Bailey Smith of Redfield Elementary plays in the school’s holiday band concert.
e News Around Our Neighborhood
Mailed to homes in the Frank Lloyd Wright corridor and communities in the shadows of the McDowells.
Operation Christmas Child thanks local residents for huge gift collection
With a strong boost from Scottsdale, a recordbreaking 76,800 gift-filled shoeboxes for children in need were collected this year for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child.
This year’s gift collection is up from 71,130 in 2015, due in large part to a 35 percent increase in Scottsdale.
The local project also took delivery of the 1 millionth gift in the history of the local project. “It was awesome, it is awesome,” said Cheryl Johnson, who is in her ...continues on page 7
Scottsdale resident devoted to volunteering
By Alison Stanton
Bob Harris is living proof that even people with full schedules can find pockets of time to give back to their communities.
Harris, who is an Allstate Insurance agent in Scottsdale, volunteers with the Scottsdale Police Department K-9 Unit, Scottsdale Police Crime-Prevention Unit, Scottsdale Fire Department Fire-Prevention Unit and Foothills Animal Rescue of Scottsdale.
“I’ve always been raised to give
back to the community,” he said.
Harris recently was delighted to learn that The Allstate Foundation, wanting to support and honor his volunteer efforts, gave a $1,000 grant to each of the four organizations. ...continues on page 6
Harvest Bible Church’s Members of the Apostolic Christian Church help break a record with their shoebox gifts.
From left: Danny Ramirez, Dwayne Bader, Joe Andrea, Kenny Otter, Robert Harris and Emily Harris receive grant for Fire Department.
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Successfully fill out this month’s Scramblers puzzle on Page 12 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:
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...continued from page 1
“The Scottsdale Police Department will use the $1,000 to buy bulletproof vests for their K-9 unit,” he said.
Harris, a Scottsdale resident, began volunteering with Foothills Animal Rescue of Scottsdale in 2014.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for dogs, and it seemed like a neat thing to do,” he said, adding that he spends most of his volunteer time at Foothills Animal Rescue working on fundraising efforts and helping to get the word out about what the rescue does.
Harris then expanded his efforts by volunteering with the Scottsdale Police and Fire departments. He has helped both organizations with fundraisers and events, including toy drives and car-seat inspections.
“I had been a volunteer firefighter in Louisiana from 1984 to 1989 and it was just the best time of my life,” he said. “As for the Police Department, I don’t feel that people always appreciate them enough, so I started volunteering with them as a way to say ‘thank you.’”
“Also, next year, I’m enrolled in the Scottsdale Police Department’s citizen academy, and I enjoy working on fundraisers for them and the K-9 unit. I like do to anything to help the public to understand more about crime prevention.”
Harris said his work as an insurance agent also inspires him to educate people on ways to stop
crime.
“At Allstate, I see the other side of crime, after it happens,” he said.
To help prevent delivered holiday packages from being taken from doorsteps, Harris allowed clients to ship their holiday gifts to his office.
In late April and October, Harris also hosts fundraisers for Foothills Animal Rescue at his office.
“With any donation to Foothills Animal Rescue, people can get free document shredding and free windshield-chip repair, as well as some food and a smile. It’s win-win for everyone,” he said, adding that the last event raised $1,450 for the rescue.
Harris and his wife, Emily, also enjoy spotting members of the Police and Fire departments and surprising them with gift cards.
“They put their lives on the line every day, and it honestly just makes me feel good to do this,” he said.
As for people who want to volunteer but don’t feel they have the time, Harris is an example of how they can find the time.
“Contact whoever you want to volunteer with and tell them that you want to volunteer, but that you don’t have a lot of time, and ask them, ‘What can I do that will be most beneficial?’”
The Robert Harris Allstate Agency is at 14144 N. 100th St., Suite B-115, Scottsdale.
For more information: 480-3428146 or theharrisagency.com.
Volunteer
Volunteer Robert Harris (second from left) presents $1,000 grant to Scottsdale Police.
year as Operation Christmas Child project coordinator in the Valley. “I think word has gotten out through word of mouth from all the different donors, and people have shared it with their friends and neighbors.”
The gift donations are on their way to children in need worldwide, Johnson said. For many of these children, delivery of the shoebox gift through this local Scottsdale project will be the first gift they will have ever received.
“People love Operation Christmas Child, and the opportunity to share a bit of love and hope with children around the world who are hurting and have never gotten a gift,” Johnson said.
“It’s a tremendous program, and the follow-up stories of those who receive the ministry and love encourages not only those who packed a box to come back but also encourages more to do it next year.”
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse,
an international Christian relief and evangelism organization. Its mission is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has
collected and delivered more than 135 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 150 countries and territories.
Although local Scottsdale collections have finished for the
season, there is still time to pack a gift-filled shoebox online for children suffering from poverty, natural disaster, war, terror, disease and famine. Like online shopping, visitors can browse samaritanspurse. org/occ to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish by uploading a photo and writing a note of encouragement to be included in the shoebox they build online. They can also follow their box to discover where in the world it will be delivered.
Participants may give a $25 gift card to a family member or friend to join in the excitement of Operation Christmas Child by packing a shoebox gift online. These shoeboxes, filled with school supplies, toys, hygiene items and notes of encouragement, are delivered to children in some of the hardest-to-reach countries around the world.
More information on how to participate: samaritanspurse.org/occ.
Dr. Katherine Blaskovich
Dr. Tina Ansari Dr. Alli Hoppert, FAAD
Dr. Susan Reckell
Dr. Lindsay Jung
Pastor Bruce Johnson (center) of Scottsdale Presbyterian Church joins Mary Garner and locals dropping off shoebox gifts.
Jared Utterback from Scottsdale Christian Academy drops off shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child.
community spotlight
By Alison Stanton
Scottsdale author wins award for children’s book
‘Buckaroo Buckeye’
cited for helping kids build reading skills, self-esteem
When Kristin Cetone asked her father what a buckeye nut was, his answer always was, “a worthless little nut.”
In her award-winning children’s book, “Buckaroo Buckeye – A Little Nut with Big Dreams,” the Scottsdale author turns a negative message into a positive one with a story that connects ages 4-8 with reading and ways to ignore bullies.
“Buckaroo Buckeye,” is a winner of the 2016 OneBookAz Award, sponsored by the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records division of the Arizona Secretary of State’s office, and Mom’s Choice Silver Award, which recognizes products and services for children, families and educators from more than
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e story takes young readers on a magical journey with a little buckeye nut, who falls from his tree in Ohio and embarks on a quest to find his true place in the world. Buckaroo dodges bumps and bullies along the way as he learns to “dream, believe and achieve” despite his small size.
e goal of the read-aloud book, illustrated by Nadia Komorova, is to celebrate literature and foster a sense of community.
“Buckaroo Buckeye encourages children to read while giving positive messages to help them feel good about themselves,” said Cetone, who is also a
reading specialist. “Children, especially if they struggle with reading, can feel left out, lose their confidence and may be teased. Buckaroo, through his determination, teaches kids to believe in themselves and ignore people who say hurtful things to them.”
Cetone, who grew up in Ohio, received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Ohio State University and holds a Masters of Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. She is a certified reading specialist for Grades K-12 with an English as a Second Language endorsement. She taught for more than 30 years before pursuing her dream of writing.
