85085 Magazine

85085 DECEMBER 2014

SENSATIONAL SEASONAL DECORATING Give your home holiday panache VACATION RENTALS A relaxing investment

COOKIES FROM SCRATCH A scrumptious recipe to try

KEEPSAKE ART Inventive ideas to preserve holiday memories

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contents D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 || V O L . 1 I S S . 4

34 28 feature 28

DO GOOD

Your neighbors are making the world a better place, one child and one animal at a time. Read on to learn about their passionate contributions to our community, and consider joining them in their efforts!

fresh 8

12 14 16 18

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23

REAL ESTATE

A relaxing investment

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Seasonal holiday traditions

26

ENTERTAINING

30

PHILANTHROPY

32

PETS

34

CRAFTS

WEATHER

But it’s a dry rain

FAMILY

GET TO KNOW

OUTTAKES

Seen in the community

Digging into the book These Is My Words

24

MOMENTS

Fun things to do in December

READS

home

BETWEEN NEIGHBORS Publishers’ note

26

Soccer coach Edson Rico

Sensational seasonal decorating

food 38

Preserving holiday memories with keepsake art

HOME COOKING

The Desert Baroness divulges a yummy cookie recipe

better 42

44 45

Inspired to help adolescents

Seasonal safety tips for cats and dogs

38

46

BEAUTY

Tips to stay fresh during your holiday travels

HAIR

The art of hair color

SUDOKU

An original Myles Mellor and Susan Flanagan puzzle

CROSSWORD

An original Myles Mellor crossword

Buyers and sellers of diamonds, fine gold and estate jewelry.

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between neighbors Doing Good We’re introducing our first philanthropy issue, in which we celebrate the people and organizations making this community (and the Valley at large) a better place. According to the Arizona Giving and Volunteer Report of 2010, 32 percent of women and 33 percent of men in Arizona volunteer their time somewhere. Based on our firsthand experience in the North Valley, we have no doubt that this area has a tremendous amount of residents giving their time and efforts to ADAM TOREN those less fortunate. It seems that everyone Publisher we come in contact with spends some time adam@85085magazine.com volunteering. It’s very inspiring!

Take, for instance, Lori Moore and Beth Baker. They’ve taken their longtime involvement with Young Life to help bring a version of it to our community. Young Life is an organization that reaches out to students in middle school, high school, and college to provide adolescents an outlet for adventure, friendship, and significance.

Madison Cook is another example of someone volunteering talents to help those less fortunate. After being diagnosed with a pituitary tumor, which resulted in Madison having to leave college to move home for treatment, her camera became her form of therapy. When she returned to college, she started volunteering to do art therapy with kids who were seriously ill, which in turn inspired her to create the Sundrop Society, a group of photographers that capture the stories of children with debilitating illnesses.

These dynamic people are just a few examples of those giving back in our community. Check out page 28 to read more.

Of course, there are so many more people in the area doing good, and we want to hear from them, not just in time for a special philanthropy issue but year round! Keep us in the loop with stories on all local volunteer efforts so that we can help celebrate, amplify, and share these efforts with our readers.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention all the festivities surrounding the holidays.

85085 Magazine has you covered. Inside, you’ll find clever crafting, entertaining, MATTHEW TOREN cooking tips, and more to make this your Publisher matthew@85085magazine.com best season yet. Enjoy!

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The Philanthropy Issue

✒ CORRECTION

Cheers!

WEBSITE 85085magazine.com

ON THE COVER:

Heidi Lea Photography should have been credited as the photographer of the images on pages 28 and 29.

FACEBOOK facebook.com/85085magazine

TWITTER @85085mag || #local85085

85085 MAGAZINE

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Adam Toren adam@85085magazine.com

Matthew Toren matthew@85085magazine.com

editorial

MANAGING EDITORS Sondra Barr sondra@85085magazine.com Crystal Toren crystal@85085magazine.com Pavlina Toren pavlina@85085magazine.com

COPY EDITOR

Kate Karp kate@85085magazine.com

COMMUNITY MANAGER Shana Battles shana@85085magazine.com

PROOFREADER Victoria Manoogian

CONTRIBUTORS

David Fisher, Shannon Fisher, Susan Flanagan, Roberta Gottlieb, Kimberly Hufford, Chandy McCarty, Myles Mellor, Tisha Morgan, Lydia O’Connor, Shelley Sakala, Anissa Stringer, Jacqueline Starr-Hubert, Martin Weston

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Final Touch Photography, Heidi Lea Photography, Shannon Fisher Photography

advertising

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

MARKETING DIRECTOR Eric Twohey eric@85085magazine.com

ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION Vanessa Fryer vanessa@85085magazine.com

circulation

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Mark Lokeli

networking

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Eric Twohey

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

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

Postmaster: Please return all undeliverable copies to 85085 Magazine, 3120 W. Carefree Hwy., Ste. 1-128, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Yearly subscriptions available; twelve issues mailed directly to your mailbox for $19.95 per year (within the U.S.). All rights reserved. ®2014 85085 Magazine. Printed in the USA.

DECEMBER 2014

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fresh IDEAS FOR LIVING WELL

Four Party Tips!

Suggestions to keep your holiday social season fun and festive.

1. Know the Details

Before heading to a party, get some info. Can you bring a guest? Is it adult only? If you are not sure, ask your host. If you’re hosting the event, make sure to list the details on the invite, especially if it’s for a specific group of people or if you have limited space.

2. Keep the Talk Light

Avoid hot-button topics like politics and religion, and whatever you do, avoid talking negatively about other people.

Conduct yourself and all your conversations with class.

3. Alcohol—Know Your Limits

It’s perfectly fine to enjoy alcoholic beverages at a holiday party, but it’s important to know your limits! Overimbibing creates unwanted holiday behavior. Don’t be that guest whom everyone is afraid to invite next year!

4. Put Away Your Phone

Holiday parties are about socializing, mingling, and catching up with people you love, not about texting or taking attention away from the fun at hand.

10 || 85085MAGAZINE.com || DECEMBER 2014

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fresh | MOMENTS

Things to Do…

DECEMBER

Events calendar compiled by Macaroni Kid North Phoenix.

Macaroni Kid is an online resource highlighting kids’ events and family-friendly activities in the North Phoenix area. Check them out at nphoenix.macaronikid.com.

Through Dec. 24 Visit the Arrowhead Towne Center for photos with Santa. All ages welcome. Visit website for pricing and hours. Arrowhead Towne Center, 7700 W. Arrowhead Towne Center, Glendale. arrowheadtownecenter.com

Through Dec. 24

Head to the Outlets at Anthem for Photos with St. Nick and to see Santa’s House!

All ages welcome. Visit their website for days and times. Outlets at Anthem, 4250 W. Anthem Way, Phoenix. outletsanthem.com

Every Thursday through Dec. 18 Corner at the Creek presents the Cave Creek Farmer’s Market & Food Truck Festival. Come out and enjoy Arizona’s freshest locally grown produce, made from scratch-prepared foods, local artistry work, and sunset dinners with Arizona’s finest food trucks. 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

6424 N. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek. corneratthecreek.com/farmers-market.html

Every Friday & Saturday through Dec. 27 Hop in, take a spin, and be whisked around Westgate Entertainment District

12 || 85085MAGAZINE.com || DECEMBER 2014

on free magical carriage rides! 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. First come, first served. Westgate Entertainment District, 6751 N. Sunset Blvd., Glendale. westgateaz.com

Every Sat. & Sun. through Dec. 21

Shop local vendors and crafters at the free Macaroni Kid Holiday Fairs every Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Arizona Sports Complex parking lot, 3555 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Glendale.

