Reilly Nelson from McCormick Ranch enjoys an outing with golden retriever Twinks.
Expert holding workshops to teach adults and teens proper etiquette
By Becky Bracken
In a world where tweets and texts are rapidly replacing personal day-to-day interactions, basic etiquette is becoming a lost art. Whether adults are looking to improve their professional interactions or teens who need to build basic social graces, SueAnn Brown is an expert who can help. Brown will be holding area workshops for both teens and adults in March that put manners front-and-center and help attendees master the finer points of managing inter-personal relationships and exchanges.
Redfield 4th grader wins Scottsdale district spelling bee
By Becky Bracken
After winning the Scottsdale Unified School District Spelling Bee for the second year in a row, fourth grader Omkar Bharath says he felt euphoric. And then, naturally, he spelled it: “e-u-p-h-o-r-i-c.”
But Omkar isn’t your prototypical spellbot, intensely practicing day and night for the next bee. He’s a humble, well-rounded kid and everyone at his school, Redfield elementary, seems to genuinely like and admire him. He’s been attending Redfield since kindergarten, and the school’s principal, Christine Bonow is obviously very proud of her champion speller.
Mailed to homes in Gainey and McCormick Ranch areas and in the surrounding communities. Etiquette ...continued on page 6 Bee ...continued on page 7
(Special to Nearby News)
SueAnn Brown teaches table manners to young students.
(Larry Mangino/Nearby News Photographer) Redfi eld Elementary School district spelling champ Omkar Bharath
President Steve T. Strickbine
Editor in Chief
Roberta J. Peterson
Managing Editor Becky Bracken
Associate Editor
Srianthi Perera
Graphic Design
Tonya Mildenberg
Administration Courtney Oldham
Contributors
Jan D’Atri, Kim Hosey, Ken LaFave, Nancy Norman, Jill Pertler, Scott Shumaker
Contact the Nearby News at 480-898-5614 • Fax: 480-898-5606 Editor@NearbyNews.com
For more information visit our website at www.NearbyNews.com
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The Ranch Review is published monthly and distributed to 10,000 residences and businesses within North Scottsdale. (Approx. 8,000 mailed directly to homes and 2,000 distributed on newsstands, and in several-hundred high-traffic locations throughout the community.)
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a ‘BIG’ winner
Successfully fill out this month’s Scramblers puzzle on Page 10 and you could win a gift certificate!
We’ll select a lucky winner from among the correct entries received. Just mail your completed entry to us at:
PUZZLE EDITOR
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OR, you may now submit via email by typing in your four words and Today’s Word with “Scramblers puzzle” in the message line. Send it to: editor@NearbyNews.com.
This month’s lucky winner is Rachel Oconnor Here is the correct puzzle from last month:
Watch for our announcement of the winner in next month’s edition. If you see your name, contact us by April 7, 2017, to claim your prize. Good luck!
Cover Photo: Larry Mangino
Experimac offers discounts to kids with good grades
By Nearby News Staff
A new Scottsdale store, Experimac specializes in selling, repairing and trading in gently-used, pre-owned iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, MacBook Pros, iMacs, Apple watches, computer accessories and more. In other words, they deal in the tech and toys most coveted by today’s kids.
e folks over at Experimac say they want to help encourage kids who earn good grades with a new promotion that offers 10 percent off any device in their store for kids and teens who bring in a test or report card with an “A” on it.
“Kids nowadays are using techno-
logical devices all the time, and we know that the gently-used, affordable iPhones and computers that we sell in our store can be a huge, educational help to kids when they’re in school, and also at home when they’re doing their homework,” says Lynette Ray, owner of Experimac in Scottsdale. “We want to reward good grades in school and encourage kids to keep up the good work.”
(Special to Nearby News)
Etiquette ...continued from page 1
“Formal etiquette training for both children and adults is definitely making a comeback,” says SueAnn Brown, a certified etiquette instructor.
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“Many adults and business professionals sign up for my classes because they want to polish their personal and professional image and feel more confident in social situations.”
e topics that Brown teaches during her adult workshops include: making a positive first impression, shaking hands with eye contact, appropriate attire, grooming and image, remembering names, how to mingle at social gatherings, how to make small talk, dining skills and table manners, and cell phone etiquette.
Brown says many parents in Scottsdale are enrolling their children and teens in her classes because formal etiquette training is no longer being taught in schools and, “as much as parents do try teaching proper manners and etiquette, sometimes kids just need to learn these important lessons from another adult.
I have successfully figured out how to make learning about proper manners fun and entertaining.”
She teaches similar topics to children and teens, but also includes how to speak with the right tone
with clarity, leadership qualities, how to make a positive first impression, invitations and thankyou notes, techno-etiquette and social networking, dating etiquette, common courtesies in public places, interviewing tips for college and job interviews, dressing the part, and follow-up calls.
“Students need to learn proper manners and social skills now more than ever, because competition for acceptance into colleges and good jobs is becoming increasingly tough. ose who possess social skills that are welldeveloped and natural will stand out in the crowd and have a big leg up on their peers,” Brown adds.
“Respecting and valuing others, developing high integrity and making others feel at ease are the key reasons society practices good manners.” Brown’s etiquette workshop for adults is on March 4, and her 4-hour teen workshop is March 18. Both will be held at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church.
(Special to Nearby News)
Brown’s young students learn table manners basics.
“Ever since kindergarten, he’s been easy going, nothing rattles him,” Bonow says about Omkar. “He’s got lots of friends, he’s involved in many things; he’s the total package.”
After 15 rounds of words, Omkar won the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) annual Spelling Bee held Jan. 20 at Arcadia High School. Now he advances to the regional bee.
To win the district bee, Omkar bested 23 bee winners from other SUSD elementary, middle and K-8 schools. e winning word was “magnesium.”
Omkar says he keeps the trophy he won in his room.
His secret to studying for spelling competitions sounds laid back, especially considering how successful he’s been. Prior to winning the two district bees, Omkar won his school spelling bee at 7 years old, even though he was too young to advance to compete against kids as old as eighth graders at the district-wide spelling bee.
“I would, say, do a half-hour-long study period on a certain subject, then
take a break and do some of those study periods every day,” Omkar suggested.
“ en I get to know all about a certain subject and all the words in that.”
He also credits his spelling ability to his love of reading and books.
For parents hoping to coach their kids into being the next spelling champ, Bonow says it’s important to let students find their own way into the activities they love and are passionate about.
“Follow your child’s lead,” she says. “Really listen and expose your child to many different things.” en, she adds, students can discover where their own talents lie, whether it’s spelling, science, sports or the arts.
(Special to Nearby News)
Joining Omkar in representing SUSD in the Region II Spelling Bee on Feb. 17 were the five runners-up from the SUSD competition: Gabriella Tadio, 7th grade, Desert Canyon Middle School; Dean Alkhairy, 5th grade, Kiva Elementary School; Max Greenspan, 5th grade, Cherokee Elementary School; Tanner Hertz, 5th grade, Copper Ridge School; and Andrew Pham, 5th grade, Pueblo Elementary School.
Scottsdale’s water efficiency workshop series aims to help families save money
By Nearby News Staff
Conserving water isn’t just good for our parched desert environment, it’s good for your wallet. According to the City of Scottsdale, the EPA says the average household wastes more than 10,000 gallons of water every year due to leaks – enough to wash 280 loads of laundry or meet the average family’s water needs for a whole month.