“It’s so much fun to see children get excited about Buckaroo and his story,” Cetone said. “My goal was to write a book that both children and parents can enjoy that also promotes literacy.
“Reading success really begins at birth. We are not born with a gene for reading. When parents read aloud, their children learn vocabulary, sentence structure and language fluency.”
Cetone offers supplemental online reading assessments and other products
related to reading.
“While my assessments are not a replacement to testing in schools, this is very helpful to parents who are concerned about their child’s reading ability,” she said.
She adds that parents should start monitoring their child’s reading ability closely in the first grade.
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Scottsdale author Kristin Cetone, with her character, “Buckaroo Buckeye,” won a 2016 OneBookAZ award for her book that helps kids build reading skills and self-esteem.
Scottsdale Fashion Square to undergo expansion, renovation
North-central Scottsdale residents have a splendid array of outdoor shopping malls, but when they want an indoor shopping facility, the iconic Scottsdale Fashion Square beckons a short drive away.
And soon, it will have a new look.
Plans include:
• Significant renovation of the luxury wing anchored by Neiman Marcus.
• New restaurants to elevate offerings.
• Addition of residences, Class A office space, and upscale hotel.
e multi-phase project is part of owner/operator Macerich’s long-term strategy to reinvest in its premier retail destinations.
In addition, luxury retailer Louis Vuitton plans its own major renovation in the coming year.
e first phase at the 1.9 millionsquare-foot Fashion Center will update and redefine the luxury wing. A new entrance and arrival point, two-story storefronts, and exterior-facing retail buildings and restaurants are planned.
Construction begins in 2017 with opening planned for fall 2018.
“Macerich is capitalizing on the strong growth in Scottsdale and greater Phoenix to enhance our market-dominant retail property,” said Art Coppola, chairman and chief executive officer at Macerich.
“Already, Scottsdale Fashion Square is the region’s undisputed luxury leader, and we see significant opportunity to better serve this attractive and buoyant metropolitan area for the long term.”
e added mixed-use elements will complement key investments at the center’s contemporary wing anchored by Nordstrom and the entertainment/ young-fashion wing anchored by Harkins eatre.
Renovation plans include a dramatic arrival point off Goldwater Boulevard, a grand entry into the luxury wing to be flanked by two-level luxury flagships and an internationally acclaimed restaurant with café seating.
Among amenities for visitors will be a luxury valet with private lounge, platinum-level concierge, personal shopping experts and style consultants, art and fine furnishings, resort-level restrooms, signature fountain and lush gardens influenced by renowned landscapes around the world.
Louis Vuitton has signed a new longterm lease at Fashion Square with plans for a major store renovation in 2017.
“We’re very excited about Macerich’s plans for Scottsdale Fashion Square,” said Anthony Ledru, CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas. “ e luxury market in Arizona is strong and on the rise, and this property is the right real estate in the region for our brand.”
Fashion Square is home to luxury and contemporary brands Cartier, Bottega Veneta, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari and Prada, along with Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.
With four anchor department stores and more than 200 shops and restaurants, Scottsdale Fashion Square is among the premier shopping destinations in the country with annual sales exceeding $650 million. From 2012 to 2015, the center created nearly $50 million in sales tax revenue to Scottsdale.
Macerich plans more mixed-use elements on a 7-acre parcel immediately north of the mall from Goldwater Boulevard to Scottsdale Road, to include high-end residential units, Class A office space and hospitality.
Scottsdale launches citizen survey
Some Scottsdale residents have been selected randomly to participate in a survey to measure their views on the community and city programs and services.
Feedback will be used to measure the quality of city services and considered in prioritizing future programs and services.
e National Citizen Survey allows residents to rate their overall quality of life and provide specific feedback about municipal services, public safety, customer service and their level of participation in community events and activities.
After the selected residents have responded, a web-based version will be available for all city residents to provide feedback. More information will be provided about the web survey
early in January.
e survey is conducted by the National Research Center, Inc., and is designed for use by local governments. Because similar surveys are conducted in hundreds of jurisdictions, Scottsdale can compare its results with others across the country.
e independent survey firm crafted unbiased questions and selected households and residents at random to ensure that every resident in Scottsdale has a chance to participate and every result includes a range of certainty known as the margin of error.
Survey results will be available in February.
More information and past survey results: ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search “citizen survey.”
10 tips for winter watering of desert landscaping
By Warren Tenney Arizona Municipal Water Users Assn.
Some homeowners, businesses and HOAs continue irrigating their landscapes as if it were still 110 degrees outside.
Arizona Municipal Water Users Association conservation professionals say that’s a waste because most desert-adapted plants can make it through the winter with little or no water. Even rye grass can thrive with water every week or two.
temperatures and making them more susceptible to frost and damage.
•Cactus plants suffer less frost damage if they have not been watered for several months before cold temperatures. When the water freezes it expands and ruptures the cells, which can damage or kill the plants.
•Over watering during the winter can produce pools that won’t evaporate as quickly as in summer. ese puddles can breed mosquitoes.
Among the easiest ways to save money and water: Learn to manage the irrigation controller. Here are 10 tips to save and keep trees and plants healthy through the winter:
• e “sewer fee,” part of the water bill, usually is recalculated based on average water use during winter months. Lower next year’s bill by cutting water use this winter.
•Overwatering can kill desert-adapted plants. e roots need the soil to dry out between waterings so they can absorb nutrients, such as nitrogen and iron.
•Some shrubs and vines grow rapidly when over watered in early winter months, exposing tender new tissue to colder
•Most cities have waterefficiency professionals who can determine how much water a landscape needs. Give your city’s water-efficiency professional a call.
•Winter rye grass is established and no longer needs as much water, once every seven to 10 days. Rye grass must be watered to a depth of 4 to 6 inches.
•Let your landscaper know that saving water is just as important to you as having the yard visually appealing.
• Occasionally turn on your irrigation system to find and fix leaks.
•Trees should be watered deeply but far less often in winter, every two to four weeks.
AMWUA Executive
Director Warren Tenney
neighborhood hearsay
By Ken LaFave
We’re moving into the new year and the December holiday bills are coming due. Time to look for free events.
Free events this month include a lecture with the most intriguing title, ever: “How the French Think.” I’ve wondered this myself over the years. After all, the French gave us, “I think, therefore I am,” and also, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Taken together, these two apparently mean, “Another croissant, please.”
The lecturer, historian Kent Wright, says he will “explore France’s distinctive perspective on revolution, sex and the influence of both in French politics and culture.” Oh, that France! The France of Bridget Bardot and guillotines. Now we’re talking.
Will he address why “Les Miserables” (the musical) somehow manages to present revolution as a comfortably middle-class activity? Wright talks France (in English) at 6 p.m. Jan. 12, at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library.
As an antidote to y’all gettin’ too Frenchified by the above, check out Gary Sprague’s weekly trot through Old Town Scottsdale. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. each Saturday in January, Sprague will mount his trusty Dusty (that’s a horse) and walk her through Old Town, singing. (That’s Gary singing, not the horse.) It’s a free singingcowboy act on the streets of the West’s most Western town. (Full disclosure: I’ve never sung on a horse, but I did fire a pistol from the back of one, once. I woke up in the hospital with a vague memory of flying.)
