Roberta J. Peterson rpeterson@timespublications.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Lee Shapell lshappell@timespublications.com
Niki D'Andrea ndandrea@timespublications.com
DESIGNER
Veronica Thurman
STAFF WRITERS
Mike Butler, Srianthi Perera
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, Jan D’Atri, Megan Marples, Julie Lemerond, Alison Stanton, Marilyn Hawkes, Carson Mlnarik
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Laura Meehan 480-898-7904 lmeehan@timespublications.com
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Courtney Oldham production@timespublications.com
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Will Powers, Cheryl Haselhorst, Larry Mangino
DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AZ Integrated Media
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Gilbert Woman Magazine 1620 W. Fountainhead Pkwy, Ste. 219 Tempe, AZ 85282 www.gilbertwoman.com
Gilbert musician Lindsey Stirling finds peace after the death of her keyboardist.
Adaleida Severson started a satellite communications company out of her Gilbert Garage in 1994. Today, her cadre of clients includes NASA, CNN and the Olympic Games.
By Srianthi Perera
LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE
Rooms become showpieces with the right fixtures and lumens.
By Mike Butler
BRAVE ENOUGH
Gilbert musician Lindsey Stirling finds peace after the death of her keyboardist.
By Carson Mlnarik
12 TRENDING THREADS
How to commit to winter looks amid January weather changes.
13 PRESENT PERFECT
Adaleida Severson started a satellite communications company out of her Gilbert Garage in 1994.
Photo by Will Powers
Find one-of-a-kind Valentine's Day gifts at Gilbert's Heritage Square antique shops.
14 FITNESS
Warm up together with these five pre-workout partner stretches.
26 TRAVEL
SNOW FUN IN FLAGSTAFF: Winter wonderland awaits just an easy drive from Gilbert. FOOD & WINE 6 THE SWEET LIFE
Gilbert marshmallow mavens Tricia and Hazel Arce cook up community.
32 THE ALMOST-SILENT PARTNER
Her influence flavors Gilbert’s Clever Koi
36 WHAT’S COOKING
Turn your imperfect brownie bits and leftover chocolate into the perfect dessert topper.
Sweet Life The
GILBERT MARSHMALLOW MAVENS TRICIA AND HAZEL ARCE COOK UP COMMUNITY
BY NIKI D'ANDREA
PHOTOS BY LARRY MANGINO
The scents of cinnamon and graham crackers greet guests at Fluff It Marshmallows on Gilbert Road, followed by a mingling of melted chocolate, punchy peppermint and toasted marshmallows.
The confections lining the shelves in the shop are fun and fluffy: yellow smiley face marshmallows on sticks, marshmallow-covered chocolate cherry cordials and powdered puffs in flavors from bubble gum to salted caramel. A chalkboard menu behind the counter offers 15 different spins on s’mores in cute cursive. And then there are s’mores bowls and marshmallow-topped drinks.
Bells on the door jingle as people stream in on a Saturday afternoon in late January. While adults tap their feet
Continues on page 8
Hazel Arce uses a cooking torch to toast the marshmallow atop a s’mores bowl.
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Jennifer Boll, MD PLASTIC SURGERY
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to the 1950s rock ‘n’ roll coming from the speakers and kids zing around the store with sprinkles on their faces, Fluff It owners Tricia and Hazel Arce talk about how their business grew from a mess in their kitchen into an online merchant, and now, this successful storefront space in a Gilbert shopping complex.
It started four years ago, with a monthly baking contest among the managers at Mesa’s Bass Pro Shops, where Tricia worked. Each month’s bake-off had a secret ingredient, and one month, it was marshmallows. Tricia forwent storebought marshmallows for a from-scratch experiment.
“I wasn’t a baker. I didn’t bake cookies, cakes – nothing like that. I was the typical business, corporate woman. I was going to climb the ladder, and I was going to run a company someday. And I run one now,” Tricia says with a laugh. “But I was going to run one for somebody else – that was my thought process.”
The first time Tricia made marshmallows, it looked like the giant
Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from “Ghostbusters” exploded in her kitchen. “I didn’t know what to expect when I made it,” she says. “I didn’t know they grew in volume, I didn’t know how sticky they were – nothing.”
“It was a horrible mess,” Hazel adds with a laugh.
Tricia won the baking contest. She had lost her grandmother two weeks prior to making that first marshmallow, and recalls, “I was grieving for her, but as I was making the marshmallow, I didn’t feel that grief. I had put my thoughts, my passion into something different. So I just started making marshmallows after that –one flavor after another after another.”
Hazel says, “We started [selling them] at farmers’ markets and Etsy and events, and then ‘Chandler Lifestyle’ magazine put us on the cover, and people started coming to the house looking for marshmallows. And that’s when we decided we needed a shop.”
They launched a Kickstarter campaign for $5,000, and raised almost $12,000 in 30
Tricia and Hazel Arce started Fluff It Marshmallows after Tricia (left) began making and bringing dozens of different flavored marshmallows to her work for people to try.
DDS • LVIF • BSC • PC
Cosmetic and Neuromuscular Dentist
JOHN A. GARZA DDS, LVIF, BSC, PC
Gilbert 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.
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upfront Fighters
days. Tricia was working 60 hours a week and making marshmallows at home at night. Hazel was still developing the Fluff It concept when Tricia quit her day job.
Continued from page 9
“On my last day of work, I came home, I walked in the door and cried for a little bit, and I looked at Hazel like, ‘What’s next?’” Tricia remembers. “And she said ‘Let’s go to Disneyland!’ And so went to Disneyland for the weekend, came back home, and started this.”
FLUFF IT MARSHMALLOWS
population. Through the project, he speaks with the homeless population and photographs them, giving them back their names and dignity in the process.
1034 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, 480-686-9071
fluffitmarshmallows.com
“The inspiration for the project’s title came from Chuck Ridgeway, the first homeless man he photographed as part of the project,” says Zibert. “When Linton introduced himself and asked Ridgeway for his name, the man said, weeping, ‘You have no idea how long it’s been since someone has cared to ask my name.’”
The Gilbert location “fell into our lap very naturally,” Hazel says. “Before the shopping district was built out, we were going to the Gilbert Farmers’ Market, which was awesome support for us. They were one of the first farmers’ markets to give us a chance… so we were driving by this location every weekend.”
Zibert shared the project on social media, and her sister-inlaw, inspired, reached out to Linton.
Fluff It Marshmallows has been open two and a half years and is a popular stop for Gilbert residents. The Arces keep community culinary pride alive by using as many local ingredients as possible, including product from Glendalebased Peanut Butter Americano. They used Mesa-based Smitholator Cookie Shop cookies until demand necessitated making cookies inhouse. Fluff It’s made coffee mallow pies for Peixoto Coffee in Chandler, and contributes the cherry fluff for the “Cherry A’Mor” Cake Cuts at Gilbert-based Lisa’s Rum Cake. “We just like to look at other local people and what they use, and incorporate that,” Tricia says.
“She told Linton that Summer—a preemie—came into the world too soon and left it too soon. Her daughter had a name, and no one wanted it to be forgotten,” says Zibert.
That’s the sense of community that leads to the scents of cinnamon and graham crackers.
Eventually the entire family, including Zibert and her daughter, got involved in the project, and are still avid supporters. Linton, in turn, held a fundraiser to bring Summer’s remains home to her family and pay for her memorial.
