their own, and do not necessarily represent those of the publishers, editors, or 85085 Magazine staff. Although 85085 Magazine has made every effort to authenticate all claims and guarantee offers by advertisers in the magazine, we cannot assume liability for any products or services advertised herein. No part of 85085 Magazine can be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the express written consent of the publisher. Publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising matter at any time.

Postmaster: Please return all undeliverable copies to AIM, 1236 W. Southern Avenue, Ste 105, Tempe, AZ 85282.

Yearly subscriptions available; twelve issues mailed directly to your mailbox for $19.95 per year (within the U.S.). All rights reserved. ®2018 Affluent Publishing, LLC. Printed in the USA.

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Perpetual Time Warp

Flying on an airplane used to be a big deal. People who flew back in the 1960s describe how everybody wore business suits and dresses for the occasion, enjoyed gourmet meals from glamorous hostesses, and had ample foot room and comfortable seats, minus the winding lines and intensive security checks. The ‘50s and ‘60s are known as the “Golden Age” of plane travel. It’s a lost time.

Except at Deer Valley Airport. The facility, constructed in 1960, has been in a sort of perpetual time warp for decades. As writer Jimmy Magahern deNiki D'Andrea scribes in this month’s feature, Nostalgia and Growth Executive Editor (page 20), couples still show up in their Sunday best to ndandrea@timespublications.com brunch at the airport’s restaurant and watch planes take off from the observation deck. But some changes – for the better – are coming to Deer Valley Airport (DTA). There’s going to be new signage, an increase in corporate traffic and more. But those who love the old-time feel of the airport need not worry – the observation deck will remain.

DTA may be the most well-known of institutions and businesses in the 85085 area, but there’s a trio of notable shopping complexes, as well – perfect for the crowd- and travel-weary holiday shopper who would rather not drive all over town to check people off their Christmas lists. Get the skinny on the stores and holiday events each shopping mall offers in our Local Gift Guide (page 22).

The holidays are further feted throughout this issue, from a look at Starlight Community Theater’s production of the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life (page 10) and a business spotlight on a local company that makes Christmasthemed pillows (Rest Your Head, page 26) to a roundup of holidays events around 85085 (Merry and Bright, page 32) and a look at some of the finest wines and Champagnes of the season (Champ Champs, page 42).

We’ve got all your holiday needs handled – except for finding a way around the madness of travel at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. If you can fly charter, try Deer Valley Airport. It’s like flying home and going back in time all at once.

On the cover: Dr. Cheryl Rahal of The Pet Wellness Center. Photo by Pablo Robles.

85085magazine.com

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85085 | DECEMBER 2018

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NMLS# 322012 | Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender. Copyright © 2018 Pinnacle Bank, all rights reserved.

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7

NEWS

“Santa Saturdays” take place every Saturday afternoon through December 23 at Shops at Norterra. (Photo courtesy Shops at Norterra)

News Briefs Compiled by Niki D’Andrea

Shops at Norterra hosts “Santa Saturdays” through December 23

Shops at Norterra is hosting “Santa Saturdays” every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. through December 23. On these afternoons, families can bring their children to Shops at Norterra to take a free photo with Santa and get some gifts.

These events are sponsored by Shops at Norterra and Elevate Coffee Co. (where Santa will be located). Shops at Norterra is located at 2460 W. Happy Valley Road, just off the I-17. For more information, visit norterrashopping.com.

appointment on four homes with two-story floor plans ranging from 1,803 to 2,472 square feet. The single-family homes are priced from the high $200,000s and feature 3-4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and 2-car, rear-loaded garages. Two models are open for preview. For more information about Ashton Woods’ homes at Union Park at Norterra, call 480-568-4304.

Cachet Homes began offering pre-sales in late November. Their plan features three models and a selection of five one- and two-story floor plans ranging from 2,831 to 4,115 square feet. Priced from the low $500,000s, Cachet Homes’ houses at Union Park offer 3-5 bedrooms, 3.5-4.5 baths and 3-car garages.

David Weekley Homes will feature two models and seven one- and two-story floor plans ranging from 2,332 to 3,864 square feet. The David Weekley Homes collection includes 3-5 bedrooms, 2-4 baths and 2-3 car and 3-car tandem garages, starting in the $400,000s.

At the heart of Union Park at Norterra is The Post, the community’s 5,800-squarefoot, resort-style recreation center inspired by the designs of historical farmhouses. It features timber trusses and beams, decorative steel, barn doors, outdoor shutters and a covered porch.

For more information on Union Park at Norterra, visit unionparkatnorterra.com.

Union Park at Norterra nearing construction completion of Phase 1

Master-planned community Union Park at Norterra, located at the northwest corner of 19th Avenue and Happy Valley Road, is nearing completion of its first phase of construction, which includes seven new model homes by builders Ashton Woods, Cachet Homes and David Weekley Homes. The 400-acre community is slated to open in December.

Ashton Woods has begun pre-sales by

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85085 | DECEMBER 2018

North Phoenix's newest master-planned community is nearing completion of its first phase. (Photo by unionparkatnorterra.com)

THE MOST RECOGNIZED NAME IN

85085 Real Estate Alleged card skimming has been reported at the Circle K at Happy Valley Road and 19th Avenue (not pictured). (Photo by Xnatedawgx)

Card skimming devices reported at local gas pump

We’ve sold nearly 50 homes in 85085 this year.

IS YOURS NEXT?

There have been reports of alleged credit and debit card skimming at the Circle K gas pump at Happy Valley Road and 19th Avenue, according to a post on the Facebook page for 85085 neighborhoods (facebook.com/85085communities).

Card skimming involves thieves placing devices in gas pumps that read 16-digit credit and debit card numbers. They can then use that information to access the account and make purchases online. The Arizona Department of Weights and Measures recently reported that incidents of skimmers have doubled over the last year. Residents should review their card statements for unauthorized purchases.

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ARTS

Starlight, Star Bright Community theater group stages It’s a Wonderful Life

By Kenneth LaFave

T

he full name is Starlight Community Theater, though to its thousands of participants over the years – from actors and stagehands to audience members – it’s simply Starlight.

But it wouldn’t be inaccurate to call it “Starlight Family Theater.”

“The family makeup of Starlight is one of our strengths,” says Raquel L. Jarvill, president and board member of the North Valley volunteer theater group. Jarvill is usually busy working as a realtor for Arizona Realty, but she finds Starlight more than worthy of her time and energy.

“The company is comprised of a lot of families who audition for shows together. When our son, Michael, was auditioning, my husband would also audition and get cast and then be able to spend time with him. Our daughter got involved in the administrative side, and I serve on the board.”

Young Michael’s ambition to act and sing in Starlight’s production of Oliver! 10 years ago prompted the family’s involvement. Starlight was only three years old then, and just starting to tap into the hunger of theater fans in Anthem and the surrounding area for a live theater experience. Today a 22-year-old theology student, Michael is no longer in theater, but what he gained from performing for Starlight, his mother says, helps him in all his endeavors. Discipline, collaboration, reliability – these and other virtues are instilled in young theater amateurs.

“We do 11 shows and workshops every season. There’s something almost every month,” Jarvill says. Events include musicals, straight plays and educational opportunities for young actors. December brings It’s a Wonderful Life, a stage adaptation of the evergreen holiday movie starring James Stewart. Barbara Surloff, who is co-directing the show with Van Rockwell, sings the praises of community theater in general, community theater in the Valley, and Starlight in particular: “Wherever you are, check out your local community theater. When I first came here (to the Valley), there was only one theater.

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85085 | DECEMBER 2018

The cast of Starlight Community Theater’s It’s a Wonderful Life: (front row, left to right) Nick Clark, Rachel Morgan, Sariah Riddle, Audrey Clark, Faith Jasinski, (back row) Andrew Driggers and Mary Seals. (Photo by Renee Ashlock)

Now all these new ones have come up! There are adult theaters, kid theaters, and a combination, which is what Starlight is.”

Surloff means that Starlight does some all-youth shows, some shows with only adult casts and some hybrids – which is exactly what the family-centered story of It’s a Wonderful Life calls for. Like many people who work the artistic side of Starlight, Surloff was in theater pre-retirement, teaching the subject in school. Starlight enables her and others to continue their passion for the stage into retirement, in turn enriching young aspirants with their knowledge.

And the audience – which hails from all

over the North Valley and beyond – is an important part of the alchemy: “Directing is trying to balance puzzle pieces until it finally comes together. The final piece of the puzzle is the audience.”

The physical theater is located at 1611 W. Whispering Wind Drive in Phoenix, in the Happy Valley area. But, says Jarvill, “The pull for actors as well as audience is all over the place, from as far away as San Tan and Buckeye. It’s a great, growing community.

We’ve even had snowbirds schedule their visits around our shows.”

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit starlightcommunitytheater.com.

HIGH SCHOOL

Drama Welcome

The Sandra Day O’Connor High School theater group recently performed Little Shop of Horrors.

(Photos special to 85085)

Theater programs enrich the high school experience

By Jadyn Fisher

I

n the depths of the 200 performing arts building is a classroom painted completely black, but it's home to a variety of bright students and big personalities. This room full of spontaneity and life is the “black box,” and it doubles as the theater classroom for hundreds of students at Sandra Day O’Connor High School (OC). For schools in Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD) and beyond, theater is a large part of many students’ school life, during and outside of the 7-hour school day.

Amy Alley, a junior at O’Connor, has been in the program since the summer before her freshman year and recently played the lead role of Audrey in the school’s production of Little Shop of Horrors. “I’d done a few community theater shows, and loved theater,” Alley states.

“My issue was that I wanted a more local and family-like theater experience, and high school theater really provided that for me. I always knew I wanted to act on a stage when I was younger, and the opportunity to do so in a class at school seemed too good to pass up!”

Alley continues by saying, “Theater is

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85085 | DECEMBER 2018

and has been a positive creative outlet. It’s provided me with plenty of friends and opportunities I really couldn’t get outside of the arts… it’s diversified my friend groups, allowed me to be a part of something much bigger than myself, and been something to look forward to constantly” – which is a statement nearly anyone involved in these types of creative programs can vouch for. Theater allows a warm and welcoming ambiance for anyone who needs a place in the high school environment, which can be intimidating at times. Even if you haven’t acted before and can’t sing for the life of you, the students in the program raise each other up and help each other grow. The tech and stage production teams always appreciate extra help as well and are just as welcoming.

Although the program does not get much funding, all the students involved in shows and drama club make the best of what they do have and the relatively short time spans they are given to produce a finished product. In the school’s recent production of Little Shop

of Horrors, the effort of every student in the cast and on tech really shined through to the audience. “I want the public to know that our shows are good,” Alley says. “It’s funny to say that, but the stereotypical high school theater shows are really not what we put on. The effort put in our art really shows.”

Every scene was expertly crafted in the few short months they rehearsed. The energy of the actors and the fact they all had an immense passion toward what they were doing brought it all together and made the show incredible.

All in all, the theater program at OC offers a lot more than just an after-school hobby or fine arts credit for your transcript. It creates friendships and bonds stronger than most and gives students a purpose and reason to be excited to come to school every day. For more information on OC’s programs, visit the school website (dvusd.org/sdohs) and click “Get Involved,” then “The Arts,” or visit your home school/community theater for more specific information on programs near you.

