Gilbert Woman - November 2016

GILBERT WOMAN

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november 18

FEATURES

GOURMET DELIGHT

Traditional kitchens, especially those with Mediterranean flair, never go out of style. If you’re looking for makeover inspiration, take a tour of Chris and Ray McKiernan’s Gilbert kitchen, where classic luxury, cooking and hospitality are the orders of the day.

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By Mike Butler

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RODEO QUEENS KICK UP THEIR BOOTS FOR KINDNESS AT GILBERT DAYS

When Karen Coleman was crowned the first Gilbert Days Rodeo Queen in 1978, the town had all of 4,000 people. Kids could ride their horses in open fields all day. This year’s Queen, Jaime Stack, is crusading to preserve that smalltown spirit.

By Srianthi Perera

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‘PEOPLE JUST NEED TO GET OUT OF THEIR OWN WAY’

From her brain research, Gilbert hypnotherapist Dr. Amy Rosner concludes that 75% of thoughts are negative. Our brains tend to focus on what needs work, and don’t spend time on what is working, on positive thoughts. She says the solution is easy.

By Shelley Gillespie

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22 COVER PHOTO BY Cheryl Haselhorst, Gilbert Woman Staff Photographer 4

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

CONNECT

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TWEET

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KEEPING GILBERT CONNECTED

DDS • LVIF • BSC • PC

Cosmetic and Neuromuscular Dentist

G

JOHN A. GARZA DDS, LVIF, BSC, PC

Voted #1 Dentist in Gilbert

ilbert cosmetic dentist, Dr. John Garza is a dental pioneer who has introduced the latest techniques, and best materials to his patients. As an instructor for Cerec technology and creator of the “Crane” a dental crown removal tool, Dr. Garza has become one of the most recognized cosmetic dentists in the valley, and as a cosmetic dentist with more than 23 years of serving friends, neighbors, and celebrities, he has become a household name in the community.

Born in Hayward, CA. Dr. Garza grew up in the Bay area near San Francisco. He has never stopped in his pursuit of dental excellence. After completing his undergraduate education at The University of Oklahoma in Norman receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1990, he pursued dental training at the University of Oklahoma in OKC, where he received his DDS in 1994. He is a dentist who believes you should never stop learning, and since receiving his DDS he has added thousands of hours of continuing education to his knowledge base. Along with traditional dental concepts, Dr. Garza has always sought to push the boundaries of dental excellence by emphasizing cosmetic dentistry, complex dental reconstruction, and the treatment of head, neck, and facial pain. In recognition of his tireless pursuit of dental knowledge, Dr. Garza received his fellowship from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced dental studies in June of 2015. The LVIF designation is given for work specifically in dental and facial cosmetics, and neuromuscular dentistry. This includes TMJ, Bruxism, Migraines, and Jaw pain.

Although Dr. Garza is committed to integrating the most advanced technology into his practice, he never forgets that technology is only a tool and is never a substitute for the personal attention and relationship every patient deserves.

Additionally, Dr Garza believes in giving back to our Gilbert community. Four times a year, he provides free care to the under privileged and under insured.

In his free time, John enjoys scuba diving. He earned his PADI Master Instructor recently and enjoys teaching others how to scuba dive. He is an ambassador to the ocean respecting the ecosystem.

754 South Val Vista Drive, Suite 106 • Gilbert, AZ 85296 480.539.7979 • info@johnagarzadds.com

WWW.JOHNAGARZADDS.COM

november

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DEPARTMENTS

8 UPFRONT

CYBER SISTERHOOD It started as four friends having coffee and discussing “sandwich generation” issues.

BecauseWomenCare.com is now a popular and fast-growing cybercafe helping women over 50 who care for parents, partners and kids.

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12 REJUVENATE, RESET, REPEAT AT FLOAT SPA 14 TRENDING THREADS: IT’S JACKET TIME! 15 HAUTE ITEMS: THANKSGIVING TABLESCAPE 16 GYM BUILDS MORE THAN HEALTHY BODIES FOR BUSY GILBERT WOMEN 32 MAKING MONEY FUN

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34 CAROLE KING TRIBUTE A TAPESTRY OF MEMORIES 37 TEACHER’S ARTWORK INSPIRES TROUBLED YOUTH 42 RETIRED EDUCATOR TURNS TO POLITICS

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46 TRAVEL

HISTORIC HACIENDA DEL SOL Although this Tucson guest ranch has a rich and glamorous past, the core experience has always been about simple pleasures and relaxed elegance.

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51 FOOD & WINE

SALAD AND GO SERVES HEALTHY FOOD, FAST

55 CAKE LADY 58 WHAT’S COOKING 60 5 GREAT DATES 62 CAUGHT YOU LOOKING GOOD 64 CLOSING SHOT 6

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

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Financial Fitness Tired of advisors talking at you rather than with you?

If so, let’s have a conversation together.

Money Saving Tips for Holiday Shopping

I

t’s that time of year again. For many of us it’s merry plus a lot of stress. Money, budgets, and a sense of obligation often make us spend more than we should only to regret it in January when the credit card bills arrive. Save yourself the stress this year with these tips for holiday shopping.

Shanna Tingom, AAMS® Co-Founder, Heritage Financial Strategies Shanna@heritagefinancialaz.com

The B Word Before you begin shopping, know how much you’re spending on each gift by preparing a budget, the unloved but much needed b-word. Think of budget-friendly ways to thank people like homemade cookies for the neighborhood party or cards for friends who are out of state.

Large families pick names and buy only for the one person; that way everyone gets a gift and no one breaks the bank. Find what works for you and stick to the dreaded b-word – budget.

Four Gift Rule Even if Grandma and Grandpa like to spoil the kids, Santa likes to stick to the four gift rule.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Something they want.

Something they need.

Something to wear.

Something to read.

If you’ve met this list and have money left over, stop spending. Instead, put the money away for school activities or college tuition. You’ll thank yourself later when you’ve got money stashed!

Shop Local I’ve been passionate about shopping local since my days as a young woman in Iowa. Supporting the local hardware store meant the big box store lost business and I was happy to help! Now that I am a resident and business owner in Gilbert, I am an avid supporter of vendors, musicians, artists, and all local businesses.

Why is it important? Not only is it a passion of mine, shopping local matters to the economy.

According to Independent We Stand, for every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $68 stays in the community. When you shop at the big box or other non-local stores, only $43 of every $100 stays in the community. That’s $25 that could be staying in Gilbert and Arizona and it goes somewhere else. Ouch!

Not sure where to shop? Check with the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and keep an eye on local social media sites like Gilbert Folk Festival and Gilbert Farmers Market for the best gift ideas from local businesses.

Here’s to your budget-friendly shopping from businesses close to home!

Shanna Tingom is an independent financial professional and co-founder of Heritage Financial Strategies, 207 N. Gilbert Road, Ste. 007, Gilbert, AZ 85234. On the web: at heritagefinancialaz.com or call 480-397-1184.

Registered Representative, securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC., Investment Advisor Representative, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Cambridge and Heritage Financial Strategies are not affiliated.

upfront TRENDS | PEOPLE | CULTURE | STYLE

Cyber

Co-Founder Cindy Pierzchalski.

Sisterhood 4 FRIENDS BREWED UP THE IDEA FOR A "CYBERCAFE" FOR WOMEN – BECAUSEWOMENCARE.COM – OVER COFFEE

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

There appeared to be nothing exceptional when Elaine Poker-Yount went to coffee with four of her peers a few years back. But then, something magical did happen.

“We just connected,” says Poker-Yount of Gilbert.

That magic encouraged Poker-Yount, Nancy Tossell and Jeanette Knudsen of Mesa, Cindy Pierzchalski of Ahwatukee and Joan Marlow of Gold Canyon to create the cybercafé BecauseWomenCare.com.

“It was very bizarre,” Poker-Yount says. “Now, we get together every month. Everyone gets a chance to talk about what’s going on with them.”

BecauseWomenCare.com is for the “sandwich generation”— women who care for parents, partners and kids—and for ladies on their own. These responsibilities, juggled daily in addition to careers or retirement, often come at the cost of personal needs.

The site allows women to feel engaged and embraced by their peers.

“The idea behind the site was to create a cybercafé so women can get good information and come together to help each other, and do what women do: pull together and support each other,” 8

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

Tossell says.

She wants women “on the better side of 50” to get the most out of life. Those who sign up for the newsletter will receive an email twice a month highlighting the new items on the site.

Co-Founder Joan Marlow.

“There’s another website that’s a little more about, for example, it being OK to wear short skirts over 60,” Tossell explains. “I wanted something a little pithier. We love the conversations we have. We can talk about manicures and pedicures, where did you get that blouse.

(L to R) Nancy Tussell, Jeanette Knudson and Elaine Poker-Yount connect women together via BecauseWomenCare.com

“However, we’re more into real-life issues: What are we struggling with? What is the information we need, the resources that we need? How do we get that done?”

Finances are a hot-button issue for Tossell, as the public doesn’t educate women nor does it advertise to women beyond 50.

“The guys take over. We have very full plates. Let’s find a source,” she says COLLABORATIVE EFFORT

The ladies behind BecauseWomenCare.com each bring something different to the site.

The community liaison for Visiting Angels, Poker-Yount has been working with seniors for more than 25 years. In a previous position, she watched a couple-hundred clients age over an 18-

year period.

She helps families navigate aging and illness with the goal of minimizing stress. Through classes, newspaper articles, publicspeaking engagements and BecauseWomenCare.com, she addresses the need for relevant and helpful information as lives change.

“When I got to Visiting Angels, I had to figure out how to reach the community,” she says. “I give a lot of talks. I empower families to help themselves.”

A former educator in Connecticut, Marlow is a life coach who owns Peaceful Easy Healing. She supports women and men to make their lives the best they can be. She does this through life and wellness coaching, alternative health practices (Reiki, tapping, essential oils) and education.

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

9

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

TRENDS | PEOPLE | CULTURE | STYLE TRENDS | PEOPLE | CULTURE | STYLE

“I’m all about servicing the immediate world,” she says. “I’m Fighters getting back into education mode and that feeds my soul. My Continued 9 tagline forfrom mypage business is ‘awareness to action.’