Sugar Rush:
More Gilbert-based bakeries
“He even unveiled an art installation at the MonOrchid in 2015 dedicated to Summer. Then just this past February he unveiled another, this time dedicated to all of the homeless, like Summer, who lost their lives on the street,” says Zibert, who spoke at the opening in honor of her family and all who havelost their loved ones to homelessness.
Elizabeth’s Moments of Joy Online and delivery only 855-588-8152 elizabethsjoy.com
Zibert and her daughter also found a calling in Summer’s memory—working to help the local homeless population.
Already on the family selection committee with Habitat for Humanity in the Valley, Zibert and Kelsey also began volunteering for One True Love this year.
Lisa’s Rum Cake
“One True Love is a nonprofit including a food truck that serves those in need in the Valley,” says Zibert, who sells lemonade from the truck to help raise funds for the local homeless population. “Our mission is to serve the heart, mind, and body of human beings in need through the distribution of food, educational classes and community building events.”
(Courtesy Lisa Power)
219 S. William Dillard Drive, Suite 135 Gilbert, 480-304-5077 lisasrumcake.com
Lisa Power with her first grandchild, Madelyn Rose. Power’s company, Lisa’s Rum Cake, will have special confections for Valentine's Day.
Among their activities with the food truck, in addition to raising money through sales, is to rescue food waste from food trucks and grocers throughout the Valley and transform it into healthy meals for those in need. It’s estimated they’ve helped to
Piece of Cake Desserts 1275 E. Baseline Road, Suite 116 Gilbert, 602-628-4194, pieceofcakedesserts.com
Gilbert couple Amy and Kevin Kossman’s Piece of Cake custom confections have passed the palates of celebrities such as Steve Nash, Nick Lachey, and the New England Patriots – the night before they won the Super Bowl in 2015.
(Courtesy Melissa Jill)
—Joe Heard, former White House photographer
—Jim Crill, veteran producer,
TRENDING THREADS
It’s hard to commit to the winter look, the way the weather changes. You can go out bundled up in a scarf only to regret it when 3 p.m. rolls around. Try out a hat or beanie for that winter flair in the cool January air without having to sweat it out later on.
1. Pick a neutral, light color like white to top off your look . The faux fur will keep ears warm and go with any outfit.
2. If you’re looking for something to frame your face without owning your whole look, try for an ear warmer to keep you warm without messing up your hair.
Shimmer Ear Warmer Loft $24.50
3. If you’re still holding out for warmer weather, take a trip to the beach in your own mind with this floppy hat to keep your afternoons shady.
Wide Brim Floppy Hat
Charming Charlie $22
4. If you’re looking for a hat to dress your outfit up, opt for a simple fedora. Pair it with a black slim jacket.
Faux Fur Beanie Torrid $19.90
Eugenia Kim Bianca Fedora Banana Republic $298
PresentPerfect
FIND VINTAGE VALENTINE’S DAY GIFTS AS RARE AND LASTING AS YOUR LOVE
BY NIKI D'ANDREA
On Valentine’s Day, many men adhere to the adage “say it with flowers.”
But what do flowers really say?
Perhaps, “I love you enough to fight the floral-shop crowds over roses”? Or
Flashback Antiques
AMOROUS AROMATICS
If you’ve never walked into an antique store and thought, “It smells so good in here,” then you’ve never visited Flashback Antiques, where every day, owner Sherry Spitz keeps a scented candle burning. Not just any old wick-in-wax, these are Candle Queen Candles, hand-poured at a small business in Leavenworth, Kansas, and available in Arizona only at Flashback Antiques. The 16-ounce candles burn for 100 hours each, and are available in amor-inspiring aromas like Tahitian Vanilla, Jasmine, Plumeria, and Cabernet Grape.
Candle Queen Candles come in a variety of scents, including cheekily named “Butt Naked” (smells like baby powder) and “Monkey Farts” (smells like fruit salad). $16.95
CARING CARDS
maybe, “I love you more than a Mylar balloon could ever say?”
But really, nothing says “I love you enough to take time to find the perfect gift" like a one-of-a-kind item from the antique and boutique shops in Gilbert’s Heritage District. The owners of Flashback Antiques & Collectibles and C&J’s Antiques and Garden, less than a five-minute walk from each other on Gilbert Road, are happy to help in the hunt.
Arizona artist Dan Oakes’ handcrafted greeting cards feature his original photographs and are all blank on the inside for personalized messages.
PASSIONATE PENDANTS
Flashback’s selection of necklaces includes everything from a 14-karat yellow-gold pendant, decked in diamonds and rubies ($159); to an eternity circle of diamonds set in 14-karat, whitegold (pictured, right); to a vintage brooch with a small painted portrait of a woman ($13.99); to yellow-gold-filled hearts ornamented with red rhinestones.
Photographer Dan Oakes calls the image on this card “Flowers in the Wagon.” $4.50
“Some women aren’t into hearts,” Flashback Antiques owner Sherry Spitz says, and offers this 1980s-era eternity circle as an alternative. $349
“Costume jewelry is popular,” Spitz says. “There are some people who have big collections of costume jewelry, and some pieces are really nice,” including this heart brooch with red rhinestones. $16.95
2of a kind
PREPARE TO SWEAT WITH PRE-WORKOUT STRETCHES IN TANDEM
BY JULIE LEMEROND
It’s not a stretch to say stiff bodies can lead to pain or even injury while exercising.
Partner stretching is a fun way to warm up before heading out for that jog or heading into that yoga class.
You may have someone special in your life this Valentine’s Day. Even if you are flying through life solo right now, grab a friend.
Here are some fun ways you can incorporate a buddy into your pre-workout stretching session.
FORWARD FOLDS
Seated on the floor, face each other with legs out straight, the soles of your feet touching the soles of your partner’s feet. Reach out and grab each other’s hands, and then sit tall. Take a deep breath in and,
as you exhale, gently fold over your legs while your partner leans back. Find your edge, and take five breaths there. Then repeat for your partner to get the stretch.
You can add variations to this: Keep one leg out while bending the other and placing the sole of your foot against your inner thigh. Keep your torso squared over the straight leg for the most impact.
CHEST STRETCH
Lie on your stomach, body long and flat on the ground, feet about 2 feet apart. Have your partner kneel in between your legs (they can also kneel directly on your glutes), and have them grab your wrists.
On an exhale, have them pull your whole torso off the floor. Hold as long as you
are comfortable and then release.
HIP STRETCH
Lying on your back, cross a bent left leg over a bent right leg making a figure-4. With your partner kneeling in front of you, put your right foot on their chest and have him or her lean in. You should feel an amazing stretch in your left hip. Switch sides, and then switch turns.
FULL BODY
Lying on your back, put your legs straight up in the air. Have your partner stand with back toward you, then slowly start to lean back so that you are supporting your partner’s whole body with your feet on his or her lower back.
If possible, he or she can reach out and
grab his or her ankles for a full-body stretch. This one can also be done standing with your backs against each other, intertwining arms, with one person bending forward while the other person is lifted up into the air, feet dangling.
TWIST
Lie on your back and hug your right knee into your chest, left leg still out straight on the ground.
On an exhale, let the right knee cross the body, reaching it toward the floor. Start to turn your gaze over your right shoulder. Your partner can gently press the outer right knee and right shoulder to assist you further into the stretch. Don’t force anything! Switch sides, and then switch turns and enjoy!
