AZ Sports & Lifestyle v4.1 2012 Jan - Feb

Project1

1/1/12

8:36 AM

Page 1

Project2

12/31/11

11:34 AM

Page 1

Project2

12/31/11

11:35 AM

Page 1

PubLtr_janfeb

1/3/12

8:23 AM

Page 2

▲ ▲ ▲

covering the game of life

▲

from the publisher Publisher

Joe Orr Editor

Curt Blakeney Greetings AZSAL readers. We made it, not only through another year, but another crazy holiday season! I’m sure many of you couldn’t wait to get to this point and are ready to make 2012 a great year. Like many, you are making a strong go at your New Year’s resolutions, like kicking a bad habit or catching up on bills. But it’s usually the classic “I’m going to get in shape this year” that is the most popular New Year’s resolution.

Art Direction & Design

Dara Fowler Senior & Lifestyle Editor

Lynette Carrington Associate Editor

I.R. Hunthausen Like the ’80s band Naked Eyes sang, “Promises. Promises.” Well I’m going old-school, folks. As I promised my good friend and mentor Don Willis (owner of Storage West), I will get in shape and most important … get HEALTHY! If you knew Don’s story, you would be inspired as well. More on Don in future issues. So, I thank him for the motivation that I needed, and I look forward to sharing my “getting healthy” progress with all of you throughout the year.

Copy Editor

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Teresa Gardner Photo Editor

Gene Lower Advertising Design

Joe Becker, Luis Duran As far as this issue of AZSAL, we would like you to be the judge. It’s packed yet again with all the fun surprises you’ve come to love. Except this time, we are kicking it with the hottest local radio morning crew, "Holmberg's Morning Sickness” of KUPD (97.9 FM), featuring John Holmberg and company. Check out the story and listen in; AZSAL will be “kicking it” in studio when the issue is out.

I would also like to introduce an amazing talent: Mark Hopkins, the amazing artist who drew the funny cartoon below. And yes, that is a rendition of me … a VERY exaggerated one that is! So "toon" in for more of Mark’s ‘toons in every issue.

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Now keep reading …

Best,

Website

David Carrington Contributing Photographers

Joe Becker Dallas Caldwell Anthony Casteel Michael Fadyk Contributing Writers

Scott-Vincent Borba Ryan Cooper Gary Cruz Charles Hudson Clayton Klapper Dr. Sasson Moulavi Megan Stewart Amanda Ventura Ryan Woodcock AZ Sports & Lifestyle Magazine

4517 E. Frye Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85048 480.233.0409 • www.azsal.com To subscribe or advertise call 480-233-0409 Joe Orr, Publisher AZ SAL joe@azsal.com

Copyright 2012 — AZ Sports & Lifestyle Magazine All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without permission is prohibited.

Arizona Sports & Lifestyle Magazine is printed on 20% recycled (10% post-consumerwaste) paper.

All inks used contain a percentage of soy base.

Our printer meets or exceeds all Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) standards.

PRINTED IN THE USA

Project2

12/31/11

11:57 AM

Page 1

TOC_PubLtr_janfeb

1/3/12

7:56 AM

Page 2

▲

table of contents January/February 2012

▲ ▲ ▲

22

features

Talking Hoops with the Junkyard Dog One on one with Suns swingman Jared Dudley

26

Bada Bing!

32

Spreading the Disease

36

Behind the Mask

40

Kevin Chapman Is a ‘Person of Interest’

With plenty of influence from New York and Chicago, Valley pizza joints are making amazingly tasty pies that ensure you never have to order Domino's again

John Holmberg’s ‘Morning Sickness’ has infected Valley radio airwaves for more than a decade

One on One with Coyotes Goaltender Mike Smith

44 48

Life is Worth It Liwi’s Gary Nash has formed an online community that helps people with health and wellness issues

▲ ▲ ▲

The Boston born and bred actor has a TV hit on his hands … AGAIN!

8 14 20 50

Leading Off

52

Golf Papago Golf Course Golf Gear Guide

56

Event DarkCon 2012

58

Concert Sting rocks Phoenix’s Comerica Theatre

62

Travel Shore Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif.

64

Theater Arizona Theatre Company: God of Carnage

66

Wheels Chevy Volt

70

Fit & Trim Attain better results by keeping weight in check

74

Health & Beauty 5 Essentials for Beautiful Skin

78

Fashion Spring 2012 Fashion Preview

For the Love of the Fans Fox Sports Arizona finds new ways to engage fans and expand local sports culture by introducing the Fox Sports Girls

departments

Gear Guide AZSAL Was There AZSAL MVP Oriana “Ori” Mendy

On the cover: KUPD’s Morning Sickness photo by Dallas Caldwell Photography

Project2

12/31/11

12:00 PM

Page 1

LeadingOff_JanFeb12

1/1/12

1:21 PM

Page 2

▲

leading off

IN THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE OF HEALTH, there is a need for the general public to be conscious of what is being put into their bodies. A new and informative website, Modern Pharmacist (www.ModernPharmacist.com), recently launched to educate and bring awareness to areas of health and wellness to the public. The website covers topics such as foods that heal, natural ingredients, pharmaceuticals and wellness for health.

The website is the brainchild of Valley nutritionist Dr. Mayur Dev, who has an extensive understanding of prescription medications, over-the-counter remedies, supplements, food, exercise and nutrition. His broad spectrum of understanding in the fields of pharmacology and nutrition helps people maintain long-term health.

Modern Pharmacist provide an opportunity for individuals to gain important knowledge about health and wellness; but they will also have access to Dr. Dev via consultation. The consultations will be customized to an individual based on age, health, medical history, review of prescription medication use, supplements, exercise regimen, blood type, food allergies and other variables.

Having the knowledge in these areas and also having a philosophy of practicing what he preaches, Dr. Dev is a firm believer that a life plan that is tailored around an individual will lead to better health and well-being. For more information, visit wwww.modernpharmacist.com.

▲

8 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

▲

DISPENSING HEALTH AND WELLNESS

RECIPES OF THE MONTH

CREAMY COOL PESTO DIP Combine the cool tangy taste of yogurt with the savory taste of pesto.

Prep time: 5 minutes Ingredients

• 2 cups plain Greek yogurt • 1 container (8 ounces) Romarsi Pesto Directions Mix the yogurt and pesto in a bowl to a desired taste and consistency. For a milder flavor, add more yogurt. Add nuts for texture.

Serve the dip chilled with crackers, pita chips or crisp sliced veggies (carrots, celery sticks, snow peas, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, etc).

NOTE: Recipe courtesy of Romarsi Pesto

1/1/12

1:21 PM

Page 3

Five-Star Trails: Flagstaff and Sedona

ORANGINGER SPRITZER • 2 oz. VOGA Italia Sparkling Pinot Grigio • 1 oz. club soda • 0.5 oz. ginger vodka • Juice from 1/2 orange Combine ginger vodka, club soda, fresh orange juice and stir. Top with VOGA Sparkling and garnish with a ginger candy chew.

LIME LYTE • 1 1/2 oz Voli Lyte • Splash of club soda • Squeeze 2 Fresh lime Note: Approximately 74 calories per serving Recipe courtesy of Voli Light Vodka

MENASHA RIDGE PRESS released "Five-Star Trails: Flagstaff and Sedona" by Tony Padegimas, a new guidebook that features some of the hidden hiking treasures of Flagstaff and Sedona. The Flagstaff and Sedona area hosts more than 4 million visitors a year due to its beautiful landscape. The hundreds of trails in the area provide endless opportunities to explore, whether going as a novice or an experienced hiker. With "Five-Star Trails: Flagstaff and Sedona," Padegimas allows readers to discover the gems of the region while providing a selection of trails diverse in both difficulty and terrain.

The title, "Five-Star" does not denote a rating system, but signifies that the choice of trails and creation of hiking routes is truly outstanding. These trails are superior in quality of experience as well as the variety of quality experiences: low desert to high peaks, staggering open vistas to claustrophobic canyons, lonely prairies to popular swimming holes. Padegimas introduces readers to the best ways to explore the geographic area that is, virtually, their backyard.

"Five-Star Trails: Flagstaff and Sedona" helps adventurers discover ancient ruins, spiritual epicenters, isolated swimming holes, lava tubes, and hot springs with 36 of the region’s best trails. Each hike features an individual trail map elevation profile, and at-a-glance information. Sized to fit in a pocket, the book’s detailed trail description will assist readers in finding their way on and off the trail.

Each hike is rated for its scenery, difficulty, solitude, trail conditions and accessibility for children, making it simple to pick the perfect hike for each occasion. Padegimas takes travelers along routes to see the history left behind by cowboys and Native Americans and among towering sandstone formations to marvel at nature’s artistry. The book can be purchased on Amazon for $15.95.

▲

LeadingOff_JanFeb12

WWW.AZSAL.COM

AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE 9

LeadingOff_JanFeb12

1/1/12

1:21 PM

Page 4

▲

leading off

▲

UPCOMING EVENTS

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY The timeless classic, "The Sleeping Beauty," will come to life this February with six performances from Arizona’s own professional ballet company. Ballet Arizona is bringing the stunning production Feb. 9-12 at the Phoenix Symphony Hall. Choreographed by renowned Artistic Director Ib Andersen and with the Tchaikovsky score performed by the Phoenix Symphony, the treasured fairytale will leave attendees breathless.

One of the world’s most recognized and beloved fairytales, "The Sleeping Beauty" is the story of Princess Aurora. Cursed by the evil fairy Carabosse to prick her finger and die, Aurora instead sleeps for 100 years, thanks to the intervention of the benevolent Lilac Fairy. After much searching, Prince Florimund wakes Aurora with a kiss, thus breaking the curse and causing much celebration in the palace. With gorgeous sets, elegant costumes and the world-class dancers of Ballet Arizona, "The Sleeping Beauty" is sure to enchant audiences of all ages with its story, beauty and splendor.

When Ballet Arizona premiered "The Sleeping Beauty" in the 2009-2010 season, the Valentine’s weekend performances exceeded sales goals, even in a sputtering economy, with three sold-out shows.

Beyond the box office records, the full-length classic was also the largest production in Arizona Ballet’s history with more than 80 people on stage, various costume changes and numerous backdrops.

To purchase tickets, contact the Ballet Arizona box office at (602) 381-1096, or visit www.balletaz.org.

▲

10 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

SPARTAN RACE On Saturday, Feb. 11, the Spartan Race, an 8-plus mile battlefield of insane mud running with 15-plus obstacles, is coming to Rawhide near the Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino in Chandler to challenge individual’s physical strength and mental resolve. The Spartan Race is great for corporations and businesses looking for an opportunity to do team building, fitness groups looking for the ultimate boot camp or individuals looking to challenge themselves. The event will also include a kid’s race course, live music and food.

Spartan Race is a global leader in obstacle racing since 2005. It was designed by seven insane ultra-athletes and a Royal Marine. This 8-mile, 20-obstacle course race has gained national attention and has grown in popularity as it travels to a new state every two to three weeks and challenges people who train, prepare and live for these obstacle races. Spartan Race races usually attracts between 4,000 to 5,000 racers who sign up months in advance and recruit others to join them and have an additional 10,000-plus in attendance on race day. www.spartanrace.com

1/1/12

1:21 PM

Page 5

24TH ANNUAL GREAT ARIZONA BEER FESTIVAL The 24th annual Great Arizona Beer Festival takes place March 3 at Tempe Beach Park. Featuring more than 200 craft, specialty and micro-brewed beers from 50-plus breweries across Arizona, the United States and around the globe, the Great Arizona Beer Festival is the largest beer festival in the southwest, both in terms of number of brewers attending and selection of craft beers. The festival also holds the distinction of being the longest-running beer festival in Arizona.

The Great Arizona Beer Festival, presented by azcentral.com, is also the only major beer festival in Arizona that is entirely a charitable event. All of the funds raised go to support the work of Sun Sounds of Arizona.

The VIP Experience, presented by Phoenix Magazine, features casino-style gaming including blackjack, poker, roulette and craps, with opportunities to bid on raffle and auction prizes using casino “winnings.” All proceeds benefit Sun Sounds of Arizona. Additional VIP perks include an exclusive lounge area, catered food, access to award-winning brewers, VIP seating with shade, separate restrooms, and gift bag.

Tickets are $45 in advance and $55 at the gate for general admission, including up to 24 different beer samples, or $85 in advance/$95 at the gate for VIP admission. VIP tickets include entry into the “VIP Experience,” including all the above listed amenities and VIPs may enter an hour before the festival starts. Designated drivers receive entry to the festival for only $20, including access to the Designated Driver Pavilion. All guests must be 21 or older to enter.

Tickets are available at www.azbeer.com.

'MADAMA BUTTERFLY' FLIES TO PHOENIX Popular demand for Arizona Opera’s January-February run of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” has led the company to schedule one additional afternoon matinee performance on Saturday, Jan. 28.

Arizona Opera will present six performances of “Butterfly” in Phoenix and Tucson instead of the usual five. Arizona Opera’s production of “Madama Butterfly” features sopranos Shu-Ying Li and Jill Gardner sharing the title role of the trusting geisha abandoned by her American naval officer husband. One of the most challenging parts in the opera repertoire, Butterfly or Cio-Cio San is on stage for nearly the entire opera’s duration and sings some of Puccini’s greatest and most emotive music, including the popular aria “Un bel dì.”

The stage director is Kristine McIntyre with sets by Kentucky Opera. Performances of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” are Jan. 27 and Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. and Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. at Phoenix Symphony Hall, 75 N. 2nd St., Phoenix. Performances are also Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. at Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave., Tucson. Ticket prices start at $25 and are available at by calling 1-800-982-2787 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. They are also available through the Arizona Opera Box Office, which is open from 10 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., at (602) 266-7464 in Phoenix or (520) 293-4336 in Tucson or www.azopera.com.

WWW.AZSAL.COM

AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE 11

▲

LeadingOff_JanFeb12

LeadingOff_JanFeb12

1/1/12

1:21 PM

Page 6

▲

leading off

VALENTINE’S DAY Valentine’s Day is right around the corner (Feb. 14). Skip the flowers and get your significant other one of these cool gifts:

1

▲

1 TastingRoom.com is an e-commerce website that allows you to try wine before buying a full bottle via exclusive “wine samplers,” which are comprised of six mini bottles (1.7 oz.) of wine. Essentially, it’s the iTunes of the wine world as consumers can sample premium wines, find their favorites and only buy bottles of the ones they love. www.TastingRoom.com ▲

2 Gift someone special with a box of Godiva Parfait Chocolates, an indulgent new chocolate collection that combines the flavors of popular multi-layered dessert fillings in a decadent chocolate cup. These delicately layered parfaits provide a unique combination of flavors and textures in one perfect bite. It costs $20 for an eight-piece gift box; $5 for an 18-piece gift box. www.Godiva.com ▲

3 The In Chocolate set includes chocolate coated versions of Baked By Melissa’s eight most popular flavors.

Each cupcake is a mouth-watering blend of soft, fluffy cake and sweet, airy frosting encased in a crunchy dark chocolate shell and topped with colorful icing. It runs $25 for a box of eight dipped cupcakes. www.BakedByMelissa.com

2

3 4

▲

4 Nothing spells romance out more clearly than champagne, chocolate truffles and more — all nestled within a glorious gift basket for your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day. From the ostentatious to the affordable, Capalbo’s offers a fabulous selection of champagnes, chocolate truffles, champagne flutes and artisanal cheeses to woo your lover. www.capalbosonline.com ▲

5 Nothing wins over a women’s heart like beautiful gold and diamond earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings and pendants. Lia Sophia designs unique pieces that are sure to last a lifetime; Lia Sophia backs every piece of jewelry with a lifetime replacement guarantee.