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SMART CONSUMER

What Rollout?

As 5G launches, consumers couldn’t care less. But they should.

By Christopher Elliott

I

f you’re like most cell phone users, you probably aren’t paying attention to the slow rollout of 5G this year, including AT&T’s recent announcement that it would bring super fast mobile connection to 19 cities by early next year. But don’t worry, because your fellow wireless customers are ignoring the news, too. A new survey explains why: We couldn’t care less about the 5G launch because we’re deeply skeptical of the latest technology and maybe even a little angry with our wireless carriers.

New research commissioned by Repeater Store, a company that sells cellular boosters, concludes 5G demand is tepid, at best.

Among the startling findings of its research: Most consumers don’t know 5G is about to launch, aren’t keen on the new standard, and aren’t excited about it. The results align with other customer service surveys, which show wireless customers are often unhappy with their carriers. Taken together, they suggest cellular companies may have lost sight of their customers as they scramble to upgrade their unreliable technology.

“It’s still early days for the ecosystem around 5G,” says Sina Khanifar, Repeater

Store’s CEO. “I think consumers will only really get excited about the technology once they can see some of its benefits in action.”

In other words, 5G demand will pick up only after it proves itself.

Why customers couldn’t care less about the 5G launch

If you’re just tuning in, here’s what you need to know about this new technology. It’s called 5G because it’s the fifth generation of cellular services. It encompasses hundreds of different individual features, but the big picture update is this: 5G promises both significantly faster data connectivity and less lag time for phones and all kinds of connected devices.

Practically speaking, 5G could connect your phone at speeds that are between 25 percent and 50 percent better than LTE, with less latency and better connectivity.

That means it’s useful not just as a significant upgrade for your phone, but it also enables a whole host of new “Internet of Things” devices. It can allow communication between self-driving cars and replace your ISP as your home broadband provider.

And none of it matters because the current demand for 5G is weak.

“I’m a late adapter,” says David Pearlman, a retired travel agent from Fort Lauderdale.

“I use Republic Wireless, and while I have a smartphone, I don’t even have a data plan.

If I want data, I need to find someplace with WiFi. But for $15 per month, it’s well worth it.”

For people like Pearlman, the upcoming 5G launch is too much – and too expensive. “It would be nice if the providers could provide rural areas with consistent 4G service first,” says Marj Riniker, an administrative assistant from Madison, Wisconsin.

5G launch preview: What the survey said about your 5G apathy

5-what? A full 59 percent of those polled didn’t know that 5G is around the corner. TMobile subscribers seemed to have the most knowledge of their carrier’s 5G plans, according to the poll. “Consumers aren’t aware of 5G because carriers have yet to start widely advertising 5G service,” Khanifar explains.

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85085 | DECEMBER 2018

“Their networks simply aren’t ready yet. But as the 5G rollout accelerates, expect a broad push by all four major carriers touting the biggest or fastest 5G LTE network.”

No 5G demand. Respondents were mostly indifferent to the pending roll-out of 5G. Just over 38 percent of respondents said they weren’t excited about the new technology.

“For most people, 4G LTE probably just feels fast enough.

It’s hard to imagine today why a significantly faster network might be useful – and in many ways, the use cases for 5G simply aren’t there yet,” Khanifar says.

Hey, how about reliable 4G first? On the eve of the 5G launch, 20 percent of consumers reported coverage issues with regular 4G LTE signals at home or work. In other words, the 4G service was unreliable, as Riniker noted. “While 5G is a huge technology leap, it’s very difficult to deploy in suburban and rural areas,” Khanifar says.

“The higher millimeter wave 5G signals mean

that a tower needs to be installed every few blocks. A majority of the country is unlikely to see 5G anytime soon.”

5G launch anxiety: Why customers hate their cellular service

It would be no exaggeration to say Americans hate their cellular service.

The latest American Customer Satisfaction Index reveals the reason. The industry received a cumulative score of just 74 out of 100. TracFone had the top score, with a respectable 78, while Sprint trailed the group with a barelypassing grade of 70.

The industry’s overall scores have risen steadily from an abysmal 63 in 2005, but they are still pretty awful. And they suggest that the cellular industry is far more focused on profits than on providing its customers with reliable and affordable service.

“What is a 4G LTE anyway?” wonders Michael Miller, a consultant from Orlando.

“Who knows? It’s all marketing BS that doesn’t say anything about performance.

Our phones can do everything except feed the dog. Nothing new is needed.”

So, as 5G launches, here’s the big picture: Consumers are underserved by their cellular companies and their existing 4G networks.

There’s little 5G demand at the moment, and no one is excited about having to buy a new phone to take advantage of the faster technology.

The prospect of something new doesn’t excite them because it feels like more of the same nonsense. High prices, unreliable connections, indifferent service. Meanwhile, the proposed merger between Sprint and TMobile threatens to reduce the number of choices even more, meaning that practically speaking, some customers might be stuck with only one or two options.

5G holds a lot of promise for wireless users.

But without a focus on customers, we might as well all go back to using landlines.

Christopher Elliott’s latest book is “How To Be The World’s Smartest Traveler” (National Geographic). For help with any consumer problem, please visit http://www.elliott.org/help.

This article originally appeared in Forbes.

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15

CLOSE TO HOME

Three Times the Fun! Danielle and Nick Cicogna run a trio of businesses

By Shelley Sakala

Q

uestion: What happens when two kids from New York who never knew each other finally meet in a bank in Anthem?

Answer: They get married and start a dance company. And a dancewear store. And a coffee shop.

Meet Danielle and Nick Cicogna, a pair of New York transplants who each settled in the desert, met, and are in the middle of their happily ever after. They’re also the owners of three businesses in North Phoenix: Diamond Dance Works, one of the largest dance studios in the North Valley; Pearl Dancewear, home of high-quality dance apparel and accessories; and Crystal Coffee, serving premium coffee, tea and baked goods in a relaxed, casual setting. What makes these businesses so special is that they are true mom-and-pop stores owned and operated by a real mom and pop. And if you’re wondering how they manage three businesses all at once, it’s a combination of their seemingly tireless work ethic, their first-rate staff, and the fact that all three businesses are next to each other.

Diamond Dance Works

Diamond Dance Works offers ballet, acro, tap, jazz, lyrical, cheer, hip-hop, musical theatre, contemporary, plus adult tap and Mommy & Me classes for people ages 2-92.

Billed as “The elite dance studio of the North Valley,” Diamond Dance Works opened with a mission of ensuring each child gains exceptional dance training in a positive atmosphere. It’s a mission that has resonated with the public. The level of instruction is second to none, but even more impressive is how they consistently maintain a warm, friendly, family vibe. It’s a very safe and supportive community of students and staff, which is so important for kids working to develop a positive self-image. Megan, a mother of two dancing kiddos, shared what keeps her coming back to Diamond Dance Works: “My kids love it here. And as a parent, it’s a blessing to have a place where every kid gets to show off their ‘sparkle.’” Apparently, other parents feel

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85085 | DECEMBER 2018

Nick and Danielle Cicogna with their daughter. The couple is expecting their second child soon. (Photo courtesy Nick and Danielle Cicogna)

the same way: In less than three years of being open, Diamond Dance Works had grown to capacity. To accommodate their swelling enrollment, they added more dance rooms and a second waiting area for parents. The decision to expand was an easy one: On any given day, you could walk into their lobby and find every chair (and most of the floor space) taken by students and parents waiting for the next class to begin. With the additional dance rooms and the second lobby area, there’s room for everyone – for now. With 550 students and growing, it may not be long before “phase 3” is needed to handle all the growth in North Phoenix. I researched what makes Diamond Dance Works so popular and discovered that it starts with experience. Their instructors are held to very high standards, with many of them being former college athletes or holding a degree in dance. Danielle herself, in addition to having studied dance at ASU, spent years teaching private dance classes, coaching cheer and pom, and eventually running the entire performing arts program at Cactus High School. Being a “cheer mom” myself, I assure you there is no better preparation for a customer service-oriented business than dealing with demanding cheer moms.

Pearl Dancewear

Everything you need to start dancing today is here, including apparel and gear from Bloch, Danskin, Kandi Kouture, Sadie Jane, Covet Dance and more.

With a thriving dance studio occupying most of their time, why would Danielle and Nick even consider opening another business? The answer goes back to their commitment to their customers. “We kept seeing new families come in and sign up on the spot,” Nick says. “Their kids were ready to start dancing that same day but didn’t have the proper dance shoes or apparel. Parents would either have to drive all over town to get the right gear, or order something online, wait a few days and hope it fits.”

To fix this problem, Nick and Danielle opened Pearl Dancewear, a chic boutique of high-performance dance gear stocked with shoes, tights, leotards, hair ties, bows and more. They carry everything a student needs to start class the same day. To maintain consistent quality, every item is hand-selected

by Danielle. “These are the products I was already recommending to everyone,” she says.

“So now we carry them.”

And what about price? “We made a con-

Pearl Dancewear is one of three businesses owned by husband-and-wife team Nick and Danielle Cicogna. (Photo courtesy pearldancewear.com)

scious decision to price everything fairly. We realize customers can go online and buy almost anything at a discount. So, we make sure our pricing is competitive, even against Amazon and other dance stores,” Danielle says.

“One of the biggest selling points of online shopping has always been convenience. But if you’re ordering and returning shoes that don’t fit, it suddenly becomes much more convenient to get the right product in the right size and be done in five minutes.”

“It’s not often ‘the little guy’ can beat Amazon for convenience,” Danielle adds. “We’re just happy we can super-serve our customers and get the kids dancing right away.”

Crystal Coffee

Coffee, tea, espresso drinks, bagels, pastries, fresh fruit and snacks – and WiFi! OK, so the dance studio and dancewear boutique make perfect sense as a tandem business. But why coffee? We posed this question to Nick, and the answer was simply brilliant: “Every day, dozens of parents would sit in the waiting room at Diamond Dance Works during dance class. And every day, we would hear them say ‘It would be awesome if someone sold coffee here in the building.’ We realized they were absolutely right – coffee would be pretty awesome.”

So Nick did what any co-owner of a dance studio would do in this situation – he quit his corporate job and enrolled in barista school.

He’s now certified in the art of crafting highquality coffee drinks. And with that, the Cicognas opened Crystal Coffee. To nobody’s surprise, they run this shop the same way they run their other businesses: Everything is high-quality, everything is done the right way, and the staff is always customer-focused.

They feature locally roasted coffee and espres-

so, plus their amazing nitro cold brew coffee, which is brewed and kegged in-house and served fresh from the tap over ice with a little cinnamon. It can only be described as lifechanging.

Something special I noticed about Crystal Coffee is that they feature housemade seasonal flavorings like pumpkin spice and gingerbread. Yes, everyone sells flavored syrup, but Crystal Coffee literally makes the syrup in their shop, using real sugar and actual spices. If you think all pumpkin spice is created equal, just grab a bottle of commercial syrup and read the label. You’ll find at least three or four ingredients you can’t pronounce. Gross!