“I try to get them to acknowledge and accept and then I take action.”

Her goal is to also reduce stress.

“I teach meditation and mindfulness,” she says. “Stress population.

Through project, he when speaksyour withdiaper the homeless starts from birth.

You the do have stress is wet, population and photographs them, giving them back theirare names and it just grows. How do you handle from there? Who you and dignity in the process. today? That’s key in my life.”

“The inspiration for the project’s title came from Pierzchalski’s contribution wasn’t obvious to her.

SheChuck owns Ridgeway, the first homeless man he photographed as part of No Slip Zone LLC. the “When project,” says Zibert.

“When Linton introduced Nancy started the website, I thought, ‘OK,himself where and asked Ridgeway for his name, the man said, weeping, do I fit in?’” Pierzchalski says. “But I do crafts. Nancy and I ‘You met havesat nodown. idea how long that it’s been sinceabout someone caredI’ve to and I thought if I think all thehas things ask my name.’” made—even if it’s just for me—maybe I could do this.

Zibert shared thebest project on There social media, and her sister-in“Pinterest is my friend. are amazing craft blogs law, inspired, reached out to Linton. out there—stamping and card making, do this, do that. They “She Linton that Summer—a preemie—came the don’t tell told you how to do it. I’m telling people how to dointo this.” world too soon and left it too soon.

Her daughter had a name, A banker-turned-interior-designer, Knudsen knows how and no one wanted to to beput forgotten,” heartbreaking it canitbe a parentsays intoZibert. assisted living.

Eventually the entire family, including Zibertwho andowns her “It happened to my grandmother,” says Knudsen, daughter, got involved in the project, and are still avid supporters.

Design for a Life Span. “It’s why, in my late 40s, I recareered Linton, in turn, held a fundraiser bring Summer’s remains from banking into interior design, to a longtime love. Through home to her family and pay for her memorial. universal design, I’ve learned how to give people the freedom “He even unveiled an for art asinstallation at desire. the MonOrchid to choose where they live long as they Through in 2015 dedicated to Summer.

Then just this past February he my articles, you’ll learn how to make your home safer while you unveiled another, this time dedicated to all of the homeless, like update and beautify your surroundings.”

Summer, lostserves their as livesthe on site’s the street,” says Zibert, who Tossell,who who copywriter, adds that spoke at the opening in honor of her family and all who havelost Knudsen “ties it all together.” their loved all ones to homelessness.

“We’re like-minded individuals,” Knudsen says. “We are Zibert and her also found calling Summer’s all very passionate daughter people. Things meana and runindeep in us. memory—working to help the local homeless population.

Each one of these women has a passion. We’re not sitting at Already the family selection committee with Habitat for home bidingon time.”

Humanity in the and Kelsey also began volunteering Poker-Yount Valley, says theZibert creation of BecauseWomenCare.com for One True Love this year. has been an interesting project for her.

“One my True Love I’m is anow nonprofit including a says foodPokertruck “From writing, going into blogging,” that serves those in need in the Valley,” says Zibert, who Yount, who has written newspaper columns. “I’m bloggingsells on lemonade issues, from the truck to extension help raiseoffunds forI’ve thehad local elder-care which is an my job. a homeless population.

“Our mission is to serve the heart, mind, transition in how I write. and“Ibody humanofbeings need through the was, distribution of had of a vision what in I thought blogging based on food, educational classes and community building events.” things I’ve read. Nancy’s had a lot of copywriting classes. I’m Among their activities theI’m food truck, in addition to finally beginning to get mywith voice. more comfortable with raising money through sales, is to rescue food waste from food my voice, which is different than how it would be in a tiny little trucks and article. grocers Ithroughout Valleya and newspaper really wantthe to make booktransform out of it.”it into healthy meals for those in need.

It’s estimated they’ve helped to Knudsen summed up the mission and passion of the group best.

“The universe put us together and here we are,” she says.

“The site runs deep. We care. It’s not superficial. We’ve become “Our mission is to serve the heart, mind, a sisterhood.”

“We’re beings all in distinctly andTossell bodyadds, of human in needdifferent ...” fields, but we’re all compatible. I personally draw so much strength being around these women.”

Continued on page 12

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TRENDS | PEOPLE | CULTURE | STYLE

Rejuvenate, reset and REPEAT GILBERT FLOAT SPA HELPS GUESTS DE-STRESS AND REDUCE PAIN

BY SRIANTHI PERERA

Not many of us can make it to the Dead Sea of Israel to experience the therapeutic benefits of floating in its saline-rich water. But closer to home, True Rest Float Spa in Gilbert offers an alternative.

Here, guests float in large, egg-shaped pods, each filled with 10 inches of water and about 1,200 pounds of Epsom salts.

While floating for an hour in pristine water, gravity-free, the salts are absorbed easily into the body through the skin. The experience is said to bring benefits, such as pain relief, stress relief and deeper sleep.

Epsom-salt baths also are said to help detoxify the body, enhance mental clarity and concentration, reduce inflammation and enhance injury recovery.

After a 15-year career in health care and academia, including management positions at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Dr. Laura Witte of Chandler, the franchise’s owner, sought to help people in a more natural and holistic manner.

When Witte experienced the float spa for the first time, it took her awhile to calm her busy mind.

“But once I finally let myself fully relax into 12

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

An open or closed lid – your choice.

the experience, it was wonderful,” she says. “I’ve since learned a technique to quiet my mind: I choose an intention for my float and pick a word, such as ‘peace.’ Whenever my mind starts to wander, I come back to my breathing and to this word to help me to relax.”

If the thought of climbing inside and enclosing yourself inside a watery pod isn’t appealing, it is permissible to keep the lid open or prop it partially open. The light and music may also be adjusted.

In case you’re wondering about falling asleep inside the pod, Witte says it’s a common occurrence. The salts, however, will keep you afloat while you rest. Guests are awakened by

At True Rest, guests are guaranteed to float.

TRENDS | PEOPLE | CULTURE | STYLE

5

upfront

FLOAT QUESTIONS ANSWERED What if I can’t swim? You will definitely float and the water is only 10 inches deep.

What should I wear?

Your birthday suit, because you have your own private room to float in.

Will it be cold? The water is heated to exact skin temperature.

How is water hygiene maintained? The natural salinity of the water creates an environment where nothing can grow and a filtration system runs for 20 minutes between each client, and all night long.

Why is floating like exercise? The more you do it, the more benefit you will get.

Source: True Rest Float Spa

Floating is said to reduce pain, inspire calm and promote healing.

gentle music that plays during the last few minutes of the one-hour float, followed by the filter system that comes on at the very end.

The word on the street is that floating is receiving increased attention from artists and athletes.

Artists are attracted to the idea because floating tends to spur creativity. Athletes float

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before big games to help with mental clarity and performance, according to Witte.

The best way to look at it is hitting the reset button, says Witte.

True Rest Float Spa is located at 1525 N. Gilbert Rd. Suite 109, Gilbert. Details: 480-219-7990 or truerest.com

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Visit us online: www.MyAmericanFurnitureGalleries.com GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

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TRENDS | PEOPLE | CULTURE | STYLE

TRENDING

1.

THREADS

2.

BY CASSIDY LANDAKER

ZIP UP A SIGNATURE FALL VIBE The weather’s finally turning, so it’s time to pull out those jackets – or score a new one (or two). Take a look at this season’s hottest looks for cooler weather!

4.

1. GENUINE SUEDE MOTO JACKET Look tough, stay warm with this suede moto jacket.

The perfectly appointed quilted shoulders and polished-metal zippers make it perfect for a daytime or evening excursion. Express: $248.

2. STASH JACKET Olive green is among Fall’s most popular shades – embrace it! This hooded cotton twill jacket with drawcord detail tops off a casual vibe to complete any look this cold-weather season.

Volcom: $135.

5.

3. FAUX FUR HOODED JACKET Stay warm and cozy in this generous faux-fur hooded jacket. Available in several color combinations, pair it with leggings and boots and just ooze autumn.

Forever 21: $35 4. NELLY FAUX LEATHER JACKET Leather jackets are a must-have staple. Toss this on with jeans, leggings, dresses - anything! The channel-quilted panels keep you toasty and the silver-tone hardware lends an edgy look.

Topshop: $99.

5. OVERSIZED DENIM JACKET Denim: it’s the enduring wardrobe staple. Fashionable and functional, pair with denim on denim for the ultimate trendy look; also a perfect complement to dark-colored leggings.

Topshop: $85.

6. DRAPE FAUX FUR JACKET This long and oversize furry jacket is ideal for chilly fall mornings. Its long length makes it wearable with jeans, pants, leggings, or a maxi dress/skirt. The cream color adds a pop of light color and adds versatility.

Free People: $198.

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

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3.

TRENDS | PEOPLE | CULTURE | STYLE

upfront

HAUTE

ITEMS

BY CASSIDAY LANDAKER

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! That meal you spent all day whipping up will taste even better from a beautiful tabletop, and it’s easy as pie. Check out these DIY and readyto-buy pieces, or just get inspired.

COASTAL THANKSGIVING TABLE Escape to the beach this Thanksgiving, or just feel like it with this light and airy tabletop.

The neutral tones, seashells and starfish topped with a nod to pumpkins makes it feel like a coastal holiday. Get the look here: sandandsisal.com/2014/11/ coastal-thanksgiving-table.html

FALL TABLESCAPE

This tribute to all things Fall from Homey Oh My is fuss free, minimalist chic. With vibrant Fall colors and pumpkins, it makes an idea fall place setting. Get the entire DIY guide at: homeyohmy.com/fall-tablescape/.

RUSTIC PLAID THANKSGIVING TABLETOP

Nothing says farm-to-table quite like rustic plaid. Adding simple touches including woods, plaids and fall hues pays homage to the old plains. Plan your farmhouse Thanksgiving here: cityfarmhouse.com/2014/11/thanksgivingtablescape-hop.html.