With Lia Sophia’s fashion jewelry, she can go from career to casual to evening with a single basic wardrobe … and without breaking your budget. www.liasophia.com

▲

12 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

5

LeadingOff_JanFeb12

1/1/12

1:21 PM

Page 7

Gear_JanFeb12

1/1/12

10:34 AM

Page 2

▲

gear guide

▲ ▲ ▲

Blackberry Torch 9810 Powered by the next-generation BlackBerry OS 7, the BlackBerry Torch 9810 smartphone runs on the 4G network, which provides blazing broadband speeds. A powerful 1.2 GHz processor provides smoother multitasking and navigation, fast downloads and crisp HD 720p video recording via the Torch 9810's 5-megapixel camera. And the integrated Liquid Graphics technology combines a dedicated graphics processor with the main processor for a highly responsive touch interface with incredibly fast and smooth graphics. $549; www.blackberry.com

Disc-Off The Disc-Off is a disc tossing game involving two players or two teams scoring points by tossing a flying Frisbee and knocking a bottle from the top of a pole. The opposition can steal the points by catching the falling bottle one handed. There’s action going at both ends to hold everyone's attention — tossing, catching, judging the wind, grabbing for the bottle — and the competition grows quickly. The game can be special ordered in your favorite team, school or organization’s colors. $39.99. www.disc-off.com

▲ ▲ ▲

New Balance Minimus MO10

▲ ▲ ▲

An entirely different approach to all-season outdoor athletics, the New Balance Minimus Multi-Sport MO10 takes the proven versatile durability of a Vibram outsole and combines it with a fitted, minimalist upper that's comfortable with or without socks. Navigate the trails through the winter months with this water and odor resistant NB Minimus shoe. $98; www.newbalance.com

Suunto Vector Red

Regardless whether you are climbing mountains, riding a muddy bike track or skiing off piste, the Suunto Vector Red will not let you down. It combines an altimeter, barometer and an electronic compass with all the features of a sophisticated sports watch. It is an indispensable instrument for outdoor enthusiasts. $219; www.suunto.com

▲

14 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

Gear_JanFeb12

1/1/12

10:34 AM

▲ ▲ ▲

Oakley Jupiter Squared

Page 3

With Oakley sunglasses, you're getting the best of comfort, clarity and impact resistance with cutting-edge technology.

The Jupiter Squared’s stress-resistant O Matter frame ensures all-day comfort, and with a three-point-fit, you won't have those irritating little pressure points that come with the curved earstems of ordinary frames. The lenses are engineered with Plutonite, which filters out 100 percent of UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light. $120; www.oakley.com

▲ ▲ ▲

Champ Ready-to-Fly R/C Airplane

▲ ▲ ▲

Teach yourself to fly radio-controlled airplanes in style with this exciting re-creation of Aeronca’s beloved tail wheel airplane. Its small size and lightweight, durable construction let you fly with confidence in spaces as small as your own backyard without having to worry about crash damage. And it’s so easy to control you could be flying it like a pro in no time, even if you’ve never flown an R/C airplane before.

Everything you need to teach yourself to fly is in one box — even the batteries. $89.99; www.hobbyaction.com

Nero 11 Platinum Give your digital media projects a boost with the fully-integrated and intensified Nero 11 Platinum. The robust suite is value-packed with productivityenhancing features that push the boundaries of video editing, burning and backup. What you get is a true 360 HD experience for photos, music and videos with easy-to-advanced video editing workflows plus innovative video file conversion technology for multiple device playback.

Nero 11 Platinum bridges the multimedia gaps with Nero cloud storage, Blu-ray Disc playback and mobile device support for Wi-Fi and USB syncing from PC to Android devices. $49; www.nero.com

▲ ▲ ▲

SafetyStick

▲

The 4-in-1 SafetyStick Emergency Tool and Flashlight is a multi-faceted device that can provide important aid after an auto breakdown or accident, and can even help a motorist escape a vehicle in an emergency. The patented SafetyStick includes a strong-beamed flashlight, a flashing red LED strobe, a handy seatbelt cutter, and a steel pointed hammer-like tip that is designed to shatter any window with just a tap to allow emergency exit through a window.

The SafetyStick also sports a magnetic bottom that allows a motorist to attach the unit to the side of a car or truck to alert oncoming traffic. $18.95; www.safetybright.com WWW.AZSAL.COM

AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE 15

Gear_JanFeb12

1/1/12

10:34 AM

Page 4

▲

gear guide

▲ ▲ ▲

Logitech Mini Boombox

With the Logitech Mini Boombox, great sound can go where you do. These wireless speakers are great for smartphones, tablets and laptops; stream music from your iPad, iPhone, Android device, laptop or other Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Compact size with specially designed acoustic chamber for full rich sound and enhanced bass. With a rechargeable battery, you can listen unplugged up to 10 hours straight. $99; www.logitech.com

Therapik Therapik is a small, portable hand-held device that provides pain and itching relief from bites and stings of mosquitoes, bees, wasps, hornets, black flies, ants, fleas, ticks, chiggers and even jellyfish and stinging nettle. This unique FDA-approved treatment device soothes pain and itching and is safe for both adults and children. Most insect venom is thermolabile, or sensitive to heat. Therapik’s patented technology delivers heat in the precise temperature range necessary to deactivate the venom. As the heat neutralizes the venom and increases blood flow to the affected area, there is a marked reduction in swelling, redness, pain and itching. $12.95; www.therapik.com

▲ ▲ ▲

Samsung Exhibit 4G

▲ ▲ ▲

Budget-friendly and feature-rich, the Android-powered Samsung Exhibit II 4G keeps you connected to the T-Mobile network. The Exhibit II combines a 1 GHz processor and T-Mobile's 4G network. Capture on-the-go photos and videos with the 3-megapixel camera (with DVD-quality video capture). Additionally, the Exhibit II is outfitted with a front-facing VGA camera for composing self portraits for social networks as well as video chats over 4G or Wi-Fi. $249; www.samsung.com

Wolverine Oxford Wolverine’s heritage of comfort and durability are integrated in a full-line of authentic and rugged shoes and boots. Built to withstand the challenges of real life, Wolverine’s innovative construction and styling provide longlasting comfort. Features full-grain leather upper with wave mesh lining, OrthoLite with performance arch support, internal EVA midsole, and rubber Q-Shox outsole with four gait cycle pads. $99; www.wolverine.com

▲

16 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

Project1

1/3/12

8:34 AM

Page 1

Gear_JanFeb12

1/1/12

10:35 AM

Page 6

▲

gear guide

▲ ▲ ▲

uDraw Gametablet for Wii

The uDraw GameTablet is a revolutionary game system that provides a unique and fun way for kids and families to play with the Wii. Developed by THQ, the wireless sketch tablet with tethered stylus is integrated with the Wii’s remote capabilities. With the bundled uDraw Studio, players can express their individual artistic creativity.

Featuring versatile and easy-to-use tools, users can paint, draw and color anything from simple doodles to intricate masterpieces. $49; www.worldofudraw.com

X-TERRA 505 Metal Detector

▲ ▲ ▲

Casio WK-225

▲ ▲ ▲

▲ ▲ ▲

Advanced capability, great depth and excellent discrimination, the X-TERRA 505 is the ideal all-round choice to take you to the next level of expertise and performance. Equally at home on land or at the beach, the X-TERRA 505 now has full frequency capability and can adapt easily to coin and treasure and relic hunting. $695; www.minelabamericas.com

The Casio WK-225 delivers groundbreaking sound quality and musical portability in a stylish design. It is ideal for any level of musician looking to create compositions, as the keyboard features a five-song and six-track recorder, perfect for capturing original music. In addition, Casio delivers 600 built-in tones, which include stereo grand piano tones, offering a range of dynamic and inspirational sounds for the musician to choose from. The keyboard is equipped with Casio's renowned Step-up Lesson System; aspiring musicians can learn both music notation and correct hand positioning, while Casio's innovative lesson system evaluates performance so you can track your progress and incremental success. $199; www.casio.com

T-fal ActiFry

The T-fal ActiFry enables you to cook tasty dishes while reducing the amount of fat in your diet. It’s engineered to minimize the use of oil while cooking. ActiFry is a versatile cooking appliance that can be used to create a variety of healthy, low-fat dishes including chili, risotto, gumbos, vegetables, stir frys and seafood. By using just 1 tablespoon of oil, you can make 2 pounds of fresh French fries. $249; www.t-falusa.com ▲

18 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

Project2

12/31/11

11:37 AM

Page 1

AZSAL there_JanFeb12

1/3/12

8:27 AM

Page 2

▲

AZSAL was there Photos by Gene Lower and Anthony Casteel

▲ ▲ ▲

TOP: Cardinals rookie Patrick Peterson (21) returns a punt for a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams in week 12.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Valley Tequila fans got to sip their favorite blue-agave spirits at the Phoenix Tequila Fest on December 10 and 11 at US Airways Center in Phoenix.

BELOW: Khani Cole (left) and Dominic Amato are perhaps Phoenix's most popular female vocalist and saxophone jazz musicians. On Dec. 15, their “Rhythm & Jazz Christmas” performance at Skye in Phoenix was an artistic smash.

Project2

12/31/11

1:28 PM

Page 1

Suns_Dudley

1/1/12

9:16 AM

Page 2

PHOTO © BARRY GOSSAGE

Suns_Dudley

1/1/12

9:16 AM

Page 3

Talking Hoops WITH THE

JUNKYARD DOG ON THE COURT HE’S KNOWN FOR HIS SCRAPPY, PASSIONATE AND ENERGETIC PLAY. He’s the guy who works his tail off to

earn his spot; the classic example of a blue collar worker. Off the court, he’s one of the most enthusiastic and charismatic guys you’ll ever meet. His antics on the bench and interaction with the fans make him one of the most well liked Suns players we’ve seen in a long time. From running his own web blog nicknamed "JMZ" or "JSPN," to setting up surprise meet-and-greets at local restaurants through Twitter (@JaredDudley619) and Facebook, he makes sure to give the fans everything he can.

Most importantly, whether you want to call him “J-Diddy,” “Junkyard Dog,” “JD” or just “Jared Dudley,” the guy can play.

Dudley attended Horizon High School in San Diego, Calif., where he won state titles his junior and senior seasons. He then went to Boston College and was a four-year starter for the Eagles. From there, he was drafted 22nd overall by the Charlotte Bobcats after being voted ACC Player of the Year for 2007 and elected second-team All-American.

He was traded to Phoenix in 2008 along with Jason Richardson, in exchange for Raja Bell, Boris Diaw and Sean Singletary. At the time, Dudley was only averaging 5.4 points a game, and took a bench role during the 2008-09 season. He has improved every year, starting 15 games last season and averaging 10.6 points a game. This season, Dudley is expected to share time at shooting guard with new addition Shannon Brown, who came to Phoenix after three seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Dudley took a few minutes during media day to sit down with AZSAL and talk about the upcoming season.

ONE ON ONE with Suns swingman

JARED DUDLEY

By Clayton Klapper

AZSAL: If you could go 1-on-1 with any NBA great, past or present, who would it be?

Dudley: Michael Jordan. He's the greatest of all time. For me, he’s from where my dad is from, and playing with him in North Carolina (as a Charlotte Bobcat) it would definitely be Michael Jordan.

AZSAL: What has been your favorite Suns moment since your joining?

Dudley: Game four against the Lakers at home, we tied it up 2-2 in the Western Conference Finals. At that time, I thought we had a really legit chance of making it to the NBA Finals and that was really exciting.

AZSAL: What's one of your favorite workouts you do that isn't traditional?

Dudley: Hot yoga, you go for 16 minutes straight … it’s really intense and it makes you really flexible.

AZSAL: What's your biggest strength on the court? What's something you're working on?

Dudley: My biggest strength is my basketball IQ. Just being smart and knowing what next play to make. I need to work on being able to stay in front of athletic and quick guys; this game is about penetration and getting to the basket. I have to do a better job against smaller and quicker guys.

AZSAL: What's your favorite thing about Phoenix?

Dudley: We have great restaurants, I love the warm weather and it is definitely a basketball city.

1/1/12

9:16 AM

AZSAL

Page 4

FAST FACTS

• Dudley tells AZSAL that he is going for 18 dunks this season.

• He started more than 100 straight games at Boston College before sustaining a stress fracture.

• Shot 43 percent from the three-point line in the 20092010 playoffs and played in all 16 games.

• Won the 2009-10 Majerle Hustle Award.

• Is fifth all time on Boston College’s scoring list with 2,071 career points.

“My biggest strength is my basketball IQ. Just being smart and knowing what next play to make.”

AZSAL: Who has played the biggest part in your basketball journey?

Dudley: My mom, for sure. She was a single parent and was always driving me to practices and games. She has always been someone to tell me to follow my dreams — so definitely her.

AZSAL: What's your biggest accomplishment on the court so far in your career? Off the court?

Dudley: Just getting drafted into the NBA was huge. In the NBA, scoring my career high against the Miami Heat last season would be it. I liked getting to show everyone and let them know that I can score, and put the ball in the hoop against such a good team. Off the court, I would say in Boston I do a basketball camp out there, and I try to help underprivileged kids as much as I can.

AZSAL: You’ve spent most of your career working alongside Steve Nash, can you talk about the impact he has had on you?

Dudley: He has changed my career when it comes to eating habits, and learning from him on how to improve my game to stay in the league and be successful for a long time.

AZSAL: What’s different this season for you and the team?

Dudley: My approach personally to the game has evolved. Having a training camp with everyone here, and not really having to deal with huge rumors about having midseason trades has been great.

AZSAL: If you had to have a job that has nothing to do with sports what would you?

Dudley: Lawyer. Law and Order style. ▲

Suns_Dudley

Project2

12/31/11

11:58 AM

Page 1

Best Pizza

1/3/12

8:46 AM

Page 2

BADA BING! TWO ISSUES AGO, we featured our Hamburger Roundup. We had so much fun, we decided to do it again … this time with pizza. Just hearing the word "pizza" brings a smile to the face of just about every American. It’s an incredibly simple dish, but when made well, it’s a delight for the taste buds.

So what’s your favorite type of pizza? Thin crust or thick? New York or Chicago?

Neapolitan or Sicilian? For many of us, pizza is a passion, and the debate has been going on for decades.

Valley residents have their favorite pizza places, but the reigning pizza champion is Pizza Bianco. Once ranked the best in the country by The New York Times, this trendy downtown eatery is unassuming and always crowded.

But if you don’t want to trek to downtown Phoenix or wait in lengthy lines, you have plenty of options to fulfill your pizza hankering. Here are our favorite pizza joints in the Valley, listed in no particular order.

▲

Grimaldi’s

The pizza that made the Brooklyn Bridge famous, Grimaldi's has a storied history that pays homage to Patsy Grimaldi, the founder who learned to make pizza at his uncle's East Harlem pizzeria in 1941.