Danielle and Nick designed the shop as a perfect hub for anyone needing a quick break from the day’s schedule. A typical dance mom (or dad) can drop off the older kid at dance class and take the younger one here for a snack pack, yogurt or some chocolate milk. And even if you’re not part of the world of dance, you can break out the laptop and get some work done over a bagel and a latte. The WiFi is fast, the bathrooms are clean, and there’s plenty of tables, chairs and workspaces. As an added bonus that you might not appreciate until summer rolls around again, they have lots and lots of covered parking. In Arizona, that’s a game-changer!

When they’re not busy running their businesses, Danielle and Nick are usually home in Anthem chasing around their young daughter, who Nick tells me was dancing as soon as she was walking. “Thankfully,” Nick says, “She got her Mom’s dance genes. On a dance talent scale of 1 to 10, I’m a negative-five,” he says.

When I asked Danielle if this is true, she assured me Nick can hold his own on the dance floor, and even rose to the occasion at their wedding. Their first dance was Brad Paisley’s “Then,” a sweet country ballad about love growing even stronger. So how did Nick do? According to Danielle, he nailed it. Nearly seven years later, their love is growing, their businesses are growing, and even their family is growing. Danielle and Nick are expecting their second child any day now.

Shelley Sakala is a local realtor with The Sakala Group, and an 85085 resident.

diamonddanceworks.com pearldancewear.com crystalcoffeeaz.com

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PERSPECTIVE

Symbols and Celebrations Could a local government display a nativity scene?

By Judge Gerald A. Williams

C

an a local government lawfully display a nativity scene on government property during the Christmas season?

Does it matter if it is also part of an overall holiday display? What about the Constitutional requirement for separation between church and state? To find answers to these and many legal questions, a quick examination of history is a good place to start.

Christmas is a religious holiday designed to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but the origin of Christmas, or “Christ’s Mass,” is somewhat obscure. It became part of the liturgical calendar by tradition, and St. Francis of Assisi allegedly introduced the nativity scene as a symbolic representation of the birth of Jesus.

The First Amendment reads in part, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .” Over time, the U.S. Supreme Court has tended to focus more on the “establishment” clause than the “free exercise” clause. Of note: The Constitution does not contain the phrase that most people believe it does. The actual text says nothing about a “separation between church and state.” That phrase became law in 1947, in a case about the use of tax dollars to bus students to parochial schools, called Everson v.

Board of Education.

Many symbols and celebrations of Christmas have nothing to do with religious faith, but when pressed, most would likely concede that it is a religious holiday. In a different time and in a different context, our U.S. Supreme Court actually stated in 1892 that “this is a Christian nation.” (Church of the Holy Trinity v. U.S.) However, the law now is different and more complex.

In 1984, in Lynch v. Donnelly, the U.S. Supreme Court held that a city government could have a Christmas display in a park that included a nativity scene as part of an overall display that also included things like a Santa Claus house, reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh, candy-striped poles, a Christmas tree, carolers, cut-out figures representing characters like a clown, an elephant, and a teddy bear, hundreds of colored lights and a large banner

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that read “SEASON’S GREETINGS.” Other cases have held that a menorah can also be a part of an overall holiday display. So the short answer to the original question is a “yes,” but it is not clear whether anyone would like the display once all of the required components are present.

Five years later, in County of Allegheny v. ACLU, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a somewhat unhelpful opinion where justices agreed with each other on some issues but not others. It concerned a nativity scene on the grand staircase of a courthouse. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wrote that the Christmas display was harmful because it conveyed

a message to people who are not Christians “that they are not full members of the political community, and a corresponding message to Christians that they are favored members of the political community.”

My hope for you this Christmas and Hanukkah season is that your holiday is truly merry and that you don’t have to even come close to a courtroom, unless you happen to work in or near one.

Judge Gerald A. Williams is the Justice of the Peace for the North Valley Justice Court.

The court’s jurisdiction includes Anthem and Desert Hills.

Should there be three wise men in the nativity scene?

Although most know the language of the Christmas story in The Book of Luke better, the account in Matthew is the only Gospel that mentions wise men. In spite of a well known hymn, we don’t actually know whether there were three wise men or kings that traversed afar. We do know, however, that they brought three gifts consisting of gold, frankincense and myrrh. So does it matter that there is only one reference to these wise men in the Bible?

When I preside over jury trials, I instruct the jury that they “should not decide any issue merely by counting the number of witnesses who have testified on opposing sides. The testimony of one witness, which you believe, is sufficient to prove any fact.”

The belief that wise men went searching for Jesus Christ after his birth is generally accepted by everyone who owns a nativity scene. I do not recall anyone saying, “Hey, this wise men thing might not be true because it’s only in the book of Matthew.” Sometimes one witness statement is enough.

EVENTS

2018 DECEMBER Compiled by Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

1, 2 - Musical Theatre of Anthem stages The Giver, adapted by Eric Coble from the Newbery Award-winning book by Lois Lowry. Directed by Laura O’Meara, the cast is comprised of children and adults ages 12 and older.

Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite B100, Anthem, 623-336-6001, musicaltheatreofanthem.org/tickets, various times, $13-$19.

Select days in December, starting 1 Anthem Pets will be wrapping gifts to raise money for its animal welfare and programs at the Outlets at Anthem through the holiday season.

Outlets at Anthem, 4250 W. Anthem Way, Anthem, 623-465-9500, outletsanthem.com, anthempets.org, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. December 1 and December 2, December 8 and December 9, and December 15 to December 23, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

December 24, donations accepted.

1 - For breakfast with Santa, the jolly old fellow will nosh with the good little boys and girls at the Outlets at Anthem. The $5 tickets include breakfast, story time, kids’ activities, entertainment and goody bags. Proceeds benefit the Daisy Mountain Firefighters Charities.

Outlets at Anthem’s Food Court, 4250 W. Anthem Way, Anthem, 623-465-9500, outletsanthem.com, 8:30 to 10 a.m., $5.

3 - Join the North Valley Jewish Community Association as they celebrate Hanukkah with cocktails, a candle-lighting ceremony and a traditional buffet dinner. Reservations required.

Anthem Country Club’s Ironwood Grille, 2708 W. Anthem Club Drive, Anthem, 623-256-0658, 5 p.m., call for dinner prices.

4 - The Daisy Mountain Rock and Mineral Club meets the first Tuesday of each month. Its meetings feature a speaker and a raffle, as well as a show-and-tell of the members’ latest rock finds.

Visitors are encouraged to attend.

Anthem Civic Building, 3701 W. Anthem Way, Anthem, 978-460-1528, dmrmc.com, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., free.

8 - Indie pop duo 76th Street will perform outdoors as part of Java and Jammin’. Haley Gold

and Spencer Bryant bring a special holiday version of Java and Jammin’, a family-friendly event featuring live music and free coffee and treats for residents and guests.

Civic Building Terrace, 3701 W. Anthem Way, Anthem, onlineatanthem.com, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., free.

10 - Youth for Troops, Daisy Mountain Veterans and Packages from Home will be at Outlets at Anthem to pack care packages for deployed troops. This month’s needs include coffee/ teabags; cookie/cracker packets; drink mix singles; microwave popcorn; and ramen/mac and cheese singles. Visit outletsanthem.com for the complete list.

Outlets at Anthem’s Community Room, 4250 W. Anthem Way, Anthem, 623-4659500, outletsanthem.com, youthfortroops.org, youth4troops@gmail.com, 5:30 to 7 p.m., free.

14 - Cruisin’ with Santa Holiday Car Show returns to The Shops at Norterra with music, free food samples, prizes, giveaways and, of course, Santa and cars. Santa arrives at 6 p.m. in a holidayred Corvette.

The Shops at Norterra, 2460 W. Happy Valley Road, Phoenix, 623-582-9599, norterrashopping. com, 6 to 8 p.m., free.

20 - Musical Theatre of Anthem’s elite outreach group will perform its annual holiday concert filled with the sounds of the season, including classic carols and tunes.

Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite B100, Anthem, 623-336-6001, musicaltheatreofanthem.org, 7 p.m., $15.

24 - The Crossroads Church will hold candlelight services at 3:30, 4:45 and 6 p.m. There will be cocoa and cookies, photo booths and music in the commons area between services.

The Crossroads Church, 42105 N. 41st Drive, Phoenix, 623-466-7964, thecrossroads.church 24, 25 - St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Catholic Church celebrates Christmas Mass with its congregation.

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Catholic Church, 2825 W. Rose Canyon Circle, Anthem, 623-465-9740, stroseanthem.com, 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. December 24, and 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

December 25.

Happy Holidays from your Rayne Family

DECEMBER 2018 |

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Nostalgia and Growth Deer Valley Airport is gearing up for an influx in corporate jet traffic

By Jimmy Magahern Photos by Pablo Robles

I

t’s shortly after sunrise on any given Sunday when the regulars start filing into the Deer Valley Airport Restaurant for its breakfast buffet.

The oldest are first to arrive, grabbing the closest parking spaces in the airport’s single wide parking lot, itself a throwback to the golden age of air travel.

Old timers missing Sky Harbor’s Terminal 1 clearly find it here: The two-story, 20,800-square-foot Deer Valley Airport terminal, built in 1975 and not significantly remodeled since

Deer Valley Airport still offers a public observation deck on its rooftop, where families often venture after brunch in the restaurant below.

1998, still offers a public observation deck on its rooftop, where families often venture after brunch in the restaurant below.

On this particular Sunday, the first elderly couple arrives in their Sunday best attire, and the two snag a table by one of the Spanish Colonial arched windows, where diners have a clear view of the runway. Over scrambled eggs, hash browns and sausage patties, they watch the small planes take off and land and happily reminisce about vacation travel in simpler times, before TSA lines and crowded baggage carousels.

Ed Faron, the airport’s manager, is well aware of the facility’s nostalgic appeal. The son of a naval aviator who graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in aeronautics and aviation before working in various positions at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Faron understands why visitors go for the Wings-like small airport vibe at Deer Valley, a City of Phoenix-owned reliever airport for Sky Harbor’s non-commercial traffic which goes by the airport code DVT. “I just love being immersed in aviation, and you definitely find that here at Deer Valley,” Faron says, adding that it’s not just visitors but airplane owners, too, who

Ed Faron, general manager of Deer Valley Airport, is the son of a naval aviator who graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in aeronautics and aviation before working in various positions at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

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enjoy flying in and out of DVT. “We still get that generation of pilots who’ve been at Deer Valley since the 1970s.”

That’s partially why Deer Valley has been deliberately slow to make changes, even as it’s steadily evolved into the busiest general aviation airport in the country, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“It’s not as though we’ve ever done anything to change the airport drastically overnight,” Faron says. “When the city of Phoenix bought Deer Valley Airport in 1971, it was a fairly slow airport, and the growth has been extremely gradual over time.”

Nevertheless, DVT is about to undergo significant changes, and Faron has been bracing the community, through a series of newsletters, city council meetings and media interviews, for the increase in hangar construction set to begin in January and likely to continue throughout 2019.

Although the bulk of changes involve accommodating the influx of corporate aircraft resulting from the industrial real estate boom in the Deer Valley area (in the last three years, more than 2 million square feet of new industrial properties have been built around the airport, including projects like Desert Gateway, Cave Creek II and TTR Industrial Park), Faron doesn’t expect DVT to follow the path of Scottsdale Airport, which in 2017 demolished its 48-year-old terminal to make room for two 30,000-square-foot corporate hangars.