SIMPLE SPARKLE TABLESETTING

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

15

upfront

TRENDS | PEOPLE | CULTURE | STYLE

Feeling the

Burn

Amy Camodeca launched Gilbert's flagship location for Burn Boot Camp.

OWNER OF NEW GILBERT GYM FOR BUSY WOMEN STRIVES TO BUILD MORE THAN JUST HEALTHIER BODIES

BY SRIANTHI PERERA

Amy Camodeca used to work with high-energy x-rays.

Now, the former radiation therapist works with kettlebells and slam balls to harness a different kind of energy, and she’s feeling good about it.

Armed with a stack of transformational stories and before-and-after photos of women, the mother of three from Winston-Salem, N.C., recently moved to Gilbert to open Arizona’s first Burn Boot Camp.

The fast-growing fitness concept from the East Coast is directed toward moms and busy women.

“We only allow men to two camps a day,” Camodeca says, adding that those who join are usually the husbands of the women. “They think it’s a joke at first, and then they see the results of their wives and they realize it’s pretty serious.”

A few other factors distinguish Burn in a region that seems to sport a fitness facility in every commercial center.

Burn offers 43 weekly (about eight per day) “camps” or sessions, each lasting 45 minutes, headed by trainers who incorporate weights and focus on what they call burst (30 seconds on and 10 seconds off), HIIT (high intensity interval training) and weight training.

The tools of the trade are weights, pull-up bars, slam balls, battle ropes and other assorted small accoutrements.

No one knows exactly what to expect when walking into a camp, because workouts are never repeated.

What you can expect, however, is childcare, customized meal plans, nutritional and motivational counseling and oneon-one focused meetings with the personal trainer.

“The last thing that makes us very special is the community that we build,” Camodeca says. “The women become friends.

They hold each other accountable. They take everything that they are doing in here, and it spills out to the community.”

Camodeca saw this firsthand on the East Coast, where many Burn groups fundraise for breast cancer and other causes.

“It just naturally flows out of there, that all these women want to do this as they get stronger together,” she says. “That’s 16

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2016

really what makes it unique and what makes it work.”

Camodeca, who was a triathlete and a college softball player at the University of Vermont, chanced upon a Burn workout in Winston-Salem while recovering from the birth of her third daughter, Ava. “I couldn’t hold a plank for 10 seconds. I couldn’t lift a 10-pound weight. I was so weak. But they were so encouraging that I just kept coming back,” she says. “I did a 45-day challenge and I was completely hooked.”

Less than two years later, Camodeca had lost 5 percent of her body fat, and she was 12 pounds lighter.

“What changed the most was my mental health,” Camodeca says. “I was getting back to where I used to be. What I was doing in the gym started spilling out to my life, my work, my family.

When you start accomplishing things that you never thought you’d accomplish in a gym, you just get stronger all around and

TRENDS | PEOPLE | CULTURE | STYLE

believe you could do more.”

So when the franchise opportunity came, she didn’t hesitate.

“This has changed our lives,” she says. “It has changed our family’s lives.

We’ve learned to cook better, eat better, and we’ve just all around become a better family. If I can bring that to other women, I want to do it.”

Burn Boot Camp is the brainchild of Huntersville, N.C. resident Devan Kline, a former member of the San Francisco Giants minor-league baseball system, who helped an overweight and tired mom lose weight and take better control of her life.

Using the experience, Kline developed a fitness regimen for women and opened his first gym in early 2013. Burn now has 175 franchises.

A year-and-a-half into her own training, Camodeca was persuaded by Kline to compete in fitness competitions that focused on building muscle. Last April, she qualified at a national level and plans to continue competition on higher levels.

Robert A. Savage, D.D.S.

upfront Empowering and connecting other women is part of Camodeca's mission at Burn Boot Camp.

“It’s not about coming, losing weight and then you’re good,” she says. “You have to maintain that lifestyle, the healthy eating, working out. If they even thought about leaving, where would they go to get the same workout and results?”

A lot of husbands are not onboard at first, she says, but two to three months after her clients are in the program, the husbands extend their memberships

because their wives are happy and it’s spilling over into their relationships.

“We don’t have to pitch it,” Camodeca says. “It sells itself.”

Burn Boot Camp is at 690 S. Cooper Road, Suite 102, in Gilbert. Hours: 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Monday to Friday and 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Saturday. Details: 312-919-2699 or www. burnbootcamp.com/gilbert-az

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

17

Custom cabinets have the quality of fine furniture and form the backbone of this Mediterranean-style kitchen. "It's Tuscany meets the New World," says homeowner Chris McKiernan.

GOURMET

Delight Gilbert kitchen makeover evokes Old World charm

BY MIKE BUTLER

If your taste in kitchen design leans toward traditional, it’s hard to beat the classic, luxurious look of Tuscan style.

When this Gilbert couple became empty-nesters a few years ago, they figured it was a good time to update their worn-out 1990s kitchen. They dreamed of a modern kitchen filled with Old World charm and a sedate but sophisticated neutral color palette. They wanted a space that looked lived in and well loved, a welcoming place to entertain family and friends.

“Our old kitchen was dark and small,” says Chris McKiernan.

“There weren’t enough cabinets.”

The layout wasn’t functional, either, says Marina Selles of Allure Interior Designs in Gilbert, who guided the transformation. Although the old kitchen received a lot of daylight, it was a dreary space to be in at night, she adds.

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

Soaked by the sun during the day, the kitchen is equally bright at night thanks to can lights, counter lights and sparkling chandeliers.

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

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The large island provides storage for glassware and dinnerware on all four sides. The island can also comfortably seat four people when the homeowners entertain.

To make way for the 11-by-5-foot island, Selles pushed back the wall that is now occupied by a gleaming 48-inch refrigerator. The granite-topped island has storage on all four sides. The island’s woodwork was painted a cream color and glazed over to bring out the details of the intricate paneling and carvings.

Selles positioned two metal chandeliers, which include downlights, to illuminate the island.

“Chandeliers are a must in a traditional kitchen,” Selles says.

The couple now has abundant food 20

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

Style meets function in this new pantry wall with built-in mini home office.

Italian

ACCENT

Tuscan-style kitchens rely on the soothing colors of the region Giving your kitchen an Italian accent is a natural fit for many East Valley Mediterranean-style homes.

Although Mediterranean style has some common themes, it allows a lot of room to mix and match and stamp out your personal style.

Many Tuscan-style kitchens rely on the soothing colors of the region -- yellow, ocher, terracotta and blue.

Walls, countertops and floors often feature sandy tans and beiges, providing a backdrop for bold pops of colors in accessories, such as rugs and small appliances.

Surfaces lean toward matte, as opposed to

and bonus storage thanks to a pantry wall, which includes a full-length wine cooler. The cooler chills white wines and keeps the reds a few degrees below room temperature.

Chris says she’s the cook.

“Ray opens the bottles and pours the wine,” she says. “That’s his job.”

Chris says the desk area is her go-to place to organize the mail and take care of bills.

To contrast with the island, the pantry and kitchen cabinets were given a deep coffee-colored stain. An even darker

stain outlines and draws attention to the carved crown molding.

The business end of the kitchen is anchored by a six-burner, 48-inch gas range, which includes a griddle. A swingout pot-filling faucet saves the cook from having to lug a heavy pot of pasta water to the stove.

Selles cleverly tucked a couple of slim shelves under the custom hood for easy access to spices.

“Marina thinks of everything,” Chris says. “She’s a perfectionist.”

Convenient to both the cook center

sleek and shiny, and woods often have a distressed look.

Small travertine or mosaic backsplash tiles can give your kitchen texture, pattern and even make an artistic statement.

Mediterranean kitchens place great emphasis on bright and airy.

Add windows or skylights, if possible, and go lightly on the window treatments.

Of course, good general and task lighting is just as important when the sun goes down.

If chandeliers are a little too extravagant for your taste or budget, opt for traditionally styled pendant lights.

and food-preparation areas are a builtin microwave oven drawer and above that a warming drawer. Small travertine backsplash tiles inject a little 3-D texture into the mix and hint at mosaics seen in Mediterranean villas.

By tradition, the McKiernans spend Thanksgiving at their getaway in Payson.

But their home in Val Vista Lakes will be the hub of the action around Christmas and New Year’s.

“We love to entertain,” Chris says.

“Our kitchen is so nice and big now. It’s a dream kitchen.”

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

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Reigning Gilbert Days Rodeo Queen Jaime Stack spreads the cowgirl values of hard work, respect and being kind.

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

RODEO QUEENS KICK UP at GILBERT DAYS

kindness

K

Newly minted horsewomen live up to the crown worn by those who rode before them

BY SRIANTHI PERERA

aren Coleman was 15 when she was crowned Gilbert Days Rodeo Queen in 1978 and rode her American Quarter Horse, Duchess, in the festivities.

The rodeo was added that year to Gilbert Days, the town’s annual celebration of Arizona’s Western heritage.

Coleman was the first queen.

Now principal at Boulder Creek Elementary School in Mesa, Coleman still hangs onto her crown, scrapbook and memories of that special time.

“I think it’s fun to represent your town,” says Coleman, who was required to visit rodeos

and parades around Arizona for a year. “It was a neat way to meet people and talk about Gilbert, just to let people know what a nice place Gilbert is.”

Nearly 40 years later, Jaime Stack is the 2016 Gilbert Days Rodeo Queen. While the commitments are the same, Stack’s message is different, reflecting changing times across the region.

“We’re fighting to preserve the Western heritage because that’s something that Arizona’s grown up on, and we should never forget,” says Stack, a 23-yearold occupational-therapy paraprofessional who studies health sciences at Mesa Community College.

Indeed, the times have changed.

Karen Coleman was the first Rodeo Days Queen in 1978.

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

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Now principal of Boulder Creek Elementary in the Gilbert School District, Karen Coleman treasures her memories as 1978 Rodeo Queen.

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

In 1978, Gilbert’s population hit a mere 4,000. There were few cars. Long stretches of unpaved roads extended across the desert, through cotton farms and alfalfa fields as far as the eye could see.