This is not free, but it should be on your bucket list: The story of Wyatt Earp’s wife, Josephine, as written and acted by Terry Tafoya Earp. The one-woman play, “Mrs. Wyatt Earp,” explores the story of the woman who ran a saloon and captured the heart of the West’s most famous lawman. And as you might have guessed, the writer-actor is related by marriage to the Earp family itself.
It’s at 7 p.m., Jan. 12, at
Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, and tickets are $15. For more information, go to scotsdalemuseumwest.org.
The Scottsdale City Council unanimously hired Jim Thompson as city manager. Thompson will begin his duties Jan. 8, pending completion of an employment contract.
I’ve managed a city. It was in a video game. I built houses, laid out streets, levied taxes, the whole bit. Free advice for Thompson: Never build a nuclear power plant near a park. It attracts killer robots and causes a huge mess.
looking back
By Scott Shumaker
Horses powered Scottsdale well into the 20th century
By Scott Shumaker
e automobile became a permanent feature of life in Scottsdale during the 1910s, but cars did not immediately replace horses for everyday purposes.
For a long time, horses and automobiles served together to meet the town’s needs for power, transportation and pleasure. e images below show horses helping residents at work and play, and confirm that horses were an important part of Scottsdale’s infrastructure long after the introduction of the automobile.
Arizona Canal builder William J. Murphy planted trees and grass at a place in the canal where water poured over a rock ledge. Arizona Falls, as it became known, served as a popular picnic spot for early Scottsdale residents. In this 1908 photo, residents Frank Spaulding, Ruth Percival and an unidentified woman pause in a horse and buggy during a trip to the falls.
Photo courtesy Scottsdale Library.
A man in a bow tie and straw hat stands next to a twohorse wagon in this undated photo. A dog can be seen sitting inside the wagon.
Photo courtesy Scottsdale Library.
In this photo from 1918, a team of horses is rigged for work on the Loomis Farm in the 8200 block of East Thomas Road. The children of G.E. Schultz, the farm’s operator, pose in front of the team. Photo courtesy Scottsdale Historical Society.
IceFactoryLIB: The S. D. Lount and Son Ice Company of Phoenix, which opened in the summer of 1879, was the first manufacturer of ice in the Valley.
Scottsdale’s first ice plant opened in 1920. The presence of four horse and buggies and what appears to be an icedelivery wagon suggests that Lount did a brisk business. Photo courtesy Scottsdale Library.
The orange grove at the Ingleside Inn, an early Scottsdale resort, was among the first planted in the Valley. In this 1918 photo, a horsedrawn wagon carries a load of oranges in field boxes to the sorting-and-packing shed on Indian School Road. Photo courtesy Scottsdale Historical Society.
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Natural-history museum a delight for the kids
By Kimberly Hosey
If you’re looking to revisit an old Valley favorite with your family to ring in the new year—or if you’d like to go back in time, search for “gold,” explore ancient cultures or even experience the wonder of a galaxy far, far away in a special celebration this month—you can do it all a short drive away.
And if that doesn’t work out, you can always throw your kids in “jail” when you get there.
I’m talking, of course, about the Arizona Museum of Natural History. For my own son, it began there as the “dinosaur museum.” e towering camarasaurus, fearsome tyrannosaurus, iconic triceratops drew us in; along with their weirder, lesser-known cousins: e skull of a crowned crocodile, eerie dioramas of the Cretaceous Period when Arizona was covered in prehistoric seas, the wicked-looking skull of a phytosaur (like a crocodile, but they evolved separately). We love our critters, and the Arizona Museum of Natural History never disappoints.
Still, once we were reeled in, we found that the museum had much more to offer.
e “Native Peoples of the Past” exhibition explores human culture in our area, from Paleoindian hunters, who arrived about 13,500 years ago, to Hohokam irrigation systems that were active as recently as 1450 A.D. rough photography, life-size dioramas and interactive walk-through exhibits, kids can explore the human history of where they live now.
If your family would like to explore human culture a bit more, “Mesoamerica and South America” delves into several cultures living in the surrounding areas of Mexico and Central America. From ancient Mexican cultures to a history of Mayan culture and architecture, the exhibition delves into the rich artistic, architectural and cultural backgrounds of the societies, even touching upon aspects like sports, food and religion.
Several pieces of art from the cultures are displayed. One thing we found really fascinating, especially after studying Hohokam culture—itself tied to our local history— was how they directly tied into other Native American civilizations of the Southwest.
History can be a bit dry even for the most studious kid, and, OK, I’m not always the best student myslef, but there’s an undeniable draw to learn
about people who walked these paths before we did.
e museum, 53 N. Macdonald in Mesa, is smallish compared to other Valley destinations, but the great thing is that with the diversity and depth of the exhibits it has grown right along with my son and his interests.
At first, we really did only ogle the dinosaurs. As time went on, he developed interest in our area’s cultural history, and began to explore the Native Peoples and Mesoamerica and South America exhibits. And he became absolutely enthralled by the “Origins” gallery, which details the history of not just our corner of the world—not even just our corner of the galaxy—but the universe itself, with image displays detailing the billions-yearlong history of stars and galaxies.
e museum’s newest Second Friday event, Science Before Saturday, this month features “Star Wars: A Galaxy of Discovery.” Guests of all ages are invited to join scientists and others from the Valley on Friday, Jan. 13, in a “Star Wars” and science-theme bash, including workshops and experiments.
Admission for the event is $5 for children, $9 for adults. Museum members are free. If your kid is anything like mine, all you need is the most tenuous connection to “Star Wars.” So why not sneak in some real science while you’re at it?
en in February, the museum hosts
a celebration of science, “I Love Science Day,” with special activities, crafts and experiments.
ere’s plenty more: Toss your kids in a territorial jail cell, or, even more hilarious to them, let them lock you up. Pan for gold. Assemble 3-D puzzles. Discover fossils in the Paleo Dig Pit. As you take in the dinosaurs, the environment of the Mesozoic Era comes to life on Dinosaur Mountain, complete with a thunderstorm and flash flood every 23 minutes. It sends water cascading down the three-story mountain. If you want to get a good idea of what the museum has to offer, visit its website and take a virtual tour.
If you’d like to delve into the history of Arizona and the Southwest, from prehistoric giants to panning for gold, this museum has you covered. Admission to the Arizona Museum of Natural History is $12 to adults, $7 to children ages 3-12, $10 to seniors 65 and older, $8 to students 13 and older with ID, and free to children 2 and younger. Check online for more details or for more upcoming museum events.
Arizona Museum of Natural History
53 N. Macdonald, Mesa Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays; 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturdays; 1-5 p.m., Sundays; closed Mondays. 480-644-2230 or arizonamuseumofnaturalhist ory.org
‘Star Wars: A Galaxy of Discovery’ 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13. 12 and younger $5; 13 and older $9; members free.
‘I Love Science Day’
1-3:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 11. Free to members and free to non-members with paid admission.
By Erica Odello
How to make pop-tab bracelets
If you’re looking for last-minute gifts for teachers or relatives, or you’re planning ahead for that love-theme holiday that is fastapproaching in February, handmade, unique and inexpensive is always the way to go. With that in mind, bracelets made out of the tabs from aluminum cans fits all of the above criteria.