Grimaldi's pizzerias in Arizona use the same recipe and ingredients as the original, and were actually opened with Patsy's help. Grimaldi’s is known for its coal-fired brick oven (reaching temperatures up to 1,200 degrees) that is fueled by a special clean-burning coal from Pennsylvania. This gives the crust its distinctive smoky taste and crisp texture. As most New York pizza joints will tell you — it’s all in the water — so Grimaldi’s uses a special filtration system that replicates the chemical composition of Brooklyn water. The sauce (served on top of the mozzarella cheese) is wonderfully sweet and flavorful, and we dare you to stop at just one slice. Thin-crusted and fresh from the oven, the pies are among the Valley’s finest. Our favorite specialty pie is the white pizza (no tomato sauce) with garlic. www.grimaldispizzeria.com Locations: 7131 W. Ray Road, Chandler, 480-785-1600; 1035 W. Queen Creek Road, Chandler, 480-812-2100; 2168 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert, 480-814-7722; 20715 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480-515-5588; 15147 N. Scottsdale Road Suite #135, Scottsdale, 480-596-4070; 9788 W. Northern Ave., Peoria, 623-486-4455; 446 N. Campbell Ave., Tuscon, 520-882-6100

▲

26 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

By Curt Blakeney and Megan Stewart

Best Pizza

1/3/12

8:46 AM

Page 3

▲

With plenty of influence from New York and Chicago, Valley pizza joints are making amazingly tasty pies that ensure you never have to order Domino's again

Casanova Bros. Pizza and Pasta

Started by Tony and Mike Casanova after moving to Gilbert from New York, Casanova Bros. is a neighborhood pizza joint with an east coast, mom-and-pop charm. Not only will you find Tony working the counter and Mike donning an apron, but plenty of brothers, aunts, daughters and nephews manning the kitchen. Many try, but few succeed in getting New York pizza right in the Valley, but Casanova’s is one place that does. They use only homemade ingredients from the pizza sauce to the crust, even the meatballs. Like most pizza palaces back east, the boys flip Neapolitan (thin crust, round) and Sicilian (thick crust, square) pies. The crust — made with high-protein flour and filtered water — is the basis for a NY-style pie offset with quality mozzarella and a tasty tomato sauce. The true test of a great pizza establishment is the original cheese pie — and Casanova’s passes with flying colors. Our favorite specialty pizza is the Caprese, featuring fresh mozzarella, basil and tomatoes. Casanova’s serves a complete menu of amazingly tasty pasta, chicken and veal dishes, but go straight for the pizza, topped with everything from pepperoni and cheese to chicken parmigiana. Hey, fugetaboutit!

www.casanovabrospizza.com Location: Gilbert, 929 N. Val Vista Drive (N.E. corner of Val Vista and Guadalupe) 480-539-6200

Best Pizza

1/3/12

8:46 AM

Spinato’s Pizzeria

Page 4

▲

This family-run pizza bistro serves up classic Chicago-style pizza — round pies cut into square slices. Originally opened in Tempe in 1974, and now expanded to five Valley locations, Spinato’s uses family recipes passed down since 1918. At Spinato’s, the operative word is “consistency,” and when you make a near perfect pizza pie, that’s not a bad thing. Their pizza makers don’t hand toss the dough, but instead run it through a stainless-steel machine that flattens the pie for consistent thickness throughout. Once the crust is leveled, sauce is measured and applied, followed by carefully layering (and weighing) the toppings — mozzarella cheese and other options like homemade Italian sausage, pepperoni, peppers, spinach and salami imported from Italy. Forget brick ovens ... Spinato’s uses conveyer ovens that reach 465 degrees and can cook a pie in 7 minutes. The result: each pizza comes out of the oven with a golden crust and the variety of toppings perfectly cooked under the melted cheese. Upon first taste, my mouth exploded with all the wonderful textures and flavors of this perfect Italian delight. The delightful pizza sauce, made from a well-guarded family recipe, uses sweet Northern California tomatoes and a subtle touch of garlic.

www.spinatos.com

▲

Locations: 4848 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix, 480-961-0208; 1614 E. Bell Road, Phoenix, 602-867-1010; 1219 E. Glendale, Phoenix, 602-277-0088; 227 S. Smith Road, 480-967-0020, Tempe; and 11108 N. Frank Lloyd Wright, Scottsdale, 480-391-2347.

Jimmy & Joes

This family-oriented restaurant, opened in October 2006, is lovingly managed by proprietor Terry Black (the “Joe” in Jimmy and Joe’s), who is one of the friendliest guys in the biz. Their signature item is the “serious slice,” which is one-sixth of a 24” pizza; it’s monstrous and makes for a perfect lunch. Thin in the center and crispy on the edges, the pizza slices here are amazing. Jimmy & Joe’s won the 2011 “Best Pizzeria” award from The East Valley Tribune and the 2008 “Best Pizza Slice” from Phoenix New Times. Our favorite specialty pizza is the Carnivore: a traditional pizza topped with pepperoni, salami, meatball, sausage and ham. The menu is fairly simple: pizza, salads and wings (try them with Joe’s sauce). A crispy, slightly chewy crust, subtly tangy tomato sauce, creamy Roma mozzarella, and quality toppings like Genoa Salami and Italian sausage make it worth the trip.

www.jimmyandjoes.com Locations: 3950 W. Ray Road, Chandler, 480-963-6633; 1960 W. Baseline Road, Mesa, 480-398-4848

Best Pizza

1/3/12

8:46 AM

▲

Venezia’s Pizza

Page 5

The history of Venezia’s begins in the late ’60s when Frank and Clara Montanile moved to New York City from Italy. Their son Domenick followed in his father's footsteps and became a master pizza maker.

The family relocated the family pizza business first to New Mexico ... and eventually in 1978 to Tempe. Since then, Venezia’s has expanded to four restaurants in the Valley. Venezia’s — voted “Best Slice” in 2011 by Arizona Foothills Magazine — has a full menu, including wings, calzones, pastas, salads and desserts. Venezia’s bakes real New York-style pies with dough made fresh daily and a pizza sauce that they promise "will make you think you're in Italy." Really hungry? Try the 24-inch pie that serves 5-6 people. Our favorite specialty pizza is the Italian Stallion, the homemade pizza sauce is kicked up a notch and topped with sliced Italian sausage, pepperoni, onions and jalapenos.

www.venezias.com Locations: 5057 E. McKellips Road, Mesa, 480-396-2000; 2721 S. Ellsworth Road, Mesa 480-380-1111; 27 E. Southern Avenue, Tempe, 480-858-1660; 744 W. Ray Road, Gilbert, 480-786-3200

▲

Oregano’s Pizza Bistro

The patriarch of Oregano’s, Lawrence Gibbilini, was born on the north side of Chicago in 1918. During the Great Depression, Gibbilini helped make ends meet by selling his mother's pizza door-to-door; some say the first pizza delivery ever. Decades later, patrons pack Oregano’s Pizza Bistro for the lively atmosphere, ambiance and incredible pizza and pasta. This well-known pizza chain is loud, aromatic and fast-paced, and the interiors are retro and fun. Many different styles of pizza are available and they also offer a full menu of appetizers, sandwiches, pastas, soups, salads and wings. Oregano’s serves up Chicago-style pizza in thin crust, thick crust or Chicago stuffed style. Their thin crust has become the most popular — and it’s a really tasty pizza.

Our favorite specialty pie is the Numero One-O, a traditional combo of homemade sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions and green peppers.

www.oreganos.com Locations: 1008 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602-241-0707; 7215 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, 480-3480500; 3622 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480-970-1860; 4602 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix, 602-4820054; 1475 W. Elliot Road, Tempe, 480-966-0401; 523 W. University Drive, Tempe, 480-858-0501; 1130 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, 480-962-0036; 328 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, 480-882-9336; 1960 W. Germann Road, Chandler, 480-265-4580; 4900 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, 520-327-8955; 605 Riordan Road, Flagstaff, 928-773-8600.

AZSAL FAST FACTS • The foundations for pizza were originally laid by the early Greeks who first baked large, round and flat breads, which they topped with various items such as olive oils, spices, potatoes and other things.

• The first known pizzeria, Antica Pizzeria, opened in Naples, Italy, in 1738.

• In 1889, the court chef for Italian Queen Margherita baked a special pizza for her, a pie topped with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil (to represent the colors of the Italian flag: red, white and green).

Thus, the name “Margherita” pizza.

• The first pizzeria in the United States was opened by Gennaro Lombardi in 1895 in New York City.

• Each year in the United States, more than 3 billion pizzas are consumed.

Americans, on average, eat about 46 slices per year.

• Pepperoni is America's favorite topping, (36% of all pizza orders).

1/3/12

NYPD Pizza

8:46 AM

Page 6

▲

Best Pizza

NYPD Pizza came to the Valley more than 15 years ago when the founding family moved from Long Island to Arizona. Since then, NYPD has grown to 10 Valley locations. The secret to the distinctive New York flavor? The water is run through a special filtration system that duplicates the chemical composition of water in Yonkers, New York. NYPD prepares a traditional New York hand-tossed, thin-crust pie baked in stone ovens. Each of the pies showcases a thin crust, savory sauce and gooey Mozzarella cheese. The dough is made from scratch every day and the sauces are a family recipe. NYPD uses fresh mozzarella cheeses from Wisconsin and California. The Brooklyn Family — pepperoni, sausage and fresh basil — is a patron favorite. For starters, the garlic knots are a big hit.

www.aznypdpizza.com

▲

Locations: 1619 N. Dysart Road, Avondale, 623-536- 6973; 2580 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, 480-722-0898; 211 E. Warner Road, Gilbert, 480-6326973; 2743 S. Market St., Gilbert, 480-782- 6973; 8280 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale, 623-561- 6973; 1949 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602-294-6969; 14884 N. Pima Road, 480-451- 6973; 10433 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480-609-8666; 13980 W. Bell Road, Surprise, 632-544-6915; 9845 S. Priest Drive, Tempe, 480-705-6973

Marcello’s Pasta Grill

▲

Marcello’s, a neighborhood Italian restaurant that has been a favorite in Tempe for 18 years, is best known for its pasta and Italian dishes, but proprietor Tony Romano’s crew makes a mean pizza.

The Romanos are a long line of restaurateurs that have owned restaurants across the world from Italy and Argentina, to New York and Tempe. The pizzas, using a fifth-generation family recipe, are cooked in a brick oven that is fueled by pecan wood, which gives the pizza its distinctive smoky flavor. Marcello’s chefs use a cheese blend consisting of fresh mozzarella, Wisconsin mozzarella and provolone, and they hand-toss every pie. At Marcello’s, you build your own pizza. You can’t go wrong with plain cheese, or if you want it loaded, pepperoni, sausage, green peppers and onions is a winner.

www.marcellospastagrill.com Location: 1701 E. Warner Road, Tempe, 480-831-0800

1/1/12

10:39 AM

Page 1

▲

fractionals

WWW.AZSAL.COM

AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE 29

Holmberg

1/3/12

8:42 AM

Page 2

Spreading

PHOTO © AARON GIBSON AND GIBSON PHOTOGRAPHY

▲

32 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

Holmberg

1/3/12

8:42 AM

Page 3

By Kevin Gassman and I.R. Hunthausen

the DISEASE JOHN HOLMBERG’S ‘Morning Sickness’ has infected Valley radio airwaves for more than a decade

IT’S 4:30 A.M. ON A TYPICAL WEEKDAY, and John Holmberg is up, reluctantly on his way

to the tiny town of Guadalupe, nestled between Tempe and Phoenix at the base of South Mountain. It’s as ethnic a neighborhood as we get here in the Valley. The streets are in Spanish, there is a carnicería on each corner and it’s where 97.9 FM KUPD’s highly successful morning radio show, Holmberg’s Morning Sickness (HMS), goes off five days a week like a wet fart in church — awesome and funny on a biblical scale.

Holmberg’s Morning Sickness is five hours of off-the-wall topics and banter that push the limits of what people may consider decent and sane. Take the, “Wild America” report, a segment presented by the show’s lovably demented sidekick Brady Bogen. The entire bit is dedicated to current events involving humans being attacked, often fatally, by animals — freakin’ genius if you ask me. Several months ago HMS told listeners about a woman who was devoured by a bear while on the phone with her mother.

The Grand Poobah himself is not without a rich sense of depravity. John Holmberg is a man’s man and says what a lot of us think, but do not say. Take the idea of building that big fence in the desert to keep illegal immigration down. Holmberg has had many a diatribe ranging from the height of the fence, the price, and its overall purpose — conducting them in his spot on Speedy Gonzales-esque accent — hilarious.

The combination of Holmberg’s subtle, dark humor mixed with the high-energy antics of Bogen has been serving Phoenix morning commuters for more than 10 years. However, when the show debuted, these two had an instant uphill battle to say the least. “I have had a few unfavorable emails sent to me when I first started,” Holmberg remembers.

Fortuitous Mistake A decade ago, John Holmberg replaced Dave Pratt, “The Morning Mayor,” who ran mornings on KUPD for 20 years. Some might say Pratt left shoes too big to fill — well, you know what they say about people who wear big shoes? — they stink. A fresh pair was needed.

“When I got [to KUPD] everyone was like, good fresh air,” Holmberg tells AZSAL, “not to say I came in like a ray of sunshine … whether I was a dick or not would come out in the wash later.”

1/3/12

8:42 AM

Page 4

Before his switch to the Big Red Radio, Holmberg was an afternoon DJ on, then, KZON 101.5 The Zone — a not so hot alternative rock station in downtown Phoenix — where Pratt landed after leaving KUPD. “Essentially we flip flopped,” says Holmberg, about the change over between Pratt and himself, “it was kind of a happy split for everyone.” KUPD was looking forward to going in a new direction with Holmberg at the helm.

It was at The Zone, however, that Holmberg met Brady Bogen, whose gig was selling for the station as well as rallying the crowd at Diamondbacks games at night. During their time together at KZON, Holmberg and Bogen developed an undeniable rapport, and Bogen started to get the urge to be on-air — an urge that would come to fruition sooner than later.

KUPD approached Holmberg in July 2001. “I just quit The Zone today and have no intention of going back,” Holmberg told KUPD, who signed him up right away. Holmberg brought along Brady for the ride. At first, the duo was teamed up with a Hooters waitress, who was about as exciting of a sidekick on-air as Jar Jar Binks trying to fight his way out of a plastic bag. She is no longer down with the Sickness.

The show was set to begin the week of September 10, 2001, but station management didn’t want to wait and pushed the start of the show up by a week. Holmberg and Bogen took a “We can’t lose, nobody expects us to win,” attitude when they started. They had only one week of getting their feet wet before the tragedy that stunned the world put everything on hold. The events struck

very close to home for Holmberg, as his then girlfriend was working in one of the Twin Towers in New York. The girlfriend survived and is now, ex-Mrs. Holmberg.

Holmberg recognized the reality that slapped Americans in the face and changed the discourse in our society. He seized the opportunity to talk more openly about life in general — it was at that point when Holmberg’s Morning Sickness found its ground.

The start may have been inconspicuous, but it didn’t take long before everyone was tuning in to hear the show’s take on everything from world events, known infamously as “The Brady Report,” to “The Entertainment Drill” — better described as the guys bringing out celebrity bizarreness, such as George Lucas’ belief that the world is flat. Holmberg’s crash on his bike was a topic of great discussion, a mishap which resulted in two broken ribs and a case of hemorrhoids. Nothing is off-limits for this off-the-cuff team that continues to try to make each other break their composure on-air. “I think [fans] appreciate the lack of pre-prepared, ‘you’re going to laugh at this,’ kind of stuff. We’re laughing with them, because if Brady makes me laugh, it’s legitimate,” says Holmberg.

Meet the Crew The Morning Sickness crew is made up of two other voices, Creepy-E, the man on the streets, and producer Dick Toledo.

The locker-room mentality leaves little to the imagination. HMS’ “fourgy” of talent and their no-remorse, no-regret attitude on PHOTO © DALLAS CALDWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

Holmberg

Holmberg

1/3/12

8:42 AM

Page 5

the air is what gives the show its guts and has brought it to glory. There is a method to Holmberg’s madness, however, “You start getting comfortable with the audience and what they like to hear and where you can go and not go. [In time], I get them and they get me. If I show them something out of the ordinary and crazy, people will notice.”

One of HMS’ more recognizable segments is “Guadalupe Squares,” where Holmberg voices famous people in a Hollywood Squares type game show. It’s easy to see why this is such a fan favorite with “guests” like: Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood’s character in “Gran Turino”), Gary Busey, Tiny Tim, Bumble Kardashian (a.k.a. Khloe Kardasian), Ted Williams, Frankenbrady, and Fat Elvis, just to name a few.

“My mom told me I used to do [voices] all the time, that I used to kind of mimic,” says Holmberg. “I was a big Saturday Night Live fan as a little kid. I would always do the characters. I used to drive people nuts with Ed Grimley.”