“We rode all over the place,” Coleman recalls. “We would just get on our horses,

my friends and I, and ride all day. By my school there’s still a bit of desert land because the dairies were around here. We used to come out here and we would ride for hours, take a lunch with us and stop when we were hungry. We used to have fun.”

Coleman lived with her parents, Vence and Laverne Gilbreath, and her younger brother, Van. Their Gilbert home sat on 2 1/2 acres, which featured many stables filled with horses. She got her first horse at 12.

Coleman, who no longer rides, says it would be difficult to do so in the area today.

“There’s not the capacity to ride around here,” she says. “You have to go as far as Queen Creek.”

The rural lifestyle in Gilbert, as in much of the East Valley, is all but gone, laments Julee Brady, the current Gilbert Days organizer.

“I’d like to not see us go from the open fields to strip malls and tiny subdivision homes. I’d love to see the fields, but I also understand the demographics that require homes that are affordable,” she says. “That’s why we feel that the more that changes, the more important it is to have these traditions, because we feel they bring a community spirit and make

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After 38 years, Karen Coleman still holds the crown.

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

people feel unified.”

Since its inception, Gilbert Days has been an important tradition. It includes a parade, fun run, dance, rodeo, games like mutton bustin’, barrel racing and Pony Express re-enactment, harkening to another era.

The parade, 5K and 1 mile runs are organized by the town. The threeday rodeo, Nov. 11-13 this year, at the Welcome Home Ranch in southeast Gilbert, and its royalty court are handled

by Gilbert Promotional Corporation, a nonprofit organization.

Brady’s four daughters were members of the royalty court. Her granddaughter, Kennadee Riggs, reigns as the 2016 Gilbert Days Teen Queen.

“Not all of them pursue the role to its potential,” Brady says of Gilbert Days royalty.

Memories of riding horses remain cherished for Karen Coleman.

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

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A Gilbert Days Parade of yesteryear draws a crowd.

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

WANTED: HORSEMANSHIP AND RODEO SKILLS

Organizers look for many qualities in a queen, but foremost is a love for the sport and its animals. So are living an equestrian lifestyle and being connected to the celebration and tradition.

“We don’t want them to pretend, we want them to really love the sport because people can sense if you’re pretending,” Brady said. “So they usually love it in their heart and they have a desire to serve others.”

In that sense, this year’s rodeo queens fit the qualifications.

Stack’s mom wanted Jaime to show horses at Gymkhanas, equestrian events that include speed pattern racing and other games. But even as a 5-year-old, Jaime was more interested in a rodeo way of interacting with the animals she loved.

She took to barrel racing, pole bending

Gilbert Days event planner Julee Brady (left) and current Rodeo Queen Jaime Stack groom a horse at Brady's ranch.

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

29

Julee Brady

and other western sports early.

Jaime bought her first horse, a Palomino named Dolly Parton, when she was 21. The mare turned out to be stubborn and preferred trail riding to rodeos.

“It was either her way or the highway.

She tested my patience,” Jaime says. “She made me a very patient horsewoman.”

Stack’s second horse, Annie Oakley, is just the opposite.

“She’s very mellow-minded. She’s never done me wrong. The first moment when I sat on her and rode her around, we clicked.”

s y a D t r e b l i G Pony Express: Friday, Nov. 4, and Saturday, Nov. 5.

Kick off re-enactment: 8 a.m.

Nov. 4, at Gilbert Post Office on Elliot Road.

Lil Dudes Rodeo: 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11; 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, and 12 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, Welcome Home Ranch, 26601 S. Val Vista Drive, Gilbert. Gates open two hours before first event each day.

Gilbert Days Rodeo: 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 11; 5 p.m. Saturday,

30

Nov. 12 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13. Bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing, team roping, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding and breakaway roping. Welcome Home Ranch.

Tickets are $15 adults, $10 seniors and $10 children ages 7 to 15.

Free with military ID. Gilbert Days Rodeo Dance: Family rodeo dance immediately following rodeo, onsite.

Gilbert Days 5K and 1 Mile Run: 4:30 p.m. at Freestone Park,

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

1045 E. Juniper Ave., Gilbert. gilbertaz.gov/events.

Gilbert Days Parade: 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, along Gilbert Road in the Heritage District.

Details: gilbertdays.org

ESCAPE THE PRESENT AND EXPLORE 4.5 BILLION YEARS OF GEOLOGIC TIME! “Your hair is kind of like your protector and, once it’s gone, it makes you vulnerable” invite “everyone and their mom” to watch, Dennis says she was ready.

“I was relieved to get it over with because I had been lookingEven forward to itAnnie for so Oakley long,” she said.participated “We got though hadn’t champagne, and I had actually (my aunt) shave it... and in rodeo festivities or carried a flag before, she was a then Nancy kind of worked her magic to make it look a natural. little better.

It was super fun, and Liz justher, shared “It’s been a beautiful journey with just stories growing about when she had shaved her head.” together. She’s taught me a lot,” Jaime says.

Dennis that she atis16,enjoying her new Equallysays a horsewoman Riggs has family roots “nonexistent hair.” that run deep in rodeo. Her great, great grandfather, “YourJacob hair isFrost, kind of likethe your protector and,Horse once it’s Harry is in Legacy Quarter Hall gone, it makes you vulnerable,” she said.

But Dennis says of Fame, and her great grandmother, Odile Brady, was shethe has1950 received a lot of support Reno Rodeo Queen.to ease the transition to the new hairdo.

Riggs has attended Gilbert Days and watched her “If anything, peopleShe were just like, ‘Oh,lessons my gosh, family participate. teaches horse andnow hosts youhorsemanship can just see your true beauty because all your camps in her own backyard. Thishair isn’t is gone.’

I was really happy about I kept getting her first royalty court.

She was it, theand 2011 Gilbert Days compliments aboutMissy. how I wear it so well.”

Legacy Rodeo Dennis likes showing people shaved hair Throughout the year, Stackthat andshe Riggs haveher espoused offthe andplatform it wasn’t the end of the world.

She also emphasizes “Kicking up Kindness,” to find and report thatonthere are other to get involved in the fight againstto good deeds.ways They have given presentations cancer. school groups on the history of Gilbert, farming and Organizations like FCC lotscowboy of ways and to help or rodeo.

They teach kids provide about the cowgirl remember a loved one, and “you obviously don’t have to values of hard work, respect and being kind to each shave your head,” she says. other.

YouThe can visit Liz Dennis’isevent page atthem https://give.fightcrc. experience helping become more org/fundraise?fcid=665967 poised and confident, characteristics that will empower them in future endeavors, they believe.

“This is something that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life,” Stack said. “There are memories that I’m making that I’ll tell my grandchildren one day.”

Meanwhile, Gilbert Days' organizers hope their message promoting the western heritage endures, even for those far removed from the equestrian lifestyle.

“You can celebrate your traditions, you can visit ranches, you can go to events, and you can take lessons,” Brady says. “You can love the Western heritage and not own a horse yourself.”

Laura Dennis, left, poses with her aunt, Liz Dennis, before Laura has her head shaved to support colorectal cancer research. Photo courtesy Laura Dennis.

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MAKING MONEY

Fun

SHANNA TINGOM PUTS WOMEN AT EASE ON FINANCIAL MATTERS

Shanna Tingom

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

When Shanna Tingom was a student at William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa, she did what any practical young adult would do: She consulted a financial adviser.

She witnessed her parents working in jobs that they didn’t like. Tingom thought, at age 19, she didn’t want to end up like that.

“They didn’t know enough about investing to teach me the alternatives,” she says. “I was 19, working five jobs to put me through college. I was as broke as a joke.

“I told the financial adviser my story and that I had no money. He sat his pen down, reached across the desk, patted me on the head and said, ‘Don’t worry, sweetheart, one day your husband will take care of this.’ Even though I didn’t have any money, I said, ‘You’re fired.’ At that moment, I really wanted to learn 32

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

about finance.”

She switched her major from music to business and found work as a financial adviser. Two years ago, she, along with attorney Becky Cholweka, started Heritage Financial Strategies in downtown Gilbert. Heritage Financial Strategies specializes in working with female entrepreneurs, business leaders and individuals experiencing life transitions.

“I do full-service financial planning and investment management,” says Tingom, 42. “I made the switch a couple of years ago to be independent so I could run the business the way I wanted to run it.

“It’s been phenomenal so far. I love Gilbert. I live at Val Vista and Guadalupe and I wanted my office to be downtown.

It took the right set of circumstances and the stars aligning to make that happen. I

love being down there.”

She thrives on the bustling vibe of downtown Gilbert. Her clients do, as well.

“My clients love coming down and getting a two-for-one — visiting me and having lunch, or coming later in the day and having happy hour. It’s such a different feeling being downtown,” she says ESCHEWING THE COLD

Tingom moved to Arizona 12 years ago from Iowa in pursuit of warmer weather and ample job opportunities.

She initially relocated to Scottsdale for nine months before buying a house “sight unseen” in Gilbert.

“I totally put my faith in my real estate agent and I absolutely love it,” she says.

“It’s still what I love today.”

Shortly after moving to Scottsdale,

Tingom met her husband, Eric, through eHarmony. They were among the dating site’s first success stories 11 years ago, and, in honor of the ceremony, founder Neil Clark Warren, gave the couple a heartshaped crystal bowl. Eric and Shanna have two Cavalier King Charles spaniels, which they call their “fur kids.”

Previously divorced, Tingom is passionate about helping women in any form. She volunteers for wife. org — Women’s Institute for Financial Education — and describes it as an organization that helps women going through divorce deal with its emotional, legal and financial aspects.

“I didn’t have kids and we were broke,” she says. “From a technical side, it was easy. But, I’ve seen the aftermath in my practice, and it is a difficult time for women. That’s where my heart is and that’s what I love to do.”

Tingom lives by the promise to make money fun. She also strives to educate.

“What sets me apart is how much I love to educate,” she says. “Today I had a presentation at a community college about IRAs. I love doing educational workshops. I do a lot of them.