Many of the leaks come from poorly maintained irrigation systems.
e City of Scottsdale will hold Water Efficiency Workshops and Xeriscape Garden tours to help residents learn the latest ways to enhance the beauty of your landscape while saving both water and money.
Classes and tours are free, open to all Scottsdale residents and appropriate for all levels of skill and experi-
ence. e current series runs through June and covers topics from rainwater harvesting to drip irrigation design and repair.
During the tour of the Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden at Chaparral Park, Garden Caretaker Bill Casenhiser will guide participants through the 5.5acre desert oasis near Hayden and McDonald roads. e garden is home to over 7,000 beautiful, water-thrifty plants of 200 different species.
Advanced registration is required for the workshops and tours and can be made online at ScottsdaleAZ.gov/Water or by calling 480-312-5690
Water Efficiency Workshop Series
Rainwater Harvesting
Get earth-friendly yard design advice using simple earthworks and low-water-use plants, and even bring a plan of your property to use during the class.
When: Saturday, February 18, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Where: Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
Plant Care in the Desert
Learn proper watering, fertilizing and other maintenance techniques to help your landscape thrive, including the care of frost-bitten plants.
When: Friday, February 24, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Where: Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
Learn to Prune
Learn basic pruning cuts in a handson outdoor setting from an ISA Certified Arborist.
When: Friday, March 17, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and Saturday, April 22, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Where: Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden at Chaparral Park
Efficient Lawn Care & Outdoor Leaks
Get practical advice for maintaining a healthy and beautiful water-efficient lawn and learn tips for reading a water meter and locating outdoor leaks.
When: Saturday, March 25, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Where: Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road
Landscaping for Small Spaces & Patios
ABCs of Watering Techniques for proper watering can increase the health and beauty of your plants while saving water. Hands-on irrigation controller programming included.
When: Saturday, April 1, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Where: Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street
Drip Irrigation Design & Installation
Simple things you need to know about designing, installing and maintaining an efficient drip irrigation system.
When: Saturday, May 20, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Where: Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
Summer Color
Landscapes don’t have to be drab during summer heat. Learn about heat-tolerant plants that provide color during our hottest months.
Discover how to choose the right plant for the right place and enhance even the smallest landscapes and patios.
When: Wednesday, March 29, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
When: Saturday, June 10, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Where: Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street
Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden Tour
Where: Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street
Xeriscape 101
Learn how applying simple Xeriscape principles can help you create a beautiful low-maintenance and low-water-use yard.
When: Friday, March 31, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Where: Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street
Take a two-mile walking tour through the Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden at Chaparral Park with caretaker Bill Casenhiser and have your desert plant questions answered by an expert.
When: Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Where: Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden at Chaparral Park (SE Corner of Hayden/McDonald)
(Photo Credit/Special to Nearby News)
Swim and gym festival offers family fun for charity
By Nearby News Staff
Hubbard Family Swim Schools and e Arizona Sunrays Gymnastics & Dance Center are teaming up to host their eighth annual Swim & Gym Festival to raise money for Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Children of all ages will get to enjoy a free family swim and water play at Hubbard Family Swim School on Saturday, March 25, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. ere will also be free gymnastics and dance classes, karate, face painting, balloon making, bounce houses, food vendors, local vendors, a visit from Miss Arizona, a DJ and performances, Phoenix police cars and fire trucks, and more.
Admission is free, but donations to Phoenix Children’s Hospital are encouraged to help reach the $10,000 goal. e event will be held in the Kino Plaza, the parking lot between the Hubbard Family Swim School and the Arizona Sunrays Dance Center, located at 13832 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix.
(Special to Nearby News)
Butterfly Wonderland comes alive for spring with a full slate of events
By Becky Bracken
Get sprung on spring with a visit to the Butterfly Wonderland at the Odysea in the Desert this month and take advantage of some of the activities and events scheduled at the largest glass-enclosed butterfly conservatory in the country, right in our backyard. From yoga classes to handson workshops, there are plenty of
opportunities this month for families to get out to the conservatory, enjoy Scottsdale’s weather and get a closeup look at some of nature’s most exquisite creatures.
“With spring coming upon us and the sun rising brighter and longer, these beautiful butterflies welcome this time of the year,” Dee Mangulins from Butterfly Wonderland says.
“ e sun gives the butterflies energy to fly and warmth keeps the heat in their muscles, allowing them to fly freely. Lots more sun means lots more activity from the butterflies.”
roughout March, Butterfly Wonderland is offering free face painting on weekends between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in addition to bee talks, rainforest tours and many other activities for the whole family.
WELCOME ABOARD: CRUISE PRESENTATION
Thursday, March2 nd | 6pm (doors open 5:45) Paradise Bakery, 14884 North Pima Road# 101, Scottsdale (Raintree Blvd and N 78th Street)
Join our cruise expert Robin Selleck from Royal Caribbean, to learn more about their newest ships Harmony of the Seas® and Anthem of the Seas®. Plus, receive a special extra incentive from Royal Caribbean and Expedia® Extras you can enjoy when you book your next cruise. Ideal for rst time cruisers or those planning large family trips.
Enjoy door prizes and ra e for everyone who attends!
(480) 378 3633
Butterfly Wonderland Events
Explore Our Rainforest Tours
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Cost: Free with admission
Bee Talks with the Curator
When: Sundays, 2 p.m.
Cost: Free with admission
Morpho Appreciation Day
When: Saturday, March 4, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free with admission
How to Build a Spring Butterfly Garden
When: Saturday, March 4, 9 a.m.
Yoga in the Rainforest
When: March 7, 16, 21 & 30, 5:30 p.m.
Story Time for Tots
When: Wednesday, March 8 & Thursday, March 23, 10 a.m.
Cost: Free with admission
Prenatal Yoga
When: Thursday, March 9, 5:30 p.m.
Kids Only Waking Up With Butterflies Photography Session
When: Saturday, March 11, 8:30 a.m.
Cost: Free for members only
Susie Vanderlip Comes to Butterfly Wonderland
When: Saturday, March 11, 5 p.m.
Cost: Free for members only
Spring Plant Sale
When: Saturday, March 11- Sunday, March 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Proceeds benefit the Butterfly Wonderland Foundation
National “Learn About Butterflies” Day
When: Tuesday, March 14, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free with admission
Waking Up with Butterflies
For tripod photographers only whose equipment is not normally allowed inside the conservatory.
When: Saturday, March 18, 8:30 a.m
Concerts in the Conservatory
When: Saturday, March 18, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cost: Free with admission
“Set Your Hearts Aflutter”
Date Night
When: Thursday, March 23, 6 p.m.
Cost: Pre-registration is required
Story Time for Tots
When: March 8 & 23, 10 a.m.
Cost: Free with admission
Waking Up with Butterflies
When: March 25, 8:30 a.m.
Cost: Pre-registration is required
‘Arizona toy experts’ invite local kids to play
By Becky Bracken
Toys & Playtime Oasis is owned by husband and wife team Sari & Sam Powazek, who this year are celebrating 40 years owning a children’s toy store in Scottsdale.
e Scottsdale mom-and-pop toy paradise doubles as a completely child-proof indoor play space that also happens to sell all kinds of different toys, games, books, puzzles and arts and crafts. And if you’re stuck without an idea of what to buy for the kiddo in your life, Sari and Sam are always willing to help with a recommendation.
“During the past 40 years of owning a toy store, we have had the pleasure of watching many children grow up and now we’re meeting and selling toys to their own children and grandchildren,” Sari says. “We feel very blessed to have made a lasting impression on so many families and to still be a part of their lives.”