“I don’t think our business models look

like Scottsdale Airport’s,” he says. “They truly cater to the business traveler in the business jet type of aircraft they deal with, whereas at Deer Valley, I see us having the ability to cater to both the corporate traveler as well that smaller propeller-driven type of aircraft we’ve always seen, especially in the flight training.”

DVT’s two flight schools, Westwind and AeroGuard, are expected to stay put, along with Hot Air Expeditions’ balloon rides.

So what’s changing? Faron breaks down the main things to watch for:

New signage

The first stage in DVT’s upgrade happened by accident – literally.

“One of the signs at the entrance to the airport was damaged by a vehicle that went off the road,” Faron says. “So we saw that as an opportunity to create an entirely new sign designed with the modern styling.” The new marker, an aluminum and concrete structure bearing a DVT logo similar to the PHX signage used around Sky Harbor, is under construction now, along with some educational signage that will be installed on the observation deck.

“The educational signage will present visitors with an opportunity to learn about some of the things they see here,” Faron says. “One of the sign panels will contain a panoramic view of the airport with little call-outs about some of the sights. They’ll learn about runways, taxiways, even some information about the windsock – that orange thing out in the middle of the airport. We’ll have another sign panel that will educate visitors on some of the aircraft that they’ll see, along with some of the aircraft traffic patterns. It’ll be a wonderful opportunity to educate the visitors who come here to enjoy the sights and sounds of the airport.”

Deer Valley Aviation Park

Perhaps the most ambitious project in the works is the Deer Valley Aviation Park, a 5-acre complex planned for the southeast corner of the airport that will represent the first significant new building construction on airpark grounds in approximately 17 years.

“We don’t have a precise project schedule for it yet – that’ll be up to the developer to determine,” Faron says. “But I can tell you that the developer hopes to break ground shortly after the first of the year and they’re looking at probably a 9- to 12-month construction period.

Several improvements will be made to Deer Valley Airport over the coming year, including Deer Valley Aviation Park and a Cutter Aviation corporate hangar.

It will be primarily hangars – about 80,000 square feet of hangar space, subdivided into five individual hangars – and then each hangar will have its own attached office space, for use by the tenant. There is a shortage of hangar space for corporate aircraft regionally, so this will be a much-needed addition. It will be exclusively for corporate aircrafts, and I expect the vast majority of that will be jets.”

Cutter Aviation hangar

Since acquiring Atlantic Aviation’s facility in late 2015, Cutter Aviation has been the sole FBO, or fixed-base operator, at Deer Valley Airport. The term refers to any airstrip-adjacent business operation that provides fueling, hangar space, aircraft maintenance, taxiing and more to the aircraft owners – all the services a larger commercial airport provides but that come extra at a general aviation airport. The Phoenix-based Cutter, which also operates FBOs at airports in Albuquerque, Colorado Springs and El Paso in addition to Sky Harbor, plans to build its own corporate hangar structure adjacent to its current building at Deer Valley, which has been in operation since 1997.

“It’s expected to be large enough to house at least 12 corporate aircraft,” Faron says, although he doesn’t have any more details at present (Cutter representatives did not respond to requests for an update). In an interview last December with then-councilwoman (now interim Phoenix mayor) Thelda Williams, Faron mentioned that some California-based jet owners actually store their aircraft at Deer Valley because it’s cheaper than paying for FBO services locally. “Somehow financially, it makes more sense for the aircraft owners to base their aircraft here at Deer Valley and when it comes

time to fly, they will fly their flight crew out commercially, they will pick up the corporate aircraft, fly back to pick up the aircraft owner, and then fly off to their destination,” Faron said.

“And that is more financially feasible than actually basing their aircraft in California.”

Handling future growth

Thanks to the increase in private flyers and corporate jet travel in the North Valley, Deer Valley Airport is in the midst of the busiest era in its history.

“If we keep up the pace that we’ve kept up for the first 10 months of the year, it looks like we’re going to exceed 400,000 takeoffs and landings for calendar year 2018,” Faron says.

“That would make it a record year for us.”

To handle the increase in demand, DVT is already taking steps to accommodate the boost in traffic. “We’ve got a number of grantfunded projects scheduled within the next five years or so to ensure that the airfield itself can meet the demand that we’re seeing and expect to see into the future. So for example, we’ll be constructing a brand new taxiway in 2020. Beyond that, we’ll be reconstructing or reconfiguring a number of taxiway connectors throughout the airfield. We’ll be strengthening one of our runways to handle heavier aircraft, and we’ll also be strengthening one of our taxiways for the same reason.”

Faron calls the current state of the airport “extremely fast-paced,” but insists he’s still loving every minute of his job. “No two days are alike for me at the airport. There’s such a wide variety of things that need to be done here to handle not only the day-to-day operations but also the long-range planning. But I’ve always been an aviation person,” he adds, with a smile. “It’s in my blood.”

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Local Gift Guide Neighborhood shopping centers make seasonal spending fun

By Niki D’Andrea

T

here’s no shortage of ways to spend your time and money over the Christmas holidays. All the stores have sales, Black Friday door busters remain a cultural camp-out crunch, and now there’s also “Cyber Monday” for those who’d rather shop online. But while sitting in front of one’s computer might be more relaxing for residents of 85085, there’s a trio of one-stop shopping spots nearby that offers not only great deals on gifts but also some festivities to keep your holiday spirits high.

Shops at Norterra

With more than 35 retailers and a handful of holiday events, Shops at Norterra is a one-stop shopping adventure. In addition to the Cruisin’ with Santa Holiday Car Show on Friday, December 14 and Santa Saturdays

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every Saturday afternoon from Thanksgiving through Christmas, the shopping mall is festively decorated with symbols of the season. “Here at the center, we go all-out for the holidays,” says Mara Leahy, general manager for Shops at Norterra, adding that 85085 residents should check their mailboxes for the Shops’ direct mailer, which includes more than 25 coupons.

In addition to Harkins Norterra 14 Theatre, Anytime Fitness, CYCLEBAR Premium Indoor Cycling and more lifestyle services, Shops at Norterra is home to 12 apparel and accessories stores, including Claire’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Victoria’s Secret and locally owned Posh North Boutique. “Posh North Boutique is a great place to find a trendy gift, from ladies apparel to accessories,” Leahy says. “One of their trained boutique reps can help you pick out

the perfect piece to gift.”

Nine specialty stores including Bath & Body Works, Best Buy, and the new KC’s Burning Aromas provide even more shopping options. “One of our newest shops, KC’s Burning Aromas, is a wonderful place to buy a unique gift,” Leahy says. “The shop specializes in aromatherapy warmers, essential oils and aromatherapy diffusers. They hand-make over 150 different fragrance oils, so you’ll definitely be able to find a scent for everyone.”

This year, customers who spend more than $200 in a single day at Shops at Norterra will receive a free carload pass to visit the nearby attraction “Illumination: Symphony of Light,” Shops at Norterra are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday-Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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1. Santa’s Cottage will be open at Outlets at Anthem through Christmas Eve (Photo by Pablo Robles); 2. Happy Valley Towne Center will host Winter Wonderland on December 7 (Photo by Niki D'Andrea); 3. With more than 35 retailers, Shops at Norterra is a one-stop shopping adventure (Photo by Shops at Norterra); 4. The Cruisin’ with Santa Holiday Car Show rolls into Shops at Norterra on December 14 (Photo by Shops at Norterra); 5 & 6.

Outlets at Anthem boasts some of the biggest holiday décor in the Valley (Photos by Pablo Robles)

Sundays.2450 W. Happy Valley Road, Phoenix, 623-582-9599, norterrashopping.com.

Happy Valley Towne Center

Located across the street from Shops at Norterra, Happy Valley Towne Center also gets into the Christmas spirit. On Friday, December 7, the mall will host its first Winter Wonderland event from 5 to 7 p.m., when guests can enjoy music, games, crafts, mini train rides and snow, and get a free photo with Santa after he arrives on a festive fire truck.

Shopping options are abundant and include outposts of well-known chains like Barnes & Noble, Cost Plus World Market, Famous Footwear, Old Navy, Ross, TJ Maxx, Pier 1 Imports, Tilly’s, Game Stop and Walmart.

For those looking to buy gift certificates for services, there are also locations of Jacksons Car Wash, Men’s Lounge Barbershop, Fashion Nails & Spa, Herbal Nails & Spa, Elements Massage and more.

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Happy Valley Towne Center is open from 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, from 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays, and from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 2501 W. Happy Valley Road, Phoenix, 602-866-0900, shophvtc.com.

Outlets at Anthem

Outlets at Anthem has the distinction of possessing and displaying Arizona’s largest Christmas tree, a looming, 80-foot-tall fir tree. “That’s the beacon of Outlets at Anthem during the holidays,” says Christina Henning, general manager and marketing director for Outlets at Anthem. “We’ve had people use it for marriage proposals and for photos for their holiday cards.”

In addition to the arboreal attraction – which will see community groups singing carols in front of it throughout the season – Outlets at Anthem also invites guests to check out Santa’s Cottage through Christmas Eve. Photo packages start at $24.95, but there’s no

charge to visit Santa.

Then there’s the shopping. More than 60 factory and outlet stores can be found at Outlets at Anthem, including: Calvin Klein, Coach, Gap, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, J. Crew, Ralph Lauren, Under Armour, Michael Kors, Lane Bryant, and the newest addition – a Madaluxe Vault store that opened in November. “Everything’s outlet pricing, so everything is 30 to 70 percent less than you’d find in a shopping mall,” Henning explains. “Plus, there are often additional discounts.”

Henning says the environment at Outlets at Anthem helps to set it apart, as well. “Being an outdoor shopping mall is nice,” she says.

“People can enjoy the fresh air and the holiday music and decorations.”

Outlets at Anthem is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. 4250 W. Anthem Way, Phoenix, 623-465-9500, outletsanthem.com.

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TA K E T W O

Aspiring to Inspire

Former engineer Andres Orrego pens an unconventional self-help book

By Eric Newman

W

hen most people think of life coaches, they imagine successful figures who have achieved the pinnacle in business and personal goals, someone who spouts poi-

gnant platitudes in TED Talks, someone to admire and aspire to be like, someone who knows exactly what they want and how to get it.

North Phoenix resident Andres Orrego is not that someone. The self-proclaimed “fanatic” about self-help and psychology books rarely walks around without a Tony Robbins paperback in hand and frequently quotes Malcom Gladwell’s The Tipping Point. But to hear him talk about his own maiden voyage into the sea of self-help books – the self-published and verbosetitled Transforming coulda, shoulda, would into… I did, I created, I succeeded – it’s apparent the author, at just 25, is still searching for some answers himself. He’s a Millennial with a degree in engineering who is embarking on a very different career path, one more dependent on philosophy and charisma than technical know-how and mathematics.

Orrego was born to a single-mother who emigrated to the U.S. from C olombia ne a rly 30 years ago, and moved around the metropolitan area to avoid crime a nd e c onom ic h a r d s h i p. He says many of the people he went to high school with ended up in much worse situations, but his mother and a vast interest in sports kept him relatively on the straight-and-narrow.