“Even when somebody comes in to visit with me for a second opinion on their strategy, I treat it as more of an educational workshop than me trying to sell them something. I want the people who come into my office to leave better than they came — even if they chose not to work with me.”

INSPIRATIONAL MENTORS

Tingom says that Gilbert is populated with inspirational women, namely her business partner Cholweka, local photographer Elaine Kessler, members of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Alliance.

“My partner, Becky, just celebrated her fifth year in business last year, which is a huge milestone for any small business,” Tingom says. “She is four or five years ahead of me and I definitely try to emulate her and take her advice, for sure.”

Cholweka, who met Tingom at a Small Business Alliance networking event, is equally as complimentary of the financial adviser.

5

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LOOK AT YOUR TAXES BEFORE THEY ARE FILED: Know what comes in and what goes out, even if you have an accountant or CPA helping.

KNOW WHERE ALL YOUR INVESTMENT ACCOUNT/INSURANCE STATEMENTS ARE: Make sure there is a list with easy access (and online passwords) to these important documents. A crisis is not the time to go on a treasure hunt to find them.

Ask your financial adviser if he/she has an electronic vault you can use to store them, or find a cloud-based service you trust.

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“I loved her right from the beginning,” Cholweka says. “She has a ton of energy.

She has a great presence when she walks into a room.

“More importantly, she has a ton of integrity and she’s focused on giving back to her community, clients and other people. Sometimes it’s hard to find that in someone. I’m thrilled to have a business partner who puts a lot of fun and energy into everything she does. We have so much fun. We laugh all the time.”

Besides their business venture, the duo sponsors the Gilbert Folk Festival, set to return Feb. 17 to the Heritage District.

“I love the arts and I love music,” says Tingom, who yearned to be a high school band director early in her college years. “I love the Higley Center for the Performing Arts. It’s a hidden gem in Gilbert. Most people don’t know about it.

“I love the Hale Theatre, as well, the Night at the Museum at the Gilbert

HAVE SOLID FINANCIAL AND ESTATE PLANS: Your financial and estate plans should work together. Have your investment accounts, will and supporting documents reviewed, especially if you’ve had any life events (moving to a new state, birth, death, divorce, etc.).

Source: Shanna Tingom

Historical Museum. We have a nice big table there. I enjoy giving back to the community.”

Overall, Tingom focuses on serving women.

“My passion is helping women throughout all of life’s challenges,” she says. “As an industry, we don’t do a good enough job explaining things at a level most people can comprehend. Women aren’t going to say, ‘I don’t understand that,’ or, ‘Can you explain that in a different way?’ We’re too proud for that.

That’s why I love the educational aspect of what I do. I don’t want another woman to feel how I felt that day.”

HERITAGE FINANCIAL STRATEGIES 207 N. Gilbert Rd., Suite 007 Gilbert 85234 480-397-1184 heritagefinancialaz.com

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

33

memorable A TAPESTRY OF

MUSIC

CAROLE KING TO BE SALUTED IN HIGLEY CENTER TRIBUTE SHOW

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

The music of legendary singer-songwriter Carole King has resonated with fans since the release of the award-winning album “Tapestry” in 1971.

Los Angeles-based singermusician Jeannie Austin is honoring King with her tribute act “Tapestry: A Tribute to Carole King,” which plays at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Dec. 2.

“What happens to be great about Carole King is she is one of only a few great, great, great artists like Elvis, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, whose music can fill up two hours and everyone knows every single song,” Austin says.

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

Austin and her partner, Ori Huberman, have led the act for about five years, when it started as an acoustic guitar and piano duo.

“My partner and I, we were asked to open up for a show,” Austin says. “Ori said, ‘How about if you put together Carole

King songs?’ I said yeah, ‘OK sure.’”

Respected local musicians were added to Tapestry and now the act does King justice, she says.

“It really wasn’t fair to do her songs without flushing it out,” she says. “We added another female vocal and a second

Singer-keyboardist Jeannie Austin and her band pay tribute to the legendary Carole King.

keyboardist to take care of the flutes, horns, synthesizer and sometimes a saxophone player.”

The show is a multimedia presentation, which draws in the audience, Austin says.

“We have the backdrop that has visuals that help tell the story behind our monologues,” Austin says. “The pictures correlate to the stories that we’re telling and the upcoming songs. We have cool pictures that people may not have seen of her, and some cool visuals that make a big difference in this huge visual aspect.”

LONGTIME PERFORMER Austin brought performance to a

new level. Born in New Hampshire, she moved to Las Vegas and became an actor.

She moved to Los Angeles to pursue that further.

“I did the whole acting thing,” she says. “Then, you know all musicians want to be actors and all actors want to be musicians. So I got into music.

“Now it’s pushed everything else aside.

It’s much more interesting and much more fun. Musicians are very different from actors and theater people. You have to be a cohesive unit.”

She loves it when she and other musicians just click.

“There’s a saying that musicians have

it ‘in the pocket,’” she says. “You’re all grooving in the same rhythm, the same mode. There’s a high because it takes over the room. We’re in the pocket.”

Audiences have connected.

“We’ve received standing ovations,” she says. “Audiences are wanting more, but it’s Carole King’s songs. It’s a pleasure to be doing it.”

“Tapestry” came about organically for Austin, who had been a big fan of King.

“Being a musician in 2016, in 1966 or 1976, 1956, 1986, it’s a different music world out there,” she says. “There aren’t a lot of places to play. The tribute scene is what it is right now. Guys can play in a GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

35

ton of bands because there are a million guy bands.

“There aren’t as many bands with females in it. I just happen to play piano. This was another project, as I’m in multiple bands. But this is close to my heart.”

She and Huberman are pleased that the project’s reach is expanding.

“It keeps growing. It’s interesting to watch from the acoustic guitar and piano, and then watch the venues change and the audience reactions change,” she says. “To have that connection with the audience is amazing. It’s so special.”

And it’s special to multiple generations, Austin says. “(King) crosses five, almost six generations,” she says.

“Her music is used in commercials. Everybody knows at least one of those songs because they’re everywhere. She’s pretty special.”

IF YOU GO What: Tapestry: A Tribute to Carole King.

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2.

Where: Higley Center for the Performing Arts, 4132 E. Pecos Rd., Gilbert.

Cost: $28 to $44.80.

Information: 480-279-7194 or higleycenter.org.

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

Hope, Open,

Cynthia Huettner's mural inspires a call-to-action: “Hope, Open, Grow”.

Grow

GILBERT TEACHER’S ARTWORK INSPIRES TROUBLED YOUTH

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Former Gilbert teacher Cynthia Huettner does not hold a degree in art, nor had she ever painted a mural. Yet her initial attempt was a huge success, making a difference in young lives.

Huettner was among five Valley artists chosen to paint inspiring, high-profile public work at Tumbleweed’s Phoenix Youth Resource Center.

Hers is titled, “Hope, Open, Grow.”

She was selected from the contest “Wonderwall,” named after the 1995 song by the English pop band Oasis that includes the lyric, “Because maybe, you’re gonna be the one that saves me ... And after all, you’re my wonderwall.”

Artists were asked to deliver images of hope, strength and a brighter future to inspire homeless youth and the 105,000 motorists who pass weekly.

More than 4,400 public votes were registered this summer, and the winners were chosen in September.

A friend in New Mexico persuaded her to enter.

“I have not personally done a mural before,” she says. “But I’ve been involved with a lot of kids who have been homeless. I created a piece of art that might resonate with them.”

Tumbleweed chief executive officer Cynthia GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

37

Schuler said she was overwhelmed with responses.

“We’re incredibly grateful to those who took the time and effort to submit their images, in addition to those who voted for their favorites,” she says.

“Homeless teens are different than homeless adults. They are resilient. They can bounce back and become productive, independent young adults if given the opportunity and guidance they need.”

On disability, Huettner formerly taught math, logic and occasionally art at Gilbert and Mesquite high schools, and at Gilbert Classical Academy.

“All of my life I’ve been interested in art,” she says. “I’ve been doing art since I was very young. I was ill as a child, so I would do craft projects.”

A family member encouraged her to compete in the state fair, as her paternal grandparents have artwork in the Smithsonian. She graduated at the top of her class at Scottsdale’s Horizon High School.

“I took art and independent study art,” she says.

“I thought I wanted to be an archeologist until I saw how the job was dependent on the economy.

I took math at NAU but took every elective as an art class. I’m qualified to teach art. I just never earned a degree in it.”

For the Wonderwall contest, organizers sought

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

artwork that carried the theme of hope, strength and a brighter future.

“I used the symbolism of a plant planting a seed for hope; then of growing strong for the brighter future,” she says. “On the rims of the pots are Haiku for each stage of growth. I was looking for words that symbolize each stage of growth.

Then, I wanted the rainbow to depict a brighter future.”

During her teaching career, she worked at a school in which 80% of the kids were involved with the prison system. Others were in shelters and there were a few homeless students, many of whom were undocumented immigrants, she says.

“They were worried about citizenship and different things like that,” she says. At the last school, Mesquite, many students were in the foster system and Tumbleweed. A lot of them were of the LGBT community.

“I had an open classroom during lunch for students who were bullied in the cafeteria. They would just hang out in my classroom at lunch if they were ostracized by the other students. I felt bad for their situations at home, but I can’t provide a home for all of them.

“I can do the next best thing, though, which is inspire them.”

Dr. Amy Rosner practices hypnotherapy in Gilbert's Heritage District.

Gray Matter

GETS BETTER

DR. AMY ROSNER GUIDES PEOPLE TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES BY RE-TRAINING THE BRAIN

BY SHELLEY GILLESPIE

While deep into brain research, Dr. Amy Rosner dissected “furry little creatures” – rats – to help learn how our brains work. She specifically focused on how our brains are wired to remember.

After more than 10 years of research, she moved out of the laboratory to use what she’d learned to help people use their minds to create better outcomes.

She also became allergic to rats, so working with them no longer was a viable option.

Rosner, whose hypnotherapy practice has been in the Heritage District of Gilbert for three years, helps patients remove the old blocks that prevent the success in life that they should be able to accomplish, she says.