▲

Radio Fodder Comes from Roadie Roots Holmberg’s personality is the same on the air as it is off the air. His laidback demeanor and humor are what make him likable to those who listen and to those who meet him. He’s just a cool guy who loves what he’s doing on and off the air.

He’s got a passion for Jeeps, which manifests itself when he takes his 2011 Rubicon Unlimited, out to — as he likes to say — “ruin nature.” Las Vegas is another one of Holmberg’s addictions, “I had a lucky weekend and have been slowly returning the favor each time I go back,” he says. When he’s not romping his Jeep or making donations in Vegas, you can catch him hiking Camelback Mountain as part of his keeping-fit routine.

As a kid, Holmberg, traveled a lot with his family, because of his dad’s job building sports stadiums in cities across the country. By the time he was in high school, the tour had ended … in Phoenix. After school, he was on a path to restaurant management — not that there’s anything wrong with that — but Holmberg had this childhood memory lingering in the back of his well-manicured dome, of a Chicago radio jock that made him and his dad laugh out-loud all the way to their destinations.

Larry Lujack was that personality who gave Holmberg enough inspiration to take his destiny by the balls and give radio a shot. Regretfully, he took courses at a now-defunct radio broadcast school in Scottsdale, but it was there that he made connections to find his way onto KZON, and the rest, as they say, is history. A history paved with epic interviews — recently with the likes of twin comics Randy and Jason Sklar, super hot Valley porn star Bi Bi Jones, and AZSAL cover boy Pablo Fransisco — outstanding concerts, like Red, White, and UFest, Holmberg’s way of celebrating ten years of sickness by honoring our troops with a behemoth concert in their honor — and plenty of laughing to tears and debauchery.

Holmberg’s Morning Sickness mirrors the title of the show and the success has been overwhelming and consistent since its inception more than a decade ago. “The world is fucked up, let’s make fun of it,” says John.

AZSAL

FAST FACTS

• “The Morning Sickness” name was given to John Holmberg by his ex-father-in-law. Oh the irony.

• He’s a devout Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

• “Oh my god are those real, because if they are, that’s the best job I’ve ever seen?” asked a mildly inebriated John of his, now, wife when they first met.

• His first concert attended was Emmylou Harris at the 1982 New Mexico State Fair.

• Holmberg trained as a boxer before breaking his wrist.

• John Holmberg is an animal lover, “I have five dogs, I’m a dog freak.” John does a lot of work with the Humane Society. “If I could change one thing in the world, it would be to have people wake up to the idea that if you take responsibility for something, take responsibility!”

“You start getting comfortable with the audience and what they like to hear and where you can go and not go. [In time], I get them and they get me.”

Coyotes_Smith

1/1/12

9:53 AM

Page 2

Behind THE Mask

Coyotes_Smith

1/1/12

9:53 AM

Page 3

ONE ON ONE with Coyotes Goaltender MIKE SMITH

By Clayton Klapper PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES

MIKE SMITH BECAME A PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY PLAYER at the age of 17; joining the

Ontario Hockey League and backing up future NHL player Andrew Raycroft. He played three seasons in the OHL, one with the Kingston Frotenacs (his hometown team), and the Sudbury Wolves for the other two, where he registered a .910 save percentage. Smith was drafted by the Dallas Stars —161st overall in the fifth round of 2001 — but stayed in the minor league system. He bounced around from the East Coast Hockey League and the American Hockey League, before landing with the Dallas Stars in 2006.

His first shot behind the net for the Stars came against the Phoenix Coyotes in October of 2006. Smith got his first start and recorded his first NHL shutout in the same game. He managed a 24-14 record with the Stars in the net, and was traded in 2008 to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He played on and off in Tampa Bay, splitting time in goal, and never really was given the chance to be the regular starter. The Lightning designated Smith to their AHL affiliate last season, and did not re-sign him this offseason. He signed a two-year, $2 million contract with the Coyotes, and has looked impressive filling the void of fan favorite Ilya Bryzgalov, who chose to sign with Philadelphia before the season started.

Smith has already surpassed his NHL career high in wins for a season, and has found a groove while being the unquestioned starter with Jason LaBarbera filling the backup role.

The Coyotes are right in the middle of the Western Conference playoff battle, continuing to surpass critics’ expectations who say the team will not succeed. With so much in question surrounding the city of Glendale, and the team’s ownership issues, at least one thing is certain—at 29 years of age and with six seasons of NHL hockey under his belt, the Coyotes have a more-than-capable goaltender for the near future.

Smith took the time during a recent home stand to talk to AZSAL about his new team and its mid-season success.

AZSAL: With so many teams interested in you in the offseason, what made you decide on the Coyotes?

Smith: Obviously playing for Tipp (Dave Tippett) before was a big influence and getting a chance to work with Sean (Burke). Asking around about the team, I knew it was a good bunch of guys in this locker room. So far, it’s been fun and I look forward to the rest of the season.

AZSAL: How has the city and team been with welcoming you?

Smith: The city’s been great. My wife and I have really enjoyed it so far. The rain this month has been a little surprising, because I didn’t think it rained in the desert (laughs). Other than that it’s been good. The team has been great. It’s been a really easy transition.

AZSAL: What’s the most memorable moment you’ve had so far in your professional career?

Smith: Probably playing my first NHL hockey game; it was in Phoenix and I enjoyed getting a shutout that game. It was a pretty special game to play your first NHL game after you’ve dreamt your whole life to be in the NHL and to be given the chance. I’m pretty fortunate to get the opportunity to do something I love to do.

Coyotes_Smith

1/1/12

AZSAL

9:53 AM

Page 4

FAST FACTS

• Smith started off his Stars career living with teammate Marty Turco’s family before signing a two-year, $950,000 contract.

• Smith has played on 10 different professional teams in four different leagues.

• His first start was a shutout in 2006 against the Coyotes.

• He is married to former Canadian World Cup skier Brigitte Acton.

• Smith’s goalie mask features an artistic rendering of Wile E. Coyote and the name of his newborn son.

AZSAL: What’s your favorite thing about Arizona?

Smith: It’s just a beautiful place to live. Everyone has been very welcoming. North Scottsdale has been a beautiful place to be.

AZSAL: Ever year this team seems to defy critics, what can you attribute this year’s success to as a team?

Smith: I think we’re not the high-powered team that a lot of teams have. We win as a group and lose as a group. When one or two guys aren’t playing their best games, we don’t stand much chance at winning hockey games. There are a lot of character guys in this dressing room. Older guys that bring leadership and younger guys that bring energy; it’s a good combination for success.

AZSAL: Individually you’ve found your own groove this year … what has changed in your game?

Smith: I think just confidence and consistency. That separates good goalies in the NHL, having consistency on a nightly basis. It’s a work in progress obviously. I’m not where I want to be yet, but it's definitely been a step in the right direction this season.

AZSAL: What kind of relationship do you have with Jason LaBarbera and how has it been working together with him this season?

Smith: Barbs (Jason LaBarbera) is great. He’s such an easy going guy.

I don’t think too many people would not get along with a guy like that. He’s been great. He works hard on the ice. He's a great goalie and it’s been fun so far.

AZSAL: You scored a goal and had a shutout in the same game while playing in the minors. What do you remember from that game?

Smith: It was pretty cool. It was my third or fourth pro hockey game.

It was the East Coast Hockey League. It was my first win and to get a shutout and obviously to score was pretty cool.

▲

AZSAL: You spent a lot of time living with fellow players and traveling around different leagues. Was there ever a point where you didn’t think it was worth it?

Smith: There are a lot of times when you’re frustrated. I don’t think any professional athlete has ever gone through a time where they didn’t doubt their ability or hasn’t gone through those frustrating times. There are always times in seasons when you are a little bit down. But the best players find ways to get over those times.

▲

38 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

Project1

1/1/12

10:55 AM

Page 1

KevinChapman

1/1/12

9:23 AM

Page 2

Kevin Chapman IS A

‘Person of

By Lynette Carrington

KevinChapman

1/1/12

9:23 AM

Page 3

The Boston born and bred actor has a TV hit on his hands … AGAIN! IT’S OFFICIAL. CBS HAS A NEW HIT SHOW. "Person of Interest" airs

Thursday evenings at 8 (KPHO, Channel 5). Actor Kevin Chapman plays Detective Lionel Fusco in the cerebral drama that also stars Jim Caviezel ("Angel Eyes," "G.I. Jane," "The Passion of the Christ"), Michael Emerson ("Lost," "The Practice," "The Legend of Zorro") and Taraji P. Henson ("Boston Legal," "The Division," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"). The show attracts 10 to 12 million viewers each week and continues to steadily gain viewership.

If Chapman’s name is not immediately familiar to you, his face certainly is. He is no stranger to episodic television or films and has jumped into the role of Lionel Fusco with great fervor. I had the chance to talk with Chapman about the unique show, how it has engaged its audience, and the sheer power of the Hollywood clout that brought it all together.

“It’s definitely a very cool show,” Chapman said. As a seasoned television and movie veteran, he knows what he likes. He was drawn to the role of Lionel Fusco because of certain character elements. “Everything I’ve ever played has been truthful,” he explained, “That’s my criteria.”

Much like the characters he plays, Chapman’s no-nonsense attitude shines through. He is frequently cast as an officer, detective or a bad guy.

In each case, he brings a stoic and straightforward portrayal that is immediately identifiable to the audience. Perhaps it’s his build and overall look that have allowed him to bring that believability to his roles. (More on that assertion later …)

"Person of Interest" centers around two men who form an unlikely union as they thwart crimes before they happen. A genius scientist, Finch (Emerson) has created a machine that helps the government secure information about terrorist acts in advance of an attempt. That information is sorted into relevant categories, but Finch discovers that even irrelevant information leads to other crimes.

Before he disappears into society, Finch develops a passageway inside the machine where he can retrieve a Social Security number of a criminal and set out to stop him/her before the crime is committed. He is aided by ex-CIA agent, Reese (Caviezel), who is dead … according to the government. (In real life, Caviezel has a military background, so his portrayal of an agent is spot-on.)

▲

Interest’

Detective Lionel Fusco is a dirty cop. And he’s a lucky man because he’s been given a chance to help make things right. As Finch and Reese’s man on the inside, Fusco has literally been given a chance at redemption, but must walk a fine line between New York’s seedy underbelly and the higher order of the unlikely duo fighting to keep order. Fusco is street-smart and tough. He often finds himself at odds with what he wants and his duty as a cop. Hinting at the upcoming episodes Chapman said, “He is a redeemable character.” But, there is always that underlying current of where Fusco’s allegiance really lies.

Centering on cameras, technology and Big Brother, "Person of Interest" does not feel so far-fetched. Part "24," part James Bond, with a dash of "CSI," it addresses the roles that government, information and technology play in our everyday lives — but kicks it up a notch. “It’s network television that hasn’t been done before,” noted Chapman.

The show doesn’t aim to shock or fill an hour with explosions and gore, rather "Person of Interest" is intelligent leaving the viewer thinking.

“It has a beginning and an end every week,” he said, “So if you don’t catch it a week, when you see it the following week, you’re not lost.”

CHANCE MEETING CHANGED HIS LIFE The Bostonian didn’t start off as an actor.

He was running the Boston Film Office when late Director Ted Demme came in and took note of Chapman. Noticing the similarity in their physical appearances, Demme told Chapman, "If you’re husky like me, you’re capable of greatness." The rest, as they say, is history. He went on to cast Chapman in "Monument Avenue" and "Blow."

In an epic turn of “every actor’s dream come true,” Chapman was cast as Val Savage in the Clint Eastwood Academy Award-winning film, "Mystic River." The stellar cast included Sean Penn, Laura Linney, Marcia Gay Harden, Kevin Bacon, Tim Robbins and Laurence Fishburne. The

Kevin Chapman as Detective Lionel Fusco in 'Person of Interest'. Credit: Warner Bros. Television Entertainment/Eric Liebowitz © 2011 WBEI. All rights reserved.

KevinChapman

1/1/12

9:23 AM

Page 4

such as The Boondock Betties and BoondockFans.com know and love Chapman’s character of “Chappy.” He achieved cult status again in the more recent film, "Black Dynamite," — a riotous parody/blaxploitation - yet serious film in which he played the character of “O’Leary."

Other wonderful and memorable roles that featured Chapman include Terrance in the critically acclaimed, "Rescue Me" and another award-friendly show, "Brotherhood," where he portrayed Freddie Cork. In "Ladder 49," he played yet another spirited firefighter, Frank Mckinny." Other credits include "Boston Legal," "Criminal Minds," "Sons of Anarchy," "21 Grams" and "In the Bedroom."

"Person of Interest" was created by Jonathan Nolan, who wrote "Memento," "Inception," "The Dark Knight" and "The Dark Knight Rises." Executive Producer is J.J. Abrams ("Lost," "Alias," "Star Trek"). Greg Plageman ("Cold Case," "NYPD Blue," "Law and Order" and "7th Heaven") is also a producer and writer for "Person of Interest." “(He’s) done these really great character-driven shows,” noted Chapman.

And Chapman’s "Person of Interest" is far less “fluff” and far more about intense character study and relationships interwoven into a technically superior plotline. The show is not one where you can check your brain at the door.

Chapman finds that he is becoming more and more recognized on the streets. He also gets a good chuckle sometimes at those who gawk or talk about him as if he is not there or doesn’t hear the conversation. Occasionally, fans are leery of approaching him, concerned that he is like the characters he portrays. In reality, Chapman is a down-toearth family man and keeps it relatively low key in his personal life. “I spend so much time being other people, it’s good to keep a sense of who you are,” he explained.

We will continue to watch and try to unravel all the twists and turns in the "Person of Interest" saga for the remainder of the season. We’ll also eagerly await Chapman’s new Sony film, "Whiskey Bay," which starts shooting in April.

And all of us at Arizona Sports & Lifestyle Magazine are keeping our fingers crossed for many more seasons of the wonderfully crafted and intelligent, "Person of Interest."

assembled cast proved to be an invaluable ensemble of actors for Chapman. He forged new friendships and learned in the process. “For me, it was a ‘home game,’” said Chapman of the Boston-based shoot.

He also said he felt no intimidation being in the company of A-List talent. Incidentally, Penn and Chapman forged a strong personal and professional friendship. “I learned a lot about character development and character assessment,” he said of his time with Penn. He also mentioned each movie shoot is like developing a little family for a few months, where bonds go beyond the words, "That’s a wrap.” “We stay in touch as much as possible,” noted Chapman of his relationship with Penn.

ARIZONA CONNECTIONS Chapman is no stranger to Arizona and singles out some unexpected places as his favorites. “I love Jerome, it’s beautiful,” Chapman said. He has also taken the time to enjoy Sedona and Phoenix. He mentioned the gorgeous vistas, clean air and desert terrain as things that were uniquely Arizona. “I grew up in a concrete jungle,” he explained, “It’s nice that places like that still exist.” He had the chance to ride horseback in Native American territory and through Bryce Canyon and loved the serene experience. Chapman is also a huge fan of hockey and is friends with former Phoenix Coyote great, Tony Amonte.

Chapman has a couple of cult classics under his belt.

More than a decade ago, "The Boondock Saints" became the “little film that could” when it gained a huge following on home video as a “Blockbuster Exclusive.” Although he had a pretty small role in the film, die-hard fan groups of the film,

▲

Note: Many thanks to Wendy Shepherd of www.Officially

▲

PluggedIn.com for helping facilitate this interview.

▲

42 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

"Cura Te Ipsum" -- Reese (Jim Caviezel, right) and Finch get some help from Detective Fusco (Kevin Chapman, left) as they surveil their latest POI, Dr. Megan Tillman, while she's on call and after hours to unravel the threat surrounding the promising young physician, on PERSON OF INTEREST, Thursday, Oct. 13 (9:00 - 10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: John Paul Filo/CBS©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved

1/1/12

10:41 AM

Page 1

do you like what you see?