Toys & Playtime Oasis has been specially designed for young children –ages 5 and under – as an indoor play space with dozens of different toys, games, books, puzzles, climbing equipment and more. ere are also comfortable couches so parents and grandparents can relax. Parents and children are encouraged to stay and play together for several hours.
Toys & Playtime Oasis was formerly known as e Doll House & Toy Store. e business name was changed two years ago when they opened their Playtime Oasis indoor play space. Sari and Sam are also the proud grandparents of 6-year-old twin grandsons – their very own “toy testers.”
Cost to play at Playtime Oasis is $10 per child and free for adults. e entire space can be rented on the weekends for private parties. ere are also several weekly activity classes and special monthly events offered.
Toys & Playtime Oasis Events
Munch Bunch with Grandparents
Every Monday morning Toys & Playtime Oasis invites all grandparents to come in and play with their grandkids and make some happy memories together. Complimentary treats and coffee will be served.
When: Monday mornings, 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Cost: $10 per child and free cost for adults. Socks must be worn.
Activity Time
Bring your baby, or preschooler and enjoy 30 minutes of unstructured play time. Then you and your child will spend 30 minutes learning finger play songs and playing with puppets, musical instruments, hearing stories, nursery rhymes, and dancing in two structured segments with Storybook Entertainment – a professional children’s entertainment company.
When: Tuesday & Wednesday mornings, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Cost: $7.50 per child for the one-hour session or $10 per child for the class and then stay to play. No cost for adults. Socks must be worn.
Trolls Party
Calling all fans of the movie “Trolls!” for a special Trolls-themed party. Children will get to pose for photos with a Troll, play games, enjoy arts and crafts activities, eat delicious refreshments, and more.
When: Sunday, March 19, 10 a.m. - noon
Cost: $12.50 per person. Advanced registration is required. Socks must be worn.
Special Needs Playdate
Children, ages 5 and under, with any kind of special needs are invited to come play and socialize with others. Siblings are welcome.
Welcome, Class of 2030
By Nancy Norman
Mom always said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Likewise, full-day kindergarten essential to getting our youngest learners off to a good start in what should be at least 13 years of formal education.
e Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) offers free, full-day kindergarten classes at 14 elementary schools, two K-8 schools and three schools of choice.
Schools wrapped up hosting “Kindergarten Roundups” in mid-February, when they opened their doors and classrooms to parents, guardians and next-school-year’s kindergartners. ey also walked adults through the registration process.
If you were not able to take part in your school’s Kindergarten Roundup, there’s still time to register your member of the Class of 2030. Call your neighborhood SUSD elementary or K-8 school – ask to go on a tour to get a sense of the learning environment and how the school functions . Don’t know which neighborhood school is yours? Go to the School Locator page on the SUSD website, susd. org, and enter your address. e names of the schools in your attendance area, from elementary through high school, will be listed, as well as district schools of choice that are available for your consideration.
Want to attend a SUSD school out of your home’s attendance area? Call the school first to find out whether it has room for your kindergartner to open enroll this fall. Priority open enroll-
ment ended in December, but there may still be room.
Students who are 5 years old on or before August 31, may register for the 2017-18 school year.
If your child will turn 5 years old between September 1 and December 21, 2017, and you think he or she may be ready for kindergarten early, the school district can assess your child’s school-readiness. ere is a $75 fee for this assessment.
Begin your child’s registration online by clicking on the Enrollment Information icon on the SUSD website homepage. After the registration has been accepted, you will be directed to your school to present certain documents, such as your child’s immunization record, to complete the process. In the meantime, help your future kindergartner prepare for school –read, count, draw, write, play board games and exercise. Other suggestions are in the Information Backpack on the SUSD website.
For More Information: Call 480-948-4630 or visit azdollhouse.com
When: March 26, 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Cost: $10 per child, free for parents. Socks must be worn.
(Special to Nearby News)
STRESS, HORMONES & HEALTH:
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SEMINAR DATE: THURSDAY, MARCH 2ND 2017
Join us for a FREE GOURMET DINNER Seminar with leading Natural Medicine and Wellness Expert, Dr. Angelina Alejandro, NMD (Naturopathic Physician)
Dr. Alejandro will tell you about the latest methods, breakthroughs and time-tested strategies that will help you permanently and safely remove unwanted weight while quickly reclaiming your health, your youth and your life!
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✔ Understand why prevention is key, what is necessary for “ageless” living well into our “senior” years. (NOW is the time!) Call NOW to reserve your seat at (480) 418-2653
-Linda Bacon
Before After
LINDA BACON
looking back
By Scott Shumaker
Scottsdale’s pioneers of style: The Arizona Craftsmen Center
A national travel magazine recently proclaimed Scottsdale the “perfect destination for those looking for sunshine and sophistication.” Scottsdale has always had the sunshine, but for much of its history the second part of the equation – the sophistication – was not guaranteed.
In 1946, however, a group of artisans established a collective arts and crafts enterprise in Scottsdale and helped transform the town into a center of Western-infused style.
e Arizona Craftsmen Center brought master artists and designers from a variety of trades together in a single location. e center doubled as workshop and retail shop, so customers could see artisans work on their purchases.
All photos courtesy of the Scottsdale Historical Society Jewelers Ray Graves and Beck Wunderlick partnered to create the Gra-Wun hallmark (“GraWun” derived by combining their last names). Gra-Wun, like many of the Craftsman Court studios, produced bold and modern jewelry designs with a Western flair. In this photo from 1957, Eloje Graves, Bertha Wunderlick, and Margaret Graves work on jewelry.
e work of these skilled artists, including Lloyd Kiva New and Wes Segner, helped draw national attention to Scottsdale and create a new identity for the young city.
A special exhibit running though 2017 at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West showcases the work of the Craftsmen artists.
The ability to watch artists at
was
Scottsdale wood carver Dee Flagg displays a large pictorial carving of Frank and Jesse James. The Flaggs arrived in Scottsdale in the 1940s, and Dee established a reputation as a carver of life-size statues of famous Western figures. His works made it into the collections of prominent Western art collectors, including Gene Autry and Roy Rogers.
In the 1940’s and ‘50’s, the Scottsdale arts and crafts scene began attracting national attention, and wealthy and fashionable patrons began traveling to Scottsdale to snap up the Arizona Craftsmen’s wares. Even former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt helped generate buzz. This photo, left, captures one of the First Lady’s visits to the Arizona Craftsmen Center. Roosevelt wrote enthusiastically about the Craftsmen Center in her syndicated column, “My Day.”
On the purchase of any Scottsdale home prior to March 15, 2017.
work
one of the special features of the arts community centered in downtown Scottsdale. In this photo from 1958, resident artist Tom Daley demonstrates his sketching techniques while spectators observe. William Schimmel, another Scottsdale artist, is kneeling in the lower left.
Family time
Bird love takes fl ight at new Liberty Wildlife site
By Kimberly Hosey
It’s not every day you get serenaded by the bugle of two bald eagles, gaze into the eyes of a great-horned owl and talk to ravens – and get a response. So when my son and I found out Liberty Wildlife had opened its doors to the public, we were there.