Through Jan. 4

Witness the Princess Resort turn into an enchanting winter wonderland during the 5th Annual Christmas at the Princess Festival. The Princess is the perfect destination to create holiday memories and traditions that your family will cherish for years to come. Enjoy light shows, rides on the Princess Express Train, and more. Free for hotel and restaurant guests. Princess Plaza at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Dr., Scottsdale. scottsdaleprincess.com

6 Join cyclerides.com, the event producer behind Bike Night and Westgate Entertainment District for a holiday Toy

Drive to help children in need this season.

Ride out and bring toys to benefit the Children’s First Academy for homeless children while enjoying special holiday entertainment, a magic show, and more.

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Westgate Entertainment District, 6751 N. Sunset Blvd., Glendale. cyclerides.com

6 Enjoy Breakfast with Santa with Santa at Outlets at Anthem. Tickets are on sale at customer service for only $5, and all the proceeds go to the Daisy Mountain Firefighters Charities. Santa will be on hand to greet each child and have story time before the Santa House opens for discounted pictures. 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Outlets at Anthem, 4250 W. Anthem Way, Phoenix. outletsathem.com

12

The Shops at Norterra in partnership with KOOL radio is bringing in Corvettes for their Christmas celebration! Christmas with Corvettes is a free event filled with classic and modern Corvettes, the Come Back Buddy 50s band, snow from Arctic Glacier, food tasting from participating restaurants, and a visit from Santa himself! 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Shops at Norterra, 2460 W. Happy Valley Rd., Phoenix. norterrashopping.com

12, 13, & 14 Head over to the 7th Annual Carefree Christmas Festival for three days of holiday fun for the entire family. The free event features an electric light parade, 25 tons of real snow, fireworks, kids zone, late night shopping, and more. Carefree Desert Gardens at the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion, 101 Easy St., Carefree. carefreechristmasfestival.com

12, 13, & 14

Take in a concert-style performance at the Musical Theatre of Anthem Holiday Show featuring classic carols and popular holiday music performed by 35 young

vocalists. The show is directed and vocal directed by Jackie Hammond along with co-vocal director Karen Blanzy. For tickets and times, visit the website. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42323 N. Vision Way, Anthem. musicaltheatreofanthem.org

12 through Jan. 3

Take a train ride through many festive holiday lights and displays that turn the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park into a winter wonderland. Opening night festivities will include a tree-lighting ceremony, entertainment, and a visit from Santa. Santa will be at the park through Dec. 23. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., excluding Dec. 24, 25, and 31. Free to attend. Train ride, $3. Carousel ride, $2. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale. therailroadpark.com

16

Join the North Valley Jewish Community Association as they celebrate Hanukkah at the Ironwood Grille, Anthem Country Club. Candle lighting ceremony and traditional buffet dinner starting at 5:30 pm. Adults, $25 per person. Children 5–12, $13, Children under 5 are free. All pricing is inclusive. A cash bar will be available. For reservations, call or e-mail Murray Gordon at (623) 551-0310 or mdavid624@cox.net. RSVP by Dec. 13.

Anthem Country Club, 2708 W. Anthem Club Dr., Anthem.

Your 85085 Neighbor

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DECEMBER 2014

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fresh | OUTTAKES

WHAT

85085 Neighborhood Halloween Costumes SPOTTED

Harry Potter, a ladybug, a ninja, and a lot of inventive costumes. —Photos by Shannon Fisher Photography

If you know of any events happening in the area or have photos you would like to share with us, please submit them to events@85085magazine.com. To see outtakes of our events, visit our website at 85085magazine.com.

14 || 85085MAGAZINE.com || DECEMBER 2014

WHAT

85085 Neighborhood Halloween Costumes SPOTTED

85085 Magazine publisher Adam Toren and his wife Crystal rocking out in KISS costumes. —Photos by Shana Battles

DECEMBER 2014

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fresh | WEATHER

But It’s a Dry Rain Yes, we recently had the wettest day on record in Phoenix. But yes, we’re also still in a drought. Meteorologist Shelley Sakala explains why.

AS A PUBLIC service to the community (non-court-mandated, thank you very much), this month, I’m providing you with fun facts that you can take with you to dinner parties. When you find yourself sitting with a group of interesting people, shower these little bits of knowledge on everyone:

Did you know that despite all the rain we’ve had during the past few months, we’re still in a drought?

Minds blown.

Yes, the Sept. 8 downpour was the wettest day on record in Phoenix. More than three inches fell at Sky Harbor Airport.

But that rain has already disappeared down our rivers. It’s hard to believe, but even in a year featuring submerged freeways and cars floating away, we still have

a water shortage. According to Randy Cerveny, a climatologist at Arizona State University, we can’t completely escape our current drought until we experience a healthy snowpack that repeats itself for several years. The reason we need snowfall even more than rain is that rainfall hits quickly and then drains away quickly.

Snow, on the other hand, melts slowly, which allows it a chance to collect in our reservoirs. Large and sustained amounts of melting snow would bring our water supply back up to pre-drought levels.

We’ll take the monsoons, for sure, but it’s those big winter storms known as El Niño that we really need.

Did you know that until this year, the Phoenix record for rainfall had stood since 1895?

Minds blown again.

If you grew up in Arizona, you probably recall several epic rainy seasons that rivaled this year. But in terms of singleday rainfall in Phoenix, nothing tops that

A SILVER LINING There’s an environmental upside to our recent economic challenges: The recession and the related dip in the housing market has led to a leveling off in demand for water in Arizona. Every drop counts when you’re in a drought!

16 || 85085MAGAZINE.com || DECEMBER 2014

Shelley Sakala is a meteorologist and former weather anchor/ reporter at ABC 15 who still enjoys talking about the weather. She’ s now a Realtor with Keller Williams Arizona Realty and an 85085 resident. wild day from this past September. Many of our notable days of rainfall are the result of larger natural events such as hurricanes, cyclones, and tropical storms. The Labor Day Storm of 1970 was a remnant of Tropical Storm Norma and led to 23 fatalities in our state.* In 1968, an F2 tornado hit Glendale, destroying homes and racking up $250,000 in damage** (a lot of money back then).

So the next time you find yourself making small talk, seize the opportunity to become the Most Interesting Person in the World by talking about the weather. As long as this drought continues, we’ll all stay thirsty, my friends. * National Weather Service, Tucson Regional Office. “Tropical Storm Norma 1970.” ** “Event Report for Arizona: Maricopa County.” National Climatic Data Center. 1968.

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December Weather Average temperature: 55ºF Average high temperature: 66ºF Average low temperature: 45ºF Warmest ever: 84ºF Coldest ever: 26ºF Average precipitation: .88 inches

DECEMBER 2014

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fresh | REAL ESTATE

Vacation Rentals Local real estate agent David Fisher on a relaxing investment.