Financial Fitness
Tired of advisors talking at you rather than with you? If so, let’s have a conversation together.
What if I am 40 or 50 years old and haven’t saved for retirement?
If you’re 40 or 50 years old and haven’t yet saved anything for retirement, you’re not alone. Economic recessions and the housing crisis have left as many as 1 in 5 Americans with little to no retirement savings. It’s not all bad news. Working with a financial professional, you can evaluate your current financial situation, create a financial plan, and save for retirement.
Evaluate where you are today. Be honest about your financial situation including income, expenses, and savings. You may be better off than you think!
Shanna Tingom is an independent financial professional and cofounder of Heritage Financial Strategies, 207 N. Gilbert Road, Ste. 209, Gilbert, AZ 85234. On the web: at heritagefinancialaz.com or call 480-397-1184.
Eliminate unnecessary expenses like cable and car payments.
Stop paying day-to-day expenses for adult children. Your money can only go so far and they’re likely eating into retirement savings or money that you could be saving for retirement.
Pay your kids’ college tuition without impacting your own savings. Find ways they can pay for their own college education like taking classes in high school, attending community college, scholarships, and financial aid.
Create a household budget and use it. You will be forced to be honest about where your money is going. It’s likely you will find better ways to spend and save than what you’re doing today.
Start saving for retirement by taking advantage of an employer sponsored retirement plan especially if they offer a match. For example, if
they offer $.50 for every dollar you save up to a percentage of your salary, you can turn $5,000 into $7,500 ($5,000 by you + $2,500 employer match) just by qualifying for the minimum requirement.
Evaluate your life insurance plans. If you need your income and your spouse’s income to meet financial goals, you need life insurance to cover the income in the event one of you dies. This would cover expenses like paying off the house and cars and for children’s college tuition. If your employer offers life insurance, make sure you’re enrolled; you may also need additional coverage.
The truth of the matter is that if you’re 40 or 50 years old and haven’t saved for retirement, you may need to take what feels like drastic measures in order to be able to save what you need to retire.
Sell the house and cars in favor of a less expensive options.
Limit spending on dining out in favor of free or nearly free date night options.
Cancel cable and magazine subscriptions and curb your shopping habits.
These are all potential ways to create the cash you need to save for retirement.
If you’re not sure where to begin making a financial plan for your future, make an appointment with me at Heritage Financial Strategies today.
5 MONEY TIPS FOR WOMEN
KNOW YOUR CREDIT REPORT AND CREDIT SCORE: Sign up for monthly credit monitoring service if your bank doesn’t offer it for free. Many unpleasant surprises can be avoided by keeping an eye on your credit report.
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.
KNOW YOUR “MAGIC NUMBER”: “Retirement” means different things to different people. Learn how much you need to save before work is optional.
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.).
StratosphericSuccess
GILBERT WOMAN’S GARAGE-GROWN SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS FIRM MAKES WAVES
BY SRIANTHI PERERA
PHOTOS BY WILL POWERS
The year 2000 was approaching, and television host Larry King was scheduled to do an interview with noteworthy people, including the Dalai Lama.
A small satellite-communications company based in Gilbert was chosen to facilitate the remote transmission for CNN.
Continues on page 18
“We couldn’t know where he lived, whether he had power – electricity –so we brought generators,” Adelaida Severson, president of Bushtex Inc., says.
The Dalai Lama’s whereabouts were not revealed to the small group that made its way by train, boat and camel to his abode in north India, accessed via Benares, a city on the banks of the Ganges.
“That was one of the places that was challenging, because they had to blindfold them the last stretch because they don’t want people to know,” says Severson, whose husband Barry was part of the crew. (She did not go because she was pregnant at the time.)
“The Dalai Lama is hooked up. He doesn’t live in poverty,” she offers as an aside.
Bushtex – “techs in the bush” – is set up for just such adventurous assignments: far flung and complicated.
The couple, who have backgrounds in television broadcasting, established
the company in 1994 in the garage of their Gilbert home. Today, in addition to most large television broadcasting corporations, their clients include U.S. Homeland Security, Army National Guard, defense contractor General Atomics and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Whether it’s the Olympic Games, a presidential election in another part of the globe or civil unrest between warring factions, Bushtex has been able to facilitate communications.
Although the CNN project was planned, some assignments come about suddenly, such as an earthquake where national news-media outlets want satellite access to the area.
That’s when remotely based freelancers rise to the challenge.
“Throughout the years, we’ve made friends along the way with camera people that do what we do and can go whenever we have a need,” Severson says. “They are freelancers, so they like that. We have the equipment strategically placed
in areas of the world. They know where to get it, grab it, use it and put it back.
“We’re a small company, but we’re so nimble, and companies like that. When we say that we can be there by tomorrow or in five hours, they ask how?” she says.
About 10 Bushtex employees are geographically placed around the states and a few are even placed internationally, but freelancers are the company’s lynchpin.
Severson works with “a Rolodex” of about 150 people located globally, particularly chosen for their aptitude to work with diverse people. Bushtex also finds “fixers” in each locality. These are well-connected locals who can get things done, such as organize a crane on short notice. Each cog in the wheel helps to accomplish the work.
Growing up in Hawaii to parents of Filipino, Chinese, Spanish and Hawaiian descent, Severson did not imagine that she would be leading a company like this. Her mom was a celebrity in Hawaii, a singer and pianist,
who entertained and gave voice to the Filipino immigrants working the pineapple fields. Severson liked her mom’s appearances on television and took on ambitions for a similar career, albeit in news broadcasting.
At 18 she left Hawaii to attend the University of Southern California, where she subsequently majored in foreign relations and broadcasting.
The plum positions in television anchoring, however, evaded her in California. When she was at a crossroads, a friend told her about a job gathering news and handling logistics for a satellite-communications startup in Los Angeles. She embraced it.
Severson met her future husband at the company. Barry was stationed in Phoenix and frequently was sent on assignment around the world. They did not know then that the skills they perfected at this company would be transferred to their own venture.
Between her husband’s work abroad, the couple got married and settled in
Adelaida Severson has traveled to 34 countries, including Vietnam and Cuba.
Continues from page 17
the Valley. Severson attended Arizona State University and worked on a Ph.D. program, and was subsequently hired in then-President Lattie Coor’s office.
Realizing the lucrative nature of facilitating satellite broadcasting, they began their company on the side.
In 2002, the couple developed the business when Severson was finishing her doctorate and was pregnant with twins. They began hiring employees, and Bushtex took off.
The path from garage to global was swift.
“Broadcasters don’t have the equipment or the personnel to cover all of the news that’s going on around the world. So they would come to people
like us, who have the equipment and personnel and sub-contract it,” she says. When media-company budgets began shrinking and priorities changed, Bushtex stumbled onto something even better.
“A government RFQ (request for qualifications) came to one of our competitors and they passed it on to us. We tried it. That was kind of our takeoff point. It had to do with real, cuttingedge technology that we had,” Severson says. “Once they found out that we can do this via satellite, more requests came. We partnered with a company that does these, and since then we’ve been growing with them.”
Rather than filling a niche, Severson describes it as creating a niche.
“It’s interesting because we’re outside of the Beltway, not in Washington, D.C., but in Gilbert, Arizona. Where on earth is that? They thought we were such a small town because we had a P.O. Box on Gilbert Road. Some of them came to visit and they were pleasantly surprised that we’re actually a neat town.”