You will need Pop tabs removed from aluminum cans, suede cord, flat/multi-cord fasteners, pencil, packing tape, scissors, super glue or jewelry glue, pliers (preferably needle-nose) with tape on the tines to prevent scratching.
Optional: Beads.
Step 1: Both patterns
Measure the cord by wrapping loosely around your wrist. For the simple X pattern, the cord should be about 2 inches longer than your wrist circumpherence. For the stacked pattern, it should be about 4 inches longer. After cutting, fold the cord in half and tie a knot, leaving enough room in the loop to fit around a pencil. Once this is done, use the
the tabs facing the same direction, until the bracelet is long enough to wrap around your wrist.
Alternate idea: Create an alternating pattern with beads and pop tabs.
packing tape to anchor each side of the pencil to the table.
Step 2: X pattern
Step 2: Stacked pattern is pattern works well with pop tabs with center loop broken off. Hold two tabs with the bottoms facing up and one tab on top with bottom facing down. read the right-side cord up into the first rightside hole created by the first bottom tab, then weave down over the edge of the top tab and through the rest of the bottom tab.
inside the cord fastener, then place the cords inside the fastener. Pinch each side of the fastener with your pliers, squeezing the top and sides until you get a tight fit. Cut the excess cord and remove the bracelet from the pencil anchor. Attach the two ends and you’re done!
Alternate idea: For someone who might not wear a bracelet, tie off the two ends of the cord and then affi x a key ring to the anchor loop instead of using a jewelry fastener. I’ll bet nobody’s had a keychain like this!
For the X pattern, it is best to use pop tabs that still have the center loop attached. Fold the center loop over and squeeze with the pliers. With the top of the tab facing up, weave each side of the cord through the main holes, crossing in the center to make an “X.” Pull the tab up to the knot and pull the ends of the cord to tighten. Repeat process, keeping
Bring the cord up again through the hole created by the rest of the top tab and the start of the second bottom tab. Repeat this process with the left-side cord. You are basically “sewing” the pop tabs together in two straight lines. Repeat the process, adding a tab to the top and a tab to the bottom as you lengthen the bracelet. Remember to not pull the cords too tightly as the bracelet needs room to bend around the wrist. Keep measuring around your wrist to reach the desired length.
Step 3: Both patterns
Bring the ends of the cord together once the bracelet has reached the desired length. Place a dab of glue
slices of life
By Jill Pertler
Contemplating marriage
I’ve been contemplating marriage. Not getting married. I took care of that task years ago.
I’ve been contemplating marriage as in the concept of. My daughter recently tied the knot and I’ve been reminiscing about my own newlywed days – and some of the lessons learned since way back then.
When I signed up for this deal called marriage, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Neither did my husband. If someone had told us marriage might be challenging and difficult, we wouldn’t have believed them. How could loving another person be difficult? (Ha!) ank goodness for our naivety. And optimism. Now, all these years later, I think we’d both say marriage can be challenging (not to mention a bit of hard work). But it is good work, and challenges are
opportunities for growth. And when done right, it gets easier and more fulfilling as the years pass. Most days.
Since saying “I do,” my better half and I have learned a few tidbits (Dare I say rules?) about successfully navigating this thing called wedded bliss. If we were to give unsolicited advice to our daughter and other newlys (which of course we never would), here’s what we might say:
1. First, realize there are no rules, really. ink of these as starting points.
2. Over the years, you will break most if not all these rules (a.k.a. starting points). So will your spouse. Forgive him or her and just as importantly, forgive yourself.
3. It’s not about you. It’s about both of you. If you live out your marriage as though it’s about you, you’ll likely have a short marriage – or at the very least an
unhappy one.
4. Eat meals together. At least once each day. ey will serve as an anchor and provide an opportunity to share time and conversation with each other. It’s the seemingly small habits like this that fortify your relationship. In a marriage, small things can be big things.
5. Sleep in the same bed. Even if it seems more convenient not to. Even if the one of you snores or kicks the covers off (not that I’m implying anything). Love is hardly ever convenient.
Waking together gives you a few moments to plan your day, and plot your strategies – if you have children. It also gives you the opportunity to experience morning breath and morning hair.
It gives you the chance to say, “Good morning,” before the chaos of the rest of your day proceeds.
6. Always kiss each other goodbye. It’s also nice to kiss hello and goodnight and happy Groundhog’s Day, but goodbye is the one to make a priority. You never know if a goodbye will be your last, and you’d regret forever if you hadn’t paid enough attention to seal it with a kiss.
7. Realize you do not have to agree on everything. Chances are, even after
decades, you won’t have come to terms about the thermostat. It’s the bane of many a great marriage and a war that can’t be won. ere are countless similar battles involving laundry-folding techniques, vacation destinations, parenting practices and driving habits (which could be a category in itself).
8. Falling in love is easy. Staying there not always so. Work to keep things new. Don’t be distracted by the multitude of life experiences that could come between you and your spouse. is includes your job and your children. ere are more (there always could be more) but eight is enough for one day. When we got married years ago, our pockets may have been empty, but our hearts were as full as our hair was big. Now we relive those emotions (but not the hairstyle) through our daughter and son-in-law, and we are glad for times when life comes full circle.
Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright, author and member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Don’t miss a slice, follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.
Morgan Hodges JosH Hintzen
around the neighborhood
1 2 3 4
1. Bo O’Brasky (left) and Bailey Dunigan perform in the Cochise Elementary holiday performance. 2. Sophia Klinger, 6, and Lanette Klinger enjoy their lunch at the Desert Canyon BBQ. 3. Julianna Valero (left), playing flute, and Shashank Sandiri give it their all in the Redfield Elementary holiday band concert. 4. Jackson Nacarato, 5, celebrates his birthday during Desert Canyon Elementary’s family BBQ. 5. Everybody gets into the act in the Cochise holiday show. 6. Desert Canyon students find a friendly helper at lunch in Tarisha Caldwell. 7. Grace Barnes (left) and Bo O’Brasky are having fun in the Cochise holiday play. 8. Making sweet music in the Redfield performance are Leo Weber (left) and Liam Brotherton.
It’s the end of the fall semester, and schools across Scottsdale celebrate the midpoint of the school year and the coming winter break with an array of fun activities. Whether it’s the family BBQ at Desert Canyon Elementary, or the holiday show at Cochise, or the band concert at Redfield, it’s time for good cheer. 7
5 8
Desert Canyon hosts Mandarin Immersion Program informational meetings
By Nancy Norman and Kristine Harrington
Desert Canyon Elementary will offer a Full Language Immersion Mandarin Chinese Program for kindergarten students during the 2017-18 school year, following up on its all-gradelevel, Mandarin cultural studies begun this school year.
e program will progress to the next grade level each year, through Desert Canyon Middle School and then Desert Mountain High.
Desert Canyon plans public meetings to familiarize parents and guardians with the optional program. Mandarin has been identified by the U.S. Department of Defense as a 21stcentury “critical language.”
Meetings will be in the Desert Canyon Library 10203 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road:
• ursday, Jan. 12, 10:30 a.m., following Kindergarten Roundup.
• Tuesday, Jan. 24, 9:30 a.m. and
5:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 15, 9 a.m.
• Tuesday, March 14, 9 a.m.
“Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken, first language in the world,” said Desert Canyon principal Kristin Kinghorn. “If you are able to communicate in both Mandarin and English, you can speak to 50-percent of the world’s population.”