Andres Orrego holds a copy of his selfpublished self-help book. (Photo by Eric Newman)

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He went to college in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and graduated with a bachelor’s in civil engineering. He began a career as an engineer in Colorado Springs shortly after, and launched a podcast titled “Accidentally on Purpose” that tackled everyday philosophical questions he believed twentysomethings strive to answer.

Last year, looking for warmer weather and a life change, Orrego packed his Ford sedan full of his possessions – while in Colorado he never bought furniture or a bed for his apartment, knowing he would not be there long – and moved in with a friend in North Phoenix.

He initially applied for engineering jobs to supplement income while pushing toward the founding of his publishing and entrepreneurial company, Cuervo Toro, as well as writing his book. But he never found the right position and has yet to work as an engineer in the near-year he’s been in Arizona. He has held a job at Fry’s grocery store for several months and is living off savings from his past engineering positions. He says he’s realized he does not have the same passion for engineering as he does for other business ventures.

Orrego hopes the early details of his journey – both good and bad – inspire others to begin to work toward their own goals, and to not be afraid of getting started.

After graduating college in 2016, Orrego said he felt lost in his current career and path through life, but felt at home between the pages of his favorite authors.

He knows he has a long way to go in his business career, and certainly is not at the same point in his career as those he loves to lean on, but wants people to join him on the journey.

He took to self-motivation books as a guide to how he could find his own purpose. When he decided to write his own, the readings made a difference in his life.

“I’ve read so many of these books and listened to these amazing authors, and a lot of times I think, ‘OK, I understand that

they’re successful now, when they’re able to tell me about it. But tell me about before you were a success, tell me about that process,’” he says. “Because, I think that’s where a lot of us are, is we’re in that process of getting to where we want to be. We know where we want to get, but we don’t even know where to start sometimes.”

His book, Transforming coulda, shoulda, woulda into…I did, I created, I succeeded, was self-published in August. In just the first month, he sold 13 copies, and he’s working toward a plan to gain more publicity.

Within its 116 pages, Orrego hopes to share the minutiae of his journey to economic success, with both lows and highs, as it happens, rather than a recollection of stories afterward.

“Something in my body told me that if I were doing something I didn’t love my whole life, I wouldn’t live at all,” he says. “So I wasn’t even upset or anything when it didn’t work out for me to get an engineering job here. I just said this confirms everything I’ve been thinking. It really made me feel like what I am going for is right for me.”

While living in Colorado Springs, Orrego would often venture a couple hours north to Denver, where former podcast

co-host and college roommate Christian Krauspe currently works as an engineer.

On free weekends, Krauspe often joined Orrego in tours of businesses around Denver, asking owners and managers about their own success stories and accumulating knowledge about starting a business for their podcast.

Krauspe says he and Orrego met in 2012 as sophomores at Marquette University, and Orrego immediately stood out as somebody that would stop at nothing to accomplish his goals.

“You could just tell how motivated he was.

He gets laser-focused on something, and really won’t think about anything else. It’s how he’s always been,” Krauspe says.

Orrego says authors of self-help books often forego recalling the toughest trials in their lives. He remains convinced, though, that brutal honesty is the best way to connect to a reader, and also to show a clear example of how the right attitude and focus can triumph over life’s challenges.

“There are some very heavy stories in this book for me in my experience. So, being able to be open about those and have somebody think that they have gone through something similar really makes me feel like I’m connect-

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ing with them. Even the most successful people in the world have gone through stuff, and I want to show how what I’ve done changed me,” he says.

As much as anything, his book seeks to capture this period in his life and professional career. He plans on writing his next titles down the road, welcoming readers to view his progression as it happens. Essentially, each book will chronicle a point in his personal and business life, letting time write the story as much as he does.

“I’m almost irrational with how much I just believe in what I’m doing,” he says. “That doesn’t mean I don’t have doubt, because there’s a lot of days that I do. But those are the days I make sure to push myself extra hard, read that next page or talk to another person to make the goal a reality.”

“Someone will ask you your plan and sometimes you don’t know the how and every little detail quite yet,” he adds, “but you don’t need to know. That’s not the point. If you knew exactly how everything was going to end up and why, there wouldn’t be a journey.”

Transforming coulda, shoulda, woulda into…I did, I created, I succeeded by Andres Orrego is available at lulu.com.

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SPOTLIGHT

Rest Your Head Uniik Pillows bring seasonal décor to homes

By Lauren Wise Photos courtesy Unik Pillows

D

uring the holiday season, home décor can always be counted upon to boost the seasonal cheer quotient. From minimal touches like wreaths and menorahs to giant Christmas trees and winter wonderland lights, everyone likes a splash of sparkle, color and texture. And local company Uniik Pillows offers a merry and bright place to rest your head while also elevating your holiday décor.

Founded by Yolinda and Carealee de Gouveia , a mother-daughter team originally from South Africa, Uniik Pillows boasts designs that are all about brightening up spaces and reflecting personality year-round. Inspiration includes elements like music, animals, quotes, travel, hot rods, flowers, children, even space – and custom orders are the norm. However, the Uniik business began with some Christmas designs in 2016, when Yolinda began selling throw pillow covers on Etsy.

“We love interior design, and it naturally came to us to create pillow covers and simply recover our existing pillows,” Yolinda explains. “Being artistic and not always finding what we had in our mind’s eye, we turned to creating designs.”

Their holiday inspiration ranges from vintage graphics to modern styles, pulling from

their personal holiday experiences, from snowflakes and holly to seasonal quotes and cozy patterns.

The 2018 holiday season brings three new designs and collections, like the simplistic yet striking red trucks with Christmas trees watercolor design, reminiscent of the years their family spent in New England, or the vintage Christmas graphics that incorporate beige, red and green hues, tying together the classic feel of flannel and pine. This subdued palette allows customers to mix and match different designs in complementary colors. A third new design this year was a blue and white theme.

“The blue and white theme reminds me of snowy winters and fun outdoor activities, from sledding to ice skating,” Yolinda says. “Veering off from the traditional reds and greens, I found these blue and white designs to be fun and cheerful!”

Since 2016, the business has morphed into a market niche for custom throw pillow covers, creating designs that customers usually can’t find anywhere else. Each pillow has hidden zippers so the covers can easily be swapped out, and their printing process permanently adheres the inks to the material,

Uniik Pillows’ holiday-themed items add a bright and merry vibe to homes.

The 2018 holiday season brings three new Uniik Pillows designs and collections, including Christmas trees with a watercolor design.

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The red trucks motif is a new seasonal design for 2018.

so all the covers are washable.

Pillows range from religious to non-religious designs, reflecting the joy in celebrating the holiday season. “The red Christmas trucks are a huge favorite with our customers, but my personal favorite is our ‘Meet me under the Mistletoe’ cover. It’s simplistic, yet conveys a little naughty and nice for the holidays,” Yolinda says.

Uniik Pillows recently opened its first retail office location near Deer Valley Road. While the holiday collection attracts flocks of new customers during the winter, the dozens of eye-catching covers – from designs spanning decades, artistry styles and funky interests – helps liven up Valley homes year-round.

Uniik Pillows

302 W. Melinda Lane, Suite 5, Phoenix 623-232-8844, uniikpillows.com

Yolinda de Gouveia, co-founder of Uniik Pillows, says the “Meet Me Under the Mistletoe” pillow cover is her personal favorite.

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SPOTLIGHT

Animal Instinct

Dr. Cheryl Rahal with Toby the cat. (Photos by

Pablo Robles)

The Pet Wellness Center focuses on preventive care

By Eric Newman

I

s Fido feeling less than friendly? Maybe Sparky is a little under the weather? The Pet Wellness Center is one of the North Valley’s best options for all veterinary needs and can perk up your pooch or fix your feline in no time.

Dr. Cheryl Rahal opened the practice in 2017 after working for a decade at Desert Hills Animal Clinic with her husband – also a vet – just three miles down the road. When the business started booming and the pair saw the incoming growth in the area, they decided expansion was necessary.

“We thought we’d grow the practice on this side of the mountain in the North Valley, because we saw that’s the way the area is growing. So many more houses, condos and all that,” she says.

Just like the Desert Hills clinic, The Pet Wellness Center specializes in maintaining health through regular check-ups, vaccines, pest prevention and more. The center also has an in-house pharmacy and lab to make the veterinarian experience easy and timely, and keeps a pet owner from having to travel to different facilities.

Pet Wellness Center offers other services to sick animals, too, including X-rays and diagnostic tests, as well as treatment options. “Our focus is on preventative wellness; after all, pre-

vention is the very best medicine! We know that sometimes in order to stay well, first you have to get well, that’s why we are also able to diagnose and treat your pet if they are feeling a bit under the weather,” according to the Pet Wellness Center’s website.

Rahal and the staff have plenty of experience working with all sorts of animals. She originally worked on horses before joining Desert Hills in 2007 with her husband. The technicians and other staff are equipped to handle different animals, too.

Rahal says the main patients are still typical household pets, mostly cats and dogs. “I actually see more cats here than we used to at Desert Hills, because they’re still in a small ranch home area, and over here it’s a lot more multi-family homes, so there’s more cats here. But we definitely work on much more than just that,” she says.

Part of Rahal’s goal as a veterinarian is to give her clients the best possible options for keeping pets healthy, even outside the office.

The Pet Wellness Center has a blog section where clients can research what type of diet best fits their Alaskan Malamute, or the benefits of microchips on lost furry friends, all in one easy spot with links and clear answers.

“When people come in, it seems like we answer the same sorts of questions over and over. And it’s there to let people have a re-

Dr. Cheryl Rahal (left) and Maria Gonzales (right) change bandages on a dog named Cinnamon, who is healing from a broken leg.

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source to educate themselves about the best way to care for animals,” Rahal says.“There’s so much information on the internet, so it’s nice to be able to go get the information from somebody you trust, rather than somebody you don’t really know.”.

The Pet Wellness Center is located at 2750 W. Dove Valley Parkway, Suite 150, in North Phoenix. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Pet Wellness Center at 623-594-7466 or visit petwellnessaz.com.

(Left to right) Pet Wellness Center staff members Stephanie Garcia, Dr. Cheryl Rahal and Maria Gonzales

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F A M I LY

New York City landmark, Radio City Music Hall in Rockefeller Center decorated with Christmas decorations in Midtown, Manhattan NYC. (Photo courtesy Felix Lipov)

Christmas Gift The value of taking joy in the simple things of life

By Pastor David Bowen, Standing Stones Community Church

Growing up on the East Coast, I had always heard about the sights and sounds of Christmas in New York City. For years I had wanted to see and experience that extravaganza and I guess I passed that dream down to my kids, as year after year we watched the lighting of the huge Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, a New York tradition since 1933. They asked me how one gets to go ice skating there. I wasn’t sure, but I promised I would find out. As a pastor, it is hard to get away for family time during the month of December, but last year we took a week and spent an early Christmas in New York City.

We did it all, starting with ice skating at night in Rockefeller Center. With the lights and giant decorations glaring, the Christmas music and ambiance, it was breathtaking. We did all we could do. We saw the Rockettes Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall, and the ending nativity scene was amazing. We walked along Fifth Avenue and oohed and aahed at the giant Christmas window displays. Macy’s had the theme of Charlie Brown and Christmas in their six

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huge windows. My kids’ favorite part of the trip was ice skating in Wollman Rink in Central Park. My wife enjoyed shopping for unique, handmade gifts at the Union Square Holiday Market. My favorite was sitting in Times Square, relaxing, taking in the sights and drinking hot chocolate.