With the advent of government contracts came the need for enhanced security. Bushtex moved in 2010 to a commercial property at 723 W. Guadalupe Road in Gilbert.
Barry is in charge of the technical and engineering aspects, while she does the day-to-day operations and deals with the government entities.
The office is quiet usually, because most of its employees are scattered around the country. But Severson has her hands full, not just coordinating them, but also raising her three sons, Lars, 17, and twins Brock and Swen, 14, who attend Campo Verde High. Add to that her philanthropic and community involvement at Arizona State University, Gilbert Historical Museum, Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and representing Gilbert as an ambassador, and her plate is full.
“My day starts super early sometimes, and ends super late sometimes,” she says.
Socializing often takes a backseat.
“I just want to be with my kids and watch them play basketball and watch them grow,” she says.
Find out more about Adelaida Severson’s company at Bushtex.com.
Severson started her career as a journalist in Los Angeles before co-founding Bushtex, Inc. in Gilbert.
Severson's community service includes posts on the Gilbert Public School District board and ASU's Asian-American Chapter.
LIGHT UP your LIFE
ROOMS BECOME SHOWPIECES WITH RIGHT FIXTURES AND LUMENS
BY MIKE BUTLER
Like a fresh coat of paint, a new lighting fixture or two has the power to instantly and dramatically transform a room, and it doesn’t take a huge investment.
Whether you need a dining-room chandelier or a bedside lamp – or you’re thinking you need a complete lighting makeover – you want the fixtures to be stylish as well as functional.
As with other home furnishings, fixtures usually fall into the traditional, transitional or modern style slots. Within those broad categories, there are specific trends that especially appeal to Gilbert home decorators, according to Holly Harris, manager of the new Ferguson Showroom in Village Square at Dana Park.
Crystal chandeliers and pendants, for
instance, continue to bedazzle East Valley residents. But the days of polished brass and uniform stones are long gone. The latest lighting fixtures incorporate the sparkle of crystal and metal in unexpected ways, or combine crystals in tiered or stacked shapes that help them blend into a variety of decorating schemes.
Likewise, mid-century modern light fixtures are still much in demand whenever a powerful first impression needs to be made in a Gilbert home’s foyer, or something extraspecial is needed to pair with that swanky new reading chair.
Homeowners are also attracted to rustic, earthy fixtures and other lighting designs inspired by nature.
So let’s look up and around at the possibilities.
Tiara from Corbett Lighting makes a fashion-forward statement in bronze and clear crystal. It’s available in a variety of configurations, from a two-light sconce to a 17-light pendant.
Add sparkle to your master bath with Crystorama’s polished chrome Essex, also available as a two-light bath mount and in several pendant styles.
Hubbardton Forge’s Shard sconce looks amazing indoors or outdoors. An LED light highlights the shardembedded glass block and vertical metal back plate.
NEW AGE CRYSTAL
Lighting designers have been letting their imaginations soar by using large rocks and organically shaped crystal droplets, combined with long rods or bold metal frameworks. Crystals are cut like diamonds in all shapes and sizes and facets, but the effect is always surefire: instant glamour and dazzling, prismatic color.
The stacked design of Bleecker by Crystorama makes it stand out in either a traditional or contemporary setting.
Faceted crystal bars enliven the oil-rubbed bronze cage of Elk’s Yardley pendant.
Eurofase’s Elrose Collection pairs natural stones with gold for a warm, luxurious look.
Go back to the future with Kalco’s Calistoga, available as a 12-inch mini pendant or a 3-light 25-inch pendant.
Park Harbor’s 4-light foyer pendant features dramatic angled black arms.
This Cocoon entry pendant by Maxim is a web of fiberglass bonded together with latex and stretched over steel frames.
MID-CENTURY MODERN
1950s and 1960s design endures because it straddles contemporary and nostalgic. Present-day designers for Kichler, Troy and Kalco honor the past, but look to the future to invent their own striking geometric forms that use the latest materials and energy-efficient LED lamping.
Tip box:
WATTS UP WITH LUMENS
In the old days, if a 60-watt bulb wasn’t getting the job done in a certain area, you’d screw in a 100watt bulb. Problem solved.
But watts, which measured the amount of energy the bulb used, were never really a good way to gauge lumens, or brightness.
Fortunately, there’s a simple formula to determine how many lumens a room should have. Just multiply the square footage by 40.
It’s not a hard and fast rule. You can use more lumens for hardworking areas like bathrooms and kitchens, less in bedrooms.
The Charles 4-light pendant from Kichler features stamped circular cutouts in natural brass.
Troy’s Ace chandelier combines opal glass orbs with textured bronze and brushed brass for a look that’s out of this world.
Enough Brave Brave
GILBERT’S LINDSEY STIRLING FINDS PEACE AFTER KEYBOARDIST’S DEATH
BY CARSON MLNARIK
Since her days as a YouTube star, Lindsey Stirling has made violin concerts hip.
With her back bends, and hip-hop and ballet moves, coupled with costume changes and light shows, her performances are reminiscent of an electronic music and dance festival.
But the fun stopped temporarily for the Gilbert native, who graduated from Mesquite High School.
Her latest album, “Brave Enough,” comes from a raw and emotional place for Stirling, who returns to the Valley to play Livewire in Scottsdale on Friday, Feb. 10. It documents the emotional journey she traveled after the death of her best friend and keyboard player, Jason “Gavi” Gavati. “I kind of shut off in every possible way after it happened – especially emotionally,”
Stirling, who was a quarterfinalist on “America’s Got Talent,” recalls. “I just closed up and went numb for a while.”
Refusing emotion only worked for so long, and Stirling found herself inspired by the writings of Brené Brown, a scholar and author on shame and vulnerability. Adversity is nothing new to Stirling, who previously suffered from anorexia.
“The thing that stuck out to me is she said you can’t selectively numb emotions. If you numb the bad, you numb the good,” Stirling says. “I didn’t want to live a life that was just numbing, I wanted to live a full life.”
From there, the album was born.
The collection and its title track reflect her feelings about the troubling time: If she was “brave enough,” she could have a whole heart again and experience the hard
emotions needed to feel joy.
Each song tells a step of the process, from faith and trust, to getting up after you fall, to independence and gratitude.
A former Arizona Junior Miss, Stirling has achieved success on her terms. She has 8 million subscribers and 1.3 billion-plus views on YouTube, and a “New York Times” bestselling autobiography – all without the benefit of a major record label. She released the chart-topper “Shatter Me” in 2014 and was named No. 4 on Forbes’ “Highest-Paid YouTube Stars” list in 2015.
Stirling’s fan base continues to expand. When it comes to inspiring those who have supported her for so long, Stirling is eloquent and determined in her advice.
“Don’t be afraid to start,” she says. “It feels overwhelming, like the journey is way too far, but do something. Whether
it’s playing open-mic night or drawing pictures and posting them on Instagram. Whatever it is, just start sharing what you love because you’ll always be better for it.”
NO STRANGER TO ARIZONA
Returning home to Gilbert is always a treat for Stirling, who turned 30 in September.
“People say, ‘Where do you want to go when you have time off, where do you want to travel?’ Honestly, I travel all the time, I want to go to Arizona,” Stirling says. “I want to get some Cafè Rio and climb Camelback Mountain. That’s my favorite stuff to do, to be honest.”