18 || 85085MAGAZINE.com || DECEMBER 2014

DURING MY 16-year career, my wife and I have made many different types of real estate investments. I enjoy our rental homes because they supply monthly income. Multifamily buildings are cashflow producers, and I have found them to be incredibly lucrative! Owning land is rather boring, but it’s a great writeoff and can generate good profits in the future. My favorite investment by far is

vacation-rental ownership.

There are many reasons why I love owning vacation rentals, but the biggest reason is that when we want to get away, we have a clean, well-furnished place to stay in a fantastic location that we’re familiar with. If done correctly, vacation rentals can generate a steady income and, better yet, enable rental owners to write off some of their vacations!

Location The trick to succeeding in vacation-rental ownership is finding a place that others will be willing to pay a premium to visit. You must also choose a place that is visited during a large portion of the year. The more time the property sits vacant, the less money you make. We have an advantage in being so close to Southern California as the weather is nice there nearly year round. A good place to go for ideas on great locations is vrbo.com. Check out the different destinations and the rental rates in each area. Remember that the closer you get to the area draw (Disneyland, ocean, ski lifts, or golf course), the more you can charge per night. Prior to purchasing, make sure that the HOA allows vacation rentals. Your Realtor can help you with this.

Furnishings You have found a rental home in your desired location, so now, it’s time to furnish it. Remember that when people go on vacation, they like to cut loose and abandon the stringent rules of home.

This may result in kids jumping on the beds, spilt drinks on the coffee table, or PB&J sandwiches dropped on the sofa. It’s important to buy furnishings that will stand up to wear and tear. Leather is always a good idea when the budget permits. Furnish the home with everything you think you may need on a weeklong vacation.

Once it’s stocked, stay for a week to discover what you had forgotten to buy. This trip is also a tax write-off, by the way!

Rental Contract It is now time to develop your vacation-rental contract. The contract should be very strict and angled sharply in your favor.

We have actually had renters decide not to stay after reading our rental contract. We considered this a near miss. If they were worried that they might get kicked out for breaking our rules, it’s likely that they were not the type of renters we prefer to work with. It’s a good idea to have an attorney look over your contract once it’s finished to make sure you didn’t leave out any important details needed to protect your investment.

Time to List and Enjoy Once you feel that you’re ready to rent, list the rental with a reputable vacation-rental website. It will feel great to have a place to go with your family when it’s time to get away, with a mortgage that is paid for by your guests.

David Fisher is the designated broker and owner of Fisher Realty. He’ s been practicing real estate for over 15 years in Arizona, specializing in the Northwest Valley. He has lived in 85085 for the last nine years with his wife and two daughters and is an active member of the Norterra community.

DECEMBER 2014

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fresh | READS

These Is My Words

Local bibliophile Chandy McCarty dives in to a book about a settler in southeast Arizona.

SOME BOOKS ARE so absorbing that you find yourself consuming anything you can find that deepens your understanding of the culture, place, or time period that any of them has introduced you to. The book lights the first spark, and the next thing you know, you’re on a quest for pictures of Tudor dresses, maps of Revolutionary-era battlegrounds, or sketches of ancient Roman weapons. This particular book left me listening to lots of Marty Robbins songs, exploring online archives for old black-and-white images of the Arizona Territory, and itching to rewatch Tombstone for the millionth time.

These Is My Words, written by Nancy E. Turner, is the fictional diary of Sarah Prine, a settler in southeast Arizona in the late 19th century. Through the pages of her diary, we have a small taste of the hardships of traveling in a wagon train; taming a plot of wilderness amidst snakes, Apaches, floods, and scoundrels; laboring to provide food, water, and shelter for a rapidly growing family; and bearing the pain of lost friends, children, and spouses. But we also get to enjoy the simplicity of a pioneer lifestyle, the enduring friendships forged by shared struggles and triumphs, and the adventure of fashioning a life from dust, blood, and sweat.

While reading about Sarah’s life, I was mostly thankful that I was born in this era of modern convenience, sanitation, and law. But part of me marveled at the excitement of the 1890s. As I became engrossed in Sarah’s intimate thoughts, I realized that we shared many of the same emotions. Her fears for her children may have been focused on rattlesnakes, ambushes, and infectious disease, but moms fret for their children today just as they did in the past.

“Children are a burden to a mother, but not the way a heavy box is to a mule. Our children weigh hard on my heart, and thinking about them growing up honest and healthy, or just living to grow up at all, makes a load in my chest that is bigger than the safe at the bank, and more valuable to me than all the gold inside it.”

Much of the story takes place near Tucson, and I especially enjoyed reading about the area since I went to the University

20 || 85085MAGAZINE.com || DECEMBER 2014

of Arizona. The place names mentioned in the book will be familiar to anyone who has spent much time in southern Arizona: the Catalina Mountains, Fort Lowell, the Silverbell Mine, the Chiricahuas, Bisbee, Tombstone.

Part of the book even mentioned the construction of Old Main, which is still a campus landmark. If I had one criticism for the book, it would be the title. When I first saw the title, I assumed I would be reading the journal of an ignorant and uneducated woman. This is not the case at all. Sarah Prine was a clever and compelling narrator who had a hunger for education, read extensively, and obtained an education. I think a grammatically correct title would have been more appropriate, if less memorable.

These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner is a very enjoyable book that should be especially interesting to Arizona residents.

Chandy McCarty is an avid reader who lives in the area with her family.

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home WHERE LIFE HAPPENS

Rustic Christmas

The holidays are a perfect time to plan a dinner party with family and friends. This year I’m bringing my personal Christmas dinner outdoors with this rustic setup by my fireplace. At first glance, you may think this is a lot to put together, but with a few decor items and a trip to Michaels craft store and Lowe’s you can do this too!

I started with a 6-foot banquet table, some clear/white dishes, cream linens, and chevron napkins that I had. Then, I went to Michaels and picked up a few things: a burlap runner, ribbon, and boxes to put an ornament in as a gift for my guests, and these fun wood pieces that I made into a cake stand.

Local Mom, Sherry of Cakelicious AZ made this beautiful birch tree cake. It made the perfect centerpiece for our table and who doesn’t love cake! You can find the lanterns, wreath, and greenery at Lowe’s.

One of my favorite things on the table are the single serving Merlot bottles in the stemless wineglasses. These also make a unique gift!

You can find both of these at World Market.

One final touch is the cute ceramic deer head that my kids have named Charles. I bought this at Target in their holiday section. There is no rhyme or reason when putting together a table. Have fun with it—adding special touches of your own—but most importantly, enjoy the people around it.

Merry Christmas!

Courtesy of Kimberly Hufford of Sincerely Style Photos by Final Touch Photography

22 || 85085MAGAZINE.com || DECEMBER 2014

home | FAMILY

Holiday Traditions

Establishing a customary pattern of actions during this hectic season can bring peace and a foundation on which to build warm memories, explains Pastor David Bowen.

WHEN THE HOLIDAYS come around, sometime around mid-October, there are always too many parties to attend and too many errands to run. But when Christmas comes, we somehow always seem to find time for family gatherings, days away from work, and time off from the routines of life. This opens the door for the opportunity to create some very special memories and traditions.