Liberty Wildlife, which has rehabilitated birds at its North Scottsdale facility for 36 years, just moved to a new state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly campus at 2600 E. Elwood St. in Phoenix, expanding their space from about one-and-a-half acres to over six-and-a-half acres.
e new location allows more room for the many feathered residents, but it also allows human visitors a new opportunity to learn more about these amazing birds – and to meet them up close. Along the Interpretive Education Trail, guests can now see the birds in their homes as they perch,
eat, rest, communicate with fellow birds and with people, and generally enjoy their lives as animal ambassadors. All the animals at Liberty Wildlife are un-releasable (the ideal situation, in which animals
can be rehabilitated and released back into the wild, is a driving passion at Liberty), so they receive the next best thing: excellent care at Liberty Wildlife, and a role in helping people learn about their species.
e new digs have allowed Liberty to offer regular hours for public viewing Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. A daily live bird presentation is held in the amphitheater at 11:15 a.m.
We arrived just in time for the presentation, where rehabilitators introduce guests to a few resident birds and describe the unique features of the birds before taking questions. We learned about the individual birds’ stories – birds have come to live at Liberty with calcium deficiencies, blindness, injured wings or legs, and more. All have a unique story and personality – as well as the amazing characteristics and lives of their relatives in the wild.
housed the ravens, which can actually learn to talk better than some parrots. Each had their own personalities and would speak words to other birds and to visitors.
and lives of their relatives
Did
After some more in-person education, including a visit with a greathorned owl and some up-close encounters with a burrowing owl, my son and I wandered the education trail. From the beginning, we were greeted with bald eagle calls.
peregrine falcons have a notch in their beaks – called a tomial tooth – that allows the birds to bite through the cervical vertebrae and sever the spinal cord
Did you know that peregrine falcons have a notch in their beaks – called a tomial tooth – that allows the birds to bite through the cervical vertebrae and sever the spinal cord of their prey with ease? My son and I have been bird aficionados for years and we had no idea. But rehabilitator Lisa Shumaker discussed the bird’s unique adaptation and brought Ace, a resident falcon, around for a closer look. My son, front and center, was enthralled – as were a group of young elementary school children, their parents and several
However, these weren’t the long, piercing calls you’ve heard in movies. ose, guides told us, are actually red-tailed hawk calls (an assertion that was confirmed firsthand later as a hawk “greeted” us repeatedly).
e call of a bald eagle, sometimes written out as ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ker, is called bugling and sounds more like a shrill snicker. Bald eagles Aurora and Sonora were more than happy to demonstrate the call for us.
From there, we met numerous hawks, falcons, owls, ravens, crows and eagles. Each has his or her own story, and helps teach visitors about the lives and amazing adaptations of these remarkable birds.
My unique adaptation and brought a closer look. My son, front and a group of young elementary school children, their parents and several other guests.
One of my son’s favorite sections
(Try finding Clarence and saying “Hi, Clarence!” Your kids, as well as the bird, might get a kick out of it.) roughout the walk, guests will learn about birds from the upper Sonoran desert, riparian areas and wetlands. In addition to your outdoor walk, make sure to check out the Interactive Learning Lab, an indoor area with a few reptiles, rodents and other small animals, in addition to interactive educational displays.
Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and veterans, and $4 for students. Children 4 and younger are free.
(Kimberly Hosey/Nearby News)
David Hosey, 14, poses with a great-horned owl held by rehabiliator Marko Virtanen.
she’s crafty
By Erica Odello
Yarn Balls
Yarn balls are a project that I’ve saved on Pinterest for years. ey look amazing in the professional-quality photos all the bloggers share, but I’ve always had a sneaking suspicion that they’re much harder and much messier than they look. With the lack of a holiday to craft for and weather that prevented a large outdoor construction project, I finally gave in and decided to see what yarn balls were really all about.
You will need: Yarn, balloons (various sizes), cornstarch, 4-ounce bottle of white school glue, non-stick cooking spray, two dropcloths, string, clothespins.
Step 1: Preparation
Start by blowing up some balloons. In order to get a truly round balloon, don’t blow the balloon up all the way and tie it off as far down as possible. Try a few different sizes of balloons, the finished product will look more interesting if they aren’t all the same size.
After the balloons are blown up, spray them with non-stick cooking spray. is makes it easier to remove the balloon from the yarn ball when
2
ture until completely saturated.
Find one end of the yarn and pull through moderately pinched fingers to wring out most of the mixture.
I learned this one the hard way. You don’t want the yarn to be dripping with cornstarch because it will dry that way. It’s almost impossible to clean off of the yarn ball once it’s dry.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the yarn will get tangled, just be patient and gently separate the kinks
as you pull the yarn through your fingers.
1
it’s dry.
Lay out one dropcloth where you intend to make the yarn balls. Lay the other underneath the string that you’ve hung like a clothes line to suspend the yarn balls to dry. (Trust me, this stuff is not fun to clean up!)
Step 2: Wrap the balloon
Mix 1/2 cup of cornstarch, 1/3 cup of water and one bottle of white school glue until smooth. Measure 6 to 8 double arm lengths of yarn and then immerse in the cornstarch mix-
from the yarn. Poke a hole in the balloon near the knot to gently release all of the air. at way, if the balloon is stuck to any of the yarn it won’t accidentally collapse one of the sides of the ball.
Use scissors or a pencil to scrape away any filmy excess glue that may be stuck in the holes between strands of yarn. I also found a can of compressed air to be very helpful for this task.
Step 4: Decorate!
I have store-bought spheres of various materials all over my house, whether displayed in a large glass vase or piled high in a decorative bowl. But
Once the yarn is wrung out, pinch the end of the yarn together with the end of the balloon and start wrapping. After 5 or 6 wraps you’ll be able to let go of the end and use both hands to wrap the balloon.
Make sure to look at all sides of the balloon to get even coverage. When the yarn runs out, use a clothespin to attach the balloon to the drying string.
Try not to get any of the yarn on the clothespin or you will accidentally glue them together (another hard lesson learned!).
Step 3: Cleaning up
Let the yarn balls dry for 24 hours. Remove from the clothesline and gently push on the balloon to separate it
in the end, I really liked the way all of the yarn balls looked when they were hanging on the clothesline so I used raffia to create a garland and hung them at alternating heights along the length of my bay window. e possibilities are endless.
Preview sleep-away summer camp
By Nearby News Staff
Are you thinking of sending your child to a sleep-away camp for the first time this summer? If so, Scottsdale Country Day School is hosting a free event that both parents and children are invited to attend to learn more about the camp experience.
children ages 6 through 13 and offers a wide range of traditional camp activities: sports, horseback riding, waterskiing, rock climbing, performing arts, fine arts, pets, hiking, canoe, kayaking and more.
On Tuesday, March 14, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the Director of Friendly Pines Camp in Prescott, Kevin Nissen, will offer a presentation and discuss all the emotional and physical benefits children experience when they attend a summer sleep-away camp. Gifts and door prizes will be awarded. Advanced registration is required, as space is limited.
Friendly Pines Camp is available for
Camp will run from June 11 through July 22. e camp will celebrate its 77th summer this year.
(Special to Nearby News)
The Promenade Scottsdale receives a makeover, new shops
By Becky Bracken
e Promenade Scottsdale, situated on 87 acres at the heart of North Scottsdale, is set to get a new look, expanded footprint and new shops to add to the area’s shopping and dining choices.
North Scottsdale residents consider the Promenade, at the intersection of Scottsdale Road and Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., a frequent destination. Visitors pick up groceries at Trader Joe’s, browse fashion at Sacks Off 5th Avenue, or grab a quick bite at one of the center’s restaurant choices.
Property managers, ShopCore Properties, say it was important that the Promenade’s new look honor the area’s history. ey partnered with SGPA Architecture and Planning to incorporate design elements inspired by famed area architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
“ e design we chose celebrates the architectural heritage of Frank Lloyd Wright while preserving the spirit of the existing center,” Cheryl Smiley, Property Manager at e Promenade Scottsdale, said.
e project will be completed in
two phases.