This past summer, I asked my kids if they would like to go back to New York again this December. Each of them politely said no, that they preferred to stay home and enjoy Christmas at home. I agreed with them; it was fun to experience the sights and scenes, but our curiosity was fulfilled.

I thought this is a good lesson. How often do we seek to find joy in the simple things of life? Simplicity can bring a great deal of satisfaction. The holiday season can be so stressful with too many tasks to complete.

It is refreshing to say “Let’s stay home and enjoy each other and make things simple.”

I often hear parents say they just want their kids to be happy, which I understand, but what is happiness? Being “happy” seems to change with the newest upgrade or release, whereas joy brings quality to

one’s life. Joy wages against the stress of having to have it all. Joy dissolves restlessness and gloom.

As we head into the Christmas season, how much of the activities and expectations will cause annoyance and frustration? By teaching and modeling joy, the stress of having to do it all will dissolve into a more relaxed and enjoyable, simple season. I see far too many people who are driven by task, having to be places and get things done, versus being relational, and focusing on spending time with friends and family. Tasks or relationships? Stress or joy? Simplicity or chaos? What a wonderful gift to give. What a wonderful lesson to pass on to our children. Teach them to be satisfied with what we have and what we can do together.

This year we are going to enjoy a simple, stress-free Christmas season enjoying the blessings we have with the wonderful family and friends who we know will enjoy celebrating a season of joy with us.

CRAFTS

Tiny Baubles Make your own holiday ornaments with leftover items Story and photos by Shannon Fisher

I

t is holiday time again! It is our tradition to make new ornaments every year. Here are three quick and easy ones you can make, too.

Hot glue is a great way to make a melted snowman. Lay out some parchment paper, wax paper or foil. Spread some hot glue into a puddle shape. Now add pipe cleaner, paper or foam board for the nose. You can add beads or googly dots for the eyes and mouth.

You can also add details, like a mouth, with a Sharpie after the glue dries. Glue on a string or hook and you have a cute melted snowman ornament.

Old puzzle pieces can make a great snowflake! Take small puzzle pieces and hot-glue them together at the ends in a circular pattern. Once glued, you can paint them white or any color you want. If they are larger pieces, you can use a foam circle in the middle like we did. Add embellishments or glitter as well.

Glue on a string, and this was way too easy!

Another ornament from leftover items is a face from an old Mason jar lid. We had an extra so we made a reindeer. It could have been a person, elf, Santa, snowman or anything else you can think of. Start with a clean lid and paint the front your color of choice. We used brown. After the paint was dry, we hotglued on eyes and a nose. We added clothes pins for the antlers and added a tie to hang with on top. You could use pipe cleaner for the antlers as well. Add any extras you want or even a name and you are done!

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!

Old puzzle pieces make great snowflake ornaments.

Old Mason jar lids can be used to make ornaments.

This melted snowman was created with a hot glue gun.

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H O L I D AY

Merry and Bright Five holiday events in a neighborhood near you

By Niki D’Andrea

Cruisin’ with Santa Holiday Car Show

Santa’s main ride might be a sleigh, but we hear he drives some serious eye candy on the side. Peep the big red guy’s sweet wheels at The Shops at Norterra’s annual Cruisin’ with Santa Car Show. A seasonally themed car show kicks things off on Main Street, followed by Santa’s grand arrival at 6 p.m. in a holiday-red Corvette. Kids can then take free photos with Santa and make free crafts, and the whole family can dance to live music, get free holiday gift wrapping, receive giveaways from participating shops and partake in complimentary food samples from local restaurants. Admission is free. 5 to 8 p.m.

Friday, December 14 at The Shops at Norterra, 2450 W. Happy Valley Road, Phoenix, norterrashopping.com.

Ilumination: Symphony of Light

This annual drive-through outdoor holiday light show features more than 1.7 million lights and dubs itself the “World’s Largest

Christmas in Carefree takes place December 7 through December 9. (Photo courtesy Town of Carefree)

Holiday Drive-Thru Light Show.” Every festive symbol imaginable – snowmen, stars, candy canes, ornaments, snowflakes, Santa Claus, reindeer, elves, mistletoe, Christmas trees – blinks and flashes in a dazzling array of more than 16 million color variations.

This slow-cruise experience takes visitors

through tunnels of multi-colored lights, past elaborate sets with seasonal themes and scenes of peace, and into a bright and pulsing winter wonderland that’s choreographed to holiday music both classic and contemporary. Admission costs $29 per car.

6 p.m. nightly through January 5, 2019 at 27701 N. Black Canyon Highway, Phoenix, worldofillumination.com.

It’s Christmas!

The ProMusica Arizona Chorale and Orchestra presents this Christmas concert series, titled “A Musicological Journey through the 12 Days of Christmas,” and it’s chock-full of seasonal favorites with fun twists that the whole family can enjoy. A blend of traditional and whimsical makes the music program shine; selections include “And the Glory of the Lord” from Handel’s Messiah, movements from Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, a sprightly rendition of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and ever-popular sing-alongs. Tickets cost $12-$22. 4 p.m. Saturday, December 8, at Christ of the Cross Lutheran Church, 39808 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Anthem, pmaz.org.

ProMusica Arizona will perform It’s Christmas! on December 8. (Photo courtesy ProMusica Arizona)

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Holidays at Westin Kierland and Christmas at the Princess

OK, so these are two different resorts that

deck their halls very differently for the holidays, but they both offer an utterly dazzling and unforgettable holiday experience. Let’s start at Westin Kierland, where Santa will be rappelling down the side of a building! (Hey, if he can fit down chimneys, he can climb down a wall on a rope.) Kids can connect with the jolly old stuntman at Santa’s Studio and family photo station, and everybody can enjoy a holiday light show and groovy 3D holiday PaintScaping. Meanwhile, at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, there’s an ice skating rink, a humongous Christmas tree and “S’mores Land,” with a Christmas Carousel, Frosty’s Ferris Wheel, Polar Glide Ice Slide and a Build-a-Bear Pop Up Workshop.

Plus, there are more than four million Lagoon Lights, Christmas Express train rides, and “Santa’s Secret Headquarters.” Both resorts offer special seasonal room rates.

Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale, kierlandresort. com; Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale, princess.com.

Christmas in Carefree

Carefree Desert Gardens will be lit up with holiday displays for this annual fete, which features live music daily, an open-air holiday

Christmas at the Princess attractions include an ice skating rink. (Photo courtesy HMA Public Relations)

market filled with local and artisanal wares, and a Holiday Happenings area for families that includes bounce houses, activities for all ages and Santa’s Carefree Workshop. Celebrations begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 7, and continue throughout the weekend, with Breakfast with Santa in the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion at 9 a.m. Saturday, December 8,

followed by the Carefree Community Holiday Parade at 3 p.m. and a holiday fireworks display at 8:30 p.m. On Sunday, December 9, there will be a Holiday Pet Parade and Blessing, a Christmas Cookie Contest and more seasonal fun. Admission is free. Carefree Desert Gardens, 101 Easy Street, Carefree, christmasincarefree.com.

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A Z T R AV E L

Lake Havasu City has all the elements for fun Story and photos by Niki D’Andrea

L

ake Havasu City, aka “Arizona’s Playground,” is well-known for a few things.

Firstly, it’s home to London Bridge, relocated to the city piecemeal from England in 1968, reconstructed over the course of three years, and inaugurated in 1971.

The city also sits along a stretch of what we’ll call the Arizona Riviera, making it a boating mecca beach town in the middle of the cactus-dappled desert. Everything from car shows to music festivals regularly take place along the shores of Lake Havasu, and the city’s sprawling parks and hiking trails see plenty of action, especially October through April, when the weather turns balmy and breezy and sweltering summer temperatures start to subside.

Outdoor recreation is abundant, and few things are better after a hike on a hot day than a cold craft beer. Luckily, Lake Havasu City’s also known for its budding brewery scene.

Beer Town, AZ

The oldest brewery in town, Barley Brothers Restaurant & Brewery (barleybrothers.com), opened in 1997 and is located on the south

College Street Brewhouse & Pub is known for its sustainable, fruit-forward beers.

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London Bridge has been a draw for visitors to Lake Havasu City since it was inaugurated in 1971.

side of London Bridge. Their award-winning brews skew malty (sometimes you can smell the malts roasting when you walk in the restaurant) and aren’t available anywhere outside the brewery, so getting a growler or two to go is a good idea. Barley Brothers is especially known for its Tripleberry Wheat beer, made with cranberries, raspberries and blueberries; it’s smooth and fruity, but not overly sweet. The food menu boasts big burgers with interesting variations (one topped with Maine lobster, another with peanut butter and jalapeño jelly); pizzas and hefty, gooey calzones; sandwiches and pastas. Dining here often comes with a great view of the water under London Bridge.

The restaurant also overlooks a lovely waterfront garden with green foliage, stone fountains and a shaded ramada.

Mudshark Brewing Company (mudsharkbeer.com) is one of the best-known beer brands based in Lake Havasu City, with distribution throughout the Southwest and a Full Moon wheat beer that tastes like a more banana-forward Blue Moon. Mudshark’s Pumpkin Spice Ale – served with brown sugar around the rim of the glass in the restaurant – is hands down the best seasonal beer in town. Pizzas and pastas rock, too.

Some of the best brews and food in Ari-

zona, let alone in Lake Havasu City, are found at College Street Brewhouse & Pub (collegestreetbrewhouseandpub.com). Known for their Big Blue Van blueberry wheat beer, College Street also excels in stouts and IPAs. Food menu highlights include delectable, crab-stuffed avocados and the cheesiest, richest mac and cheese on earth.

The newest brewery in town is an outpost of Redlands, California-based Hangar 24 Craft

A decorative fountain greets visitors to the English Village near the London Bridge.

Brewery (hangar24brewery.com). Located in a converted airplane hangar at the Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport, Hangar 24 is so popular with locals that it requires a big overflow lot for additional parking. The long, communal-style tables facilitate socialization with strangers, and the blue biplane hanging from the ceiling adds to the aviation vibe.

Hangin’ Over Havasu

Lake Havasu City is a flight-fervent city, with a busy municipal airport and active aviation adventure businesses. The best way to see Lake Havasu City is from the air, and for people who have already flown over the city in a private plane, flying in a weight shiftcontrolled amphibious aircraft provides a new kind of kick and fresh perspective.

Hangin’ Over Havasu (hanginoverhavasu. com), located next to Hangar 24 at the airport, offers a truly unique adventure – a 30-minute or 60-minute flight lesson in an Airtime Aircraft Cygnet 3. The amphibious, ultralight trike fits one pilot and one student (children must weigh a minimum of 75 pounds) and takes passengers over such Lake Havasu City landmarks as the London Bridge and SARA (Special Activites and Recreation Area) Park,

Hangin’ Over Havasu gives flight lessons in this Airtime Aircraft Cygnet 3.

a 1,100-acre park packed with hiking trails.

There’s even a picnic table atop one of the summits, which Hangin’ Over Havasu owner and pilot Joe Lorenzen will fly over for a great photo op (yes, cameras are allowed, but must be secured in a lanyard).