Students who participate in the Desert Canyon FLI program will spend half of the day learning math,
science and Chinese language arts from a native Mandarin speaker, who will speak to them in Mandarin only. e students will spend the other half of the day learning reading, writing and social studies from an English-speaking teacher.
Saguaro High football player, coach in Army All-American Bowl Kaelib Jarrell, defensive back/wide receiver on Saguaro High’s Class 4A state championship team, has been selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 7 in San Antonio.
Sabercats coach Jason Mohns was chosen offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in the game that features 90 of the best high school football players in the country. e game will be broadcast live on NBC (Channel 12) at 11 a.m. Phoenix time.
Native month festivities set
In Native American tradition, if a wish is whispered, the butterfly will carry it to heaven and the wish will come true. e butterfly is a symbol of change, joy and color to Native American people.
To honor Scottsdale’s tribal neighbors, Butterfly Wonderland will feature Native American traditions, focusing on storytelling and entertainment, free with admission during Native American Cultural Experience Days in January.
On Jan. 21-22, “Stories from our Elders” is in the lobby at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. In the conservatory, Nouveau Papillon, a duo, will perform magical and inspiring Native American music. It is all open to the public with general-admission tickets.
In the café, Native American delights will be available. Butterfly Wonderland, 9500 E. Via de Ventura in Scottsdale at the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, is open 9 a.m -5 p.m, daily. Cameras are welcome. More information: 480-8003000, butterflywonderland.com.
Las Sendas is a 2400 acre Master Planned Community near Red Mountain with spectacular custom homes, masterfully built tract homes and Cachet townhomes — a home to fit all lifestyles. A similar home in Scottsdale would cost 30% more and you wouldn’t have the city light views or spectacular desert scenery adjacent to Tonto National Forest. If you are looking for VALUE with city lights and desert scenery give me a call. Here are just a few highlights of this “Gem in the Desert” called Las Sendas:
• 800 ft above the valley floor • 20 min. from Scottsdale
• Robert Jones Jr. 18 hole golf course • Prices from $200’s to $3 Million+
• Hike and bike trails directly into Tonto National Forest • And Much More!
Check out my Las Sendas Market Reportgbeeson.longrealty.com - click on Las Sendas.
Choosing the right school during open enrollment
January is the start of open enrollment at many Arizona schools.
Whether you recently moved, have a child who will enter kindergarten for 2017-18, or simply want to change your child’s school, there are many education options. Here are tips from Paradise Valley Schools specialist Becky Kelbaugh that are applicable to any Arizona school search:
•What are the most important qualities you want in your child’s school? Decide on the top three to five.
•What distinguishes this school from others? Find out if it has a special focus, such as arts or STEM.
•How does the school look and feel? It should be inviting with helpful staff.
•What is the learning environment? See if students work in groups or independently.
•How does the library/media center
look and feel?
Computers and technology should be up to date.
What is the homework policy?
Know how often homework is assigned and if there is a policy for turning in late assignments.
•What is the dress code? Know expectations for attire and whether students wear uniforms.
•Is there an onsite registered nurse?
•What before- and after-school activities are offered? Know availability and cost.
•What is the school’s commitment to technology? We live in a digital world. Find out how often students use computers or tablets in the classroom.
Schedule an appointment to tour the school and speak with the principal and teachers to make sure it is the best choice for your entire family.
Scottsdale Community College roundup
Students shine at GCU conference ree SCC students earned first place and another picked up a second place at the Arizona Collegiate DECA Fall Leadership Conference at Grand Canyon University.
More than 90 DECA members from Arizona community colleges and universities competed business-related categories. ey also attended workshops and networked.
First-place honors went to Ryan Evans in accounting and finance exam, Neil Advani in retail management, and Isaac Coronado in restaurant and food-service management.
Mark Cramer took second place in restaurant and food-service management.
Social
Media Marketing certificate enrollment open
In the movie “ e Intern,” Robert de Niro’s 70-something character realizes that he needs social-media training to keep his skill sets relevant.
Julia Scotto can relate. She recently enrolled in SCC’s new Social Media Marketing Program to improve her knowledge to leverage business advantages and opportunities and to better position herself as marketable.
“We quickly learned at my job that social-media marketing isn’t as easy as it seems, so I went back to school,” Scotto said.
“Becoming proficient in this part of business was the obvious choice to further my career.”
Business professionals now can earn a Certificate of Completion in Social Media Marketing in SCC’s Introduction to Social Media, Applied Marketing and Social Networking.
Enrollment for spring 2017 is under way.
e program has multiple start dates throughout the year.
Information: Mark Barton, 480-4256913, mark.barton@scottsdalecc.edu or Sue Sandblom, 480-425-6792 or sue. sandblom@scottsdalecc.edu.
Sarah Torrilhon teaches at Desert Cove Elementary. Photo by Jay Lee,/ Paradise Valley Schools.
top 10 family events
Dec. 20 2-2016 -Jan. 20, 2017
1 Paws in the Park
Join other dog owners for a day of play. Talk to pet professionals, browse information booths and enjoy live entertainment. You may bring food to donate to Vista del Camino’s Pet Pantry. When: Saturday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Chaparral Park’s off leash area, 5401 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale. Cost: Free.
Info: 480-312-0217 or scottsdaleaz.gov
2 Beyond The Bag
Help the kids, and yourself, eat healthier for the upcoming year with a class on making lunches using bento boxes and other non-traditional lunch options.
When: Thursday, Jan. 19, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Scottsdale/Paradise Valley Family YMCA, 6869 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale.
Cost: Free.
Info: 480-951-9622 or valleyymca.org/ scottsdale-paradise-valley
3 Sunday A’Fair
Enjoy a free outdoor concert,
arts and crafts market, family-friendly activities, sculpture tours and food.
When: Sundays, Jan. 15-Apr. 2, noon-4 p.m.
Where: Scottsdale Civic Center Park, 7375 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale. Cost: Free.
Info: 480-499-8587 or scottsdaleperformingarts.org
4 The Jungle Book
Watch a free screening of Disney’s new live-action adaptation of “The Jungle Book.”
When: Tuesday, Dec. 27, 1:30-4 p.m.
Where: Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St., Scottsdale.
Cost: Free.
Info: 480-312-7323 or scottsdalelibrary. org
5 Native Trails
Experience traditional dress, music and dances of Southwestern tribes, and get up close with the performers. Watch arts demonstrations, enjoy traditional food and browse a marketplace.
When: Thursdays and Saturdays, Jan.
12-March 30, noon-1 p.m.
Where: Scottsdale Civic Center Park, 7375 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale.
Cost: Free.
Info: 480-499-8587 or scottsdaleperformingarts.org
6 Chanukah Character Breakfast
Eat a pancake and latkes breakfast with Olaf, the Minions, and more children’s characters. Then enjoy crafts, music and other fun.
When: Sunday, Dec. 25, 9-11 a.m.
Where: Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale.
Cost: $11 members, $15 non-members. Info: 480-483-7121 or vosjcc.org.
7 Noon Year’s Eve
Ring in the new year with 30 tons of snow, a noon ball drop with a juice toast, live entertainment and an entire zoo full of animals.
When: Saturday, Dec. 31, 9 a.m.-noon.