Phase one includes the construction of a three-building pad on the southwest corner of the property that formerly housed Fox Sports Grill.
e new pad will bring a mixture of restaurants and retail stores.
e Promenade has lease commitments so far from Modern Market, Blaze Pizza, Pacific Dental and Verizon Wireless.
Phase two of redesign process will focus on the facade of the inner circle
of the property, from e Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to Habit Burger, and is slated to start by March. ese shops will have a significantly updated exterior, while the rest of the center will receive updated paint colors to complement the facade changes.
“SGPA was asked to bring this successful shopping center up to date by giving the property a face lift,” SPGA lead project architect, Roxanna Kreisler says.
“It was apparent early on as we
visited the site and collaborated with the city planner that it was important the renovation retain the original character and legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright. He obviously had a strong architectural design influence on the City of Scottsdale and his work is important to the history of the city.
In our development of the design, we took care to draw from his design principles by using strong geometry, and natural materials and finishes.
In addition, there are many allusions to nature in our use of Wright’s famous ‘Tree of Life’ patterns throughout the site.”
Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane says he’s happy about the Promenade’s upgrade and the decision to honor Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence on the area.
“ e Promenade is at a very important crossroads in Scottsdale and the additional investment is certainly appreciated,” Lane says.
ShopCore projects the first phase of the renovation will wrap up fall 2017. e second phase is projected to be finished during the 3rd quarter.
(Special to Nearby News)
(Special to Nearby News)
Newport Stephanie Janower Angelique Sinclair Luke Basler
1. Lesly Olaiz and Cindy Salinas of Scottsdale were excited to eat tasty crepes at the Street Eats food truck fest at Salt River Fields. 2. Max Moseley, 8, goes long for a pass at McCormick Ranch Railroad park. 3. Tyson Walz helps his daughter, Caydence Walz, stand still for her airbrush tattoo at the Street Eats food truck festival at the Salt River Fields. 4. David Ritche and Rocio Northrop with Vixen. 5. Luis Deleon shows off his snow cone at Street Eats food fest. 6. Dyana Cairfalia of Scottsdale enjoys an afternoon run along the Indian bend Wash trail. 7. Teddy Shonka and 7-month-old Bear finish their day near McCormick Ranch.
Photos by Kim Carillo and Larry Mangino
Hundreds of cyclists joining Scottsdale ride to beat MS
By Nearby News Staff
Scottsdale bike riders can join an estimated 350 cyclists who are expected to raise more than $305,000 to stop MS at the 31st annual Bike MS: Arizona on March 25 and 26 right here in North Scottsdale.
e ride, roundtrip from McDowell Mountain Regional Park, will take cyclists on a scenic journey through the Sonoran desert and urban areas of Scottsdale and Phoenix.
Bike MS, hosted by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, is for anyone seeking a personal challenge and willing to help work for a world free of multiple sclerosis.
All participants will have access to bike mechanics, support vehicles, rest stops every 10-12 miles, a finish line
celebration and much more, according to event organizers.
Attracting nearly 100,000 participants nationwide each year, this fundraising cycling series is for people living with MS, their friends, families and neighbors, as well as corporate teams and individuals who are driven to support research and life-changing services to help people with MS live their best lives.
People living with MS can also participate in “I Ride with MS,” a special program recognizing Bike MS cyclists living with the disease.
Lace up your running shoes to save local cats
By Nearby News Staff
e Fearless Kitty Rescue will hold their second annual Fearless Kitty Rescue 5k Run/Walk on March 27th at 8 a.m. e race will be held at the Scottsdale Sports Complex in the heart of Scottsdale.
All proceeds go to Fearless Kitty Rescue, a self-described “group of cat lovers from Fountain Hills that are passionate about saving the lives of animals, especially cats.”
is race is for all fitness levels and all are welcome to participate, from walkers who just want to get out and help save cats
to serious runners who wish to take home a medal.
e goal of the Fearless Kitty 5K is to raise money, but also to raise awareness to help Fearless Kitty Rescue continue their life-saving efforts. e cost to participate is $40.
slices of life
By Jill Pertler
Taking a sick day when you’re a mom
I hardly ever get sick. I guess I’m lucky that way. Besides, I’m a mom. Despite what the commercial says, we don’t get sick days. It’s easier to take care of others when you don’t need anyone to take care of you.
So it’s convenient to be in good health – robust and well with a constant and never-ending supply of acetaminophen and throat lozenges to dispense to the young folks living with you.
I’m tough, but unfortunately I’m not totally immune. I found this out last week when I got hit with a bigger-bugger of a cold. A common cold for goodness sakes.
Usually I can barrel right through a batch of the average and ordinary sniffles. is time the sniffles conquered my entirety in an overwhelming manner.
Each morning for about a week I
wanted to get up out of bed and head straight for the couch. No, I take that back. Each morning for about a week I wanted to stay in bed. Period.
Whoever coined the phrase “common cold” obviously never had one. ere is nothing common about an inability to breathe like a normal person. My nose alternated between complete stuffiness and uncontrolled runniness 24/7.
e inability to breathe led to an inability to sleep. When I did manage to snooze, I woke up, mouth wide open, with my tongue dried up like a piece of beef jerky.
My throat was sore. I had an annoying tickle of a cough. My ears were plugged. My head ached. My shoulders ached. My neck ached. My back ached. I think even my hair ached.
My nose was chapped from blowing. ere seemed to be a fogginess surrounding me. I found it hard to think clearly and was literally at a loss for words. I started hoarding Kleenex. I was miserable.
Unfortunately couch time was not available in the quantity I desired. Life marches on – no matter how achybreaky one might feel. Kids still need rides to school. Work doesn’t automatically complete itself.
ried the rest of my family would get the crud. If it hit me hard, it would hit them harder. at much was a for sure.
e people living with me were sympathetic to my plight. And, even though my family tries to help (and they do) certain things – like flushing toilets and putting the milk back in the fridge – remained relegated to me.
I muddled through with lozenges under my tongue and Kleenex in my pocket. I drank weak green tea in an attempt to stay hydrated and warm. I rested when I could, and even when I couldn’t.
Relief was elusive, even with the medication. I wanted a nap and clear nostrils. Neither was available. I wor-
Luckily that didn’t happen. Despite my sneezing and coughing and inadvertent germ-sharing, no one else got sick, which is the happy ending to this sad and sniffley story.
It’s a universal truth: Moms can’t be wimps. We don’t even get sick days.
Jill Pertler is a syndicated columnist, published playwright, author and member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.
top 10 family events
February 20,2017 - March 20,2017
Spring Training
Watch the Diamondbacks and Rockies take on other Major League Baseball teams almost daily.
When: Feb. 23-March 28, Times vary (typically 1:05 p.m.)
Where: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale
Cost: $11-$26
Info: 480-270-5000 or saltriverfields.com
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Watch a free outdoor screening of the the hit Star Wars film, plus eat snacks and participate in a costume contest.
When: Friday, Feb. 24, 6-10 p.m.
Where: Mountain View Park, 8625 E. Mountain View Rd., Scottsdale
Cost: Free Info: 480-312-2456 or scottsdaleaz.gov
Disney in Concert
See and hear your favorite Disney scenes performed by a live orchestra and Broadway vocalists.