Dara Fowler Graphics (DFG) designed this publication.

From conception through production DFG will be there to help you set your objectives, discuss ideas

DARA FOWLER GRAPHICS advertising + design 480.357.4443 dara@dfgraphics.com www.dfgraphics.com

and meet your goals — all without the commitment of long-term contracts, retainers or agency prices.

• • •

• • •

ART DIRECTION PUBLICATIONS BROCHURES

LOGOS/IDENTITIES DIRECT MAIL ADVERTISING

▲

fractionals2

WWW.AZSAL.COM

AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE 43

LiWi story

1/1/12

9:26 AM

Page 2

LIFE

IS

Liwi Founder GARY NASH has overcome personal ailments, which inspired him to form an online community that helps people with health and wellness issues

LiWi story

1/1/12

9:26 AM

Page 3

IT WORTH

By Ryan Woodcock

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP FOR SCOTTSDALE-BASED LIWI (Life is Worth it) a

company that takes a holistic and personal approach to wellness by offering lifechanging programs, inspirational stories, resources, information and products to help people reach their highest potential, personally and professionally.

For LiWi founder Gary Nash, life has taken some interesting twists and turns.

Nash was a stalwart in the financial industry for nearly 30 years, becoming an expert strategist in the field of retirement planning. But a health scare in 2009 changed his outlook on life, and now the former financial specialist has done a complete 180-degree turn. He is aiming to share his experiences to help people of all walks of life live a healthy lifestyle, reach their utmost potential and realize that “Life is Worth It.” Nash worked at John Hancock for nine years before he started his own retirement strategy and investment consulting firm in 1990 called Success Financial Group.

“I was at the point where I wanted to go out on my own,” Nash said. “My goal was to become the ultimate retirement planning expert and strategist, and I think I came pretty close to achieving that.”

Over the years, Success Financial Group became one of the most successful offices in the country, and was recognized in 2008 as the No. 1 office in the United States with his broker-dealer.

“I was pretty successful with Success Financial Group and pretty well-known throughout the industry,” Nash said. “I really felt I was at the top of my game at that point.”

But all of the hard work and long hours that helped lead Nash to his success may have come at a huge expense – his health. In 2009, shortly after Nash had started spending time between Michigan and Arizona, he came down with a mysterious illness. Nash visited a homeopathic doctor and was diagnosed with Lyme disease.

“I was pretty crushed when I got that news,” he said. “But I wanted to tackle this head on, so I immersed myself in Lyme disease research. What I learned wasn’t adding up, and I was getting a strong message from my body saying this was wrong.”

Against the advice of his doctors, he decided to forego the recommended extensive antibiotic treatment, and he embarked on a journey that would change

1/1/12

9:26 AM

Page 4

his life. His search opened new chapters as he traveled across the globe, from Ecuador to Egypt, researching alternative treatments and the power of therapeutic grade essential oils.

“I knew about a holistic clinic in Ecuador having amazing success in eradicating cancer, so my thought was, if they had such positive results with other diseases, maybe they could treat my Lyme disease,” Nash said. “So three weeks later I was on a plane to South America.”

After the doctors examined Nash, they informed him that he was misdiagnosed, and did not have Lyme disease. Instead, he had toxic black mold growing like a cancer inside of him.

“I was shocked,” Nash said. “First, because I didn’t understand how I could be misdiagnosed, and secondly because I didn’t really know what black mold was. It just sounded bad.”

Black mold is associated with poor indoor air quality, and can wreak havoc on your insides and can be fatal. Instead of going through long stages of antibiotic treatment, the Ecuadorian doctors recommended he undergo treatment consisting of therapeutic-grade essential oils through IV therapy. The oil blend consisted of clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, rosemary and frankincense. Frankincense?

“Yes, the same frankincense given to Baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men,” Nash said with a grin. “It was one of the most valuable elements on the planet back then, and as far as I’m concerned, it still is today.”

In May of 2009, after six days of treatment with the oils, there was no sign of black mold in Nash’s body. Subsequent tests confirmed it was completely eradicated.

Nash was literally given a second chance on life. Black mold is a fungus and antibiotics do nothing to kill fungus. He was later told that if he was treated with antibiotics, which was the original recommendation, it would have destroyed his immune system and without any natural defenses, the black

mold would have rapidly overtaken his entire body.

“I felt like I was given a gift and I was so happy to be alive, I wanted to share my experiences with people and give something back,” Nash said. “I just wasn’t quite sure how to do it.”

The following year Nash started to taper his time with his business, and he had moved to Arizona full time. In March of 2010, nearly a year into his recovery, Nash was invited to the pyramids of Egypt for the filming of a documentary about the powers of frankincense.

While on location, Nash was given the rare opportunity to explore the passages of The Great Pyramid, including two meditative chambers, the King’s Chamber and Queen’s Chambers.

“Everyone has their own unique experience inside these chambers,” Nash said. “I experienced the power of the pyramid by way of vibrations. I felt the pyramid’s energy and right then, a moment of clarity struck me to my core.”

That moment of clarity came in the form of four words that kept repeating over and over in his head – Life is worth it. That is when Nash’s new venture took shape, and the day that Life is Worth It, or LiWi, was born.

Nash wants to create an entire LiWi community, providing a forum on its website (www.LiWi.com) to educate and help people live a healthy lifestyle and reach their highest potential — whether that’s in health and fitness, family life or their professional careers. It’s a tall order running a start-up business, and Nash runs into roadblocks everyday as he continues on his journey. But he turned his dream and vision of LiWi into a reality, and he’s not going to stop pursuing that dream anytime soon.

“Life is a journey worth experiencing, and it’s a journey worth sharing,” Nash said. “This is a movement to show the world, one person at a time, that no matter how difficult life becomes, Life is Worth It.” Take it from Gary Nash, he knows from experience. ▲

LiWi story

“...I felt the pyramid’s energy and right then, a moment of clarity struck me to my core.”

▲

46 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

Project2

12/31/11

11:56 AM

Page 1

FoxSportsGirls

1/3/12

4:45 PM

Page 2

FOR THE

Love OF THE Fans FOX Sports Arizona finds new ways to engage fans and expand local sports culture by introducing the FOX Sports Arizona Girls

By Amanda Ventura PHOTO BY GENE LOWER

Arizona got its very own Girls, Danielle Kamela and Mallory Kregle, last July during the Major League Baseball All-Star Fanfest frenzy in Phoenix.

1/3/12

4:45 PM

Page 3

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE SIX-FIGURE GATORADE COMMERCIALS and headlining scandals, sports culture

forgets about the adrenaline-jumping fandom that oils the billion-dollar industrial machine. To many, the body paint, handmade signs, bobble heads and hundreds of dollars worth of collectable memorabilia are quite simply priceless, but shouldn’t be forgotten. FOX Sports Networks intends to restore the connection between sports fans and the teams for the sake of humanizing a billion-dollar industry by recruiting women known as FOX Sports Girls to connect with sports fans.

“The idea behind it is not about deficiency or strength,” said Chris Hannan, FSN’s senior vice president of marketing.

“We’re always trying new things that are going to help us connect to the fans locally. The core of our business is about the passion of local fans and hometown teams.”

The FOX Sports Girls campaign was initiated in the Detroit market during a time — referred to on FOX Sports Detroit as April in the D — when the Pistons, Tigers and Red Wings' seasons overlap and fans in Detroit are overwhelmingly present. It was such a success the network expanded the concept to other markets.

Arizona got its very own Girls, Danielle Kamela and Mallory Kregle, this July during the Major League Baseball All-Star Fanfest frenzy in Phoenix. The girls made their debut getting acquainted with fellow fans at the Phoenix Convention Center. For the last five months, they have continued to make appearances at sporting events ranging from golf tournaments to high school football games and, of course, college and major league events.

“Everyone identifies and connects with their hometown, so it’s been nice to be able to grow up here and be a fan through and through,” Kamela said. “I think other people appreciate the fact we’ve been in Arizona our whole entire lives and that we supported our teams through thick and thin.”

Kregle and Kamela are from Mesa and Scottsdale, respectively, and have spent most of their lives supporting Arizona athletics. Kamela is a former Arizona Cardinals cheerleader and Phoenix Suns dancer, while Kregle grew up with season tickets to the Diamondbacks. These, while not necessarily relatable experiences, are what allow the girls to

be conduits that exist between the boundaries of public figure and fan.

“It’s fun,” Kregle said. “We’ll walk by and people’ll be like, ‘There’s Danielle and Mallory, we see you on TV.’ It’s really exciting for us and hopefully it makes them feel more connected to the teams.”

The Arizona Girls keep busy otherwise. Kamela studies at Arizona State University and Kregle, who recently graduated with a bachelor’s in communication from ASU, works a second job. Their appearances and workload varies week to week, which helps to keep them from being burned out or unable to focus on their other endeavors. It also helps that Kamela and Kregle intend to work in the sports industry after being Sports Girls with FSAZ. “I’ve always loved sports,” Kamela said. “I have three younger brothers and my parents always put us in sports. It’s always been something I loved and I’ve always wanted to work in the sports industry.” “[Being a FOX Sports Arizona Girl] is a great professional opportunity for us,” Kregle said. “It’s a really great way to get connected to the fans and to the industry.”

Social networking and promotion is a huge part of being a FOX Sports Arizona Girl. Their Facebook page has nearly 3,000 fans that the girls try to connect with as soon as they wake up. Sometimes they’ll talk about sports news or just dayto-day activities, such as seeking remedies for a sore throat.

The girls agree the fans are the best part of the job.

“Their ability to impact the community is important to us,” Hannan said. “Right now, every market is doing very well and they’re very well received.”

FOX Sports Girls will continue to support what they love as long as the community embraces them, as gauged by social media engagement, the number of autographed photos and appearances are requested.

With the growing number of FOX Sports Girls already in action and expected to launch in 2012, there’s some friendly competition out there. The Detroit Girls have “set the bar,” Kregle said. But if Detroit’s success — more than 20,000 fans — is any indication of what’s to come for Kamela and Kregle, then the future looks characteristically bright for the Grand Canyon State’s ambassadors. ▲

FoxSportsGirls

mvp_janfeb

1/2/12

4:31 PM

Page 2

▲

azsal mvp Photos by Anthony Casteel

Oriana “Ori” Mendy Age: 23

Hometown: San Francisco Occupation: Student at ASU and model Favorite movie: “Goodfellas.”

I love mob movies!

Favorite music: I’m a very eclectic music fan, so I love everything from Jay Z to Coldplay.

Favorite food: I love steak and sushi.

What do you like about Arizona: I like the friendly people here and the diverse population.

Favorite Arizona Destination: I love going to Sedona for a good hike.

Or even Camelback Mountain to take in a hike and the sunset.

What are your hobbies: I’m an exercise junkie, so I love to go outdoors when the weather is good and just be active.

I also like to go to outdoor concerts.

What was your first modeling gig: At age 6, I was noticed at a fair by a San Francisco talent agency and my first shoot was a catalog for Macy’s.

One tip for a guy trying to get a date with you: The sexiest man to me is Jonah Hill. So obviously, I’m all about a good sense of humor. Be funny!

What inspires you: I was an academic mentor for at risk kids with the Boys & Girls Club. I believe that although you can’t choose where you come from, you can indeed choose where you go in life.

What is your New Year’s resolution: (laughing) I don’t have one, so I won’t let myself down!

HAIR AND MAKEUP: JUANITA KING JEWELRY: SEAA GABRIELLA

▲

50 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

1/2/12

4:31 PM

Page 3

▲

mvp_janfeb

WWW.AZSAL.COM

AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE 51

Golf_Papagos

1/1/12

10:15 AM

Page 2

▲

golf

By Ryan Cooper

Papago’s Still Got Game Redesign of Papago Golf Course Gives New Life to Classic Phoenix Venue

▲ ▲ ▲

GOLF COURSE DETAIL • 18 hole regulation length course • 72 par with four sets of tee boxes from 5,404 yards to 7,333 yards • 75 rating • 130 slope from the back tees • Average weekday price: $50 *Peak Season

• Average weekend price: $65 *Peak Season

• Phoenix card holder discount pricing available • Course design by William F. Bell in 1963 and redesigned in 2008

▲

52 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

IF YOU LIKE PLAYING COURSES that the pros play, Papago Golf Course is a great choice.

The Phoenix LPGA International Presented

by Mirassou was played at Papago Golf Course in 2009. The views of the Valley are spectacular, and the imposing rock peaks of Papago Park provide a pleasant and sometimes needed distraction from the golf.

Centrally located in the Valley, Papago Golf Course is just 5 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Although it's convenient from most locations, it’s not the easiest course to find — even after playing it for 20 years. But even after 20 years of playing Papago, I still return for more.

Papago’s redesigns are a great improvement in quality of course and play.

The practice facility will suit all of your needs. The driving range is long and wide, and there is also a nice chipping green and large putting green with undulation that will match what you play on the course. The greens at Papago are what have always given this course its teeth. The greens are in great shape. They are receptive to approach shots and roll true. Tee boxes are in excellent condition and the sand is well maintained. The rough is a little patchy; ranging from thin to thick lies, but the fairways are consistent and in good condition.

The removal of trees and debris lining the fairways and in waste areas is the best and most noticeable improvement at Papago.

I played a round in 3 1/2 hours on a weekday. In Arizona at the end of October, it’s practically unheard of to finish a round that quickly. The pace of play can be credited to being able to locate and play your ball from the waste areas, if you just so happen to hit an errant shot off target (like me).

Get that driver warmed up at the range because a good tee shot makes all the difference on your scorecard at Papago. All sets of tees lead to an enjoyable day at the course. You want to be hitting the ball long enough so that you have a scoring club in hand or you want to place your tee shot so that your second shot is in a spot to safely land in the middle of the green. Par is a good score on any hole at Papago. Playing from the black tees, you will come across 253 and 243 yard par 3s — which are becoming standard on tour — that can test your scrambling game (even the blue tees are 202 yards and 232 yards).

Birdie opportunities will present themselves on the par 5s and short par 4s with a few good drives. How to chip to the greens can be a challenge in decision making. You will want to think, “Do I fly my ball to the hole

10:15 AM

Page 3

or get it on the carpet as soon as possible?” (a characteristic seen in William F. Bell designs). The greens are great, fun to read, and they roll true. Approach with caution; 3 putts can easily happen at Papago.

Papago golf provides a challenge for any golf game. You will have some of the most beautiful views the Valley has to offer, and the experience of playing a PGA Tour layout. In a nutshell, the staff is extremely friendly, the warm-up area and practice facility are in excellent condition, and the course is in great shape. The clubhouse, however, is still temporary. Papago is a great break from all the desert golf courses that seem to be the “in” place to play. This course has many of the characteristics of a “classic golf course.” Papago has traditional long fairways lined with tall, mature trees and challenging pins placed on rolling greens

with eye-pleasing views of downtown Phoenix, Papago Park, South Mountain and Camelback Mountain. William F. Bell’s design utilizes the natural topography beautifully.

Along with tough greens, he lets the lay of the land challenge the golfer.

4 out of 5 star rating for Papago Golf Course (just needs a clubhouse).