Reaching elevations of anywhere from 500 to 2,000 feet, the amphibious aircraft glide with grace over the lake and above some of the mountain peaks. The cool air over the water gives way to a noticeably warmer wind once you fly over the desert. Through headsets in helmets, Joe communicates with his student and other pilots, schooling them in the basic aircraft functions and sometimes even letting them take the controls for a minute. He’ll sometimes also do a touch-and-go landing

Mudshark Brewing Company is a big part of the local culture in Lake Havasu City.

on the surface of the water for a split second and gliding swiftly across its surface.

Back on the ground, participants get a certificate commemorating their lesson, and a recommendation to take more lessons and eventually get certified to fly an Airtime Aircraft Cygnet 3 on their own.

London Bridge and Lakeside Fun

The London Bridge brims with boats, businesses, shops, restaurants and lodging. On the south side of the bridge is a bevy of restaurants, including Barley Bros., Shugrue’s and a great breakfast spot called Makai Café.

The bustling eatery serves superb omelets, rich biscuits and gravy and robust coffee. It’s a great starting point for a day of sightseeing and shopping in English Village on the other side of the bridge.

English Village is a fun tourist stop with a water fountain at its gated entrance, some retro red British telephone booths (sans phones; they’re for decoration and photo ops only), and everything from candle shops to clothing

boutiques. There are also a handful of floating cabanas on the water that are available to rent, and a few boat tour companies that can take passengers to places like Grass Island, Copper Canyon and on a tour of Lake Havasu’s lighthouses – fully functional miniature replicas of notable lighthouses from around the world. For more options and details, visit golakehavasu.com.

Where to Stay

The two lodgings closest to London Bridge and lakefront activities are London Bridge Resort (londonbridgeresort.com) and Heat Hotel (heathotel.com), but if you’re looking for a place that feels like home, Hidden Palms Resort (hiddenpalms.com) offers one-bedroom suites with queen- or king-size beds, full kitchens (with dishwashers), and laundry facilities, a barbecue and pool on site.

The resort’s not too far from London Bridge and the surrounding attractions (about a ten minute drive), but is far enough away for some relaxing quiet.

Lake Havasu City is known as a boating mecca.

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RECIPE

Family d e Approv

Mama J’s Southwest Kitchen Savory roasted turkey with vegetables

By Leann Grunwald Prep: 15 Minutes | Servings: 4 | Cook time: 40-45 minutes

Ingredients: - 1.5 pound turkey breast, bone out - 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt - Extra virgin high-quality olive oil as needed - 2 carrots, peeled and large diced - 1 bulb fennel, halved, cored and cut into thick strips - 1 yellow onion, peeled and large diced - 10 Brussels sprouts, stem removed and halved - 2 tablespoons thyme leaves - 3 tablespoons European butter, room temp (AJ’s Fine Foods) - Turkey stock as needed - 2 tablespoons chicken demi glacé - 1 lemon, halved

Directions:

Heat oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Put a large cast-iron skillet in the oven to heat.

Season turkey breast with kosher salt and set aside.

Toss all vegetables in extra-virgin olive oil, well coated and set aside.

Using a pestle and mortar, paste the thyme leaves until they are dark green in color. Add butter and mix. Smear the

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85085 | DECEMBER 2018

thyme butter all around the turkey breast.

Remove skillet from oven and put the vegetables on the bottom of the pan. Then, rest the turkey on top of the vegetables in the middle. Add lemon into pan.

Dilute chicken demi glacé and 2 cups of turkey stock on top of the stove in a sauce pan over medium heat. Baste turkey with this liquid every 20 minutes.

Roast 40-45 minutes until turkey reads an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part.

Remove from the oven and tent the pan with aluminum foil for 10 minutes to rest before serving.

Don’t miss out on the awesomeness below!

Mama J’s How-to:

loves, do not buy the grocery store products. I want your dish to turn out fabulous for you.

3. Demi glacé is rich and savory. It adds a delicious depth.

4. Cast-iron is best for all your cooking needs. It maintains the heat.

5. Pre-heating cast-iron in the oven prevents cold spots.

6. Pestle and mortar: It pastes, aromatizes and maximizes flavor. This will be your favorite tool. Buy this item at WilliamsSonoma or online.

7. Don’t put butter under the skin of the turkey. This separates the skin and prevents skin from getting crisp.

8. Temper proteins before cooking. Remove from refrigerator and let it sit on the counter for about 20 minutes. Cold proteins throw cooking times off. And the skin won’t brown well.

With simple techniques, everyone can make food with big flavor. Follow the “How-to” and watch beautiful food unfold.

1. When you open the oven to baste the turkey, go fast, because the oven temperature will drop. If you can manage the weight of the pan, it is best to remove the entire pan, close the oven door and then baste fast. Then get the turkey back into the oven Leann Grunwald is a children’s culinary quickly. This technique makes a difference instructor, food writer and the face behind in the end product. This is how chefs do it.

What’s Cooking with Mama G. Connect with 2. Buy the real turkey stock and chicken her at pinterest.com/whatscookin0022. demi glacé at Williams-Sonoma. Please,

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DECEMBER 2018 |

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DINING

Recipe for

Success

Barry Goldwater High School unveils new student-run restaurant

By Madison Rutherford

A

venue 27 is the North Valley’s newest buzz-worthy fine dining destination. However, you won’t find veteran chefs in the kitchen or master maître d’s in the dining area. The restaurant is run by students in the Culinary Arts program at Barry Goldwater High School.

The restaurant hosted its grand opening on Friday, November 9 for members of the community to meet the kitchen staff and try its culinary creations. Its modern lighting, minimal, monochromatic décor and open kitchen design made it easy to forget classrooms were close by.

Chad Schleicher, an employee at Sunset Ridge Elementary School, was pleasantly surprised by Avenue 27’s size and layout.

“It doesn’t feel like we’re at a high school,” he says. “(When I was) in high school… we didn’t have anything remotely close to this.

It’s nice for kids to get real-world experience.”

In addition to taking on real roles in the restaurant industry, students have the opportunity to shape the public’s perception of food. Avenue 27’s tagline, “Thoughtful Cuisine,” exemplifies the staff’s dedication to serving high-quality, carefully crafted dishes meant to inspire guests to cultivate a healthy relationship with what they’re eating.

“We love to see youth excited about learning how to cook because it’s really a lost art form,” says Christine Hicks, Community Dietician Supervisor for the Maricopa County Office of School Health and Wellness Initiatives. “I think a lot of us have lost that sense that food should be enjoyed.”

The menu at Avenue 27 includes artisanal desserts like Apple Pie Shooters. (Photos by Pablo Robles)

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85085 | DECEMBER 2018

Avenue 27 is helmed by teacher-chef Ryan Mattheis and propelled by the school’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, which provides students with a rigorous, hands-on course of study that helps them prepare for success in a specific career path.

The Culinary Arts program is a four-year curriculum that offers beginning classes on sanitation, knife skills and professional cooking techniques. As students progress, they learn how to craft more creative dishes and elaborate desserts. This year, third- and fourth-year Culinary Arts students have the opportunities to enroll in the restaurant management class that operates Avenue 27 and apply their skills through an internship in the industry.

Mattheis graduated from Goldwater in 2008, when the culinary program was just beginning to blossom. He has wanted to implement a restaurant into the curriculum since he started teaching there in 2012. “The program has been kind of reinvigorated the past two years to include work-based learning,” he says.

Though the students get stressed at times, Mattheis says their enthusiasm and commitment to learning is an inspiration. “They’re sponges; they’re ready to learn. One of the best parts of teaching is when you hear students say, ‘I came to school today because of you, because of this class,’” he says. “And these kids are running the kitchen, they’re talking, they’re really collaborating on an adult level, which is amazing to see.”

In fact, it’s hard to believe Avenue 27 is run by teenagers. According to the high school’s principal, Anita Sulc, students are solely in charge of everything from placing orders to preparation to packing up. The most miraculous part? “They put no thought into where their phone is because they’re so engaged,” she says.

The restaurant’s modern lighting, minimal, monochromatic décor and open kitchen design make it easy to forget classrooms are close by.

Mattheis says he rarely has phone problems in the kitchen. “If they do take out their phone, it’s because they want to snap a picture of their dish, not because they’re texting. It’s pretty amazing.”

Sulc says the program simultaneously helps students find their niche and venture out of their comfort zone. Mattheis nods emphatically when asked if he sees some future chefs in the program. “I would say the majority of the students are looking at this as some kind of career, whether it’s short-term or longterm,” he says.

One of those students is Avenue 27’s sous chef, Andrew Corral, 16, who is currently applying for scholarships to go to culinary school in California. His favorite part about cooking is the creativity that’s required to hone the craft.

“I’m not too good with baking. With baking, you can’t improvise. You have to follow a recipe. I like to improvise and throw in whatever I want,” says Corral, who is a junior.

Corral is in the kitchen every day after school for at least two hours and sometimes four or five hours on Thursdays and Fridays.

Head chef James Lacno, also 16, says he’s there every weekday until 5 p.m. In addition to the passion and precision he puts into his dishes, he believes it’s his organization, leadership skills – sometimes his kitchen staff calls him “Mom” – and strong work ethic that landed him the top spot. Though he’s achieved a head chef position well before his 18th birthday, he says he wants to pursue a completely different path when he graduates.

Lacno wants to become a medical surgeon, an ambition he says parallels his work in the kitchen – both require precision, focus and the ability to withstand pressure.

Avenue 27 is now open to the public and accepting reservations every Friday. Guests can expect elaborate, inventive cuisine like seared bistro steak with potato puree, charred Brussels sprouts, shishito peppers and spicy chipotle mole.

What else is on the menu? Community, commitment and pride. And a few surprises.

“I love seeing community members come in here and watch our students work… you come in here expecting to see a school, some people expect to see students going crazy and roughhousing,” Mattheis says.

“But they come here and they’re like, ‘Oh my goodness.’ This is a restaurant, students are working. They’re chefs and they’re professionals.”

Avenue 27 at Barry Goldwater High School Students and staff celebrated the grand opening of Avenue 27 on November 9.

2820 W. Rose Garden Lane, Phoenix To make a reservation, email avenue27@dvusd.org or call 623-455-3214.

DECEMBER 2018 |

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BEAUTY

Dermal Energy 10 steps to glamorous glowing skin for the holidays

By Kelly Collins

H

oliday party season is upon us and we want to look fabulous, but with all of the busyness of the season, we sometimes forget to take time for ourselves.

Lack of sleep and stress can leave us looking tired and run down. Don’t let that happen.

Reveal the most glowing and glamorous you by following a few easy steps.

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Nothing dulls our complexions more than dehydration. Carry a water bottle with you as you tackle holiday commitments and remind yourself to take sips throughout the day. Mix in cranberries and limes to add a holiday flair to your everyday water bottle.

2. Don’t have time to stay on top of hydration? Book a Myers Cocktail IV session for a quick blast of hydration along with immune-boosting antioxidants. A Myers Cocktail IV is a fast and easy way to boost energy while helping to fight off and prevent colds and flu. The IV is jam-packed with ingredients to help you radiate from within, including Vitamin C, Magnesium, Calcium, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B5 and Vitamin B-Complex.