After working with 400-plus clients in more than 1,000 sessions, Rosner recently replaced her worn out recliner, where clients relax during their hypnotherapy sessions.

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

39

To be innovative, people must access their creativity. The creative process, according to Rosner’s research, includes gathering information, applying logic and reason, incubation (which works in the subconscious), and practical application and modification. Sleep and relaxation also are important elements of creativity.

Now, how are we to apply these principles to our personal roadblocks?

Dr. Rosner says negative thought patterns can be reversed.

SILENCING THE INNER-CRITIC: RELAXATION & CREATIVITY “Nobody gets through life unscathed, even if you have the greatest childhood ever,” Rosner says.

Adopted as a baby, Rosner appreciates the parents who raised her. When her birth mother approached her, she was comfortable in her identity. Such a life experience can be problematic for some.

In her workshops, Rosner approaches success mechanisms and creativity in a business environment. From her brain research, she explains that creative thought actually is a hypnotic state, like being asleep.

“People are able to silence their critical inner voice in this relaxed state, so they can be creative,” Rosner says.

Surprisingly, Rosner claims, “Brainstorming can be a creativity killer. Taking turns (the usual approach 40

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

to brainstorming in a group) can kill creativity.”

To foster relaxation to encourage creativity, Rosner advocates regular breaks of as long as 30 minutes. Stress, which wears down our chromosome ends, the telomeres, can lead to a shorter life.

From her brain research, Rosner maintains, “Seventy-five percent of thoughts are negative. Our brains focus on what needs work and don’t spend time on what is working, on positive thoughts.”

She recommends that people use an easy mechanism to stop negative thoughts.

Simply say, “cancel, cancel” when we’re wallowing in negativity to force ourselves to a more positive thought.

For productivity, Rosner suggests that innovation is the most important factor for business growth and not just for the bottom line. Innovation also can save budgets and create better efficiency.

REPROGRAMMING THE BRAIN TO RESPOND DIFFERENTLY Rosner considers reprogramming our brains, including removing false memories, as a way to become more successful and functional.

To achieve this reprogramming, Rosner works with clients in private hypnotherapy sessions. She acts as a guide. Her clients’ life-hijacking concerns have run the gamut from fear of heights to sexually predatory behavior, she says.

“I am a guide. We can go back and change how an event feels to provide different results,” Rosner says. “We can go in any direction we choose.”

Among her success stories is a patient ridding himself of allergies after only two weeks of hypnotherapy. After more than three years, the patient has had no recurrences of the allergies, she says.

Another remarkable outcome allowed a client to experience surgery without anesthesia. The woman trained her mind not to feel the pain.

A trick, which Rosner loves to share,

is the ability to tell ourselves that we should produce saliva, a task usually controlled without thinking, in parasympathetic mode. By thinking about producing saliva, a person can relax more easily.

Rosner adds that a major roadblock to success is not feeling deserving or deserving to receive money.

A businesswoman came to Rosner in a panic. If she didn’t make $10,000 in six weeks, she said she was going to jail. The patient’s roadblock was dreading follow up with clients. Once she’d participated in three sessions with Rosner, she changed dramatically. A year later, she had avoided jail, earned a six-figure income and was the top salesperson in her company, according to Rosner.

A 7-year-old boy who Rosner assisted was deathly afraid of heights. After three sessions, he was able to travel by plane. His parents sent Rosner a photo of their child at the top of the Empire State Building, smiling.

TEACHING “BABY BIRDS” TO FLY Unlike many of her therapy colleagues, Rosner does not expect her patients to work with her for extended periods of time.

“Fly, baby bird, fly,” proclaims Rosner.

Her private sessions are meant to help clients make changes, then practice what is needed in their lives.

While most of her work is accomplished in three to six sessions, she offers refresher sessions and is developing interactive online courses.

As a guide, she claims that when a client is not ready to make the changes, “Their head will not go there.”

Mindfulness improves patient outcomes, she says.

“By paying attention to what they think about, people can push their critical self aside and reduce stress,” Rosner says. “If they can connect with smells, memories and emotions, they can ‘gear down’ and prolong their life. Eat slowly to savor food and take time to enjoy it.”

By becoming part of people’s lives, the habit of mindfulness focuses us on what makes us truly happy, she says. That helps overcome the 75 percent of negative thoughts that might dominate a person’s thinking.

Perhaps the most important thing a person can do to achieve and succeed, she says, is being kind to themselves.

“People are their own worst critics,” Rosner says. “If they can let go of self-censorship, they can change how things feel.”

Rosner has used hypnotherapy to remove her own roadblocks, including her allergies. She says her treatments can help with weight control, sleep and staying positive.

“People just need to get out of their own way,” Rosner says.

When not offering hypnotherapy sessions or presentations at meetings and conferences, Rosner relaxes by traveling around the world and enjoying art.

She paints and creates jewelry. And she has been in a relationship with “the love of my life” for eight years.

Rosner’s hypnotherapy practice is in Gilbert at 207 N. Gilbert Road, Suite 001, (480) 269-2807.

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

41

NO TIME FOR

Recess BORED QUICKLY WITH RETIREMENT, FORMER EDUCATOR TRIES POLITICS

BY SRIANTHI PERERA Sheila Rogers stays sharp by continuing to invest her skills in education.

Sheila Rogers wasn’t passing her own test in retirement – and after 45 years as a teacher, principal and superintendent, she was no stranger to tests.

After Rogers called it quits last year, she had plenty to keep herself busy: six energetic pugs – Diego, Lucy, Seamus, Pacho, Maya and Pedro; her Mexicancuisine prowess; caring for an aging aunt; writing a blog and walking a daily goal of 4 miles.

Yet in about the length of an early-release day, she could feel that something was missing: She still felt the 42

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

tug of education.

Never officially a politician, she threw her hat in the ring for the Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board. She is among four contenders for three positions, and has the backing of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, among other organizations.

“If I win, this will be my 46th year in education,” she says. “If I don’t, I’ll do something else.

“When you spend your life in education and then something like this comes up, it’s rewarding when the

children you’ve worked with and are now adults come back and want to help you,” she says with gratitude.

Many have, since word got out.

“What I did had to have made a positive impact in their lives, otherwise they wouldn’t,” Rogers says.

Rogers was born in Douglas, which is tucked in the southeastern corner of Arizona on the border with Mexico.

Her ancestral home still stands. She was school superintendent there from 2010 to 2015.

She started her career in Gilbert

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Sheila Rogers with two of her much-loved pugs.

The longtime educator is running for Gilbert Public Schools governing board.

44

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

in the 1970s, when teachers were handed a paddle along with their keys.

(She only used it once, and afterward thought it was horrible.)

More lasting was her 21-year service as the principal of Gilbert Elementary, when she learned each student’s name, even when enrollment exceeded 1,000.

With that track record, Rogers feels the need to continue advancing education.

“I feel like I have a whole lot to offer, and I have time. I need to keep myself mentally busy,” she says. “Being able to do something like this is a service to the community and to the children and the families of the community.”

Rogers anticipates a learning curve, if elected, but takes heart from her previous experience when, as a superintendent, she worked directly with a school board.

“If the board and the superintendent

can work together, the district is going to benefit tremendously from co-operation,” she says. “That doesn’t mean you’ll always agree with everything, because you’re not going to.”

Rogers sees challenges for the district: lack of funding and the teacher shortage has almost reached crisis levels, she says; balancing enrollment on the east and west sides of town via changing boundaries; teacher retention and attracting young people to the profession.

The other important factor is parental involvement, she says.

Rogers would like to take on all of these issues.

“But I believe that all the other people that are running also have the best interests of the children and the district, which is nice to know,” she says.

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

45

travel

HACIENDA

del Sol 46

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

History and luxury meet In the Catalina foothills

BY ROBERTA J. PETERSON

In a bustling, resort-filled section of Tucson, a wonderful gem is hidden in plain sight: the guest ranch-turnedupscale boutique hotel, Hacienda del Sol. It’s an easy two-hour drive from Gilbert, but special enough to justify a much longer trip.

Tucked inconspicuously into the side of a hill – or perhaps, technically, a mountain – the hostelry has doubled its number of guest rooms in the past year. Yet it would be difficult for a firsttime visitor to identify which parts of the property are newly added. That’s a testament to how seamlessly the

luxurious new rooms blend with the historic portions of the property.

Added this year to the previous 30 units are the 32 Catalina rooms. These spacious king rooms with patios boast a view across a desert valley to the Catalina Mountains, their namesake.

The suite-like rooms feature custom-made ranch furniture in the same style as found in the smaller historic rooms. Six designated spa rooms include space on the patio for outdoor spa services and an al fresco shower, tastefully screened from view. It’s a special retreat designed to allow the Hacienda del Sol spa to

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

47

travel

Spacious rooms offer panoramic mountain views.

The infinite pool beckons guests to relax and renew.

Informal gardens dot the grounds with foliage.

THE MAN BEHIND THE AWARD-WINNING RESTAURANT, THE GRILL, AS WELL AS THE MORE CASUAL TERRAZA GARDEN PATIO AND LOUNGE, IS CHEF BRUCE YIM. He is passionate about his cuisine and menu. Indigenous, modern cuisine is the theme, but most notable is his penchant for whimsy. On a recent weekend, the special was Redfish. Served on Forbidden Rice and baby mustard greens with red Toboki caviar, it was finished with rosemary tea foam, steeped very lightly.

The dish was designed to represent the ocean home of the centerpiece fish. Yim explains that the potatoes were rocks at the shore; the foam is the waves – each ingredient was part of the presentation food-picture.

“We treat each item on the menu as its own theme,” Yim says. “Cooking is emotional, and we bring that to each dish. We consider the look of the plate, the texture of the food, the variety of ingredients.

“Then we test. Just sounding good on paper is not adequate. Of course, the owners have to like it, but the ultimate decision is made by our customers.”

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

Tucked out of the way while still convenient to the kitchen, a large organic garden is part of the expansion. Visiting foodies often request a tour. As part of the expansion, it replaced a tiny kitchen garden, which was mostly a collection of herbs.