When: Friday-Sunday, Feb. 24-26, Times vary
Where: Symphony Hall, 75 N. 2nd St., Phoenix
Cost: $49-$125
Info: Phone or tickets phoenixsymphony.org
Spring Training Festival
Celebrate Spring Training at this free event that includes baseball exhibits, hands-on activities, games, former players, live music and more.
When: Saturday, March 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale
Cost: Free Info: 480-312-3111 or scottsdaleaz.gov
53rd Annual Phoenix Scottish Games
Don your kilt for a weekend of bagpipes, highland dancing, historic reenactements, and – of course –traditional Scottish games.
When: Saturday-Sunday, March 4-5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix Cost: $20 adults, $5 ages 6-12, $15 seniors/military; buy in advance for lower prices Info: Phone or arizonascots.com
Butterfly Pavilion
Check out the new 3,200 square foot butterfly exhibit at Desert Botanical Garden. Grand opening
weekend offers guided tours, face painting and more fun.
When: Opens Saturday-Sunday, March 4-5, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; daily through May 14
Where: Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix
Cost: $22 adults, $12 students 13-18, $10 ages 3-12, $20 seniors Info: 480-941-1225 or dbg.org
Ostrich Festival
If ostrich races aren’t enough to interest you in attending, this festival also offers live entertainment, carnival rides and games, animal demonstrations, food and more.
When: Friday-Sunday, March 10-12, Times Vary
Where: Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Rd., Chandler
Cost: $10 adults, $7 ages 5-12 and seniors, Free under 5
Info: 480-588-8497 or ostrichfestival.com
Ancient Technology Day
Hands-on activities demonstrate how ancient peoples made jewelry and tools, and got and prepared food.
When: Saturday, Feb. 11, 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
Where: Pueblo Grande Museum, 4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix
Cost: $6 adults, Free ages 17 and under
Info: 602-495-0900 or pueblogrande.com
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire
Watch a fun parade of floats, bagpipers and more, then enjoy a faire that offers Irish music, dance, crafts, food and more family-friendly fun.
When: Saturday, March 11, 10 a.m.
Where: 3rd St. from Virginia to McDowell (parade); Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix (faire)
Cost: Free (parade); $10 adults, Free ages 12 and under, $8 seniors and military (faire)
Info: stpatricksdayphoenix.org
Arizona Aloha Festival
Celebrate Hawaiian and South Pacific culture, including dance, music, crafts, games and food. Plus, enter a raffle to win a Hawaiian vacation.
When: Saturday-Sunday, March 11-12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Tempe Beach Park, 80 W Rio
Student chronicles
Jana Froehle of Scottsdale was one of over 200 Cornell College students named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2016 semester.
WFroehle also earned Honors. Honors signifies a semester grade point average of 3.6 to 3.79.
hether you want to test your golf game, or dine with your closest friends and family,
Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is a national liberal arts college with a distinctive One Course At A Time curriculum. e One Course schedule provides students the chance to dive into their studies, focus more intensely on the disciplines of their choice, and learn authentically with the unique freedom to shed the confines of the traditional classroom to study off-campus, pursue research, or accept an internship – all without missing out on other classes.
Jordan Butt of Scottsdale has qualified for the Fall 2016 Dean’s List. To make Dean’s List, students must have at least a 3.4 GPA and can get no grade lower than a C.
Home to nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 80 rigorous majors, Seton Hall’s academic excellence has been
singled out for distinction by e Princeton Review, US News & World Report and Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Sadie Barton of Scottsdale excelled during the Fall 2016 semester at Hofstra University, achieving a GPA of at least 3.5 to earn a spot on the Dean’s List.
Hofstra is a nationally ranked private university just 25 miles from New York City and all its cultural, recreational and professional opportunities.
Jaron Ahmann of Scottsdale has been named to the Deans’ List at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the fall semester of the 2016-17 academic year. Ahmann, a senior Computer Science major, was named to the Dean’s List for the College of Arts and Sciences.
More than 4,500 students at Nebraska have been named to the Deans’ List for the fall semester of the 201617 academic year. To be named to the Dean’s List for the College of Arts and Sciences at the University, the student must have a grade point average of at least 3.7.
Experience Ireland at the MIM just in time for St. Patrick’s Day
By Nearby News Staff
If you’re in the mood for more than green-tinted beer this year, check out Scottsdale’s Musical Instrument Museum’s sixth annual celebration of Irish music and culture for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration the whole family can enjoy.
e Experience Ireland all-day event, which takes place throughout the day on Saturday, March 11 and Sunday, March 12, includes live music and dance performances, like Irish step dancing by students of the Maguire Academy of Irish Dance, and sounds of the Celtic harp, complete with a handson musical demonstrations and workshops.
dance performances, like a Irish folk tradition of storytelling. And rhythms your
play rhythms on your very own Irish drum, a bodhrán, which is played in Irish traditional music with a special drumstick called a “tipper.”
Listen to centuries-old oral narratives that have been told around the fireside for generations in a Culture Talk on the Irish folk tradition of storytelling. And
And, of course, don’t miss the chance to indulge in a special Irish-inspired menu available for purchase at MIM’s Café Allegro.
Isle. Green food coloring is
Experience Ireland at MIM is a great way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day by exploring Irish culture and traditions of the Emerald Isle. Green food coloring is optional.
When: Saturday and Sunday, March 11 and 12, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85050 Info: MIM.org
Experience Ireland at the MIM
events calendar
February 20,2017 - March 20,2017
Arizona Fine Art Expo
Tour more than 100 artists studios and watch painters, sculptors, metal workers and other artisans create their works. Talk to the artists and learn more about their process and history.
When: Daily, Feb. 20-March 26, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: 26540 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale
Cost: Free Info: 480-837-7163 or arizonafineartexpo.com
Celebration of Fine Art
Now entering its 27th year, this art show gives you access to more than 100 studios. You can meet artists and watch them work. Plus, take in the larger outdoor sculpture court.
When: Daily, Feb. 20 – March 26, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: 18400 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale
Cost: $10 adult, $8 seniors/military, Free for kids under 12. Tickets are season passes. Info: 480-443-7695 or celebrateart.com
Shredding Event
Don’t leave important info lying around the house. Get rid of your sensitive personal or commercial documents with an industrial-grade shredding service.
When: Saturday, March 4, 7 - 10 a.m.
Where: Walmart parking lot, 15355 N. Northsight Blvd., Scottsdale
Cost: $3 per box Info: scottsdaleaz.gov
SPRING TRAINING SPRINGGuide
Electronic Recycling Day
Get rid of your dusty old computer, office and entertainment electronics without paying any of the usual fees.
When: Saturday, March 4, 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Scottsdale North Corporation
Yard, 9191 E. San Salvador Dr., Scottsdale
Cost: Free Info: scottsdaleaz.gov
Kid’s Night Out
Drop the kids off for a carnival to celebrate Purim. Pre-K-5 ages get a bouncy house, carnival games and a screening of Pixar’s “Cars.” Ages 5-8 get a Havdalah mixer and Laser Quest.
When: Saturday, March 4, 6 - 10 p.m.
Where: Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
Cost: $35 (grades Pre-K-5), $50 (grades 5-8)
Info: 480-483-7121 or vosjcc.org
Concordia Choir
Enjoy a range of musical styles from one of the world’s finest a cappella choirs.
When: Saturday, March 4, 7:30 p.m.
The Four Freshmen
Drawing inspiration from The Beach Boys, The Mamas & The Papas, and Frankie Valli, this longstanding group provides its own twist on favorite tunes in addition to original numbers.
