th PhoenixNor

MAYOR GALLEGO WRITES...

By Mayor Kate Gallego Over the past several months, Phoenix’s Water Department has examined ways to transfer water to North Phoenix from an existing water treatment facility to help lessen dependency on an increasingly uncertain Colorado River water supply. The most direct route brought a new pipeline through Dreamy Draw Park. The neighbors surrounding the park voiced concerns about what this pipeline could mean for the park’s eco-system.

The city took these concerns as an opportunity to bring the plans back to the drawing board and re-examine every possible route. During this process, the city approached ADOT about purchasing land directly parallel to SR-51 that would allow the pipeline to be safely constructed while keeping the park largely undisturbed. The City Council voted unanimously to approve the MOU with ADOT to purchase this land and move the plan forward. This project was successful because of collaborative work between the city, members of the state legislature, state agencies and, most importantly, engaged neighborhood groups. We know that water security is a key component of our city’s long-term success and that the infrastructure needed to ensure this future must be put in place before the need arises. This pipeline route allows us to take a sustainable approach to investment in our long-term water security.

At a time when political division seems to seep into every conversation, the City of Phoenix is working across party and agency lines to get things done. Water security is extremely important for a desert city like Phoenix, and the city’s success depends on securing proper water infrastructure across the Valley.

As the fifth largest and fastest growing city, we must continually think innovatively and collaboratively to meet the challenging demands of our growing infrastructure needs. MAYOR City of Phoenix 602.262.7111 www.phoenix.gov

Film Festival Features Seven Short Films By and About Women Ballet After Dark

Xmas Cake — This American Shelf-Life

Lady Parts By Susan Kricun

LUNAFEST, the fundraising film festival dedicated to championing women filmmakers and bringing women together in their communities, will be hosted by Soroptimist International of Phoenix (www.siphx.org) for its fifth consecutive year at Madison Center for the Arts in Phoenix Sunday, March 15. This unique film festival highlights women as leaders in society, illustrated through seven short films by women filmmakers. The films range from animation to fictional drama, and cover topics such as women’s health, body image, relationships, cultural diversity and breaking barriers.

All proceeds from the festival (www.lunafest.org) will benefit local nonprofit, Soroptimist International of Phoenix, whose mission is to empower women and girls by providing access to, and support of their educational objectives, and Chicken & Egg Pictures, a nonprofit organization that supports women nonfiction filmmakers whose artful and innovative storytelling catalyzes social change.

Thus far, LUNAFEST, which is created and funded by LUNA®, The Whole Nutrition Bar, has raised more than $5 million for nonprofit organizations across the U.S. and Canada.

Tickets are now on sale now for the one-time event, Sunday, March 15. There is an informal reception beginning at 4pm and the showing of the seven short films at 5pm at Madison Center for the Arts, 5601 North 16th Street, Phoenix. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased at www.lunafest.org/screenings/ phoenix-az-031520.

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Desert Ridge To Host Plein Air Painting Festival

Contemporary plein air artists capture moments in time that reflect the ever-changing colors, light and shadows, temperature and shifting elements. This art form requires stamina, focus and the ability to be completely absorbed in their work regardless of their surroundings. Presented by Desert Ridge Marketplace and Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA), the 2020 Desert Ridge Plein Air Painting Festival provides a unique opportunity for artists to create original painted artworks live and in the open air, capturing the essence of a vibrant retail and community space while inviting shoppers to experience the sight, sound and even texture of the outdoor painting process. Additional activities include a Youth Plein Air competition, free painting activities for kids, onstage drawing and painting workshops and an auction of previous festival paintings.

As a core Business and Arts Integration method, the Desert Ridge Plein Air Festival festival provides unique opportunities for community-driven creative experiences in public spaces. SAACA supports this unique arts approach to expand opportunities for local artists to exhibit, develop and showcase their craft in the community while simultaneously giving youth and emerging artists the opportunity to participate in the arts in a new way.

Desert Ridge Marketplace is located at 21001 North Tatum Boulevard in North Phoenix. The 2020 Festival will be held Saturday, March 7, 11am–5pm. Admission is free. To register as a plein air painter or for the youth workshop, visit www.saaca.org/desertridgepleinair.html.

PMCC Gears up for May Charity Golf Tournament

Phoenix Metro Chamber Foundation’s (PMCC) Fourth Annual Charity Golf Tournament will take place Friday, May 15, at Moon Valley Country Club, 151 West Moon Valley Drive, Phoenix. Proceeds from this event will support Arizona Law Enforcement Outreach and Support (Arizona LEOS), Forever Loved Pet Sanctuary, Junior Golf Association of Arizona, Youth for Troops and the Phoenix Metro Chamber Foundation. Participation as a golfer, sponsor, donor and/or gifts in-kind will help support the Phoenix Metro Chamber Foundation’s mission, which is to aid charities that provide life-sustaining resources and support to disadvantaged children, veterans and their families, and at-risk animals in our community.

Golfers may register for $150 per player until April 15, after which the fee increases to $175 per player residents who wish to participate in the event at any level may visit www.pmcfgolf.org for additional information.

Diamonds, what makes them so attractive to us? Most people find the glitter, flash and rainbow dispersion colors fascinating while a diamond’s rarity and value have their own allure. With the advent of the internet, the consumer has access to an unprecedented level of information about diamonds, diamond qualities, prices and availability.