Stirling specifically instructed her booking agents to end the tour in Arizona, once again to intensify that coming-home feeling.
“I see so many people in the audience who I know, whom I went to high school with, who I went to church with growing up. It’s so cool and I love that,” she says.
For the album, Stirling enlisted some of her bucket-list favorite artists for collaboration.
“Brave Enough,” her third album, has a collaborative feel. Christina Perri, also a Brown fan, lends her vocals to the album’s title track.
Weezer lead singer Rivers Cuomo sings on “Don’t Let this Feeling Fade,” with Christian rapper Lecrae. Her current hit is “Something Wild,” in which Andrew McMahon of Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness sings. The song also appears in the credits of the Disney film “Pete’s Dragon.”
Stirling recalls being in the studio writing with McMahon. She looked at her producer and grinned.
“There were a lot of moments that were like, ‘Wow I can’t believe this person is working with me,’” Stirling says. She wants her concert to reflect the
mood of the album. She wanted it so much that she was skeptical it would work.
7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10 Livewire, 7320 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale
Tickets cost $35 480-970-1112 or livewireaz.com
“It just seemed like I stretched myself too thin, pushed the envelope too far, and now here we are, the show’s running like clockwork,” Stirling says. “The fans have been loving it and it’s so rewarding to see that happen.”
Stirling described the show as extremely visual and theatrical. She gave “Mirage,” her favorite song to perform, a Bollywood feel with Hindi visuals, belly dancers and video flashes.
In between songs and clips, she can be seen sharing personal stories and experiences. Stirling really wanted the tour to tell the same story as the album, about being vulnerable.
“I hope that people leave with the resolve to be brave enough in whatever they do,” she says, “We’re all consistently trying to better ourselves. I hope people feel empowered.”
Custom Center –
Snow fun in Flagstaff
WINTER
WONDERLAND AWAITS JUST AN EASY DRIVE FROM GILBERT
BY ROBERTA J. PETERSON
Do you miss the snow-filled winters of your childhood? Perhaps you’re an East Valley native but want your children to experience winter fun.
There’s no need to journey to a rickety inn in Vermont or take a short but pricey flight to Denver. The best of winter is available right now, only two hours north and just over a mile “up” from the I-17 and Loop 101 junction in Phoenix.
The streets of downtown Flagstaff are lined with sandstone brick buildings built in the 1890s before Arizona was a state. The “newer” structures date from the roaring ’20s, adorned with “ghosts of the bricks” –the early signage visible on many building corners, advertising hotels or drugstores, many that are now distant memories.
The city’s historic footprints don’t end with buildings. Legendary Route 66 splits the main business district, still flanked by a few neon-outlined roadside motels from the
golden years of motor travel, preserving one of the most original mid-century tableaux to be found anywhere.
But Flagstaff isn’t just about the past. The college town is imbued with the energy of youth, and chain-link fences on corners adjacent to the historic buildings reveal heavy construction taking place as 21stcentury hotels and banks are rising, again redrawing the landscape. 2017 promises to be another boom period for the city.
A few things to keep in mind before heading north:
• It’s colder than you think at night, but warms up most days. Pack clothes that allow you to dress in layers.
• It’s casual. Among the most common clothing outlets are military-supply stores. Flannel shirts are part of the local uniform for both men and women.
• Keep a bottle of water handy. The high elevation makes constant hydration
necessary, especially for desert dwellers.
• Don’t try to make a day-trip of it. It’s too far and weather can be changeable and even hazardous in winter. Make reservations.
• You don’t have to overstock your car if you’re already tight with kids and pets. Sleds and other winter gear are available just about everywhere – even at many gas stations.
WHERE TO EAT
Downtown Flagstaff has become a burgeoning food mecca, as surprising as locals seem to find that development. You could stay a week and easily enjoy a top-shelf but distinctly different dining experience every night.
Dara and Joe Rodger, co-owners of the small but extremely high-energy Shift Kitchen and Bar downtown, share a passion for food, a background in hospitality and a love of mountain towns. The combination landed them in Flagstaff. Dara’s hometown is
Chicago; Joe was originally from Sedona; his parents now live in Gilbert.
The emphasis at Shift is small plates and creativity.
“This is the most fun job I’ve ever had,” declares Dara without hesitation, as she assembles a creative dessert during a weekend dinner rush, half hidden by several tall stacks of clean plates fresh from the dishwasher.
“Here at the bar, that’s where the action is,” she says, as Joe bends to meticulously paint a large house-made cracker with colorful puree from a pastry cone, carefully selecting the additions for an orchestration of flavor with visual presentation.
Every small plate that leaves the kitchen at Shift receives the same care and usually includes a surprise – such as a fried egg perched atop pasta. Yet somehow the unexpected works. Very well.
Each new dish builds on the previous for a frenzy of flavor and texture, creating a
Just a short drive from downtown Flagstaff, Arizona Snowbowl offers a new "six pack" chairlift to get skiers up and down the mountain faster than ever before.
(Arizona Snowbowl)
Snowbowl Snow bow l
• Arizona Snowbowl accumulates an average of 260 inches of snow each winter.
• Snowbowl experiences a much higher percentage of days with bright sunshine and fresh powder than most Colorado ski resorts.
• Professional training is available for both boarders and skiers, whether first timers or intermediates.
• Arizona Snowbowl is just 14 miles northwest of Flagstaff. The runs are on the majestic San Francisco Peaks at an elevation of 9,500 feet.
satisfying meal. The energy is shared by both chef and customer. Diners can construct meals from the day’s offerings or can request to have the kitchen staff customize a presentation. Love your dinner? Add $10 to the check to buy the kitchen a six pack. Shift opened in April and enthusiastic endorsements have been plentiful while ringside seats overlooking the kitchen are increasingly hard to come by.
“This is such a change for Flagstaff, and that’s where the name comes from,” explains Joe.
The high-energy dinner experience doesn’t inspire an early bedtime or sitting by the fire; it’s best followed by an evening of bar hopping or downtown shopping. Options are
plentiful for both.
The distinctly contemporary dining experience at Shift on a Friday night might be counter-balanced with a leisurely and highly traditional Saturday dinner at the romantic Silver Pine Restaurant and Bar inside the iconic Little America Hotel, not far from the busy downtown streets, yet set inside its own forest.
Built in 1972, the 500 pinecovered acres are adjacent to the heavily trafficked railway tracks and the still-welltraversed Route 66. Hotel and restaurant each have been extensively remodeled in the past year.
Artwork and color schemes are closely tied to Arizona tradition and history. The theme becomes musical in the glass-walled restaurant, as “In The Mood” plays, recalling the 1940s heyday of the adjacent Mother Road.
Despite the differences between Silver Pine and the fairly boisterous Shift, the distinctly traditional meat-and-potatoes dishes on the formal menu are also accented by unexpected pairings. The Peppercorn
Encrusted Filet Mignon, for instance, is served with both surprising and delicious garlic and bleu cheese mashed potatoes, while the very American Buffalo Short Ribs come with a bacon-accented Brussel Sprouts Slaw.
Many of the buildings in Flagstaff’s historic downtown area have found new life today as restaurants. Highlights include the well-reviewed Cottage Place restaurant, south of the tracks in a popular area known as Flagstaff’s Historic Southside District. It offers such fine dining options as Chateaubriand and Tenderloin Roast carved tableside.