Papago Golf Course 5595 E. Moreland Street Phoenix, AZ 85008 (602) 275-8428 www.papagogolfcourse.net

▲

1/1/12

▲

Golf_Papagos

WWW.AZSAL.COM

AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE 53

GolfGear_JanFeb12

1/1/12

▲

gear guide

10:18 AM

Page 2

GOLF

▲ ▲ ▲

AUR Golf Apparel

▲ ▲ ▲

The AUR 2012 collection features must-haves in a myriad of colors. Best of all, AUR uses environmentally responsible fabrics, like S. Café (made from coffee grounds), E-Tech (derived from bamboo), Cocona (derived from coconut shells), and Carbocool (derived from bamboo charcoal). For men and women, distinctive style, fine quality and an aura of sophistication lends itself nicely to a golf collection that is current and on-the-ball. www.aurgolf.com

Hole In One Golf & White Wine Gift Basket Score a hole in one with Bob's South African Chenin Blanc white wine, gourmet goodies, a golf photo frame and a golf etiquette book, all designed to put you into the swing of things. $29: www.winebasket.com

▲ ▲ ▲

Tour Edge Men's Exotics XCG-4 Driver

▲ ▲ ▲

The new Exotics XCG-4 driver generates faster swing speeds and ball speeds, resulting in some of the longest drives you've ever hit. Available in a 276-gram super-ultra-light and 310-gram ultra-light editions, these turbo-charged drivers are one of the lightest, most aerodynamic drivers in golf. The sleek design and heavily radiused sole allow for a more streamlined, fluid head shape that minimizes drag as the driver cuts through the air. Powered by the game’s most advanced lightweight shafts, the XCG-4 is a true distance weapon off the tee. $329; www.touredge.com

TaylorMade R11 Pure-Lite Stand

The R11 Stand Bag is a streamlined design of larger TaylorMade stand bags, providing the serious golfer with a full array of functional features, a balanced fit for playability, and TaylorMade's iconic R11 branding boldly displayed.

Features a six-way top with new Integrated handle; seven total pockets, including a valuables pocket with internal key/ring clip; insulated beverage sleeve pocket; ventilated ergonomic shoulder straps; full length dividers; and integrated bottom trunk handle. Weighs only 4.9 lbs. $129; www.taylormadegolf.com ▲

54 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

GolfGear_JanFeb12

1/1/12

10:18 AM

▲ ▲ ▲

Adidas TOUR360 ATV

Page 3

Adidas TOUR360 ATV golf shoes offer all-terrain traction. With special technology designed to adapt to the surface you're playing on, you're guaranteed great grip and comfort throughout your game. Exclusive THiNTech Cleat brings the foot closer to the ground and delivers exceptional grip in all conditions. Full-grain leather provides a rich look and feel, as well as superior durability. $179; www.adidasgolf.com

Sunice Glenroy Windshirt

▲ ▲ ▲

Sunice Performance Layers are designed to create the ultimate golf apparel layering system that allows golfers to play at their very best in all weather conditions. Certain weather conditions demand the ultimate protection but it’s not always raining and windy. For early in the season, cool mornings or damp at dawn, when you need an extra layer without the extra bulk or weight, the Glenroy windshirt is a great choice. $85; www.sunice.com

▲ ▲ ▲

Antigua Zealous Golf Shirt

The Antigua Spring ‘12 performance golf fashion collection is fresh, bright, fun and new. This pique and jersey vertical texture stripe short sleeve polo shirt features 100-percent polyester Desert Dry Xtra-Lite D2XL moisture management with three-button placket, contrast cover stitch detail, flat knit collar and open sleeves. $65; www.antigua.com

▲ ▲ ▲

TaylorMade R11 Driver

▲

The TaylorMade R11 driver activates the three dimensions to distance. Flight Control Technology allows you to increase or decrease the launch angle; Adjustable Sole Plate Technology enables you to select an open, closed or neutral face angle; and Movable Weight Technology means you can adjust the face angle to promote a fade or draw. $329; www.taylormadegolf.com WWW.AZSAL.COM

AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE 55

Event_Steampunk

1/3/12

8:31 AM

Page 2

▲

event

By I.R. Hunthausen

Gizmos, Ray Guns and Goggles … Oh My! A closer look at the cultural phenomenon known as Steampunk

▲ ▲ ▲

Fantasy and science fiction fuse with this unique atmosphere and results in astonishing inventions and spectacular adventures...

▲

56 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

WHAT THE DEVIL IS STEAMPUNK? No, it’s not strapping a humidifier on your back and rocking out to The Misfits. Rather, it’s a worldwide cultural phenomenon that’s a visually stunning, retro-Victorian-inspired style that has influenced literature, art, fashion, gaming and film since the 1980s.

Steampunk draws on elements of history and fills in the gaps with speculative fiction. The settings for steampunk are usually The Wild West or Victorian-era England, where steam is still a prominent technology. Fantasy and science fiction fuse with this unique atmosphere and results in astonishing inventions and spectacular adventures, in the vein of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, that beg the question, “What if?” What if analog computers had existed, or time machines really worked?

What if great airship armadas battled if out over the plains of the American west, or marvelous steam machines could take us as far as our imaginations would allow? It would be badass, that’s what.

For three decades the steampunk movement has been relatively underground.

However, movies such as “Wild Wild West,” “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” “Hellboy” and “The Golden Compass,” are just a few examples of steampunk’s influence overflowing into the mainstream.

Just over a year ago, while hanging out at Second Fridays in downtown Mesa, I heard the term steampunk for the first time. It was October’s, “Zombie Night,” and among the hordes of celebrating undead was this guy — wearing a stout derby, a fancy tweed vest, and some corduroy slacks. He seemed a little out of place, but, his costume was eye-catching. He sported this gas mask looking deal on his face, and had a cannon-esque weapon connected to his arm with hoses attached to a massive blinking contraption strapped to his back.

I found out that this, “Time traveling, zombie fighter,” was a shinning manifestation of steampunk — well, maybe not shinning since one of the core aesthetics of steampunk is an antique and dingy vibe.

I went home and did some searching online. That’s where I heard the sounds of Abney Park and Jon Magnificent, two bands that dedicate their sound and style to steampunk. I also found the Arizona Steampunk Society, a group of steampunk enthusiasts who dress up and get into character for meet-ups all across the Valley (www.meetup.com/AZ-Steampunk-Society).

Finally, I visited the now tragically defunct Evermore Nevermore, a shop that specialized in steampunk schwag, to buy a couple books by renowned steampunk authors,

8:31 AM

Page 3

Jeff Vandemeer and Cherie Priest.

So how does one steampunk it up?

Head to your local craft and thrift stores to create your own Victorian chic, devise a wondrous weapons — perhaps a Tesla inspired ray guns or clockwork-esque revolver — and most importantly pick up a top hat and adorn it with a killer set of goggles.

Your best bet at getting a genuine steampunk experience is to attend DarkCon, taking place this January at the Phoenix Marriott Mesa. Since 1995, DarkCon has been the premier fantasy and steampunk convention in the Southwest region. During its four-day run, DarkCon offers an eclectic mix of workshops, gaming, demos, parties, guest appearances and many other special events. This year’s guests will include: critically acclaimed novelist Jacqueline Carey, multi-award winning game designer John Wick, renowned fantasy artist Ruth Thompson and Doug Jones, best known for his roles as Abe Sapien in the “Hellboy” film series, and the title characters in “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer.”

DarkCon kicks off with Circus Bacchus (www.circusbacchus.org), a variety and burlesque show, that will provide a series of acts, including a live band. Throughout the days to come steampunk workshops will be

available. One of DarkCon attendees’ favorite events are “Make-&-Take” classes — you get to keep what you make. A small materials fee will be charged. On Friday night there will be a steampunk-themed party, an ideal spot to show off your latest creations. Expect to see some special displays and revel in the refreshments as well.

The excitement doesn’t just revolve around amazing parties, workshops and special guests. DarkCon is chock-full of high stakes and mad hatting. The Westernthemed Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament goes down Friday evening. Seating is free, but limited to 80 players. There will be professional dealers on hand (who are happy to help teach the greenhorns) and prizes aplenty. High tea is an important part of any steampunk adventure. Enjoy a cup

Sunday afternoon in the company of the Mad Hatter and friends.

With such elaborate themes and fantastic ideas, it’s no wonder steampunk has taken imaginations by storm. With major book titles and recent blockbusters, such as “Cowboys & Aliens” and “Sherlock Holmes,” steampunk is only getting bigger. So tune up your time machine, grab some gizmos and get into it. ▲

1/3/12

DarkCon 2012 • Jan. 12-15 Tickets: $50 for four-day membership.

Attendance is limited to 1,200 Phoenix Marriott Mesa 200 N. Centennial Way, Mesa For more info: www.darkcon.org

▲

Event_Steampunk

WWW.AZSAL.COM

AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE 57

Concert_Sting

1/3/12

8:44 AM

Page 2

▲

concert

By Lynette Carrington Photos by Gene Lower

Sting is Back with Just as Much Buzz Former lead singer for The Police delivers on his “Back to Bass” Tour, which made a stop at Phoenix’s Comerica Theatre

▲ ▲ ▲

Subdued and relatively “basic,” this format really brought home the musical genius that is Sting. ... Not overly produced, yet entirely entertaining, Sting was accompanied by an exceptional five piece band.

▲

58 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

COMERICA THEATRE WELCOMED STING in a rare valley appearance for his ‘Back to Bass’ tour. Regardless if you are a longtime fan of The Police or have just discovered the musical talent of one of the most prolific bass players in the industry, you have to hand it to Sting for staying hip and relevant for four decades and counting.

It struck me as odd that I am 42 years old and just realized I’ve never seen Sting or The Police in concert, given that I consider Sting to be one of the most interesting, talented and gifted musicians and songwriters of the past century. No matter, I was there when Sting buzzed Comerica Theatre for his ‘Back to Bass’ tour. Subdued and relatively “basic,” this format really brought home the musical genius that is Sting. Not overly produced, yet entirely entertaining, Sting was accompanied by an exceptional five piece band. Each of the five musicians was given a chance during the concert to strut his stuff during an extended solo.

Frequent Sting collaborator and guitarist Dominic Miller was an absolute pro and never showboated or attempted to steal his boss’s thunder. In a very cool bit of tour casting that the crowd loved, Dominic’s son, Rufus Miller, did a stellar job on acoustic guitar. Back-up vocalist and

violin player Jo Lawry was exceptional and proved a perfect vocal pairing with Sting.

Drummer Vinnie Colaiuta was also a great addition and, dare I say, a far more versatile drummer than Stuart Copeland (drummer for The Police). Then there was Peter Tickell who played fiddle. It was obvious that he was a musical genius and single-handedly brought the audience to its feet for an ovation. Tickell has recorded with Sting in the past and hopefully, Sting will continue this musical relationship. It was amazing to hear.

Comerica Theatre was completely packed and there was no opening band for Sting. With a minimal set, the crowd was treated several times to short stories and anecdotes from Sting throughout the concert. He hit the stage and immediately launched in to the hit “All This Time” from the 1991 album, The Soul Cages. He then continued with “Magic,” “7 Days,” “Demolition Man” and “I’m So Happy.” The latter was a popular song that has a decidedly country western twang and melody. Sting explained this and said that he always loved westerns like The Magnificent Seven and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Classic westerns definitely had and continue to have a musical presence in his music.

He then moved on to “Hung My Head”

1/3/12

8:44 AM

Page 3

▲

Concert_Sting

WWW.AZSAL.COM

AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE 59

Concert_Sting

1/3/12

8:44 AM

Page 4

▲

concert continued

FAST FACTS

• Sting was born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner.

• Sting is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

• When the Police first banded in 1977, they were considered “New Wave.”

• Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, founded The Rainforest Foundation, an organization working to save rainforests in Central and South America.

• Sting is a playable character in the hit video game, “Guitar Hero World Tour.”

children and his passion for music. What was interesting is that he did not delve into any stories having to do with The Police, their tempestuous relationship or Sting’s occasional foray into acting. His set was varied and incorporated many styles of music, including pop, folk, blues, western, blues and jazz.

He continued with “Ghost Story,” “Heavy Cloud,” “Inside,” “Love is Stronger,” “Hounds of Winter,” “End of the Game” and “Never Coming Home.” The entire show was strong and there are probably 20 more hits that he could have included, such as, “If You Love Someone Set Them Free” and “We’ll Be Together” (both of which were sadly missing at this concert). The crowd simply couldn’t get enough and four songs were performed for encores: “Desert Rose,” “Every Breath You Take,” “Next to You” and an acoustic accompaniment-only performance of “Message in a Bottle.”

Sting is one of those performers who continues to stand the test of time without a gimmick. His music is real and raw.

Comerica Theatre rebranded last year (formerly Dodge Theatre) and continues to bring the best in music, entertainment and comedy to its venue. For additional information on upcoming shows, go to www.livenation.com. ▲

AZSAL

and “Stolen Car.” Stolen Car was an interesting song that followed a car thief that enjoyed the thrill of stealing cars and could “channel” or know what was going on with the car’s owner as he drove the vehicle. In this particular instance, the thief discovers that the owner is having an affair and the mistress likes to go out dancing. It was extremely creative songwriting revealing why Sting is an equally talented songwriter as he is bass player.

Next up was “Driven to Tears,” “Fortress Around Your Heart,” “Fields of Gold” and “Sacred Love.” He said that Sacred Love was about his wife, Trudie Styler. “She healed me. Mended me. Made me whole,” said Sting of Trudie, “And she could f-ing destroy me.” As Sting quipped during his set, most of his songs speak of the things that he loves in life: music, sex and religion.

At various points in the show, Sting spoke fondly of his friends, his wife, his

1/2/12

1:05 PM

Page 1

▲

fractionals

WWW.AZSAL.COM

AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE 61

Travel_ShoreHotel

1/1/12

10:02 AM

Page 2

▲

travel

By Charles Hudson

California Dreaming The ocean, the sun and spectacular views are waiting at Santa Monica’s new Shore Hotel

▲ ▲ ▲

... a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) registered property that offers eco-friendly accommodations with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

SANTA MONICA HAS SOME OF THE MOST DESIRABLE real estate in the country. With its dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean, miles of beaches and coastline, and a warm California vibe, Santa Monica has become the premier destination in Southern California. Finding new and exciting hotel accommodations there, however, can be quite challenging.

Which is why we were so excited to hear the news of the opening of a new boutique hotel on Ocean Avenue, just steps

from the Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade and the city’s popular beaches and shopping districts. Opened in October 2011, Shore Hotel is the newest addition to the scene — a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) registered property that offers eco-friendly accommodations with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. This contemporary hotel provides visitors with the ultimate coastal experience, making it the ideal getaway for any visitor to the Santa Monica area.

“We live in the community and work here and we want to share with our guests what makes Santa Monica such a wonderful place to visit,” says Steve Farzam, CEO of developer Ocean Avenue Management, LCC. “We believe that an exceptional experience at Shore Hotel includes making a real difference with our environmental initiatives.”

Lodging: Combining modern design with stateof-the-art, energy-efficiency, Shore Hotel offers 164 stylishly appointed rooms dressed in shades of turquoise and orange and outfitted with custom-made teak wood furniture. Guest rooms open to furnished balconies with city, ocean or partial ocean views and feature LCD televisions with

10:02 AM

Page 3

premium cable channels, iPod docking stations and laptop-compatible safes. All accommodations provide desks, ergonomic chairs, minibars, coffee/tea makers, complimentary wireless and wired high-speed Internet access, and beds with pillow-top mattresses, triple sheeting and down comforters. The bathrooms feature a unique glass shower facing the ocean with a one-touch privacy screen, plus rainfall showerheads, bathrobes, designer toiletries and makeup/shaving mirrors.

Shore Hotel further extends the surrounding beachside environment indoors with design elements including creamcolored sandstone walls in the lobby and the airy, open reception area, with glass walls looking out at the ocean and native vegetation sprinkled throughout. The look and feel of the hotel is contemporary and comfortable and reflects its spectacular setting.

Environmental sensitivity was considered in the design and building of Shore Hotel, with abundant traces of it found throughout the property. In order to build the hotel, the developer had to level two existing hotels, the Pacific Sands and Travelodge, both of which the company owned. In an effort to conserve the planet’s energy and natural resources, as well as

reduce pollution and negative impacts of waste, Shore Hotel streamlined recycling and salvaging programs — reusing more than 50 percent of all construction waste materials including metals, concrete, stucco, terrazzo, wood and carpet.