When: Friday, March 10, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale
Cost: $30 GA, $45 Premium, Free for students Info: 480-303-2474 or pinnacleconcerts.com
Goodguys 8th Spring Nationals Car Show
Look at more than 2,500 hots rods, customs, classics, muscle cars and more pre-’73 vehicles. Plus, enjoy live music, autocross, a kids zone, a swap meet, a dragster exhibition and much more.
When: Friday-Sunday, March 10-12, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale
Cost: $25 GA, $40 Premium, Free for students
Info: 480-303-2474 or pinnacleconcerts.com
Where: WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale Cost: $20 adults ($17 online), $6 ages 7-12, Free ages 6 and under, $5 parking Info: 925-838-9876 or good-guys.com
64th Annual Parada del Sol Rodeo 2017
Scottsdale Concert Band
Enjoy a community performance of Gershwin’s jazzy “Rhapsody in Blue” from the 75-piece Scottsdale Concert Band.
When: Sunday, March 5, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Chaparral High School Auditorium, 6935 E. Gold Dust Ave., Scottsdale
Cost: Free Info: 602-327-3168 or scottsdaleconcertband.org
Watch in awe as modern cowboys and cowgirls tackle bucking horses and broncos, bareback riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing and much more.
When: Thursday-Saturday, March 9-11, 7 p.m.; Sunday, March 12, 2 p.m. Where: WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale Cost: $25-$45
Info: 480-648-4369 or paradadelsol.net
‘All The Light We Cannot See’ This movie tells the story of a lighthouse keeper and his wife who raise an infant washed ashore. Starring Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Rachel Weisz. When: Tuesday, March 14, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Where: Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St., Scottsdale Cost: Free Info: 480-312-7323 or scottsdalelibrary.org
By Jan D’Atri
French Macarons–Still a Craze? what’s cooking?
Macarons! How they got to be such a huge craze, I’m not sure. But something had to be “the next” when the cupcake craze started slowing, and French Macarons were in the right place at the right time!
I can tell you how it all started for me. It was my 11-year-old niece Julia who came running into my kitchen with her “Beginner’s Macaron Kit.” Of course I saw it as another opportunity to be the kind of Auntie that I always wanted as a little girl, with that “yeswe-can-do-anything-together-and have-fun” kind of spirit. My second reaction was sheer panic. Um... Macarons? As in French Macarons? As in extremely-tricky-most-peoplefail-at-first Macarons? But – never let em see you sweat – and this would be a great time to put that philosophy
into practice. Could I really let Julia down? e little gal that wears an apron embroidered with the phrase “What Would Julia Do? “Well, what would Julia do? After reviewing Julia Child’s Macaron recipe, I decided to hunt for a simpler version, and I found it. So here’s the big picture. ere are only five ingredients to French Macarons, so that’s not the challenge. It’s the technique that’s a bit tricky. But these gorgeous gourmet treats are worth the effort. Especially for Julia.
FRENCH MACARONS
Ingredients:
- 4.5 oz. almond flour or almond powder (approx. 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons)
- 8 oz. powdered sugar (2 cups)
- 4.5 oz. egg whites, room temperature (4 large eggs)
- 1/8 teaspoon cream of tarter
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 oz. fine granulated sugar
Directions:
Step #1: In a food processor, combine almond powder and powdered sugar and blend to obtain a fine powder. Sift into a bowl. Repeat sifting.
Step #2: In a mixing bowl with electric beater, whisk egg whites until foamy, about 1 minute. Add pinch of cream of tartar and salt. Whisk until meringue begins to thicken. Slowly add fine granulated sugar, a little at a time. Whisk on high until egg whites have texture of shaving foam with soft peaks.
Step #3: Add sifted almond mixture to the egg whites. Using a
silicon or plastic spatula, gently fold mixture until almond powder and egg whites are fully incorporated. Mixture is done when it is smooth, shiny and slightly runny (like a cake batter). Do not mix beyond this point. If using a coloring or flavor, it must be done at this point.
Step #4: Place mixture in a piping bag with an approximate quarter of an inch opening for the tip. Pipe about a nickel size of mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone pad, about 1 inch apart.
IMPORTANT!
Set baking sheet on counter for about 30 minutes at room temperature until a slight crust develops over macarons.
Step #5: Bake at 325 degrees (use standard bake element and not convection) for about 15 minutes. Allow baking sheets to cool and maracons to harden before lifting them away from baking sheet. When cool, fill with icing of your choice like butter cream icing or ganache.
(Photo Credit/Jan D’Atri)
on the town
By Kenneth LaFave
Zen and the art of Asian fusion
Asian fusion is peaking. Restaurants touting a blend of recipes and flavors from Japan, ailand, Korea and regions of China are almost as common as craft-beer restaurants. e only way for a new Asian fusion place to stand out is to offer the highest quality, along with twists on traditional recipes and the expected range of flavors.
Which brings us to Zen Culinary. Zen Culinary, which opened in December, is located amid the mess of concrete and quick-food joints that snarl the area of the 101 and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard. It’s a little hard to find, but when you do and you walk through the door, suddenly, you are in Asia: the design is modern, but the smells are seafood
and soy and whisky. Booths are cozy; choose a table if you need ample space. More importantly, the people are welcoming. Service at the Valley’s newest ode to Asia is never rushed, and always concerned to answer your questions and cater to your needs.
Zen Culinary features soups, salads, curries, rice and noodle dishes at moderate prices. If an entrée is your plan, however, expect things to get a bit pricey. ere aren’t many of them: eight, to be exact. For a young restaurant still developing its menu, that’s not unusual. Entrée prices range from $22 for baby back ribs in Koreanstyle barbecue fashion with kimchi, to $56 for bone-in prime ribeye. e latter bears no sign of Asian influence, but I imagine it would satisfy the
demanding meat-eater in your party. My companion and I chose something between the extremes: Smoked Tea Seabass, $36. e key to great seabass is that the preparation doesn’t overwhelm the fish. At Zen Culinary, the fish is brined in lapsang souchong, the smoky Chinese tea that tastes like liquid campfire. eir recipe also calls for a ginger-infused soy, and between these two ingredients, the fish is enlivened without losing any of its richness. e result, accompanied by perfectly grilled asparagus, is worth is own zen
koan: What is both toothsome and smoky? Answer: eat this entrée. ere’s also a sushi bar, and a wellstocked liquor bar featuring Japanese whiskies.
Dessert is not listed, but ask your server for the chocolate cake made on premises.
Zen Culinary 15544 North Pima Road, Scottdale, AZ 85260 (480) 296-0030 zenculinary.com
(Photos Special to Nearby News)
Zen Culinary offers great service and delicious Asian fusion menu.
business spotlight
Wow 1 Day Painting is all about speedy service
By Srianthi Perera
If you think a painting project should take a week or longer to produce good results, think again.
Wow 1 Day Painting Scottsdale takes pride in completing any job in a day.
e franchise, which mainly serves Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Carefree, Cave Creek, Fountain Hills and Phoenix, is owned by Scottsdale lawyer Lee Best, who came across it following a painting project at his mom’s house that took three long weeks to finish.
“ e painter we worked with was a great guy, always on-time, professional and friendly, but we figured there has to be a more efficient way to do this,” Best said. “ ree weeks is a long time.” Best’s research led him to Wow 1 Day Painting. e franchise owner
still operates Best Law Firm, which he opened in 2007.
e painting company promises to deliver quality work by skilled painters and a top-notch customer experience, all in one day.