A perennial favorite is Josephine’s Modern American Bistro, at 503 N. Humphreys St. in a Craftsman bungalow listed on the National Historic Register. While lunch and dinner are served, the standout here is brunch. From the Smoked Salmon Omelet to Petite Filet Eggs Benedict, nothing is ordinary. If your snow play has readied you for carbs, try the Scratch Biscuits and Chorizo or the Rum Flambéed Bananas Foster French Toast. Pair your choice with a Bloody Mary, Mimosa or Hibiscus Bellini – just be sure to pencil an afternoon nap into your activity schedule.
(Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau)
Downtown Flagstaff, with buildings that date to the early 1900s, is now home to an eclectic mix of restaurants and night spots.
(Arizona Snowbowl)
The lobby at the iconic Little America Hotel, long one of the finest places to stay in Flagstaff, recently underwent major renovation.
WHERE TO STAY
From Route 66 motels to historic hotels and timeshare mountain lodges, there is no shortage of lodging in Flagstaff. Arguably, the best all-around accommodations value may be Pat Wiebe’s Comfi Cottages, a collection of nine housing configurations, many full houses. They’re available for rent by the night, both directly through the owner or with Airbnb (pricing is the same).
When you lose a loved one, it is one of those times in life when you can feel lost, or adrift–not sure of which way to turn and how to make it through. You need to know that there’s someone there that you can trust, someone who feels like family. A funeral director who cares can make a huge difference in your comfort level, and allow you to the safety of knowing that your best interests are being considered. This is the benefit of choosing Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery for your final arrangements and those of your loved ones.
Family Owned and Operated
Mountain View Funeral Home understands the concept of family: since 1951, the Coury family have been operating the family funeral home under the guiding philosophy of being of service to members of the community in their time of need. Now managed by the Second and
Located in or near the iconic downtown with several in walking distance from the main business district, the cottages are vintage gems and as charming as the name
Family Funeral - Comfort From Trust
third generation of Coury’s, Mountain View Funeral Home is a Mesa, AZ tradition with professionally trained and licensed staff members all with the stated goal of ensuring your loved one receives the dignified memorial service that they deserve.
Community Education
A family funeral home takes services a step further by offering education before a loss as well as caring and compassion during a period of mourning. Funeral directors and their team will help you understand the meaning of different parts of the memorial service, the differences between cremation and interment, and provide you with a wealth of additional options including beautiful touches such as a release of white doves after the service.
Your Personal Concierge
When a loved one passes from the mortal coil, you can
feel overwhelmed with details, so another benefit that family funeral homes can offer is access to a concierge to help with everything from florists, hotels, restaurants and even car services. Our professional staff is available to assist with any special needs six days per week.
Finding the right fit for a funeral home is important; you want to know that not only is your loved one being treated with dignity, but that you and your family will feel comfortable and supported in your decisions during this time. Selecting Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery is one way to ensure that you are using a family funeral home who will go above and beyond your expectations.
Mention this ad to get $200 Discount
suggests. They range in rate from $140 to $285 per night, and in size from one to four bedrooms, some with multiple baths and all with fully equipped kitchens.
The top price will snag you the fully furnished Classic Ranch with 4 bedrooms and 2 baths, fully equipped kitchen (down to cookware, utensils, condiments and breakfast cereal) and a dining room that seats six comfortably. The wood-floored living room includes a gas fireplace and the decor is new and comfortable, yet takes you back to a time when the space race was still raging.
Out back, there’s a large grassy yard for pups and kids and a covered area for comfortable grilling. It’s the perfect place to stay for an extended family outing – and it can save you a bundle over renting several hotel rooms and eating out for every meal.
Wiebe’s favorite, however, is the Birch Street Getaway with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath.
“We bought it in 1978 and were going to retire there. But shortly after that, we started accepting foster kids. We ended up with six children including the fosters we adopted, so the place became way too small for our new life.”
They remodeled the little house and rented it to college students, because of the proximity to Northern Arizona University.
“They trashed it. So we had to go another direction,” she recalls. “There were no ‘nightlies’ in those days like Airbnb. We decided to go the bed-and-breakfast route. We had traveled in Europe and experienced B&Bs there, so patterned ours after the selfcatered breakfasts they offered.”
She leaves supplies for guests to fix their own morning meals in the well-stocked kitchens.
Also, unlike many American B&Bs,
Wiebe’s offerings have no prohibitions about children, regardless of age.
A larger property was soon constructed behind the original Birch offering, and then the Wiebes bought just one more home – until they added a couple more properties to their collection in 1994 and 1996.
“We were entrepreneurs and didn’t know it,” she says now, laughing.
Each of the cottages includes the full kitchen and many have fenced yards and/or full-size laundry facilities, helpful for families after a day of skiing or snow play. They’re stocked with what Wiebe calls the “snack basket,” with microwave popcorn, flavored teas, chocolate cookies, snacks and cereals. At Christmas time, cider-drink mixes are added.
“I try to have regular and decaf coffee in the fridge, as well as jellies, jams and butter, salt and pepper, sweeteners, and other basics in addition to pots, pans and dinnerware, so the kitchen is very usable.
“We cater to families and people with pets. We work to match our customers with the best property for their needs, and we give them tips to enhance their stay. For instance, the Birch cottage is just two blocks away from Thorpe Park, where there’s lots of play equipment, and there’s a sledding hill right behind. It’s a great place to safely spend an afternoon sledding and then come back and warm up in front of the fire.”
All of the units have fireplaces. They’re gas, except 919c Beaver, which has an electric unit.
To check out the options, go to www. comficottages.com. Reservations can be made online and availability is constantly updated. For more information, call 928774-0731 or 888-774-0731 toll free.
(Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau) The
Silver Pine Restaurant
Bar
the Little America Hotel offers diners a leisurely and traditional dinner with culinary surprises.
(Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau)
Don't board your best friend
Pet-friendly hotels, cottages invite pups to enjoy winter fun
If you – like us – are among those crazy people who hate to leave our furkids behind when we go on out-of-town adventures, your first questions may be: How dog friendly is Flagstaff?
More than two-dozen properties are listed as pet friendly in and around town, but policies vary widely. Here is a sampling of pet-friendly lodging in Flagstaff. These are among the hostelries receiving best ratings from pet owners on related online sites:
La Quinta Inn & Suites Flagstaff: Two pets of any size are welcome. This is the only hotel listed as charging no additional fee for Fido. Rules: Pets must be crated when alone in rooms and owner must be available by cellphone. For a pet-friendly room reservation, call 928-556-8666.
to verify availability of a pet-friendly room (or may incur loss of room and cancellation penalties).
Comfort Inn I-17 & I-40: Two pets of any size are allowed for an additional fee of $30 per pet, per night. All rooms are pet friendly. Pets cannot be left unattended in rooms, which can make going to dinner or heading out to the lifts challenging.
Springhill Suites by Marriott Flagstaff: One or two pets of any size may stay for an additional $75 per stay. Guests traveling with pets are assigned to rooms on the first or second floors. Pets must be crated when left unattended.