Amenities: The open-air, U-shaped design of the main hotel building nestles an outdoor solar-heated pool and patio, which are situated under a distinctive, steel trussed roof. Other amenities at Shore Hotel include a spa tub, 24-hour business center and a concierge desk. Two dining establishments,

including Blue Plate Taco, are scheduled to open in Spring 2012.

Additional features of the property include a four-story underground parking lot with 300 public parking spaces, and superb access to year-round leisure activities in Santa Monica, as well as the city’s famous beaches. ▲

1/1/12

Shore Hotel 1515 Ocean Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90401 (866) 599-6674 www.shorehotel.com ▲

Travel_ShoreHotel

WWW.AZSAL.COM

AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE 63

Theater_AZThCo_God

1/3/12

8:29 AM

Page 2

▲

theater

By Lynette Carrington

Splendid Descent into Mayhem ‘God of Carnage’ reveals what lies beneath

▲ ▲ ▲

... I must say there were a few very original and unusual things that occurred as a part of the production, including the unusual depiction of various projectiles.

▲

64 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

EVERY THEATRICAL SEASON at Arizona Theatre Company, there is always one production that gets everyone’s tongues wagging. This season, it is “God of Carnage.”

The 2009 Tony Award winner for Best Play is revealing, to say the least.

The play started off tamely enough with two sets of parents trying to come to terms (and grips) with a brawl involving their sons. When one boy uses a stick and hits the other boy in the face causing the latter to lose a tooth among other injuries,

the parents are nearly at a settlement when they detour in to a hilarious impasse.

The entire play took place on one set with only four actors. Each role was rich, vibrant, sad, fun and physically and emotionally demanding of each actor. I certainly would never give away the best parts, but I must say there were a few very original and unusual things that occurred as a part of the production, including the unique depiction of various projectiles.

Co-starring in “God of Carnage” was Bob Sorenson as uptight Michael Novak, whose home plays host to the entire play.

Then there was on-stage wife Veronica Novak as portrayed by Amy Resnick. As a couple, they played well off each other and possibly seemed to be the more reasonable duo of the two who were just trying to get past the ordeal that damaged their son.

The couple of the offending child is played

by Ben Evett as high-strung businessman Alan Raleigh and his wife Annette Raleigh, played by Joey Parsons. Among our group of friends and colleagues, we all agreed that Joey Parsons absolutely owned the stage with her mood swings and character portrayal that went from nonchalant to out of control.

Although negotiations break down several times in the first half of the play and

Theater_AZThCo_God

1/3/12

AZSAL

8:29 AM

Page 3

FAST FACTS

• French Playwright and Novelist Yasmin Reza has had her works translated in to thirty-five different languages.

• “God of Carnage” was adapted in to a current film, directed

by Roman Polanski. So far, that film has garnered Golden Globe nominations for Actresses Jodie Foster and Kate Winslet.

• Actor Benjamin Evett (Alan Raleigh) made his Arizona Theatre Company debut in “God of Carnage” and is also the Founding Artistic Director of the Actors’ Shakespeare Project in Boston.

• The 2011-2012 season marks Artist Director, David Ira Goldstein’s twentieth year in that position with Arizona Theatre Company.

• Arizona Theatre Company calls Herberger Theater Center home while performing in Phoenix and Temple of Music and Art when in Tucson.

tor of “Les Miserables,” with music and lyrics

by Paul Gordon, composer of “Jane Eyre,” the romantic musical follows a young girl’s Cinderalla-esque journey as she moves in to womanhood. The young woman is offered a college education on the condition that the benefactor remains anonymous and she must write to the generous man who will never respond. The family friendly musical runs Dec. 29th through Jan. 15. The remainder of the season includes “Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps,” “The Great Gatsby” and “Red.” For season or single tickets, visit www.ArizonaTheatre.org or call (602) 256-6995. ▲

ture, wigs, sound, scene painting and special effects.

The play ran without intermission, which was the best decision, so as to not break the flow of the action. As the two couples squabble, bicker and banter, their alcohol-fueled meltdowns become even more hilarious and outrageous. In the end, the two couples lay exhausted from the outpouring of the evening and sit as a testament to the caveman in all of us. In life, no matter what we each look like or reflect on the surface, it always comes down to the most primal emotions in all of us.

The next play at Arizona Theatre Company is “Daddy Long Legs.” Created by John Caird, the Tony Award-winning direc-

▲

the Raleighs attempt to leave the Novak’s home, they are somehow drawn back into the fray. As they run through a gamut of emotions: guilt, love, regret, responsibility, integrity, lust and selfishness, the drinking begins innocently enough and then the complete meltdown begins.

“God of Carnage” was penned by French Playwright Yasmina Reza (who writes in French). The play originated in France, was adapted for the London stage and then the script was “Americanized” with a Brooklyn edge by Christopher Hampton.

The Arizona Theatre Company version was brilliantly directed by Rick Lombardo and its production staff was responsible for lighting, scenic construction, props, furni-

WWW.AZSAL.COM

AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE 65

Wheels_volt

1/1/12

10:25 AM

Page 2

▲

wheels

By I.R. Hunthausen

An Electromotive Force of the Future The truly unique Volt makes hybrids look like hoopties with its state-of-the-art look, feel and technology

▲ ▲ ▲

...a car that can take the Corvette off the line — a car that can go a lifetime without needing a drop of fuel ... the 2012 Chevy Volt, here to blow your mind.

▲

66 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

FREEWAY CHEVROLET IS GOING THROUGH A BIT OF A RE-MODEL. Everything is being shifted around and opened up to make the showroom more buyer friendly. These guys don’t mess around when it comes to getting the customer what they want. Why else would they have a consistently fresh inventory featuring Chevy’s sickest rides.

Get this, Freeway has a car that can take the Corvette off the line — a car that can go a lifetime without needing a drop of fuel — and glides along the street like an eagle stealthfully cruising the skies. So what do they call this sexy mash up of aesthetics and technology? Ladies and gentlemen, the 2012 Chevy Volt, here to blow your mind.

Four years ago the Volt concept car was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show. It was the first of its kind, a series plug-in hybrid shown by a major manufacturer. While Volt capitalizes on lithium-ion battery technology as its primary source of power, don’t let the term hybrid fool you, Volt is truly one of a kind. Unlike “hybrids” that rely on secondary internal combustion engines to carry them after their battery dies, Volt utilizes a very small gasoline generator — not motor — to recharge its electric engine. “Unlike [other

hybrids], which can get 100 miles per charge, [Volt] can go as far as you want, as long as you can keep finding gas to put in the generator,” Freeway’s representative told me.

Between 2007 and 2011 there was plenty of naysaying. Critics simply didn’t want to believe a vehicle could run on electric power only and not have a mechanical connection between a gas motor and its powertrain. Well, shame on their lack of imagination.

Sure, I had seen pictures of the Volt, but when I saw it in person, I was floored by its aesthetic appeal. Its Cadillac white exterior had a slick black trim just below the windows that ran the length of the car.

Look out, the Volt has some seriously sharp lines, blending purpose and poise brilliantly — exemplified by Volt’s narrow and sleek font end. The front air-dam, which is aerodynamically designed for maximum power efficiency, gives the car a very low profile to the ground.

The Volt’s grill is designed specifically to improve airflow around the car. By fusing what would be the grill on conventional cars into one solid piece of material, engineers were able to cut drag drastically. Volt has no radiator, so no airflow through the front is needed.

1/1/12

10:25 AM

Page 3

Inside, the Volt is so quiet that the air conditioning seemed loud. There was virtually no noise inside the cab when driving.

“People complain more about road noise bleeding in because [Volt] is so quiet,” said my Freeway Chevrolet rep. The first thing I noticed was the state-of-the-art dash. There are two large LCD screens that run the show. Between the wheel is an information screen that shows the driver everything from battery life, real-time tire pressure, energy consumption — you name it this screen has got it. The second screen is touch sensitive and is where I could change the climate controls, audio, drive mode (there are three to choose from), view the back-up cam, and adjust battery charge time. These two screens are constantly giving feedback based on a driver's particular style.

By far the coolest feature I was able to play with on screen was the power efficiency meter. Efficiency is represented by an animated ball that floats up and down between two gauged lines. When the ball is in the center of the screen, the car is running at full efficiency. If the ball rises it turns yellow and represents less optimal acceleration with respect to power usage.

When I braked the ball would fall, also turning yellow, letting me know I was braking too hard. That’s right, even the brakes are electric rather than hydraulic. They are magnetic and powered by the Volt’s electric battery.

I had to ask, “Does an electric car, still have a battery?” It sure does. Volt has a typical car battery in the rear, used for jumps in case the motor fails.

On average a Volt costs its owner $1.50

a day to charge. This charge will take drivers an EPA estimated 35 [gas free] miles. The typical 120V outlet, like the one your microwave is plugged into, will charge the Volt in 10 hours. The 240V kits are available and charge to completion in about four hours.

Volt owners can even download an app for their smart phones that allows them to remotely verify that the car is plugged in and even schedule future charging times. To take advantage of peak hours of electricity use, drivers can program their Volt when to charge. They can also receive text messages telling them when the car is charged or if the charge is interrupted. If that wasn’t enough, service appointments can be made online through the myChevrolet app, as well as parking spot reminders. Welcome to the Volt-age.

▲

Wheels_volt

WWW.AZSAL.COM

AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE 67

Wheels_volt

1/1/12

10:25 AM

Page 4

▲

wheels continued

FAST FACTS

• The Volt has received multiple awards including, 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year.

• The Cadillac Converj is a plugin hybrid concept car that incorporates the propulsion system from the Chevy Volt, including the battery pack and the Voltec powertrain.

• The 2012 Volt will have a total of seven option packages while the 2011 model had only three (LS, LT, LTZ).

• Due to significant noise reduction traveling in allelectric mode at low speeds, General Motors equipped the Volt with an electronic warning sound system to alert the blind and other pedestrians to the car's presence.

• The EPA officially rated the 2011 Volt's combined city/ highway fuel economy in allelectric mode equivalent to 93 miles per gallon.

• General Motors' Vice Chairman Robert Lutz has said that the Tesla Motors’ Roadster inspired him to push the carmaker to develop the Volt after the 2006 Detroit Auto Show.

used to. I literally laughed out loud when I had to pump a lever to raise my seat. The reason for these kick back technologies was to cut even more unnecessary weight.

Most of my drive, I utilized Volt’s, “Sport” mode. As you can imagine, this mode tightens up the suspension and improves acceleration — at the cost of utilizing power. "Everything you use in the [Volt] you’re using power. If you’re using the air-conditioning you’re using power and you can see how much,” Freeway’s rep showed me on the information touch screen where percentage power use for the various features in the car are displayed. The third drive mode is, “Mountain” mode, which utilized torque and gearing to make transitions from uphill, to down, and back easier.

What’s next, 3D driver info displays, voice activated controls? Probably. I say, embrace the wave of the future and ride it, just don’t looked shocked when people look back and refer to the Volt as the car that changed the game entirely. ▲

AZSAL

How does Volt take Corvette off the line? With instant torque at the moment the right foot presses down on the accelerator. Without a traditional transmission, the Volt’s 237 foot pounds of low end torque has nowhere to go but the tires. This is what gives Volt its electrifying feel of exhilaration even though it packs an electric propulsion system. It’s even possible to zip around at 80 mph — AZSAL, by the way, asks you to please drive responsibly.

Like an adventurer about to take on Everest, Chevy’s Volt didn’t hold back when cutting weight to maximize power efficiency — Volt, however, spared no expense. The Bose Energy Series speaker system pumps out the jams through seven speakers that are 30 percent smaller, 40 percent lighter, and use 50 percent less energy than comparable Bose systems. Despite all this amazing technology, when I went to adjust the seat I was blasted back to the past. The seats move forward and back on a manpowered, rail — like my old 1997 Malibu seat

Project1

1/2/12

5:10 PM

Page 1

FitTrim_performance

1/2/12

12:36 PM

Page 2

▲

fit&trim

By Dr. Sasson E. Moulavi, M.D.

Peak Performance Athletes can attain better results by keeping their weight in check

▲ ▲

FOR AN ATHLETE, losing weight and reducing body fat can mean the difference between finishing first or finishing last. The advantage comes from increasing your power-to-weight ratio; meaning the amount of power you are able to generate relative to your weight in pounds.

What’s the best way for an athlete to lose weight? One study compared eating less to exercising more to see which was more effective in dropping excess body fat. A 1,000 calorie-per-day deficit was promoted by either exercising more, while maintaining their caloric intake, or by eating less and exercising the same amount. The group of athletes that increased its physical activity lost an average of 1.67 pounds, while the group that decreased calories lost an average of 4.75 pounds. So, it appears restricting caloric intake has the greater weight loss — but is that really what an athlete wants to achieve? By reducing their food intake, these athletes also lost a greater percentage of muscle mass compared to the group that increased its workout load. Although the scales indicated they lost weight, the athletes also lost power. Therefore, their powerto-weight ratios will negatively affect their performance.

This brings us to the question and concern; how can an athlete reduce calories but maintain muscle mass? First

▲

70 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

of all, the time to implement your weight loss regime is during the off-season, when training demands are less and you are not competing. To lose weight while you are strenuously training is simply not productive for your performance and health. If you are not reaching your energy needs, your carbohydrate intake is then compromised to restore glycogen fuel reserves on a daily basis. This can lead to chronic fatigue, poor training and ultimately, poor performance. Eventually, your immune system will begin to shut down; making you more vulnerable to colds and flu.

Unfortunately, athletes are under immense pressure to be at a certain weight for certain sports. To lose weight quickly, they will skip meals, or take diet pills or laxatives. Intentional dehydration and vomiting are also drastic measures desperate athletes may take. There are even some reports of wrestlers who have their blood removed by IV prior to weighin. For women, dramatic measures may adversely affect their menstrual cycle, and for younger athletes, hinder their growth. Over time, dietary restrictions can impact the endocrine system; the function of muscles and bone density. A poor diet can also impair thyroid function, lower metabolism, decrease hormone production and suppress the immune system.

There are three main components for losing fat and keeping lean muscle mass healthy: control your caloric intake,

do aerobic exercise (to burn mostly body fat), and do some resistance training (to maintain muscle). This program will create a 500-750 calorie-per-day deficit, which is perfect for weight loss. A safe weight loss goal is 1 to 2 pounds per week.

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy your body uses during exercise.

The amount you need depends on your sex, age, caloric needs and sport.

Basically, 6-10 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight is a general recommendation. Protein builds and repairs muscles. Endurance athletes need about 1.2-1.4 g/kg per day and for strength training, 1.6-1.7 g/kg per day. Fat provides energy. You need a minimum of 20 percent to 35 percent of your total calories to come from healthy fats, such as, olive oil, nuts, seeds, nut butters and avocado.

As an athlete, probably the most difficult component of this plan is how to cut back on calories. The following strategies will definitely help you successfully reach your goals.

... the time to implement your weight loss regime is during the off-season, when training demands are less and you are not competing.

1/2/12

12:36 PM

Page 3

• Don’t skip meals — especially breakfast. If your body is short on calories due to fasting, your body will adapt by reducing your metabolic rate. Don’t fast; don’t skip meals! Eat smaller portions more frequently.

• Eating a protein rich breakfast gets your day started on the right track.

• Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy. This applies to milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.

• Watch the added fats! Fat calories add up. Always have dressings, gravies, sauces on the side so you can control how much you are consuming. With this said, keep in mind, healthy fats are important to include in your diet.

Enjoy nuts, nut butters, seeds, olive oil, avocado and ground flax seeds… but in limited quantities.

• Eliminate beverages and foods that are high in sugar and fat. Some examples include fruit juice, soda, sweetened coffee drinks, fruit smoothies, chips, fried foods, cakes, mayonnaise, fast food, pizza, alcohol, etc.

• Eat foods high in fiber. Enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain foods and beans and lentils.