Where: Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix.
Cost: $24.95 adult, $14.95 kids 3-13, free for kids 2 and younger.
Info: 602-286-3800 or phoenixzoo.org
8 Zoppé: An Italian Family Circus
This intimate circus offers an Old-
World Italian experience, with clowns, acrobatics, horses and a new flying trapeze act.
When: Daily, Dec. 27-Jan. 8, times vary.
Where: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler.
Cost: $15-$40.
Info: 480-782-2680 or chandlercenter. org.
9 ‘The Lion King Jr.’
Based on the hit Broadway show that was based on the Disney movie, this youth production of “The Lion King” is sure to entertain.
When: Fridays-Sundays, Jan. 6-15, times vary.
Where: Mesa Arts Center, One East Main St., Mesa.
Cost: $15.
Info: 480-644-6500 or mesaartscenter. com
10 Dr. Seuss’ ‘The Cat in the Hat’
Dr. Seuss’ classic tale of a troublesome cat in a striped hat comes to the stage, courtesy of Child’s Play AZ.
When: Weekends, Jan. 14-Feb. 19, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Where: Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe.
Cost: $12-$26.
Info: 480-350-2822 or childsplayaz.org
Rare crocs arrive in Scottsdale
For kids – and grownups – who enjoy rare, scary-looking creatures, a new treat arrived recently just a short drive away.
Ten black caimans, the first of their species to come to the U.S. since 1975, have taken up residence at the Phoenix Herpetological Society, at 78th St. and Dynamite Road in north Scottsdale.
e crocs are from the Aalborg Zoo in Denmark.
is species has not been imported since the implementation of the Convention of International Trade In Endangered Species Act in 1975, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Previously, there were only six black caimans registered in the U.S. One of them already resides at the Phoenix Herpetological Society and is the oldest in captivity in the world. All six are too old to breed.
e 10 new arrivals will be used for breeding once they are mature enough. Eight of the newly arrived reptiles were
born in 2013, the other two in 2015.
PHS has the second-largest collection of crocodilians — which include crocodiles, alligators and caimans — in the U.S., with 21 of the world’s 24 species in residence.
It also is home to snakes and lizards, including many rare or endangered species. It has the largest collection of venomous snakes in the Southwest, which are housed in a special glassenclosed “venom room.”
e black caiman resides in northern South America and can be found over
Itty Bitty program yields big fun
Kids 3-5 introduced to golf in free clinics Jan. 14
Do you envision your youngster stepping to the tee at No. 16 at TPC of Scottsdale to a cheering mob, like the next Phil Mickelson or Tiger Woods?
Or do you simply want to find a new, fun activity for boys and girls in the 3-5 age group?
e Junior Golf Association of Arizona is hosting the 2017 Itty Bitty Open on Jan. 14, at 14 Valley-wide locations – including Scottsdale Ranch Park at 104th Street and Via Linda – open to all youngsters ages 3-5 years old.
e free clinics are at 9, 10 and 11 a.m., in which the children and their parents will learn the basics of golf taught by qualified PGA and LPGA professionals. After the clinics, the kids will participate in fun-filled, non-competitive golf games and tournaments.
Each golfer will receive a set of plastic golf clubs, balls, bag, and visor. Participants are asked to leave their own clubs at home. An adult “caddie”
must accompany each golfer.
“Itty Bitty Open is a great way for parents to introduce their children to the game of golf,” said Scott McNevin, executive director of the JGAA. “It’s always fun to see so many kids having such a good time. It’s very exciting to think that a three-year-old kid attending the Itty Bitty Open will likely still be playing the game for decades to come. We’re honored to help them begin that journey.”
A “Best Dressed Golfer and Caddie Team” contest with prizes will be held at each session. Winners will receive a congratulatory letter, trophy, and two tickets for the R.S. Hoyt, Jr. Dream Day Activities at the 2017 Waste Management Phoenix Open presented by Ak-Chin Indian Community (kids already are allowed to attend at no charge, so the tickets are for parents or other adults).
Sign up deadline is Jan. 7. Register online at JGAA.org and click on Itty Bitty Open, or call 602-944-6168.
more than 40 years
much of the Amazon River basin in slowmoving rivers, streams, lakes and flooded wetlands.
Once hunted nearly to extinction in the Brazilian Amazon, the black caiman is among the largest and least known of the crocodile family.
Adult males often grow longer than 13 feet.
e Phoenix Herpetological Society is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of rescued reptiles and educating the public about
living with these amazing creatures. PHS was founded in 2001, and operates a sanctuary on more than two acres of privately owned land in north Scottsdale. PHS is home to nearly 1,700 native and exotic reptiles, many of them endangered and participants in captive breeding repopulation programs.
e sanctuary offers opportunities to get close to and, in some cases, interact with snakes, lizards, turtles and tortoises from the desert Southwest and around the world.
Education programs include day camps, school and community presentations and tours.
Tours of the sanctuary are available by reservation, by going to phoenixherp. com, and clicking on the Visit tab, or by calling PHS at 480-513-4377 and selecting option 4.
Tours cost $20 for ages 18-54, and $15 for ages 55 and older and kids 4-17. Children 3 and younger are admitted free.
BETTER than GRANITE
New black caimans are introduced to their enclosure at Phoenix Herpetological Society in north Scottsdale.
Russ Johnson, president of Phoenix Herpetological Society in north Scottsdale, and Dan Marchand, PHS curator, uncrate one of the newly arrived black caimans.
events calendar
Dec. 20, 2017 - Jan. 20, 2017
Let’s knit
Whether you’re brand new to knitting or want to share your expertise with others, this weekly group provides a great opportunity to get together with other knitters.
When: Tuesday, Dec. 27, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Where: Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Cost: Free.
Info: 480-481-7033 or vosjcc.org
All That Glitters New Year’s Eve Gala
Spend New Year’s Eve partying to the music of DJ Mr. P-Body and dance band Superhero. A champagne toast and balloon drop take place at midnight. An optional buffet is available prior.
When: Saturday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way.
Cost: $50 for party only, $75 party and hors d’oeurvres.
Info: 480-850-7777 or talkingstickresort. com
Casino Royale New Year’s Eve Party
Spend your New Year’s Eve at the glamorous Casino Royale with casino games, DJs, dancing and specialty cocktails. Themed attire is strongly recommended.
When: Saturday, Dec. 31, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: The Plaza Bar, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Drive.
Cost: $25, free if you eat at any resort restaurant.
Info: 866-540-4495 or scottsdaleprincess.com
Shredding event
Start the New Year off safely. Get rid of your sensitive personal or commercial documents with an industrial-grade shredding service.
When: Saturday, Jan. 7, 7-10 a.m.
Where: Walmart parking lot, 15355 N. Northsight Blvd.
Cost: $3 per box.
Info: scottsdaleaz.gov
Spring into action with Parks & Rec classes
Are you ready to try something new? Scottsdale Parks and Recreation’s spring session offers everything from A(erobics) to Z(umba) and everything between. You can also sign up for tennis and sports leagues.
When: Most classes start the week of Jan. 9.
Where: Varies.
Cost: Varies.
Info: apm.activecommunities.com/ Scottsdale
Christmas tree roundup
Scottsdale will pick up Christmas trees the morning of Monday, Jan. 9. If you don’t have residential collection service, you can drop your trees off at one of two parks.