DoubleTree by Hilton Flagstaff: Two pets up to 75 pounds each are welcome. There is an additional fee of $50 per pet, per stay. Guests with pets are not permitted in Deluxe rooms or Suites. Guests traveling with pets must call 928-773-8888 prior to booking
Comfi Cottages: All of the nine options are now pet friendly (the website has not yet been updated), and several have fenced-in yards for fun outdoor frolicking. Your Gilbert dog will love his first experience playing leash-free in the snow! A pet fee of $25 is charged for the first dog, regardless of length of stay. Two dogs are $35 and three at $50. There is no weight limit.
POWDER PLAY: Tips for Flagstaff fun
It’s really high. Don’t think of Flagstaff as Colorado junior. Snowbowl ski runs rival some of the Centennial State’s highest. At 7,000 feet, the sun is quite intense and you are closer to the equator than in Colorado, as well. It is possible to experience fatigue and shortness of breath. Drink plenty of water, rest often, apply sunscreen liberally (SPF 50 is recommended) before you venture out and don’t forget your face, ears and nose. Additionally, wear sunglasses and a hat.
Slow down. There are many opportunities for outdoor activities, including hiking, snowshoeing and sledding. There is also a plethora of bars. Even in town, the high elevation affects everyone differently, but you will get fatigued more quickly and feel the effects of alcohol more profoundly. Plan accordingly.
Consider renting early. To make the most of your time, consider renting ski or
snowboarding equipment from an intown vendor the day before you head to the slopes. That way, you’re ready to hit the slopes as soon as your car door opens. If you do end up renting at Snowbowl, the lines look forbidding early in the day, but even on weekends, it’s generally a well-oiled machine that moves surprisingly quickly.
That traffic! Sorry, there’s no secret back road or helicopter drop to get around the gridlock on the way to Snowbowl on weekend mornings –and even more so after 3:30 p.m. for the trip back. Go very early (equipment windows open at 8, the lifts at 9). And consider leaving at 3 p.m. One option is to take the electric-powered buses that take you to the bottom of the hill and, later after closing, to a stop in town. The buses can’t circumvent the traffic jam either, however, so this is mostly helpful for any non-skier picking you up. The best solution: Come during the week.
with buildings
Everything is open and lines are almost non-existent up the hill and on it.
The good news: The new high-speed,
6-passenger chairlift has drastically shortened lines, even on freshpowder Saturdays. At times, even at midday, there is no wait at all.
(Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau)
Downtown Flagstaff,
that date to the early 1900s, is now home to an eclectic mix of restaurants and night spots.
food wine&
DINING
| REVIEWS | WINE | SPIRITS
The almost-silent
partner
HER INFLUENCE FLAVORS GILBERT’S CLEVER KOI
To those who comment that she’s a lucky lady to be married to a chef, Holly Porter says with a wink, don’t be fooled.
“In their minds, he’s home cooking every night,” she says. “I joke, ‘Yeah, that happens on his one day off.’ ”
Holly’s husband of 13 years, Jared Porter, also is amused by the perception, and adds, “They think I’m just up against the stove cooking Michelin star meals every night of the week. But no.”
Jared is head chef and among a trio of owners of newly opened Clever Koi in downtown Gilbert. It’s the second location of the Asian-inspired kitchen and craft-cocktail bar after a successful debut in Phoenix.
Holly is lead fan of her husband and the restaurant. She should be. She has a sizable behind-the-scenes stake, herself.
The two took a leap of faith when considering the finances of owning a restaurant.
Jared never misses an opportunity to point out that while he and his partners are the only three who work for the business, his share of the ownership belongs to Holly as much as it does to him.
“She’s helped me guarantee some loans. Her name is all over the paperwork,” he points out.
The restaurant’s décor also stands witness to the contributions of Holly—as well as the other partners’ significant others.
“They gave us good advice, like how to make things more feminine or well rounded with certain textures, touches and colors,” Jared says. “Our look is mid-century modern. The buildings are steel and dark, earthy, concrete and simple. We’re very proud that. From the outside in, it’s a transformation. It
Holy Porter dishes about food and family at Clever Koi. Continues on page 34
Continues from page 32
feels like you’re in Boston or Chicago.”
Holly says they want guests to enjoy a communal, casual atmosphere, comfortable whether dressed up or down. Their daughter added touches to make families feel welcome, such as available coloring books.
“It looks polished and high speed, but you could sit down with a 5-year-old and be comfortable,” Jared says. “We don’t want to be a one-night-a-week place, we want to be a three-nights-a-week place.”
Owning a restaurant means that her husband works long hours.
“But then, I knew what I signed up for,” Holly says.
Just as she helped Jared give birth to his dream, he helped her realize hers of being a stay-at-home mom. A first-grade teacher when their daughter came along, Holly knew instantly that her mission was changed forever. She now is a devoted mom to 5-year-old Grace.
“I remember, growing up, I was so envious of the kids whose moms were home when they got home from school, and made snacks,” she says. “I really wanted that for our daughter.
“Jared promised he would do whatever it took to make sure I could stay at home with her, and I knew he would be successful.”
Still, Holly stands ready to pitch in whenever necessary, but she says she prefers to offer Jared a safe place to land after his long, stressful days.
“When I get disgruntled, she listens, but
then helps me move forward. She’s just that type of person,” he says.
Holly and Jared and his partners, bar manager Joshua James and general manager Nick Campisano, along with their significant others and children, have become one big family, of sorts.
The trio opened their flagship location in downtown Phoenix in 2013, after each had built a successful career. They’d worked together and enjoyed creative synergy at the Parlor Pizzeria.
“We got a lot of love from that restaurant,” says Jared.
They could have continued to enjoy the acclaim they’d earned there, but instead agreed to take the leap and launch this business.
And just like the folklore of the namesake clever koi that had to swim upstream to make it to the next destination, their journeys continued.
RECOGNIZING STRENGTHS
“The first year was tough,” Holly says. “They had to learn to make decisions together and compromise.”
Boiling down their respective roles, Holly observes, “Jared is a visionary, Josh is innovative and Nick is dynamic.”
The couple says there are never too many cooks in the kitchen because each manages a distinct niche.
“When I first met Jared, he told me he wanted to run or own a restaurant. So when
Red Miso Seared Kobe Beef.
Pork Belly, Chicken & Waffles, Soft Shell Crab.
Hokkaido Street Corn.
the talks started, I wasn’t surprised at all. I told him to go for it. The creativity and joy in what he does is infectious,” she says.
“That’s so nice to hear,” Jared says, beaming. “I always knew she felt that way, but it’s still nice.” It is a sweet moment after a hectic opening weekend filled with turning loose a new staff and juggling a ribbon-cutting, in addition to a trial
opening for friends, family and the media before ushering in customers for the debut early last month.
DIM SUM AND THEN SOME
It was a bit of a leap, Jared acknowledges, for three decidedly non-Asian guys to open a restaurant some call Asian fusion.
“We took some criticism for it,” he says. “The message was, ‘You’re not traditional or classic.’ There was this feeling that perhaps it wasn’t legitimate.”
When they started out, the owners each traveled to foodie meccas, including Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco, to get the pulse of the industry. They agreed that authentic Asian food wasn’t represented in a popculture restaurant.
Jared notes that the word “fusion” attached to Asian-style cooking is a bit of a scarlet letter.
“For us, it’s these very different dynamics being brought together. It was trying to look at the entire Asian community and take the best parts, techniques and ingredients, so
in one dish for example, you could taste elements from Japan, China and Korea,” he says.