• Begin your meals with soup, salad or vegetables. These foods are filling so you will ultimately consume fewer calories.

• Don’t reduce your protein when reducing calories. This is key to maintaining your muscle mass.

• Read food labels. Avoid calorically dense, high fat, high sugar, high sodium or over- processed products.

• Drink plenty of water. Your urine should be clear or straw colored (very pale yellow).

• Pay attention to your body. Do not stuff yourself. This is why you are to eat smaller portions throughout the day. By eating every 2-3 hours, you are preventing two extremes. You are preventing yourself from starving and you are also preventing yourself from stuffing. A hungry person overeats. By eating often, you will not starve and, therefore, not overeat.

• Avoid mindless eating. Don’t eat from containers or packages. Don’t eat watching television, working on a computer, playing video games, talk-

ing on the telephone, etc. Focus and enjoy your food. Eat slowly.

• Total denial does not work long-term.

If there is something you must have, just have less of it and less often.

• Do not train or go to the gym on an empty stomach. You will simply push through your workout. Once you get home, you will need to refuel and will consume extra calories from poor food choices.

• Aside from water, you must eat an ideal source of protein within 30 minutes post workout to help build lean muscle.

▲

FitTrim_performance

WWW.AZSAL.COM

AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE 71

FitTrim_performance

1/2/12

12:36 PM

Page 4

▲

fit&trim continued

1

Protein bars are the easiest, fastest and most portable way to do this. The problem with most bars is they tend to be very high in calories, fat and sugar and too low in protein. When looking for protein bars, it is very important to have a 10:1 ratio of calories to protein to assure you are consuming substantial nutrition after your workout.

Whether you are trying to lose weight for your sport or you want to look good at the beach, some people will stop at nothing to achieve a certain weight, no matter what the consequence. Whatever your reason, lose weight the right way which is under the supervision of a doctor, nutritionist and coach. In addition to continued peak performance, you will live a long, healthy life. Don’t let short-term goals overshadow long-term benefits.

Dr. Sasson E. Moulavi (Dr. Sass) is the medical director of Smart for Life Weight Management Centers (www.smartforlife.com) in Boca Raton, Fla., and is a graduate of the University of Toronto where he earned the doctor of

▲

medicine degree. He completed post-graduate training at McGill University in Canada.

▲

72 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

AZSAL RECOMMENDED FIT & TRIM PRODUCTS 1 SUPREME 90 DAY DVD Supreme 90 Day includes 10 workout DVDs as well as a meal plan. The workout portion of the program is designed to target a different area of the body, six days a week, 30 minutes each day, and the only equipment necessary is weights. The meal plan consists of suggested meals to follow, as well as, easy-to-follow recipes and foods that most people have in their pantries. $19.99; www.Supreme90Day.com

2

2 VITAL GREEN PLUS Vital Green Plus is a super green, nutraceutical superfood containing more than 50 fruits, vegetables, and phytonutrients.

Vital Green provides cells with vital nutrients, antioxidants, and many nutrients that your body needs to perform at peak efficiency. $39.95; www.firstfitness.com 3 TRUE LEMON Many people find replacing sugary beverages with water and True Lemon helps reduce their caloric intake, which can lead to weight loss. Also, fitness expert Jackie Warner said on NBC's Today Show, "Water with lemon juice is important every day …

It boosts [your metabolism] big time. You can burn 100 calories a day by drinking three liters of water with that lemon juice."

True Lemon is a convenient, natural substitute for fresh lemon juice. $4.99; www.truelemon.com 4 HCG PLATINUM COMPLETE STARTER KIT The HCG Platinum Starter Kit is formulated and designed to provide maximum weight loss results. HCG Platinum’s bestselling X-30 is the signature formula that makes weight loss possible, and the Meal Replacement makes dieting convenient and tasty. This system aids dieters with maintaining weight following the diet, and also helps with energy. The colon 4 cleanse works to regulate the digestive system and B12 + Potassium provides energy and diet support.

Watch and measure your weight loss with the Platinum Starter Kit. $159; www.hcgplatinum.com

3

Project2

12/31/11

11:59 AM

Page 1

Health_skinCare

1/1/12

10:30 AM

Page 2

▲

health&body

By Scott-Vincent Borba

The Skinny on Beautiful Skin Beautiful and healthy skin require more than mere skin-deep measures; Here are 5 Essentials

▲ ▲ ▲

There are certain natural ingredients, or “superfoods” as they are called, that feed skin from the inside out; achieving results both topically and through diet.

▲

74 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

EVERYONE’S SKIN IS DIFFERENT

even juices, some of the other ingredients

with its own unique challenges, but there are basically “5 essentials for healthy skin” that everyone should consider when trying to achieve their most youthful and radiant skin.

My philosophy on skin that I practice both personally and with clients — whether they’re A-list celebrities or women and men that I meet as I travel the country — is about an “inside out” approach that works to create the skin health everyone wants to achieve. There are certain natural ingredients, or “superfoods” as they are called, that feed skin from the inside out; achieving results both topically and through diet.

You’ve probably heard of some of these miracle ingredients. One of the most popular right now is acai, a small blueberrylike fruit. I have been using acai for years now as it is an incredible ingredient with strong antioxidant properties. Native to Central and South America, it helps the body fight off free-radical attacks — which is what destroys cells — and it helps combat many skin issues from aging to acne-prone conditions to sensitivity.

In addition to acai, which you can now find in supplements, beautyceuticals, and

I strongly recommend for healthy skin are certain vitamins: C, E, B3, B6, B12 and biotin.

All of these can be found in a good quality multivitamin. I prefer gel capsules as they are more readily absorbed into the body.

And, of course, I am a big fan of fish oils, which are great for increasing the overall health of skin, hair and nails. Fish oils can also help with free radical reduction and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. The best fish to eat are trout, herring, sardines, tilapia, mackerel and salmon.

The second essential for achieving healthy skin is to know your skin “type.”

Most problem skin falls into five major categories: acne-prone, sensitive, aging, cellulite and skin-in-transition. Being in tune with your skin type, and catering to it, will help address skin issues and delay, or even stop future damage. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, make sure you’re using oilfree hydration. If aging is a concern, look for ingredients that accelerate cellular turnover, enhance collagen production, hydrate, nourish and restructure the skin.

My third recommendation is to embrace products that refine and increase cell turnover. Depending on skin type, you’ll want to choose the right ingredient from

10:30 AM

Page 3

AHA, BHA, salicylic acid, retinol and glycolic acid. The key is to find the right percentage content for your skin type. These are easily found at the top of the ingredient list on every product label. So, when buying a new product, make sure you read the label and consult with your doctor or esthetician on what is best for you.

Next, do a clean sweep of all the products and tools that are in your bathroom. These can be causing some of the skin challenges you are trying so hard to avoid. I strongly recommend regularly cleaning bacteria-bearing brushes at least weekly. A thorough sanitizing every three uses is necessary to clean away dirt and oils embedded within the bristles. If you don’t disinfect your brushes, you are transferring

germs and bacteria back onto skin and then back into your makeup or skin care products. Use an antibacterial soap, professional brush cleaner, hand sanitizer or mixture of tea tree oil and water.

Lastly, I can’t stress enough the importance of SPF protection — it’s vital for protecting skin from sun damage and aging skin. Every day, no matter the season, you really need to use sun protection and it’s so easy to do. Some of my favorite skin care and cosmetics feature SPF right in the formulations. If not already in the formula, you can squirt a few drops of pure SPF protection in the form of a lightweight gel or lotion directly into your favorite products — from foundation to concealer. You want to use broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection in

a non-comedogenic, lightweight formulation to protect against sun damage and premature aging. ▲

1/1/12

About Scott-Vincent Borba Beauty visionary, celebrity aesthetician, author and the creative force behind the BORBA brand, Scott-Vincent Borba never takes the ordinary approach toward beauty. His unconventional attitude toward skin care, confections, beverages and wellness has led to the birth of new categories, including nutraceuticals and beauticeuticals that are literally changing the skin care landscape as we know it. His knowledge of rare ingredients, skin’s functionality and marketing foresight has made Borba a best-selling brand at both prestige and masstige retailers nationwide.

▲

Health_skinCare

WWW.AZSAL.COM

AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE 75

Health_skinCare

1/1/12

10:30 AM

Page 4

▲

health&body continued

RECOMMENDED AZSAL SKINCARE PRODUCTS

3 2 4

▲

76 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

3 SOMME INSTITUTE DOUBLE DEFENSE is a lightweight, non-comedogenic and waterresistant sun protection lotion with SPF 30+.

Ideal for all skin types, this “double defense” lotion provides UVA/UVB protection to shield skin from further damage. Aloe heals and hydrates the skin. $48; www. SommeInstitute.com 4 Recent research names Omega-3 as an essential element in our diet. A daily dose of Omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to lower blood pressure, boost immune function and improve the health of skin. The problem, however, is that Omega-3's most common dietary source, fish, can contain harmful pollutants like mercury and Omega-6. BORBA’S SMART & SEXY OMEGA-3 BURSTS provides all the benefits of Omega-3 plus the superfood Guanabana, without having to swallow a pill or deal with an unpleasant aftertaste. $14.95; www.borba.com ▲

1

▲

2 Long, extra hot showers are a no-no for the winter, especially when mixed with harsh soaps that deplete natural moisture in the skin. In addition to turning down the heat, try SUKI VELVET MOISTURIZING CREAM, a deep hydrating aromatherapeutic hand and body moisturizer. Enriched with shea and cocoa butter, it smoothes away dryness, soothes redness, irritation and discomfort while creating soft, smooth and sensuous skin all over. $26.95; www.sukiskincare.com ▲

▲

1 THERAPY SYSTEMS RETINOL CELLULAR TREATMENT CREAM/PM is a powerful antiaging night time retinol treatment cream that helps repair damaged skin cells and protects against future aggression.

Formulated with the added booster of glycolic acid to exfoliate and retexturize the skin, the results are immediate. $68; www.TherapySystems.com

Project2

12/31/11

11:40 AM

Page 1

Fashion_AnnTaylor

1/3/12

8:30 AM

Page 2

▲

fashion

By Lynette Carrington

2012 Fashion Preview Ann Taylor springs forward with some modern designs

▲ ▲ ▲

“Timeless looks are given a modern twist with bursts of vivid color and structured silhouettes are softened with delicate pretty prints.”

1

▲

78 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

FASHION TRENDS COME AND GO. So do a lot of fashion houses and clothiers.

Few labels have been able to successfully stand the test of time, but Ann Taylor remains strong in its domination of sleek, smart and savvy clothing. Since 1954, Ann Taylor has strategically grown its brand from its first store in New Haven Conn., to the nationally recognized brand it is today.

This spring, Ann Taylor brings out beautiful looks for the warmer temperatures and some unique ensemble pieces.

Spring is a time when most women lighten up their clothing choices, 2 toss in some new color and add key pieces to their wardrobe.

“The spring line for Ann Taylor is all about pairing fashion with wear-to-work style,” said Arlena Pordoy, Ann Taylor’s public relations manager, “Timeless looks are given a modern twist with bursts of vivid color and structured silhouettes are softened with delicate pretty prints.”

The color palette is varied and the spring line includes timeless neutrals paired with vibrant colors, as in

the case of the Colorblock Sheath Dress1 in a neutral color family, yet trimmed with a shock of tangerine. (Of note, Pantone Color Institute, a world-renowned color authority has named Tangerine Tango the color of 2012.) Spring is the time to try something in orange. The Promenade Coat2 is an excellent choice to doff the drabness of winter and ring in spring with a coat that works equally well over warm leggings or with a neutral or dark dress.

Modern graphics are also seen as is in the very bold Geometric Shift Dress3 (that could easily make the leap in to a fall wardrobe). The entire dress is a statement and needs nothing more than a smart pair of pumps and minimal jewelry. Another dress that encompasses two very different textures is the Modern Lace Sheath Dress that is part floral-style lace with a sheer, cinched over drape that adds an extra feminine touch to the dress.

Accessories for Spring run the gamut from '80s throwbacks to edgy, modern pieces. Some selections from the Ann Taylor line include wooden accessories, leather wristlets, patent strappy sandals and sparkly earrings. “…..Skinny leather belts in neon (colors) add a fun pop of color to any outfit,” noted Pordoy. (See

Fashion_AnnTaylor

1/3/12

8:30 AM

Page 3

3

framed images, jewelry vitrines and fashion books round out the displays and lend to a richer shopping experience.

“At Ann Inc. we share a profound commitment to our clients," said Kay Krill, president and CEO of Ann Inc. "For more than half a century we have evolved with the needs of real women who live full, active lives. Our values are her values. We understand that a woman expresses herself through what she wears-at work, at home and at play.” Ann Taylor has more than 265 stores across the United States.

To learn more about Ann Taylor and see additional wardrobe and accessories, visit ▲

Recently, Ann Taylor introduced a new concept store at Chandler Fashion Center.

“Designed in partnership with S. Russell Groves architects, the new Ann Taylor boutiques are inspired by a stylish, modern, contemporary home and provide a more intimate shopping experience that is chic, warm and inviting,” Pordoy explained. The store brings a residential influence highlighted with white-washed maple hardwood floors, modern, tufted furniture, luxurious crystal chandeliers and sleek, feminine fixtures inspired by the ultimate closet.

Special wardrobe niches offer strong fashion “vignettes” and a broader product assortment compared to other Ann Taylor locations. Unique décor items such as

www.AnnTaylor.com.

▲

the Perfect Skinny Neon Belt.) And the Riley Patent Strappy sandals in vibrant chartreuse will add a sassy kick to a spring dress or a smart-looking suit.

The Graphic Topper is another statement piece for spring and bridges the gap from the cold weather to warmer temps. It would look equally as sharp with leggings or a pencil skirt. For a tried-and-true style for Spring pants, the Compact Double Weave Crop Pant pairs with a cute jacket or a billowy shirt and minimal accessories. “Ann Taylor defines what it means to be chic, smart and sophisticated,” said Pordoy.

“Always relevant, always stylish, Ann Taylor offers beautiful, refined fashion designed for how women live today.”

WWW.AZSAL.COM

AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE 79

Fashion_AnnTaylor

1/3/12

8:30 AM

Page 4

▲

fashion continued

STYLE STALKERS (www.StyleStalkersBlog.com) “Bringing Out the Best Style in You” COLOR BLOCKING

“This Spring, sophistication is heating up and looking a bit more modern with hints of vibrant colors with sultry ruffles,” said Style Stalkers’ Founder Ketonya Bankston, “Don’t be afraid to wear color this Spring.

Wear bold colors and use neutral accessories and accent pieces to tie-in and complete your look.”

MINIMALISM

“The look of Minimalism (is) at its best while working with soft color palettes. (This) allows for more options of mixing and matching what’s already in your closet with newer pieces added to your wardrobe,” Bankston explained, “Allow your accessories to take center stage. In doing so, you become the belle of the ball.”

SEAA GABRIELLA JEWELRY www.seaagabriella.com JEWELRY FOR ANY MOOD

Seaa Gabriella Jewelry is the finishing touch to any ensemble.

Owner Seaa Gabriella takes into account today’s modern woman.

“One day, I might feel like dressing very romantically, the next day I might be in a casual mood,” says Seaa Gabriella, “My jewelry often reflects these different mood styles.”

PIECES OF INSPIRATION

Gabriella brings a flare for originality and a pinch of inspiration to her designs. She searches for a certain bead or a particular color of glass to complete her pieces. “I hold it up and study it; and if it somehow moves me, that is when I know that piece must be brought to life and made into one of my creations,” said Gabriella.

▲

80 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE

JAN/FEB 2012

Project2

12/31/11

11:53 AM

Page 1

Project2

12/31/11

12:01 PM

Page 1

Project2

12/31/11

11:36 AM

Page 1

Project2

12/31/11

11:51 AM

Page 1