“We brought in 40 dump-truck loads of organic soil. It’s truly a chef’s garden, and essential to the restaurants,” owner/manager Girth explained. It’s part of their commitment to serving truly local food.

“Availability changes with the seasons,” notes Yim. “And we like to emphasize local but also surprising ingredients. We use a lot of locally grown citrus, baby cactus and verde loca, which comes with Monsoon season.

“Yet some prefer more traditional steak and potatoes, and we have excellent choices for them, as well.”

He says The Grill hosts more Arizonans than tourists.

“It’s a small hotel to support such a

restaurant. But our tourism board is definitely working to get us better known. And we’ve had guests from all over the world, especially during the (Tucson) Gem Show. When they come, they find it a very pleasant surprise.”

Special times to visit The Grill include dinners for Thanksgiving, New Year’s, Christmas Eve and Easter – and any Sunday morning, when it is home to one of the best brunches you’ll find anywhere.

A foodie's delight for locals and guests alike: The Grill.

Guests find renewal at one of six designated spa rooms.

come to the guest. (It’s also possible to book treatments in the intimate spa, if preferred.)

New but far from sterile, the room’s historical sense of place extends to the Catalina room’s large bath. A barn door slides to reveal the main area, accented with colorfully painted bowls and a bright, Spanish-tiled shower, complete with rain-style shower head.

Crowning touch of the new Catalina area is an infinity pool literally hanging over the edge of the hill – while very well reinforced, of course – with panoramic views of the adjacent mountains. The original guest-ranch-style pool is still open, tucked into a private area beneath the main dining room.

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travel

Colorful tiles and florals play tribute to a Spanish heritage.

The theme throughout the Hacienda del Sol property is timeless desert architecture. Colorful Spanish tiles adorn walls and steps, and informal gardens between buildings beckon the visitor to enjoy restful quiet that seems to linger from another era.

Hacienda del Sol was originally a school for girls, from 1929 to 1942. It closed during World War II. Names of young guests from the rosters during those years included Vanderbilt, Pillsbury, Westinghouse, Campbell – a literal list of the daughters of the rich and famous from back East.

“They came from around the country in the seventh and eighth grades – it was a prep school,” explains owner/manager Tom Firth.

“Their parents put them on a train to travel to Tucson – there was no air service. From the train, they came the rest of the way to the ranch by stagecoach, accompanied by a trunk of clothes. It’s hard to imagine how they might have felt.”

But then he adds, “They probably 50

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

were looking forward to the horses. There has been an equestrian element here since the inception of the ranch.”

It was a common practice for wealthy families during that time to send their daughters away to live in a rugged place, Firth explains.

“And you have to remember this was a time when kidnappings of children of the famous and wealthy were common.

That played a part, as well.”

Hacienda del Sol is one of the few such properties that still serves as a fully functioning hospitality destination, Firth says.

“When the girls’ school closed, Harold and John Murphy converted the property to a dude ranch, and it has operated in that capacity ever since,” he adds.

Throughout that chapter in the life of the ranch, Hollywood stars were frequent guests.

“John Wayne, Lee Marvin, Howard

Guests can enjoy spa services in the privacy of their suites.

Hughes all visited. Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn had many of their romantic rendezvous here,” says Firth.

Today’s guests can still choose to ride horses from the stable on property. But they have an option the girls and stars never enjoyed: a four-diamond restaurant complete with more than 800 bottles of wine. Among the excellent selections are the wines of Firth’s own son.

“He’s a winemaker in Argentina. He’s a one-man show; he harvests, bottles and ships, and we serve some of his wine here,” he says, obviously a proud papa.

food&wine DINING | REVIEWS | WINE | SPIRITS

Greek Salad is made with organic mixed greens, romaine, organic English cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, green onions, Kalamata olives, feta cheese and paired with a house-made Greek dressing.

Want cucumbers with that?

SALAD AND GO SERVES UP HEALTHY FOOD, FAST

Roushan Christof ellis.

BY SRIANTHI PERERA

Salad and Go made its debut in Gilbert a few years ago — thanks to a couple of heart attacks.

Founders Tony and Roushan Christofellis of Chandler devised the business plan for their gourmet salad drive-through restaurant chain in response to their parents’ health issues.

They had never owned a business

nor knew much about running one, but vowed to take good care of themselves so their own family wouldn’t have to worry about them.

Part of that effort was making better nutrition choices. Drive-through fast food is tasty, but seldom healthful, they noted.

Hence, they drew up a carefully calorie counted menu founded on mixed greens,

with items such as quinoa, Kalamata olives and sweet potatoes. They whipped up in-house dressings to enhance the flavors. They added an equally sensibly concocted selection of smoothies for good measure.

As parents themselves, they did not ignore children.

They incorporated options such as Cucumber Pinwheels GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

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food& wine

FOOD SPOTLIGHT

(441 calories/$3.99) and Peanut Butter and Banana Wraps (525 calories/$3.99).

All of the ingredients are fresh — some of them organic — and preservatives are not an option. While the grams of fat are mostly in single digits, it’s not so with the grams of protein, which are in wholesome proportions, as they should be, they say.

Since 2013, six Salad and Go restaurants were established in Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix and Tolleson under the umbrella of “And Go Concepts.”

Northwest Chandler is about to get one and many others are in the works. They plan to double their locations by end of

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

next year and also extend to Texas in 2018. Said simply, the healthy fast food model has been a hit.

“We’re getting a lot of attention from all over, which is very exciting,” says Roushan Christofellis, a former elementary-school teacher in the Kyrene district. “People talk about it.”

Salad and Go might have a simple premise — grab and go salads — but lays claim to high standards in cuisine.

“We have a fine-dining philosophy and training in our kitchen,” she says.

“We consider ourselves gourmet.”

For starters, the company hired award-

winning executive chef Daniel Patino, who has worked in many acclaimed restaurants including Daniel in New York City and Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago.

Prior to joining Salad and Go, Patino was the executive chef at Bourbon Steak Scottsdale located at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

Patino’s seasonal-specials menu contains a Pumpkin Chai Smoothie with pumpkin, carrots, banana, honey, chai spice and almond milk (250 calories/$4.50). The Fall Harvest Salad contains a chunky and satisfying mix of roasted sweet potatoes, apples, beets,

FOOD SPOTLIGHT

food&wine Santa Fe Salad is made with organic mixed greens, romaine, tomatoes, black beans, corn, jicama, roasted red peppers, cotija cheese and paired with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette.

The Warm Berry Quinoa Bowl is part of the breakfast menu and is made with warm, seasoned quinoa, all-natural peanut butter, strawberries, blueberries, banana, roasted almonds and toasted coconut.

candied pecans, dried cranberries, feta, romaine and mixed greens (620 calories/$7.29).

Recently, And Go Concepts also hired Bobby Shaw as its chief executive officer.

“It is an innovative and disruptive concept,” says Shaw, who is known as a fast-casual and drive-through veteran.

Shaw worked his way up the ranks at McDonald’s for 17 years, was at Chipotle Mexican Grill for a decade and then worked at Freebirds World Burrito, a casual burrito place.

“I truly believe in the mission of Salad and Go to make drive-through fast food better and healthier,” he adds.

Salad and Go’s micro drive-through facility — it also has a walk-up window — struck Shaw as unique.

“The fact that we are able to operate out of a 656-square-foot footprint allows us to have a laser focus on preparing every salad made to order in less than

45 seconds, for less than $6,” Shaw says.

“This allows us to capture the speed, convenience and price of traditional drive-through fast food, while offering great tasting and ‘good for you’ food.”

Shaw is based in Austin, Texas, and plans to launch the chain there within the next 18 to 24 months.

Three years after launching the concept, Roushan Christofellis says that a few changes have made the business — and the experience with the menu — even better.

“Because we’ve grown, we’ve been able to increase our buying power,” Roushan says. “It means that we’ve been able to put a lot of our money back into our food. We’re continuing to expand our organic selection.”

What hasn’t changed much in three years are the prices of most of the offerings, with the exception of the seasonal items. Everyday salads are priced at a reasonable $5.74.

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

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food&wine

FOOD SPOTLIGHT

“We have not changed the menu too much, besides the seasonal menu items, because we want to stay focused on what we do and not lose focus on making great salads trying to be everything to everyone,” Roushan said.

“I think, when you try to do that, it starts to get overcomplicated.”

Christofellis says that the response to the food is positive. Not long after launching, Christofellis began receiving messages from people who no longer were compelled to fall back on the traditional fast-food route.

“They were enthusiastic toward our concept and really believed in what we’re doing and told me how grateful they are and how it’s affecting their lives,” she says.

The idea for Salad and Go was germinated following a trying time for the Christofellis family.

Tony, who is of Greek origin, and Roushan, who is of Iranian and Italian descent, noted that their families were prone to heart disease. Tony’s father had a quadruple bypass years ago. His mother suffered two heart attacks and his uncle died from the same cause before he reached age 65. Roushan’s father, too, developed heart disease and required a stent. Her mom has osteoporosis.

The couple didn’t want to succumb to the same fate, because ultimately, they believe, food is medicine.

“I consider myself one of the people out there that really wants to eat healthy food and likes the convenience of a drive-through,” she says. “We did this because we felt there was a need and it was something that we wanted.

And we knew we couldn’t be alone.”

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

FOOD SPOTLIGHT

food&wine

Let Them Eat Cake – and

Be Happy

THE JOY IS MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL FOR GILBERT CAKE-SHOP OWNER

BY PAUL MARYNIAK

“Let them eat cake” is Chelsea Mellor’s mantra.

But the Gilbert cake-shop owner is not reflecting Marie Antoinette’s scorn for the poor that those words first evoked.

For Mellor, they reflect the spirit of her business, Iced for Life, which just marked its oneyear anniversary at 1490 E. Williams Field Road.

“I got into this business because cake makes people happy, and if I can make someone’s day better with a delicious treat, then

food & wine

that makes me just as happy,” says Mellor, who parlayed her Arizona State University degree and her life-long love of baking into starting the business.

She makes all of her cakes from scratch, and developed a signature twist on cupcakes that she calls “baby cakes.”