When: Saturday, Jan. 14, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Scottsdale Ranch Park, 10400 E. Via Linda, or Eldorado Park, 2311 N. Miller Road.
Cost: Free.
Info: 480-312-5600 or scottsdaleaz.gov
Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner Celebration
Author and two-time aviation Hall of Fame inductee William “Bill” Norwood will be keynote speaker at the Scottsdale 2017 Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner Celebration. Norwood was the first African-American pilot at United Airlines. He spent 31 years there, retiring as a captain. He is best known for his book, “Cleared for Takeoff: A Pilot’s Story of Challenges and Triumphs.”
When: Wednesday, Jan. 11, 5 p.m.
Where: Henkel Corporation, 7201 E. Henkel Way.
Cost: $60.
Info: www.ScottsdaleMLK.com
Experience music and culture at Native Trails
An outdoor festival celebrating the Native American cultures of the Southwest through song and dance. Each event brings together traditional instruments, colorful dances and authentic attire. It also features American Indian artisans selling specialty items, such as jewelry, baskets, flutes and paintings, as well as light snacks and beverages. Guests are invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs or picnic baskets.
Where: Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
Cost: Free.
Info: 480-421-1004 or experiencescottsdale.com/event/nativetrails/360937/
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, Jan. 13-March 26, 10 a.m.-6
p.m.
Where: 26540 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Cost: Free.
Info: 480-837-7163 or arizonafineartexpo. com
Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon Series
Make running fun with options for all fitness levels. Known for live music and excitement, the relatively flat course through three of the Southwest’s most scenic cities: Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. Full- and half-marathons, as well as 5K, 10K and Kids’ Race. All courses are slightly different but no matter the distance, participants get to enjoy the beautiful scenery, live entertainment and cheering fans along the course. Road closure information will be available on the marathon website.
When: Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 14-15. Where: Route runs through Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale.
Cost: Varies.
Info: runrocknroll.com/arizona/
UnCommon Markets
Browse local artists, makers, businesses, fashion designers and other vendors who produce handmade, sustainable goods. It includes a “29 & under” showcase to highlight emerging talents.
When: Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 14-15, times vary.
Where: Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Rd.
Cost: $5 day pass.
Info: 855-238-6999 or uncommonmarkets.com
Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction
The best-known car auction in the Valley, Barrett-Jackson features some of the most expensive cars, plus thrill rides and polo events.
When: Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 14-22, times vary.
Where: WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601
What’s Cooking?
By Jan D’Atri
Let them eat bacon in 2017!
January, in my opinion, is anything but the month for a “New Year, New You.”
It’s bowl games and Super Bowl parties. No way you’re going to count calories.
I say wait until after February so you can get through Valentine’s Day without being on a diet. I also say, in 2017, “Let them eat bacon!”
at pretty much gives me all of the justification I need for this month’s recipes!
(Ok, there’s a cherry tomato in there somewhere, so I’ve sort of redeemed myself, haven’t I?)
ese bacon, pesto and tomato bites are as delicious as they get, and a great appetizer for any bowl game, cocktail or pool party. e Beer Candied Bacon needs no introduction except to say that it’s absolutely addicting.
Happy 2017! We’ll talk diets … later.
Bacon, Pesto and Tomato Bites
Ingredients
1 lb. bacon
1 loaf Texas toast white bread (thick cut)
1 stick of butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 (approx 8 oz.) round or wedge of smoked Gouda or Gruyere cheese
1 (approx. 8 oz.) container storebought pesto
½ cup or more mayonnaise
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half
3-4 tablespoons salad vinaigrette
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Cook bacon crisp, drain fat and cut into 1-to-2-inch pieces.
With a 2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out rounds of white bread.
Place rounds on baking sheet. Melt butter and combine with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
Brush butter-oil combination over bread rounds. Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven to cool. Slice cheese in thin, 1-inch squares and set aside.
In a small bowl, drain pesto over sieve to remove excess oil. Remove oil and reserve for tomatoes. Mix together mayonnaise and pesto and place in squeeze bottle or pastry bag with small hole or tip.
In another bowl, add tomato halves, reserved oil from pesto, vinaigrette and salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble bites. On each round of toast, squeeze a large dot of pesto. Top with slice of cheese, piece of bacon and top with one-half of tomato slice that has been soaking in vinaigrette. Serve immediately.
Beer-Candied Bacon
Ingredients
1 lb. bacon, thick-cut
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup dark beer (I used Stockyard Oatmeal Stout)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Pinch of coarse salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, combine brown sugar, beer and cayenne, whisking to form syrup. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place a wire cooling rack or oven rack on top. Arrange bacon on the rack. Cook for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and brush one side of the bacon with the beer syrup. Turn bacon over and brush the other side with syrup. Sprinkle one side of bacon strips with a few grains of coarse salt. Return to oven and cook for 15 minutes. Repeat process until bacon is browned and syrup is used up. Don’t burn the bacon. Cool to allow bacon to harden.
By Kenneth LaFave
Akita’s all-you-can-eat sushi a surprising delight
Four of most distressing words in the English language: “All you can eat.”
You know the usual scenario: You’re ravenous, and the sign in the window promises a permanent end to your hunger pangs. So you walk in, prepared to plunk down a mere pittance for a meal that means you won’t have to eat again until a week from Monday. But what you find – a steam table of fatty meats and overcooked vegetables – is so unappetizing that you eat less than usual.
It’s a First-World kind of problem.
Be prepared to encounter a rulebusting exception to this at Akita Sushi, an all-you-can-eat place that emphasizes freshness, quality and variety. is north Scottsdale restaurant started out as a revolving sushi bar a few years back, and went to all-you-can-eat in 2014.
For $12.99 at lunch or $20.99 at dinner, you may consume any amount of appetizers, sushi, tempura, teriyaki dishes and desserts. ese are not out on a table, ready-made and wilting, but made-to-order. And you may really order as much as you wish. When I lunched there recently, a gentleman in
the booth next to me just had delivered to him 18 pieces of nigiri sushi (individual pieces of raw fish on rice), which were appealingly arranged before him.
My appetite fell a little short of this. I ordered three pieces of nigiri sushi: salmon, white tuna, and yellowtail. Each was firm and flavorful. I could have ordered more of the succulent yellowtail, and would have, had duty not called me to other menu items. e tempura (battered and deep-fried) vegetables at Akita are especially well-prepared. e broccoli, zucchini, mushroom and eggplant pieces I enjoyed were not overcooked, and held up well both to the light crunch of the batter and the savory dipping sauce.
I ordered two rolls: Rainbow and Manhattan. e universally popular Rainbow – a California roll topped with strips of salmon, tuna, yellowtail and red snapper – was tightly formed, and the fish strips fresh. e less commonly found Manhattan is a specialty of Akita, and it shows. Essentially a shrimptempura roll under sweet-pungent eel sauce, it is a memorable taste-andtexture experience, and something to
please the guest who has an aversion to raw fish. Since this is an all-you-can-eat affair, the rolls are not as numerous or as varied as you might find at a pay-bythe-dish place. But there are Gold Rolls (salmon with spicy salmon) and Philly Rolls (smoked salmon, cream cheese and cucumber) on the menu, as well.