Merriam-Webster defines tradition as “an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior.”

Established actions and inherited behaviors can be wonderful foundations for families to take advantage of. This can help create some amazing memories. In our house, we have established some fun family traditions. I have three daughters under the age of 10, and every year, my girls know we are going to go to the mall to get personalized Christmas ornaments.

I don’t know if any father looks forward to the day when his daughter announces she is getting married and starting her own life. But when that day comes, I want all of my girls to have some family traditions established so that they can share them with their family. Each of my girls will leave home with a box full of personalized Christmas ornaments and hopefully the warm memories that went with them.

Every year in-between Christmas and New Year’s Day, our family gets away for a while. We try to sneak off to the snow for a couple of days of play. The hotel we choose must have an indoor pool. We spend the days playing in the snow and the evenings swimming. This is one of our family traditions.

This year, when I asked my daughters what we do as a family every year, they answered that we drink eggnog. In fact, after Thanksgiving, that’s the first thing my girls look for. Mom’s shopping list is not complete without eggnog!

Some evening this month, we will fill

a couple of thermoses with hot chocolate and drive around town looking at the Valley’s best Christmas displays. That’s another one of our traditions. And it’s not officially the holiday season for us until we hear “The Little Drummer Boy” on the radio. When that song comes on, Christmas is officially here!

My girls reminded me that every Christmas morning before we open presents, we read the Christmas story from the Bible. Every year, one of the girls sits with Dad and reads the story out loud. When the story is finished, another daughter says, “I want to read it next year.” So you could say that this family tradition is

booked a year in advance!

By establishing these traditions, our family enjoys a sense of calm and security during the holidays. No matter what’s going on around us, we know that we can count on certain things happening at certain times—family traditions for us are non-negotiable. Even if life gets busy, even if we have a ton of errands, we’re still going to find the time to buy personalized Christmas ornaments, drink some eggnog, enjoy hot chocolate and Christmas lights, read the Christmas story from the Bible, and go play in the snow. After all, it’s our family tradition!

David Bowen has been married for 20 years and is the father of three girls. He has a local radio program and pastors Standing Stones Community Church.

DECEMBER 2014

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home | GET TO KNOW

Edson Rico Photos by Shannon Fisher Photography

Q&A Q: W hat comes to you naturally?

A: Scoring goals and working hard.

Q: W hat’s your biggest pet peeve?

A: When kids lose a love or enjoyment for soccer because of outside sources making it not enjoyable for them.

E

dson Rico grew up playing as much soccer as he could both in Mexico and the United States. After playing in middle school and high school, a coach from Yavapai College in Prescott recruited him for their first soccer team. The team went on to win the NJCAA National Championship during Edson’s second year there. Based on his performance, a scout then took Edson to Belgium to try out for a team in 1992.

From there, he played with FC Kampenhout (2nd Division at the time) and FC Mechellen (1st Division at the time) in Belgium for four years. This gave Edson the opportunity to travel Europe, experience all kinds of new things, and get paid for playing the game he loves. With his youth, college, and professional experiences, he got to learn different styles of play–– Latin, American, and European.

Q: W hat are you most proud of?

A: Playing professionally in Europe, working to build two soccer programs in the Valley, and my family.

Upon returning to the United States in 1996, Edson played with the semi-pro Tucson Fireballs and then the Arizona Sahuaros after moving to the Valley. While playing with those semi-pro teams, he helped to coach as well and also started to coach recreational and competitive youth soccer in Scottsdale. After living in North Scottsdale and Cave Creek, Edson moved into one of the first neighborhoods built in the 85085 zip code and then moved into Sonoran Foothills when it was being built. He points to the trails, nature, and family community of this area as big motivators for the move.

Since there weren’t many soccer opportunities in the 85085 area, Edson started Sonoran Foothills Soccer League in fall of 2007, and he’s been excited to see the program grow along with the community.

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Q: Best words of wisdom you’ve received?

A: Anything is possible when you work hard in life!

Q: W hat’s next?

A: Keep working to expand the soccer programs.

FAVORITES Author/writer: Garry Larson Escape: Any tropical beach Meal in town: Plaza Bonita and P.F. Changs Movie: Rocky Musician/band: Bands and artists that perform cumbia music

DECEMBER 2014

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home | ENTERTAINING

Sensational Seasonal Decorating

Give your home some holiday panache. Stylista Kimberly Hufford shows you how.

Photos by Heidi Lea Photography

THERE IS SOMETHING so magical about the month of December. It seems as if everywhere you look, there are festive decorations and everyone you run into is in a good mood. The holiday spirit brings us together as a community.

Every year, I make hot cocoa for my family and we drive around the neighborhood looking at lights. I’ve passed on my love of Christmas to my kids. We love baking family cookie recipes together as well as watching the movie Home Alone almost every night.

One of our favorite things to do together is putting up Christmas decorations. For many people, this can seem a bit overwhelming. Where to begin, what theme should I use, which ornaments go in what space? Over the years, I’ve realized that if I focus on one area or one box at a time, it’s fun and not so stressful.

I like to create focal points in each room the way I did here. This being a more formal space, I placed everything around the fireplace. The tree, presents, lantern, and chalkboard sign create a warm, inviting entry for the living room. Chalkboard art is a great and inexpensive way to add holiday style to any room or event. You can order personalized or custom sayings from partyperfectdesign.etsy.com This tree only took me 30 minutes to fluff and decorate. I wrapped four strands of rustic garland from Hobby Lobby around the tree, and then I added eight large ornaments that I found at Dollar Tree.

Wrapped gifts can add color and texture to any space. Have fun with your gift wrapping. You can personalize it by adding a picture of your family or

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friends, making it extra-special. Add some bells or rosemary for a festive feel.

If you’re hosting a holiday event, you don’t need a large space to make a big impact. You can use a side table as a buffet or drink station by adding some décor and a mirror, which makes the space look larger. You can also bring in a beautiful dessert or a special piece like this cranberry ice bucket. We made this out of ice, cranberries, and rosemary. This will be a hit for sure! You can make it, too! I will have step-by-step instructions at facebook.com/sincerelystyle.

Another cute touch for your holiday event or dinner party is these rosemary place cards. They’re super easy to make. All you need to do is cut rosemary branches, create a ring, and tie with a ribbon of twine. Then, print out names on card stock, and you’re all set.

For a quick and easy centerpiece, you can find a wooden box from Michaels craft store and then add a few candles, evergreen branches, and pine cones. To complete your dining space, wrap some garland around your chandelier.

DECEMBER 2014

Kimberly Hufford, founder of Sincerely Style, is a local wife and mother of six children. She and her husband, Brian, have been planning and catering parties and weddings for the past 15 years. Kimberly’ s passion for style has led her to create a full-service style company, offering such services as over-thetop events, home-décor design and custom painting, and personal styling.

One of my favorite things is snow! Did you know that you can order snow and have it delivered to your home on Christmas morning? So seasonally fun! There are several ice companies in Phoenix that deliver. This information will also be available on my Facebook page.

Happy Holidays from my family to yours!