3. Don’t slack on your at-home skincare routine. Be sure to follow a simple yet effective skin care regime at home.

Always use medicalgrade skin care products that deliver good clinical results. Most importantly, don’t skip your nighttime Papaya Enzyme Cleanser

by Revision Skincare is a quality nightly facial cleanser. [Photos special

to 85085]

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85085 | DECEMBER 2018

Refresh Exfoliating Detoxifying Scrub Mask by SkinBetter Science promotes smoother, even-toned skin.

routine. Never go to bed with a dirty face.

Wash off those environmental impurities and makeup every night before retreating to bed. Be sure to use a quality facial cleanser (no soap). A great choice is Papaya Enzyme Cleanser by Revision Skincare.

4. Be sure to take time to exfoliate. Exfoliating is an essential step in achieving glowing, holiday-ready skin. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and helps to reveal healthy skin. A favorite medical-grade product for at-home exfoliation is Refresh Exfoliating Detoxifying Scrub Mask by SkinBetter Science. This dual-functioning scrub mask promotes smoother, more even-toned skin while leaving skin feeling clean and refreshed. Exfoliate 1-3 times per week depending on your skin type.

5. Brighten dull skin by adding Vitamin C to your daily skin care routine. Be sure to select a high quality, stabilized form of Vitamin C. A good option is Revision Skincare Vitamin C Lotion 30%.

6. Address and correct hyperpigmentation by combining in-office IPL laser treatments with at-home pigment correcting serums. For best clinical results, book your IPL session early in the season and apply your serums at home twice daily. A good pigment-correcting serum is the all new Even Tone Correcting Serum Face by SkinBetter Science. Even Tone Correcting Serum is a groundbreaking non-hydroquinone, non-retinol, multi-action skin tone corrector that delivers dramatic reduction in the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

7. Treat yourself to a HydraFacial MD session. HydraFacial MD provides immediate visual results in as little as 30 minutes

with no discomfort and no down time. HydraFacial is a multi-step, award-winning procedure that detoxifies, rejuvenates and protects skin. During this procedure, skin is deep-cleansed, exfoliated, hydrated and vortex-fused with antioxidants and peptides for a complexion that glows.

8. Only have a few minutes to spare? Try a CooLifting treatment. Unlock skin’s radiance and luminosity in just five minutes with cryofacial technology from Europe.

CooLifting combines a controlled spray or carbon dioxide and a blend of hyaluronic acids along with botanicals to generate beau-

Even Tone Correcting Serum is a groundbreaking treatment for hyperpigmentation.

tiful, immediate results with no down time, no injections and no pain.

9. Schedule a SkinMedica medical-grade chemical peel. Chemical peels help reduce visible signs of aging including the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, brighten skin and improve color and clarity, enhance texture for smoother, softer skin, and minimize the appearance of age spots, acne and pore size. Allow 7-10 days of down time after a chemical peel.

10. Book a Skin Scrub Laser Facial. This cutting-edge treatment utilizes laser technology along with dermaplaning to safely and effectively reveal your best skin ever. The treatment starts out with a dermaplaning treatment to remove “peach fuzz” hair along with mechanically scraping away dead skin cells, and is followed by two different laser applications to address skin clarity, brightness, tone and texture.

Start today and give yourself the gift of the most glamorous and glowing skin this holiday season!

Dr. Kelly Collins, NMD, is the owner and medical director of Premier Wellness Center in Anthem. For more information, or to book a consultation or treatments, visit premierwellnessaz.com.

Revision Skincare Vitamin C Lotion 30% can help brighten dull skin.

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BODY

Champ Champs

Raise a glass to these sensational sparklers

By Alison Bailin Batz Photos special to North Valley

I

s there a better way to ring in the New Year (or send this one out in style) than with a glass of bubbly? We think not! Here are some for every taste – and price point – worthy of celebration.

Dark Horse Brut

A bold option and perfect for those buying in bulk to stock up for holidays, this JVS_demi sec_750_071817

brut has definite notes of oak one would expect from a sparkling wine made from 92 percent chardonnay grapes. But they are layered masterfully with pear and apple f lavors that dance on the tongue. $12.99

Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut

It may be called a “brut,” but this smoking hot deal is actually quite delicate with balanced acidity. Hiding in the bubbles are aromas of green apple and citrus, making it perfect for holiday brunch with friends.

And don’t let the price fool you – it earned 90 points from Wine & Spirits. $13

14 Hands Columbia Valley Brut Rosé

This bright, coral-colored sparkling rosé has aromas of tart cherries and strawberry rhubarb pie. Notes of green papaya and young red fruit mesh with fluffy tannins and creamy texture, leading to a refreshing finish of mixed berries on the palate. $15

La Marca Luminore Prosecco Superiore

This limited-edition Prosecco Superiore was crafted to commemorate the award-winning La Marca’s 50th anniversary. It sparkles with a pale, golden straw hue and smells of white flowers and stone-fruits. There are subtle hints of fresh citrus, pear and nectarine upon taste, with a touch of sweetness at the end. $20.99

Balletto Vineyards Brut Rosé

Full-flavored with a delightful crispness, this sparkling rosé has a gorgeous peach color and surprising notes of cherry and strawberry. It is made using mostly pinot noir grapes, which are really elevated by the fizz, and somehow has a zest and tartness in its finish. $42

J Vineyards Demi-Sec NV

This new, sweet addition to J Vineyards’

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nv sparklers balletto

lauded sparkling wine portfolio opens with opulent aromas of peach blossom, jasmine and macadamia nut. It then explodes with flavors of honey-poached pear, orange and ripe golden raspberry. $45

Amista Vineyards Sparkling Syrah

This wine is a crystal clear cranberry color with pink bubbles. The aromas are full of bruleéd strawberries, lemon zest and nutty roasted almonds. The palate explodes with ripe raspberry and orange blossom flavors. $45

VML Winery Blanc de Noir, White Label

This stunner opens with aromas of nectarine and brioche (yes, brioche!). The flavor is surprising, delicately offering up apricot, Meyer lemons, raspberry and then…pie crust! The effect of it on all the senses will stay with you, and likely tempt you into popping a cork on bottle two. $50

Iron Horse Ocean Reserve Blanc de Blancs

Iron Horse is known for its sparkling wines as well as for partnering with nonprofits to give back through its bottles. This one, which donates $4 per bottle to National Geographic’s Ocean Initiative, will turn heads and warm hearts. Aside from it doing good, it tastes great, bursting with lime, tangerine and orange. $54

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H E A LT H

Ask the Pharmacist Breaking down Medicare Part D

By Tara Storjohann and Pilar Mackey

W

e are currently in the Medicare enrollment gap, so you have until December 7 to find a new plan that meets your needs. Continue reading to find out what to look for in a plan and learn more about the different drug prices you may see over the year.

What is Medicare Part D?

Medicare Part A and B help cover your hospital and medical needs. They do not cover any prescription medications. You can get coverage for your prescription medications through either a part C plan (which is bundled with your part A and B) or as a standalone part D plan. These Part D plans are offered from private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare.

What can I expect to pay for these medications?

Every plan differs with its payment structure and it is best to check with the plan for specific costs. Most plans will have a monthly premium on top of drug costs. Refer to table for common terms you may hear regarding your part D coverage.

What happens if I have to endure a coverage gap?

Not everyone will enter the coverage gap, but if you do, there may be some additional assistance available from drug makers or the drug plan to help make it more affordable. If your income is less than a certain amount, you may also qualify for additional help. You can also talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if there are lower-cost alternatives to the medications you are taking.

(Left) Pilar Mackey, (right) Tara Storjohann

hair growth, and certain vaccines (these require billing though your part B plan).

When do I have to decide what plan is best for me?

Every year, there is an open enrollment plan from October 15-December 7. During this time, you are able to select a new Medicare Part D plan without incurring a penalty or additional fees.

What are additional resources to help decide what plan is best for me?

Medicare.gov has an excellent tool that allows you to put in what medications you are on and which pharmacies you prefer to

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Tara Storjohann, Pharm.D, BCGP, FASCP, is associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Midwestern University College of Pharmacy – Glendale.

Pilar Mackey is a first-year community resident for Walgreens and Midwestern University.

She graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit with her Doctorate of Pharmacy in 2017.

Deductible phase Most plans have a deductible, or an initial amount that you as the patient are required to pay before the health plan will start helping to pay for your medication. This can range from $0-$450 depending on the plan you choose.

Initial coverage phase

What drugs will not be covered?

Each plan has different rules on which medications it will cover. It is best to check with each plan to see if they will cover your medications. There are certain medications that will not be covered through any Part D plan. These include medications that only cover cough, any over-the-counter medications, drugs to treat erectile dysfunction or

fill them. They will then show you what your monthly costs and initial deductible will be.

It will also tell you if any of your medications will require your doctor to fill out additional paperwork (called a prior authorization) in order for the plan to pay for the medication.

You can also call them at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for assistance.

Coverage gap/donut hole

Catastrophic coverage

Once you have reached that deductible, your plan will start helping you pay for your medications. You may still be responsible for a small portion of your medications; this is called a co-pay. Each plan will require you to pay a different amount, and it will also depend on if you are getting a brand name or a generic medication.

Some patients may reach the donut hole. This will occur if you and your plan pay a combined $3,700 towards medications. If you reach this phase, you will be responsible for paying a higher percentage of the medication cost until you get out of the donut hole.

Some patients may reach catastrophic coverage. This occurs when the patient has spent $5,000 towards medications. At this point, your plan will start paying for the medications again and you may be responsible for a small amount.

A TABLE FOR TWO? Phind it

BRAINTEASERS

Difficulty This Week:

H

H Moderate HH Challenging HHH HOO BOY! 46

85085 | DECEMBER 2018

DOWN 1 “NCIS” airer 2 Jungfrau, for one 3 High school

science course 4 -- -European 5 Family girl 6 Straw hat 7 Lasso 8 Discoverer’s cry

9 Scent 10 Started 11 Big canyon 17 Maneuvering room 19 Sailor’s “Halt!”

21 Cyber-address 22 Air safety org.

24 Mid-May honoree 26 Soap opera, e.g.

28 Harder to find 30 Deteriorate 32 Fauna study 33 Bobby of hockey 34 Trawler need 36 Followed orders 38 Not just chubby 39 Ice cubes, slangily 40 Swell 42 Snug 45 Census data 46 Winged 48 Fly-by-night?

50 Clear the tables 51 Collection

Answers:

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

ACROSS 1 Woodsy home 6 Buddy 9 Lawyers’ org.

12 Russian pancakes 13 “-- -la-la!”

14 CSA soldier 15 Big name in porcelain 16 Expression of regret 18 Find 20 Flightless flock 21 E.T.’s transport 23 Previous night 24 Wherewithal 25 Tatters 27 Robin Hood’s missile 29 Tiers 31 Big river 35 Helicopter part 37 Bygone times 38 Go around the world?

41 Wager 43 Table scrap 44 Gaucho’s weapon 45 Antenna 47 Green field?

49 Amorphous masses 52 Reggae-like music 53 Tiny 54 Dutch city, with “The” 55 NYC hrs.

56 “Acid” 57 Secret rendezvous

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Thinking of buying or selling?

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CONTACT US TODAY TO DISCUSS YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS

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