To see what the remainder of the menu might offer, I ordered some chicken teriyaki. e teriyaki orders (they offer beef and salmon, as well) are small and unremarkable; stick to nigiri sushi, sushi rolls and tempura. Dessert was some wonderful fried banana. Green-tea ice cream also appealed, but as I had accompanied my lunch with some exceptionally good green tea, that seemed redundant. Drinks, by the way, are not included in the single price. If you hanker for something stronger than tea, Akita has a full bar, with a good
selection of wines, beers and sakis. Be warned: “All you can eat” at Akita really means “All you actually eat.” If at the end of your lunch or dinner a strip of nigiri sushi or a fried banana remains, you will be asked to pay for it in addition to the one-time charge. Don’t order more than you can finish. Akita does not like waste.
9011 E. Via Linda
Open daily for lunch and dinner. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., MondayThursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday; noon-9 p.m., Sunday.
480-451-8888, akitasushiscottsdale.com.
Akita Sushi
Off the Grid Fitness locally owned, responsive to clients
Recognizing that many people have hectic schedules or work nontraditional hours, Off the Grid Fitness in McCormick Ranch now offers members 24-hour access.
“I want everyone to live a healthy lifestyle,” said Eric Guilleminault, founder of Off the Grid Fitness. “ e ability to work out at a time that best fits their schedule is part of that.
“With all of the other stresses in life, worrying about how they can fit in a workout in an unusually hectic day should not be one of them. To make it easier for people to get and stay fit and healthy, our facility is now available around the clock.”
Off the Grid Fitness, 10050 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 111, has another
unique feature: It is “green.” Many of the cardio machines take the energy produced by the clients using them and return it to the “grid,” benefiting not only the person working out, but the environment, as well.
Guilleminault, a McCormick Ranch resident, is the club owner. e gym is not part of a chain, allowing him freedom to adapt to the needs of his clients as he sees fit. His latest response is the 24-hour access.
at’s just one example of how Off
Eric Guilleminault owns Off the Grid Fitness in McCormick Ranch. Photo by Steve Esparza
Marie Frost performs a mat exercise at Off the Grid Fitness in McCormick Ranch.
Photo by Richard Petrillo
Scottsdale Vanity Med Spa Now Offers Microblading!
Colleen Kupka R.N. is excited to offer Microblading, the hottest permanent eyebrow makeup that precisely designs beautiful, fuller, natural-looking brows.
What is Microblading?
It’s a form of permanent makeup known by different names: eyebrow embroidery, microstroking, feather touch and hair strokes.
Who benefits from permanent makeup?
If you have over plucked, sparse or lightly colored eyebrows, or simply want to define or redesign your eyebrows, Microblading will work beautifully for you.
What makes us Different?
In Arizona, certification isn’t required and anyone can perform Microblading. This is scary. Microblading cuts the skin and not everyone is a candidate for the procedure. Medical knowledge keeps you safe.
Colleen Kupka is an R.N. certified in microblading and has 30+ years working in aesthetic, surgical and medical environments. She understands health conditions and how to keep environments safe, sterile, and aseptic.
Your comfort is of the utmost importance to us. We utilize medical grade anesthetics that are only available to medical professionals; non-medical professionals are limited to inferior pain management products.
Call to schedule your consultation with Colleen.
Off the Grid ...continued from page 30
the Grid Fitness values client input. Since it opened almost five years ago, gym equipment and class offerings have evolved to meet client needs. e latest client-suggested equipment additions include a unique step machine and an aero bike.
Among the favorite classes at Off the
Grid is the aptly named “Sweat,” a workout that keeps on giving with maximum caloric burn both during and after the class.
Although locally owned, the gym does have many features of a large chain gym, including cardio, weights, towel service and personal training by independent
trainers.
Because the gym is completely local, there is no hard selling to meet corporate goals, Guilleminault says. Membership is limited so there is no waiting for equipment, and no restriction on the size of the weights or the type of equipment used.
Open 10 a.m.-7 p.m., MondayFriday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, and 12 noon-5 p.m. Sunday. 480-588-6809
Elina Eggers, Neil Huckla and Damian Guilleminault work out on the treadmill at Off the Grid Fitness in McCormick Ranch. Photo by Eric Guilleminault.
Off the Grid Fitness owner Eric Guilleminault works out with Kylee Lowe. Photo by Martin Cabungcal
The Off the Grid staff gets in a workout of its own at Off the Grid Fitness in McCormick Ranch. Photo by Eric Guilleminault
Pets are like family at All-Star
At All-Star Grooming, owners Linda and Gordon Gage say that they and their professional stylists strive to treat the pets as part of their family.
at’s why All-Star, 10855 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Suite 103, at Shea Blvd., has an open layout, which allows customers to observe all of the grooming stations.
e team gives back by offering grooming services to rescued Goldens for a reduced rate through Rescue A Golden of AZ and Arizona Golden Rescue. Dogs up for adoption at “Poodle Rescue” also are groomed at a reduced rate.
“It is such a pleasure to see the dogs transform from frightened animals to happy, tail wagging, smiling pets as they are placed with their forever families,” Linda Gage said.
Services from a basic freshening to a full haircut and style are available.
e “Single” includes a nail trim and filing. e “Double” adds a massaging bath, brush out and trim.
e “Triple” adds trimming of the face and head, and rounding of the feet.
e “Home Run” has all of the above plus full-body trim, styling and maintenance services.
An average full groom for a small breed is $55. Pricing is based on condition of coat and amount of matting, and sometimes degree of difficulty due to pet personality. Larger breeds, such as a Soft Coated Wheaton, start at $70.
e “Double Header” includes any of the above services plus a day of play, pampering and a fun-filled day of interaction and socialization. Drop off your pet and pick him up at the end of the day for $10 per day in addition to the grooming services selected.
All-Star Grooming has special treatments, among them the Blueberry Facial Scrub, nail polish and feather extensions.
For full list of services and pricing: call 480-361-8336, text 480-225-0313 or email linda@all-stargrooming.com.
Blow-dry bar makes debut in Scottsdale
Blo Blow Dry Bar, North America’s original and largest blow-dry bar, has opened in Scottsdale, its first salon in Arizona.
Owned by Phil Beasley, the salon debuted Dec. 3 at 9343 E. Shea Blvd., Suite B-140.
“Owning a Blo gives me the opportunity to develop employees, apply my business skills and interact with the community,” Beasley said. “It’s very satisfying to build a business where employees love to work and customers love to visit. Scottsdale is a great place to work and live. I am eager to immerse myself in the community and give back.”
Blo’s mission is perfectly styled, runway-ready hair seven days a week.
At Blo Blow Dry Bar there are no cuts and no color, just wash, blow and go. Guests choose from the signature styles featured in the Blo Hair Menu, from the razor-straight “Executive Sweet” to the runway-inspired “Pillow Talk.” With more than 75 locations worldwide, Blo Blow Dry Bar is among the largest blow-
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Additional services include: custom up-dos, clip-in hair extensions, head massages and the signature Blo Bridal Bar service to prep the bride and bridal party for her big day.
Blo is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, and as early as 7 a.m. and as late as 9 p.m by appointment. Appointments can be made by calling 480-268-7432.
A signature blow out from the Blo hair menu starts at $40.
To learn more, visit: blomedry.com or call 480-268-7432.
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