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DO

GOOD

Your neighbors are making the world a better place, one child and one animal at a time. Read on to learn about their passionate contributions to our community, and consider joining them in their efforts! By Anissa Stringer

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Did You Know?

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona According to executive director and volunteer Nicole Bidwill, Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona takes kids with academic potential and a desire to succeed and helps them rise above their circumstances. In 2012, the Education Policy Institute in Washington, DC, named the organization one of the top 10 US college prep programs for disadvantaged students.

The rigorous program helps kids break the cycle of poverty by supporting them from sixth grade through college graduation. Some kids live at home while they’re in the program, but those who don’t have healthy home environments participate in the residential program. There are currently 92 kids in the program, and college-enrollment retention rates for students in the program are nearly twice that of students from similar demographic backgrounds.

What’s more, ten 2014 graduates were accepted into more than 40 colleges, and they received more than $700,000 in scholarships!

You can help these kids and others reach their full potential by donating money to the program.

Visit bhghaz.org to learn how or to discover other ways to help.

Sundrop Society Madison Cook was 18 when she was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor. She had to quit college and move home for treatment. Her camera became her form of therapy.

“I realize that my illness was minor compared to what some kids experience, but it was still hard,” Madison says.

When she returned to college, she started volunteering to do art therapy with kids who were seriously ill. That eventually led her to found Sundrop Society. She wanted to give kids who are facing serious illnesses or disabilities the opportunity to forget their challenges, if only for a few hours.

Madison is currently awaiting 501(3)(c) status for this all-volunteer organization. In the meantime, she and a growing list of photographers use their art to capture these children’s stories. All the kids receive a beautiful photo album to help them remember the day, and Madison has also been working with local retailers to provide each child with a special outfit as well. Donations of photo albums, outfits, and funding are important for the organization’s continued success. You can help by contacting by visiting sundropsociety.org.

Arizona Humane Society The Arizona Humane Society (AHS) has long been synonymous with the idea of compassionate caring.

Started in 1957, they are not only Arizona’s largest animal welfare and protection agency but they are also the designated responder for animals in distress when natural disasters occur.

Their programs are far-reaching and include grief support for those who have lost pets; adoption services; and spay, neuter, and vaccination services. They were also the first animal shelter in the Phoenix area to partner with a retail developer; their presence in several Valley malls helps educate our community about issues like pet overpopulation. The proceeds of all purchases made in the stores go back to helping homeless animals, and purchases are tax-free, too! One such store is Petique at The Shops at Norterra, which opened in October 2013. The shop offers those looking to adopt a pet the opportunity to do so in a cozy, family-friendly environment. Since opening their doors, this location has adopted out almost 1,500 pets!

According to public relations manager Bretta Nelson, the Arizona Humane Society takes in more than 38,000 animals a year. To make sure they can find homes for as many of them as possible, the AHS adoption process has been streamlined. The application is now just one page long, and AHS offers a 100 percent adoption guarantee. Pets that are up for adoption get spayed or neutered, receive a free follow-up exam and have their first vaccinations.

If you’re looking for a special animal to adopt, visit Petique at The Shops at Norterra, 2450 W. Happy Valley Rd., Ste. 1149, Phoenix. You can also go to azhumane.org for more information about the many other services offered by the Arizona Humane Society.

DECEMBER 2014

According to their website, Charity Navigator is the largest and most-used charity evaluator in the nation. Visit today for an objective rating of your favorite charity. charitynavigator.org Don’t be scammed! The Federal Trade Commission lists these signs of charity scams: • Using high-pressure tactics to encourage you to donate • Asking for cash or wired money • Offering to send a service to pick up your donation immediately • Being unable (or unwilling) to provide proof that your donation will be taxdeductible Charity Navigator recommends that you donate to charities with a tax-exempt status as one way to ensure that your donation dollars are used for the causes you care about.

Donors beware: Sound-alike charities can have vastly different policies. Be smart and do your research before you donate!

The Arizona Giving and Volunteer Report of 2010 says that 32% of women and 33% of men in Arizona volunteer their time somewhere.

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home | PHILANTHROPY

Inspired to Volunteer

Local Tisha Morgan checks in with two women with an enthusiasm for helping adolescents.

LORI MOORE and Beth Baker have been involved with the Young Life since they were both in their teens. They grew up in the organization and then later felt inspired to support and give their time back to Young Life and to bring it into our community.

Young Life is a nondenominational Christian organization that reaches out to students in middle school, high school, and college. The staff hails the organization as a “worldclass organization for adolescents,” with a staff and group of volunteers who get a read on every kid and focus on what matters to each one in an atmosphere of adventure, friendship, and significance. Particularly significant to the volunteers and staff is what is needed to make any life meaningful - a sense of spirituality, particularly as it reflects God’s love for all, which, of course, includes the youngsters they’re helping. Lori says that her life has forever been blessed in large part thanks to this organization. “I was involved in Young Life as a high school student,” she says. “At Young Life, I found a group of adult leaders that really cared about us. They wanted to build friendships with us and help us to learn about God. Being a part of Young Life had a transforming impact on my life as a teen; I wanted to help other students to have this same life experience. In college, I became a leader and was a part of Young Life for many years.”

Beth, too, loves to volunteer with the organization. “The main reason behind why I enjoy volunteering is that it gives me an opportunity to live out my faith by loving and caring for others,” she says. “One of the ways that I choose to do that is really shaped by what a friend once told me. She said that one of the things that most affects who your child will become is not something like: did they get the perfect second-grade teacher or

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Local Tisha Morgan is a wife and is also a mother to two daughters. She is passionate about philanthropy and currently volunteers with Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona, Girl Scouts, Norterra Canyon School, and Desert View Bible Church.

would it be better if they played soccer or volleyball? But instead, it’s the community that you build or create around them. That statement really made me want to intentionally focus on and invest my energy into shaping the community right here around my kids.”

WyldLife, a division of Young Life, is specifically tailored for the developing needs of middle school-age children, and Lori and Beth are helping to bring it to our community. The first step in this process is forming a parent support group. So far, they have 10 families interested in getting their kids involved or simply helping out. If you feel that WyldLife would be a good fit for your children or if you’re interested in being part of the Norterra parent support team, e-mail Beth at earbaker@gmail.com. If you would like to contact the Norterra WyldLife leader about getting your kids connected, e-mail Michael Sawyer at msawyer@westmont.edu for more information. Young Life’s official website is younglife.org.

The main reason behind why I enjoy volunteering is that it gives me an opportunity to live out my faith by loving and caring for others.”

–Beth Baker

Lori Moore (left) and Beth Baker Photo by Final Touch Photography

DECEMBER 2014

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home | PETS

Holiday Distractions Keep your cats and dogs safe and happy for the holidays. Local pet advocate Roberta Gottlieb tells you how.

THE WINTER HOLIDAY season is here! The house is bustling with activity and novel items: visitors, candles, an indoor tree, decorations, gifts, and of course, the mouth-watering aroma of delicious food.

Think like your dog or cat and imagine how its natural curiosity can place it in hazardous situations while you’re in holiday-distraction mode.