“And the bedelivered with warm table service. And Clever Koi’s signature offering isn’t found on the menu, but lies in the kitchen staff’s showmanship.
Clever Koi delivers a front row seat, literally, to the tastes of Thailand, Vietnam and indo-China.
“There’s no reason we should have to hide the artistry and technique that goes into preparing the food. Plus it keeps our cooks more accountable. There won’t be any foul language out here—not in my kitchen,” he says, adding that it causes him to tame his own salty language.
“There’s no reason to hide the magic. They’re on stage, putting on show. It’s why people watch reality TV.”
As customers pop in to inquire about lunchtime, Holly says that she can envision more restaurants in their future.
“It’s so exciting to see his dream come true,” she says of her husband. “I get starry-eyed because it’s so inspiring to see anyone chase a dream and achieve it.”
Pork Ramen.
What's Cooking
This month was made for chocolate lovers. By all means, give chocolate as a Valentine’s Day gift, but if you do happen to have any chocolates left over after this sweet holiday, I have the perfect idea: Turn them into “Ellie Cakes.”
That’s what Elyse Judd’s mom did. She would add them to pieces of brownies that didn’t quite come out of the pan perfectly. She called them “Ellie Cakes” and made them an heirloom treasure.
Phoenix resident Elyse Judd shares the story:
“Mom would take the broken pieces of brownies that didn’t come out of the pan in perfect squares and any left-over chocolates we had on hand and she would freeze them for a few hours. Then she would cut them up into little squares and pile them on top of the brownies that did come out in perfect squares using caramel sauce as the glue! It was my favorite treat ever, so Mom named them Ellie Cakes!”
As if homemade brownies aren’t delicious enough, Ellie Cakes take them to a yummy new level. Thanks, Elyse, for a sweetheart of an idea!
Chocolate Brownies with Caramel Sauce Drizzle
With JAN D'ATRI
‘ELLIE CAKES’: CHOCOLATE BROWNIES WITH CARAMEL SAUCE
DRIZZLE
INGREDIENTS:
1 box devil’s food cake mix
1 box brownie mix
3 eggs
1 ½ cups water
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons strong coffee or 2 teaspoons instant espresso
1 ½ cups chopped walnuts, divided caramel sauce to drizzle
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 shallow baking dish. (Elyse’s mom used a jelly-roll baking sheet or quarter-sheet pan).
Peach and Sour Cream Tart
Mix together package of dry devil’s food cake mix, brownie mix, eggs, water, oil, coffee, cocoa, chocolate syrup, chocolate chips and 1 cup of the walnuts until well blended. Reserve ½ cup walnuts for topping.
Bake according to brownie mix package instructions. Do not overbake brownies. When cool, cut in squares. Place 3-4 squares in freezer.
When hardened, cut into ½-inch cubes. Drizzle a small amount of caramel sauce over brownies. Place frozen brownie cubes and walnuts over top.
INGREDIENTS:
CARAMEL SAUCE
Flour for the work surface • 1 store-bought piecrust (such as Pillsbury) • 5 ripe medium yellow peaches, quartered • 1 tbsp honey, warmed • 1 16-ounce container sour cream • 4 tbsp confectioners’ sugar • 2 tbsp thinly sliced almonds
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup boiling water
1 tablespoons butter
DIRECTIONS:
½ teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon salt
DIRECTIONS:
1. On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 12-inch circle. Gently 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 dough into place. Run the rolling pin over the top of the pan to trim excess dough. Prick the dough several times with a fork. Refrigerate 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 parchment paper or foil, fitting it up the sides of the pan. Fill with pie weights or dried beans and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Remove the weights and paper. Return the tart crust to oven and bake for 5 minutes 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 cream and sugar. Spread the mixture over the cooled crust. Arrange the peaches, rounded-side down, on top. Sprinkle with the almonds. Bake for 45 minutes or until the cream is set, the almonds are golden, and the peaches are tender. 4. Cool on a rack for 20 minutes. Serve warm or cold.
In a skillet or small pot, combine sugar, boiling water, butter, vanilla and salt. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar, and cool until thickened.
Do not burn bottom of pan.
JAN’S NOTES:
I love these Ellie Cakes and wanted to share some tips for making perfect brownies.
If you have a pure convection element in your oven, use it. It will give you the best even cooking.
Also, it’s hard to tell when brownies are done. When the aroma of chocolate coming from the oven hits me, I know the brownies are just about done.
Halfway through the baking process, I open the oven and gently pat the top of the brownies. That deflates the air bubble on top and I can tell if the brownies are done.
Works perfectly every time and the brownies are never overbaked!
GREAT DATES5
BY MEGAN MARPLES
Feb1-5
WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN
Bask in a warm, desert winter afternoon while enjoying championship golf at the annual Waste Management Phoenix Open. This stop on the PGA Tour has drawn record crowds consistently. During the week, musicians perform at the Birds Nest Concert Series. This year’s lineup includes Toby Keith, Flo Rida and blink-182. Scottsdale Tournament Players Club, 17020 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale. 602870-0163, wmphoenixopen.com.
VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS
Musicians from the Phoenix Symphony perform their second chamber concert of the season. Led by concertmaster Steven Moeckel, this performance will showcase two famous pieces: Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” and Dvorák’s “Serenade for Strings.” Multiple locations, among them Camelback Bible Church, MIM Music Theater and Central United Methodist. 602-495-1117, phoenixsymphony.org.
Feb2&4
Feb3-5
GLENDALE CHOCOLATE AFFAIRE
Join chocolatiers from around the country as they display their most delicious treats. Sample a variety of chocolate-covered desserts, including cheesecake, strawberries and fried Twinkies. This is the perfect time to purchase gifts for Valentine’s Day, as well. Murphy Park in Historic Downtown Glendale, 58th and Glendale avenues, Glendale. 623-930-2299, glendaleaz.com.
Feb/Mar
MUSIC IN THE GARDEN SPRING CONCERT SERIES
7-9 p.m. Fridays in February and March
Stop by the Desert Botanical Garden this spring to enjoy live performances at the Ullman Terrace stage. A diverse group of Arizona artists will perform. Groups include Guitarras Latinas, Big Pete Pearson Blues Band, The Rave and The Louis Landon Trio. Members $25, public $30. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. 480-941-1225, dbg.org.
Feb11
ARIZONA STRONG BEER FESTIVAL
Strong beers take center stage at this annual celebration. Along with a wide variety of craft beers, there will be specialty brews just for the event and plenty of other types of beer for those looking for less alcohol content. Each ticket includes 40 two-ounce tasting tickets. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602341-5724, arizonabeerweek.com.
All it takes is a warm sunny afternoon and the Heritage District in downtown Gilbert becomes a beehive of activity. We caught several people congregating there, enjoying a beautiful day – and looking good.
Devon Christopher Adams pauses during her stroll in the Heritage District.
Aleta Longmire enjoys a beautiful January day.
Jean Garcia takes a break to pose for the camera.
The Heritage District lures Jessica Hobbs for an afternoon.
PHOTOS BY LARRY MANGINO AND WILL POWERS
Joan Ulrich of McKenzie Ranch in Scottsdale visits the Gilbert Art Fair.
Shot
Vendor Melissa Wanamaker of Mesa sells her stuffed monkeys at the Gilbert Art Fair. The mother of two made her first sock money in 2013 for her daughter.