They come in what her aunt, Michelle Hirsch, calls a “scrumptious kaleidoscope of flavors that includes lemonade, strawberries and cream, German chocolate, redGUIDE velvet, darkRESTAURANT

Chelsea Mellor's infectious joy is baked in the cake.

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Traditionalists will enjoy orange guests should be welcomed and made to chicken or sweet and sour pork, but set that aside for dishes butterscotch porkenjoy with feelinventive welcome.

Forlike guests that don’t wasabi mashed or the battered Wild sushi, they havepotatoes, a full selection of hot food Ginger chicken ofwith jalapeño and just a hint from a variety cuisines including Chinese, of sweetness. The modern twist continues with Thai, Korean and Japanese. Stop in today the comfortable decor, that includes oversized and discover your art. localStop Asian destination. pillows and intricate

by Wild Ginger

CALLING ALL BREAKFAST LOVERS! If you haven’t been to the Henhouse Cafe you are truly missing out. You’ll feel right at home with the friendly atmosphere and shabby chic decor. Our food is purchased locally from farm to table, we even make our own sausage in house. It’s high quality comfort food that will delight your taste buds. The menu is bursting with egg items from the griddle to chicken and waffles. The homemade sausage and homemade green chile sauce is so delicious!! We don’t think you can go wrong with anything on the Henhouse Cafe menu.

3133 S. Lindsay Rd., Gilbert 480-899-4214 3244 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert 480-219-7379. henhouse-cafe.com Monday-Sunday, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

and enjoy the finest in Asian fusion.

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861 N. Higley Rd., Suite 111, Gilbert (480)821-3908 480-907-7717 otakusushi.com | wildgingeraz.com Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. facebook.com/otakusushi Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

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food&wine

FOOD SPOTLIGHT

For Mellor, baking is both art and industry.

Iced for Life celebrates its first anniversary.

chocolate chunk, vanilla bean, margarita, key lime pie, pineapple crush, peanutbutter chocolate, banana-cream pie, and more and more.”

Mellor, an Ahwatukee resident and Mountain Pointe High grad, graduated

from ASU with honors in management and entrepreneurship.

She believes that baking from scratch is essential.

“Anyone can bake from a box,” she says. “I think the problem with many

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franchises in my industry is they always end up commercializing everything, sacrificing the quality of the product.

And by commercializing in baking terms, I mean using cake mix that often only requires you to add water.

“Yes, it is more ‘cost effective’ from a business standpoint, but I am a strong believer that the quality is most important,” she adds.

Hirsch joked that her niece’s customers share her belief that “cake is

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

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FOOD SPOTLIGHT

A treat for both the eye and palate.

for life, not just for birthdays.”

For Mellor, though, it’s not just cake but baking and art that have been for life.

“I’ve had a passion for the arts and baking for as long as I can remember,” she says. “I’ll never forget my first ‘Easy Bake Oven.’ I wanted to be an artist when I was a kid, but I loved baking, so I decided to combine my passion for baking from scratch with my love of creating art into a business.”

Mellor started her business four years

ago in a licensed home kitchen, and found two big challenges transitioning to a storefront.

First there was an agonizing search for financing.

“Bank after bank turned me away because I didn’t make enough money while baking from home,” she recalls.

“They would not even look at my business plan or take into account my college degree in management: entrepreneurship.

“I bootstrapped everything until the storefront. Finally, BMO Harris Bank took a look at my business plan, and helped me get the loans necessary to get the storefront up and running.”

Finding the storefront also was challenging.

“I originally was not looking in Gilbert for commercial spaces at all. My target areas were Ahwatukee, southern Tempe, and western Chandler,” Mellor says. “But there just was not anything on the market that was plausible for our first storefront.”

food&wine Her family happened to eat at Isabel’s Amor, a Gilbert Mexican restaurant, and saw a for-lease sign on a next-door suite.

“When they looked in the windows, they realized it was the perfect space. It was previously a bakery,” she says. “This made a huge impact in the start-up costs, as well.”

Mellor hasn’t stopped dreaming.

“I would love to see the business grow to the point of potentially franchising,” she says, “but still always baking from scratch.”

Hirsch says her niece’s experience shows aspiring entrepreneurs that they can, and should, work hard, make sacrifices and follow their passion and commitment to enjoy success.

Mellor is just glad to have made the transition from her home kitchen to a brick-and-mortar shop.

“It has been the hardest year of my life,” she says, “but I am beyond thrilled and excited to have come this far, and to have celebrated a successful first year.”

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480 247 7086 GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

57

food&wine

WHAT'S COOKING

What's Cooking With JAN D'ATRI

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower and Squash Side Want to change up your weeknight or holiday menu just a bit? Why not replace mashed potatoes with two recipes that will have you forgetting about spuds in no time at all!

Both the Garlic Mashed Cauliflower and Sensational Squash slip right into the mashed side categories and you will be amazed at their flavor and appreciate their health benefits.

These are two of my new favorites.

Hope you enjoy!

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

GARLIC MASHED CAULIFLOWER INGREDIENTS:

Peach and Sour 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon butter 1 clove garlic, smashed Cream Tart 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 head cauliflower, cut into florets

4 tablespoons (4oz or 1/2 package) cream cheese 1/2 teaspoon salt INGREDIENTS: pepper Flour for the work surface1/2 • 1teaspoon store-bought piecrust (such as Pillsbury) • 5 ripe medium yellow peaches, quartered • 1 tbsp honey, warmed • 1 16-ounce container sourDIRECTIONS: cream • 4 tbsp confectioners’ sugar • 2 tbsp thinly sliced almonds Steam cauliflower in a saucepan using a small amount of water or by using a steamer in a saucepan, filling pan with DIRECTIONS: to dough just below bottom of the 1. On a floured surface,water roll the into athe 12-inch circle.

Gently steamer. drape the dough on top of a rolling pin, lift it up, place it over a 10inch round tart pan with a removable bottom, and unroll. Press the Bring water a boil.

Add cauliflower, dough into place. Run the rolling pin to over the top of the pan to trim cover, and steam until tender, 10 excess dough. Prick the dough several times with a fork.about Refrigerate minutes. for at least 30 minutes. 2. Place oven rack in upper third of oven and heat to 400-degrees F. Place a baking sheet in oven. Line the crust with heat olive oil and in pie parchment paper or foil, Meanwhile, fitting it up the sides of the pan.butter Fill with a small skillet.

Over medium heat, cook weights or dried beans and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Remove the garlictountil about 2 weights and paper. Returnand the stir tart crust oven softened, and bake for 5 minutes minutes.

DO NOT BURN GARLIC! more. Transfer pan to a rack to cool. 3. Place the peaches in a medium bowl, drizzle with the honey, and toss. In a bowl, combine the sour fromover heat.the cooled crust. Arrange cream and sugar. SpreadRemove the mixture the peaches, rounded-side down, on top. Sprinkle with the almonds.

Transfer half of drained cauliflower Bake for 45 minutes or until the cream is the set, the almonds are golden, to a food processor.

Blend on high. Add and the peaches are tender. 4. Cool on a rack for 20 minutes.

Serve remaining cauliflower florets and blend warm or cold. until creamy. Blend in garlic, parmesan cheese, cream cheese, salt, and black Recipe courtesy Real Simple pepper. Serve hot.

GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2016 59 59 GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

datebook

5

GREAT DATES

BY MEGAN MARPLES

1

GRAND PRIX OF SCOTTSDALE FRIDAY, NOV. 4, TO SUNDAY, NOV. 6

Travel back in time to the Roaring ’20s with this Gatsby-theme weekend that features Vintage Mini Racers competing on the half-mile road course.

It begins with a “Gatsby Under the Stars Gala” on the Marshall Way Bridge and continues with a Gatsby Lawn Party on Saturday and Sunday, where food, alcohol and live entertainment will be in abundance. The racers take over on Sunday.

Old Town Scottsdale, 480-527-9779, grandprixscottsdale.com.

2

BACON, BLUES AND BREWS SATURDAY, NOV. 5

The Valley’s top chefs serve up bacon-inspired dishes like bacon poutine from The American Poutine Co. and wash down the flavorful treats with a variety of cold brews and wine. Blues music provides the soundtrack.

Founders’ Park, 22407 S. Ellsworth Rd., Queen Creek, baconbluesandbrewsaz.com.

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

LINDSEY STIRLING SATURDAY, NOV. 12

3

Gilbert native Lindsey Stirling is known in the dance/electronic genre as among the most talented musicians, combining modern music with classical instrumentation. Listen to her perform hits such as “Shatter Me” and “Something Wild.”

Comerica Theater, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix, 602-379-2800, comericatheater.com.

THE TEMPEST TRIO SUNDAY, NOV. 20

4

Listen to violinist Ilya Kaler, pianist Alon Goldstein and cellist Amit Peled as they combine their musical talents. The tris has performed around the world, from Europe to Asia, blending original and traditional pieces. On this evening, they will perform songs from Beethoven, Bernstein and Dvorak.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale, 480-499-8587, scottsdaleperformingarts.org.

CAREFREE SOUTHWEST ART & INDIAN MARKET

5

FRIDAY, NOV. 25, TO SUNDAY, NOV. 27

Skip the crowded Black Friday shopping and visit Carefree to celebrate the holiday weekend. Inspired by the first Thanksgiving, this open-air market showcases Native American culture with a variety of activities.

Wander through rows of stalls of handmade jewelry and mixed-media art. For the hungry, there will be a food court featuring Southwestern food.

Carefree Desert Gardens, 101 E. Easy St., Carefree, carefree-desert-gardens.com GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

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CAUGHT YOU

looking good

1

Amy Kelley Steph Levine is dressed for a good time in downtown Gilbert.

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

CAUGHT YOU

looking good

Mrstrina

Gina Dobmeier

Michelle Fasano

Amalia Ann Gorraiz

PHOTOS BY WILL POWERS GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016

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CLOSING

Shot

Former Gilbert teacher Cynthia Huettner delivers images of hope, strength and a brighter future on her mural to inspire homeless youth.

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GILBERT WOMAN MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2016