From your pet’s point of view, you’ve created an indoor fur-person playground, complete with a tree! Many of the basic precautions you would use in protecting a toddler from household dangers are identical to the safeguards for pet-proof-

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ing your home. Keep decorations, particularly tinsel, on the upper two-thirds of the tree or higher if you think your pet can jump or climb there; electrical cords

hidden; and any wrapped presents from under the tree that might contain an irresistible odor moved to a safety zone, especially when the pets are unsupervised.

Common health dangers include gift wrap, string, pine needles, and tinsel, all of which can lead to intestinal damage re-

Roberta’ s mission is to educate people about responsible pet ownership and to raise the public’ s awareness of animal neglect and abuse. Follow her rescue at facebook.com/chiquitachihuahuarescue.

quiring surgery. Even the water in the tree stand can be hazardous, as can particular holiday plants such as mistletoe, holly, and amaryllis.

Many of us consider the family dinner to be the most enjoyable time during the holidays, and your pet agrees. Chances are that your cat and dog will be loitering near your table using their best “I am starving!” expression. Before the food is served, it’s a good idea to set ground rules with your guests: No table scraps, please! Poultry skin, bones, and too much food can cause enormous digestive upset, with the worstcase scenario being a diagnosis of pancreatitis resulting from eating rich foods.

Simple dessert items that contain chocolate, raisins, or grapes can be extremely deadly. For example, a toxic dose of dark chocolate in a 40-pound dog is a mere five ounces. Toy breeds can become critically ill and die from ingesting very small portions of chocolate.

When dinner is finished, make sure to absolutely secure your garbage. Dogs and cats can be ingenious and will problemsolve to find some way to get to that irre-

sistible leftover by removing lids, moving chairs to access the counter, or just knocking the container over. Your pet may be looking for that cooked bone (never serve any cooked bones—they can splinter easily and leave you with a large surgical bill), poultry skin, dessert scraps, and anything else that a cat or dog would eat.

I am fairly confident that 100 percent of pet owners do not want to spend Christmas Eve at an emergency vet hospital charging a few thousand dollars on their credit card.

To minimize the stress on your pet from the increased number of visitors, make sure it has a “safe place” where it can choose to go if it feels overwhelmed with all of the commotion. Rescue Remedy, available at Whole Foods and a number of pet-supply stores, is a homeopathic tincture that you can use to help soothe and calm your pet. You can place a few drops in the water bowl or rub a couple of drops onto an ear. If your pet has not had much exposure to young children, proceed with caution and closely monitor the interaction. Make preparations to limit your pet’s

front door access and keep collars and ID tags on at all times in case the dog or cat inadvertently slips out.

Do your best to maintain regular feeding and exercise schedule as dogs in particular love their repetitive routine. Daily one-on-one time is a great way to help your pet feel secure during the holiday rush.

And last but not least: It is never a good idea to give a pet as a present. Adding a pet to a family is a deliberate decision that is best made by the future pet parent or family, taking into account lifestyle, financial stability, and any pending employment or housing changes. Adoption counselors are frequently called matchmakers because there are multiple factors to consider on both sides of the equation: the family’s and the pet’s.

The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate with friends and family, and certainly include your family pets in the festivities when it’s possible. By taking just a few moments of thinking like your cat or dog, you can ensure a safe and healthy holiday for your pet.

s i c k / w e l l c h e c k • i m m u n i z at i o n s • n e w b o r n c a r e • s p o rt s p h y s i c a l s Harold Magalnick, M.d. nicholas argyros, M.d.

Jack Herchold, M.d. ronald serbin, M.d.

"We Care For Kids"

david kleiner, M.d.

Luis arroyo, M.d. subir k. Mitra, M.d. arun J. nemivant, M.d.

Open 7 days a week

yvonne M. Funcke, M.d.

M-Th 8-6 pm Friday 8-noon and 2-6 pm sat/sun 8-noon by appointment only

Gina d. Montion, M.d.

Michael Magalnick, d.O.

(North Black Canyon office is open Saturdays and Sundays)

Cathy kelly, p.a.-C. Lisa drummond, pnp

Note: Weekend hours are not fixed. If there are no patients scheduled, the office will close as early as 11:00.

Cherilyn Jacobson, p.a.-C.

15650 n. black canyon, ste. 100, phoenix, az 85053 • 602-866-0550 • Fax 602-993-5788 2030 w. whispering wind Dr., phoenix, az 85085 • 623-869-9080 • Fax 623-869-9090 DECEMBER 2014

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home | CRAFTS

Keepsake Art Preserving holiday memories is easy with these inventive ideas from crafty local mom Shannon Fisher.

Photos by Shannon Fisher Photography

THE HUSTLE AND bustle of the holidays can make it hard to take the time to preserve memories or keep up with family traditions. Here are some ways to stay organized and create fun keepsakes this time of year.

Ornaments Each year, we enjoy making ornaments with our girls. My grandma started this tradition by sending me an ornament every year. When I moved out and had a house of my own, I had a tree of ornaments that were very special to me. Here are two simple ones that can be made for each child.

For the first, purchase a clear, plastic ornament (I bought mine at Walmart for under a $1 each). Cover each child’s palm with white poster or acrylic paint and have him or her gently cup the ornament, leaving behind a handprint. Set the ornament aside on paper or in a box to dry.

When it has dried, use the painted fingers on your ornament to represent your family members. Add faces, scarves, or other holiday decorations with permanent markers. Add names and the year to preserve the memory for years to come.

For the second one, if you don’t want to use paint, stuffing the inside of the ornament with the white fill used for pillows is great for adding a white background. (White fill can be purchased at any craft store.) Use permanent markers to add eyes, a nose, a mouth, and any other details. You now have a cute snowman ornament!

Growth Chart The start of the new year is a great time to think about recording your child’s growth!

Start with a 6-foot-long piece of 1 x 2-inch lumber. Most home improvement stores will cut wood to size for you. Sand the wood, and then paint or stain it with your favorite color. Allow it to dry and then mark off lines for inches (use a yardstick as your guide) and write the numbers to identify feet with black paint or permanent marker. Now attach the chart to the wall with a picture-hanger on the back. You are ready to mark your child’s first measurement! If desired, attach a current picture to the board next to that mark, so in the future you’ll see not only how tall your child was but also exactly what your son or daughter looked like with the cute freckles, missing teeth, and all! Write the date below, and continue marking and adding pictures a few times a year!

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Preserving Memories To display your holiday cards, you can punch a hole in the upper corners and string them with wooden beads in between to help keep them separated for easier viewing. Tack or tape the strings of cards where you will best see them in your home. After the holidays are over, if you want to keep the cards, you can take ribbons or a metal ring and bind the cards together through the holes you punched. This will make storage easier. This is an easy job for children, and they can look at each card that was sent that year. It’s fun to pull them out the next year and see how much everyone has grown and changed.

I hope you enjoy this holiday season with your family and create lasting memories for years to come!

Shannon Fisher is a local mother of two girls and owner of Shannon Fisher Photography. She has taught elementary and high school art and in her spare time now volunteers with Girl Scouts and teaches photography workshops to parents and kids.