After the client has approved the estimate, a representative will meet the customer to discuss colors and next steps.
If the client approves, on the appointed day the uniformed painters arrive in a large crew – depending on the size of the job – and begin work, with minimal disruption to the space.
e painting contractors are chosen for their friendly manner and good communication skills.
By the end of the day, the project
would be completed and the client would be asked to accompany the contractors on a walk through.
at’s when they are expected to say “Wow!”
Afterward, a followup process collects information on the customer’s satisfaction of the job. One aim of this particular step is to increase referrals.
e company works with customers who are moving, in need of a home make over or selling their homes. It also works with property managers, realtors, moving companies and designers to provide its brand of stress-free experience.
Candian-based founder Brian Scudamore spotted the opportunity to build an exceptional brand in the painting industry when he encountered the innovative concept of one-day painting.
In this day and age of instant gratification, Scudamore saw its potential. He launched Wow 1 Day Painting with a promise to deliver quality work by skilled painters and a top-notch customer experience, all in
Best, who owns the only franchise location in Arizona, divides his time between the law and painting.
“We have a successful law practice, but we’re worn out from the constant stress and pressure of the legal world. We found Wow and we decided to open a ‘happier’ business,” he said.
For More Information:
Location: 14362 Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. #1000, Scottsdale. Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Call 888-969-1329, write to scottsdale@wow1day.com or visit our website at wow1day. com/locations/house-paintingscottsdale one day. Best, who owns the
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Brighton Ranch Paint and Body offers relief after a car collision
By Srianthi Perera
Automotive industry veteran Mark House has run the Brighton Ranch Paint and Body in Scottsdale for about four years.
“We’re one of the top-rated shops in Scottsdale,” House said.
e owner emphasized the individualized service it offers to owners grappling with a broken vehicle.
“We’re a smaller shop, so it’s personal. It’s not ‘you’re a number.’ Your car isn’t just in line. We try to go overboard to give a customer-oriented service,” he added. “We will go out of our way to make things work for the customer.”
Brighton Ranch Paint and Body used to be a vehicle restoration shop called Ranch Auto Body, but under House’s ownership, the emphasis is on collision repair.
e seven-member team at Brighton Ranch Paint and Body repairs about 50 vehicles each month.
“We’re just trying to take it to the next level; it needs to grow,” House said. “We’re one of two shops on the east side of the 101, from Cave Creek to Tempe and from the (Loop) 101 (Freeway) east of Fountain Hills. ere’s a pretty good market right in there. We’re the only independently owned shop (in the area).”
“We’re not tied in, we don’t get our business from insurance referrals; we get it from customer referrals,” he said. “We’re really fortunate to have a bunch of guys who care about what the customer thinks about their work. So it’s nice for me, because we put out top-quality work and that’s the type of people we hire.”
House and his wife, Lyn, moved to the Scottsdale from Nebraska six years ago “to get out of the cold weather.” Two of their three adult sons live in Arizona as well.
Despite the achievements of his Scottsdale business, House acknowledged the challenges he constantly faces. Among them, the fierce competition. He operates independently of the insurance companies, which provide a lot of the collision business in the industry.
“You have big corporation shops that work with the insurance companies. We’re making it work because we market from a standpoint of, we want to take care of first the customer and then the car and not the other way around,” he said.
What House says to expect at Brighton Ranch Paint and Body:
–An estimate in less than 15 minutes. –Efficient work, but not fast work (because fast can often mean sloppy.)
–A precision align repair system guarantees that your vehicle will be repaired to precise factory specifications.
–Your vehicle will be washed and detailed before pick up.
–You will receive a certificate of calibration that certifies that your car was repaired precisely and includes the measurements that the frame machine achieved.
For More Information:
Location: 9550 N. 90h St., Suite 110, Scottsdale 480-860-1140 or visit brightonranch.com
(Special to Nearby News)
CorePump Red offers smarter work out
By Becky Bracken
Scottsdale is now home to what some are calling the “smartest workout on earth.” Last month, ESOS Lifestyle Center introduced a new fitness class, CorePump Red, for individuals of all abilities that combines a new kind of workout equipment with infared light to boost results.
CorePump Red, located at Shea and the 101, is a new workout concept created by local fitness expert and CorePump inventor Samuel Colby.
e 45-minute classes involve exercising and stretching on a CorePump machine, which utilizes isokinetic resistance under nearinfrared lighting while listening to isochronic frequencies.
“ is is the future of fitness,” says Colby, who has owned ESOS Lifestyle Center for four years.
“We’ve built a machine that eliminates an entire gym and created this unique concept that helps anyone reach their health goals.”
e CorePump machine hit the fitness market last summer. It takes up less than four square feet of floor space and is touted by Colby as the safest way for anyone to strength train.
It features a fully adjustable pedestal platform, six adjustable settings of smart resistance and 66 handle positions, which allow you to perform hundreds of exercises and stretches, Colby says. It works for all types of fitness enthusiasts, athletes, rehab patients, and anyone looking to get in shape, he adds.
With its bold styling, premium materials and room for up to nine passengers, it’s the new standard in full-size utility.
Colby decided to incorporate nearinfrared lighting in his CorePump fitness classes for several reasons. “It boosts metabolism, reduces body fat, increases energy, improves circulation and endurance, increases strength, detoxifies the body and even reduces cellulite,” he says.
Under the upbeat music playing throughout class, Colby adds, ,isochronic tones are also playing, which helps individuals focus on the workout.
“Together – the lighting, the music and the machine – it’s completely different than anything out there,” says Colby. “We are biohacking fitness.”
Lastly, as an option for members, Cryotherapy is offered at the end of class. is cold therapy treatment involves the use of extremely low temperatures to treat symptoms such as tissue damage, decrease inflammation, increase cell rejuvenation, improve skin tone and reduce signs of aging, he says.
Individuals can expect to burn 5001500 calories per class, according to Colby. Everyone is offered a free first class to try the workout and memberships start at only $99 per month. Drop-ins are welcome.
In addition to the CorePump Red classes, ESOS Lifestyle Center offers lipo laser body contouring treatments, far infrared sauna sessions, private training, naturopathic medicine, physical therapy, and chiropractic care.
Parking assist, front/rear
Rainsense™ front wiper
Remote Keyless Entry
Automatic climate control
Remote Vehicle Start
Bose ® premium audio
• 8-inch-diagonal Color Touch Radio screen display
• Trailering equipment
• Powerful 5.3L Ecotec V8 engine
• Up to 23 MPG HWY*
LATCH system • Rear Vision Camera
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(Special to Nearby News)
Classes at ESOS are held under infared light.
Chompie’s serving up traditional Irish fare on St. Patrick’s Day
By Nearby News Staff
While a New York deli may not seem a likely place for St. Patrick’s Day, the tradition of eating corned beef and cabbage are deeply rooted in the East Coast history of Irish immigrants, according to the experts at Scottsdale’s authentic New York deli, Chompie’s. When Irish immigrants came to the U.S. they found their everyday meal, which usually consisted of bacon, pork and potatoes, was too expensive. Corned beef and cabbage was a less expensive option that Jewish delis had it in abundance. Chompie’s has continued the tradition since it opened
in 1979 and St. Patrick’s is now one of its busiest days of the year.
Chompies is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on Friday, March 17 with an allyou-can-eat corned beef and cabbage dinner for $21.99. e deli also tips its hat to the Irish with specialty items like Leprechaun cupcakes, green and white cookies, green beer and yes –even green bagels.
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