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DECEMBER 2014

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food FRESH FROM THE KITCHEN

T family and friends with a belly-

his holiday season, delight your

warming gift that shows you care. A beautifully crafted and packaged dry mix is an economical gift that is perfect to share for the holidays. The best part about this gift is that it’s edible and can be easily thrown together, baked, and eaten in just under an hour. Plus, you can customize your gift to use just about any mix (here, we did a cookie mix). Just craft an instruction tag and you’re set.

Cranberry Oatmeal Mason Jar Cookie Recipe Yield: 1 quart dry cookie mix 1∂ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1∂ cups rolled oats Ω cup dark brown sugar Ω cup white sugar Ω cup dried cranberries (fi ll to the top) Layer ingredients in the order listed above into a clean 1-quart Mason jar. Make sure to pack down each layer before adding a new layer. Tip: It’s easy to add ingredients into a jar if you use a wide-mouth funnel.

Add a gift tag with the following directions: Preheat oven to 350˚F and melt Ω cup butter in a microwavesafe dish. Let butter cool slightly, and add 1 egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Pour in entire contents of jar and mix well. Shape into walnut size balls, space 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet and bake for about 12 minutes until slightly brown. Enjoy!

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Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry

PMS color breaks 577 C 277 C 675 C 157 C 122 C

DECEMBER 2014

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food | HOME COOKING Austrian Vanilla Crescents (Vanillekipferl)

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) Ω cup vanilla sugar (or Ω cup sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla) 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup ground walnuts or almonds Sifted powdered sugar In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and vanilla sugar until combined. Add flour and walnuts. Beat well. Using about 2 teaspoons of dough for each cookie, shape into crescents, tapering the ends. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 325ºF for 12–15 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Remove; cool on wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Makes about 3–4 dozen cookies.

Cookies from Scratch

The Desert Baroness offers up a scrumptious recipe for Austrian vanilla crescent cookies and homemade vanilla sugar.

ONE OF THE fondest childhood memories I have was baking Christmas cookies with my mother. Back in my childhood days, a Christmas didn’t go by without my mother baking cookies for family and friends.

I’d help her knead dough, chop nuts, or measure dry ingredients—whatever she needed me to do. There were no boxed mixes in our house; everything was made from scratch. The smells of fresh-baked cookies, cakes, and bread coming from the kitchen will forever be imprinted in my mind.

When I started my own family, I wanted to keep the cookie-baking tradition alive. Now, I bake Christmas cookies with my daughter, and we try to deliver as many

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as possible (the ones I hide from my husband!) to friends and neighbors. When my oldest son still lived at home, we made fudge together all the time. When he was little, I helped him with measuring the ingredients and stirring and pouring the fudge, but he soon became an expert. As the years went by, he’d make the fudge and take it to school to share with his friends and brag about how he made it himself.

Even through his college years, he’d come visit for the holidays and, yes, it was time to whip up some fudge. I love that my whole family gets into the holiday baking season!

Many of the cookie recipes I got from my mother are Austrian or German. They

call for vanilla sugar instead of vanilla extract. Vanilla sugar isn’t just for baking, so I like to make a homemade batch to have on hand to use in coffee and tea, sprinkle on fresh fruit, or to rim cocktail glasses with. Yummy!

Sometimes, our household gets superbusy during the holidays and I don’t bake as much as I’d like. But I always find time to bake my father’s favorite cookies—Austrian vanilla crescents. Even though my father passed away 10 years ago, I’ve baked them in his honor every year since. I put them on a gold serving platter and then blow him a kiss and say, “For you, Papa.”

I hope you enjoy the recipe as much as my family has.

*

T I P S F O R H O L I D AY B A K I N G • I always use unsalted butter for baking.

• Set aside one whole day to bake several batches of cookies at once.

• Make batches of dough for drop cookies ahead of baking and freeze in small batches so you can have fresh-baked cookies whenever you want.

• Most cookies freeze well. Freeze cookies in airtight containers, putting a piece of parchment paper between layers. Thaw as needed to give as gifts, or share with friends and neighbors.

Want to share your favorite recipes with your neighbors?

E-mail what you have cooking to food@85085magazine.com for consideration.

Lydia O’ C onnor, aka The Desert Baroness, is a food blogger, a recipe tester, and a contributing editor for Cooks Illustrated, Taste of Home, and Every Day with Rachel Ray. She lives in the area with her family and two dogs, and cooks as often as possible. Find out more at thedesertbaroness.com.

Homemade Vanilla Sugar

2 cups granulated sugar 1 vanilla bean Slice the vanilla bean in half and then slice down the middle, exposing seeds. Put into a large mason jar with the sugar and put on the lid. Shake the mixture to distribute the bean in the sugar. Let the mixture sit for about a week, shaking occasionally to ensure good flavor distribution.

DECEMBER 2014

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better B E A U T Y, H E A L T H , I N S I D E

Combat stress and overindulgence during the holidays with these practical tips: • Dance at the holiday party! Not only will you burn calories—but you’ll also have fun.

• Throw your own party and serve only healthy food and Skinnygirl cocktails.

• Get outside. A walk in the fresh air and sunshine will combat holiday stress.

• Try some fun, time-efficient, calorie-blasting workouts like jumping rope, boxing, playing tag with the kids, or Rollerblading.

• Skip the elevator or escalator and take the stairs.

• When you find yourself carrying heavy bags fi lled with presents, use them to do a few bicep curls.

40 || 85085MAGAZINE.com || DECEMBER 2014

WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER SUPPORTING CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Our young people today face enormous challenges. A Christ-centered education, as offered by NVCA, provides a strong foundation that defines values, changes lives, while offering the best opportunity for achieving one’s educational potential.

NVCA has provided Anthem area children over $560,000 in tuition scholarships since 2011. This has enabled many children to receive an education that they otherwise would not have had the opportunity.

You can help support these children, and it will cost you nothing. Through the Arizona tuition tax credit program, if you pay any state income tax, you can get a dollar for dollar tax credit by sending your tax obligation to ACSTO. This tuition tax organization will then in turn provide a direct tuition grant to an NVCA student by designating NVCA as the receiving school.

Go online at www.acsto.org to donate, ACSTO will send you a receipt for your tax records. The maximum tax credit amount for 2014 is $2,106 (jointly filing couples) or $1,053 (single).

Consult with your tax advisor on your current situation and which option is best for you.

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DECEMBER 2014

|| 85085MAGAZINE.com || 41

better | BEAUTY

Travel Beauty

Local beauty expert Jacqueline Starr-Hubert on how to stay fresh during your holiday travels.

WITH HOLIDAYS JUST around the corner, I thought it’d be a good idea to consider a few pearls of wisdom that will be sure to make your travels smooth and hopefully leave you looking your best. Whether you’re driving to a family reunion or jetting halfway around the world, there’s no question that traveling is stressful. Trying to look good while you're traveling isn't easy.

The good news: Experts say that beauty and travel aren’t mutually exclusive. With just a few beauty-survival tips for your trips, you can face your holiday travel with a smile—and the confidence of knowing that you could run into anyone and not have to hide. It’s all possible given the right preparation.

I’m a gal who believes that skin care and makeup are musts when traveling.

However, packing full-size jars is sure to be a problem. There’s only so much room in those TSA-approved plastic baggies. By filling up little sample jars with your must-have skincare and other liquid products, you can fill your allowed plastic bag to the brim.

Empty contac t len s cases or weekly pill org an izers will als o wo rk in a pin ch .)

*

Packing Skincare and Makeup Sometimes, you can find the little bottles at drugstores, places like Bed Bath & Beyond, and Walmart, but I like the free ones from Nordstrom.

They hold less than an ounce, but that’s usually enough product to last me a couple of weeks. When they’re available, I’m happy to share sample-size skin care products with my clients. Ask your go-to person. Some lines are now offering travel kits including cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. If you’re a frequent traveler, you should invest in some travel-size grooming items, too. They’re now usually packed in three ounce tester-sized containers.

Bubble wrap is a great way to prevent burst bottles. It affords protection in those frequently over-crowded overhead bins. Do your entire masking and anti-aging treatments prior to traveling to prepare your skin for the wear and tear of travel. Remember, we need to pack only the essentials!

TIP Holiday makeup will always include shimmer and glitter, but if you want to add a bit of pizazz, pack a variety of bright-color eyeliners. Popping eyeliner is the holiday look this year, and the best part— liners are easy to pack. Get creative, and don’t be afraid to get wild. Stick to a natural palette and add a bit of bold eyeliner color. Always remember my standard rule: Pick a focal point and play it up.

Leave everything else neutral. We don’t want to look overdone or animated.

For those of you who are unsure of the TSA 3-1-1 Program Limits, they are as follows: Travelers can bring aboard liquid-fi lled bottles no larger than 3.4 ounces (100ml) by volume and must store those bottles in a single quartsize clear plastic ziplock bag. Larger quantities must be stowed in checked luggage.

42 || 85085MAGAZINE.com || DECEMBER 2014

Jacqueline StarrHubert, ME, MLT, is a medical esthetician/ laser technician and makeup artist, she works at Bellina Medspa.

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better | HAIR

Jazz Up Your Dazzle

Local stylist Martin Weston on the art of hair color.

BEFORE MY FAMILY and I moved to the desert eight years ago, we lived in a Southern California beach community. During the holidays, an adjacent neighborhood was known as Candy Cane Lane. At night, the streets would become clogged with cars and the sidewalks filled with families strolling together, gazing in awe at the spectacular decorations. Millions of brilliant colored lights covered the beautiful homes, while strands of white lights were entwined within the jungle of overhanging trees that shadowed the streets. My kids called them tree tunnels.

As I was thinking about all the places I see color during December, one of my favorites is found in the art and craft of stained glass.

Varying sizes of colored glass are arranged in patterns and then crafted together to create abstract or pictorial works of art. How can this concept of utilizing multiple colors apply to hair color?

From the outrageous color combinations found on the runway to the classic techniques, hair can be organized into patterns of varying shapes and then colored. As in stained glass, assorted square, triangular, round, rectangular, zigzag, or diamond sections can be utilized in endless combinations.

If you want to jazz up your dazzle this holiday season, consider this technique that’s sure to have heads turning.

Design the Look Start with a great cut! This is the road map to every successful color adventure. If you have a destination but no idea how to get there, you’ll wander aimlessly. Buckle up, sit back, and enjoy the ride. Trust your stylist

to guide you. Once the right cut is there, the color pattern should be easy.

Levels/Undertones Colors are arranged within 10 levels—level one (black) through level 10 (ultra-pale blonde). The higher the number, the lighter the color. Depending on the selections made, playing within these levels and undertones can create high contrast or delicate subtlety.

LEVEL 1: black/blue LEVEL 2: dark brown/blue-violet LEVEL 3: medium brown/violet LEVEL 4: brown/red-violet LEVEL 5: light brown/red LEVEL 6: dark blonde/red-orange LEVEL 7: medium blonde/orange LEVEL 8: blonde/gold or yellow-orange LEVEL 9: pale blonde/yellow LEVEL 10: ultra-pale blonde/palest yellow

Understated If you’re inclined to be subtler in your change, opt for varying shades of color found within the same tonal family. As apposed to using level two and level eight side by side, staying within two levels will keep your color from becoming too contrasted.

Consider these varying tones for redheads: spice, copper, cinnamon, violet, or berry.

Blondes can alternate hues of wheat, honey, beige, gold, butter, or caramel. Brunettes dive in with dark chocolate, licorice, sable, cherry, or mahogany.

Amp It! Not everyone wants to have the classic techniques. While some tend to stay close to their natural, gorgeous color, others want high-voltage contrast—fashion colors that are amped up, spiced up, cooled down, siz-

zling hot, or deliciously icy. What’s even more up there are using geometric patterns filled with purple, red, mint green, canary yellow, turquoise, magenta, pink, or neon orange.

Stained Glass Unlike the peekaboo, which is a technique using an accent color applied to an interior section of the hair, the stained glass technique covers the entire head in contrasting or complementary colors, creating a look that can be subtle or dramatic but is absolutely gorgeous.

Once the hair is cut, your stylist will section different-size shapes starting from the crown to the nape. Consider the direction the hair falls as this will prevent mistakes when coloring. Select the correct colors.

Personally, I like to interchange colors to accentuate certain parts of the cut or facial feature. Afterwards, customize the cut by detailing around the face, crown, and nape.

Now go out and dazzle ’em!

A hairstylist, a salon educator, and an artist, Martin Weston sees artistry everywhere. After working in the beauty industry for 30 years, he’ s still passionate about creating amazing looks for his clients.

44 || 85085MAGAZINE.com || DECEMBER 2014

better | SUDOKU

By Myles Mellor and Susan Flanagan

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9X9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3X3 squares. To solve the puzzle each row, column, and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium, and difficult.

Level: Medium

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better | CROSSWORD

By Myles Mellor

6 Down

ACROSS 1 Celebrations 5 Keen, groovy 8 Construction set for your kid's holiday gift 10 Bill Bidwill’s role with the Cardinals 12 At Christmas, presents appear around ____ (2 words) 13 Chicago’s state 14 It's celebrated worldwide (2 words)

8 Across

16 Rise to one’s feet 17 Firestar is one 19 Chicken or turkey 21 Winter weather condition 23 Bull ____ (one word) 24 Christmas song 25 Prepared a turkey, for example 28 Little one 29 Sports betting choices 31 Just before New Year 33 Amber, e.g.

35 Color of Santa’s coat and the Cardinals’ bird 36 Make a car look really good 37 Invitation request on a party invitation

DOWN 1 Location for Superbowl in 2015 2 Refresh 3 __ Niño, weather condition that can affect Arizona 46 || 85085MAGAZINE.com || DECEMBER 2014

4 Complete collection 5 Christmas carols 6 Luxury collectible car brand 7 Produce 9 Letters that appear on the number 11 Clarinet need 15 Present carrier 18 ____ brandy (cocktail drink) 19 Exist 20 They ____, after eating a lot on Christmas!

22 Boundary line 23 Place, abbr.

24 One of Santa’s reindeer 26 Therefore 27 They are placed on the top of trees 30 What you might do at Sunrise Park Resort 32 Relax on a couch, perhaps 34 Medium-like perception

DECEMBER 2014

|| 85085MAGAZINE.com || 47

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