The appearance of a diamond results from its unique chemical composition and its journey through the high-pressure, high-temperature environment in which it grows. These beautiful crystals of carbon, when mined and given the high-quality cutting and shaping they deserve, capture, refract and reflect light in a way that borders on the hypnotic.

The value of diamonds tends to increase steadily. Using diamonds for investment purposes is not a new concept. Stocks and bonds, gold, silver and real estate all have in common the possibility that their value will increase over time. This possibility makes them reasonable investments. When purchased through a reliable broker at below wholesale costs, the probability of value enhancement is high. The G.I.A. diamond grading system has helped standardize objective grading standards and nomenclature worldwide. The G.I.A. diamond grading certificate is the go-to standard in the industry. Diamonds can be laser inscribed with the certificate number to assure authenticity. This allows people to have confidence in the accepted quality of a diamond as well as establishing a provenance. The Kimberley process has helped ensure that diamonds are sourced responsibly from “non-conflict” sources. With the advent of the internet, the customer has an unprecedented access to information about diamonds, diamond cutting, quality and availability as well as information about marketability and re-selling potential. New scanning software can now even allow an individual a 3-dimensional and/or 360-degree view of many of the stones listed online.

Still, nothing compares to holding a stone, observing for one’s self the flash and scintillation of a well-cut stone. A trusted, reliable broker can source stones and guide an investor to a diamond that will bring the maximum return for the investment. With proper sourcing, quality investment diamonds can be procured directly from the source at a minimal margin to insure the maximal return on any investment stone.

Whether in small sizes or large, this combination of beauty and rarity makes for a unique investment potential; an investment whose value grows over time while being a wearable display of wealth and beauty. There are standards of beauty and quality that are perceived as “ideals” for investment purposes. In general, larger, cleaner stones in the D, E, F color range were considered the Rolls Royce of investment commodities but now, any diamond when procured at the right price with (G.I.A.) certification has the potential to grow in value. The American market tends to run in the SI2 - VS1 clarity range and from G - J colors but even darker colors that do not yet reach the “fancy color” designation have value and appeal.

One of the major improvements in the past couple of decades is the quality of cutting. Formerly the retention of weight was the main focus of cutting resulting in many stones that were too deep or too shallow and which allowed light to leak out causing stones to appear dark inside. With a well-cut stone, light that enters through the top of the stone (the crown), bounces around inside and then back out through the crown. This results in the rainbow colors we see (dispersion) while the light reflected from the facets causes the flash and glitter. To the discerning eye, the difference between a well-cut and a poorly cut stone can be seen from across the room. With your local expert, your exact needs can be individually accommodated. With the necessary experience and a discerning eye towards value, a savvy broker can assist you in finding the perfect investment stone or piece of jewelry to fit your needs and desires. Author: Indra Jhaveri and Carlo Calescibetta, G.G. Send emails to: amidiamond@live.com or visit our website www.amidiamondsand jewelry.com. One can call Indra at 602.923.8200 or 602.432.2920. ADVERTORIAL Diamonds as Portable Wealth for Beauty, Pleasure and Investment

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Join North Valley Symphony Orchestra (NVSO) as they recognize the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage by performing music written by women. These talented composers do not receive as much recognition as their male counterparts but are equally talented.

NVSO music director Kevin Kozacek said, “We are delighted to perform three works by woman composers on this concert. The idea to showcase women in music came from the fact that this concert season coincides with the 100th anniversary of woman’s suffrage in America. In 1919 congress passed the 19th Amendment, and the states finished ratification in 1920. NVSO is excited to feature three very successful composers at our March 14 concert.”

Amy Beach’s Symphony in E Minor was written in 1894 and was the first symphony composed and published by a female American composer. The symphony employs numerous English, Irish and Scottish melodies, so Beach subtitled the work the Gaelic Symphony. “Audience members will enjoy the folk-like feeling evoked by the piece,” said Kozacek.

Cécile Chaminade was a French composer, and NVSO will perform a suite of four movements from her ballet Callirhoë, written in 1888. Kozacek said, “The piece is rich with playful melodies and motifs, and easy to visualize ballerinas dancing to the music.”

Last, Joan Tower is a current American composer that just this year was awarded the annual Gold Baton award from the League of American Orchestras for her contribution to the field of orchestral music. Other recipients include Bernstein, Copland and John Williams. The featured piece Sixth Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman was written in 2014, the sixth in a series of pieces that Tower has written to celebrate the risk-takers, or uncommon women of today.

“I’m proud of NVSO for dedicating this concert as a celebration of women in music and hope that many community members will attend the unique event,” concluded Kozacek.

NVSO cello section performing Christmas Pops; Photo: Pete Schulte

The “Women in Music” concert is sponsored by CASCO Financial Group NVSO provides affordable concert experiences to the Phoenix North Valley community. Ticket prices are $5 each concert, and children 5 and under are always free. Purchase tickets at the NVSO website, www.northvalleysymphony.org, or by calling 623.980.4628.

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Desert Valley Orchid Society, which is dedicated to the love and advancement of orchid growing in the greater Phoenix area, will hold its annual orchid show April 4–5. Berridge Nurseries will host the annual free and family friendly Spring Orchid Show and Workshop Saturday, April 4, 9am–5pm, and Sunday, April 5, 10am–4pm. Berridge Nurseries is located at 4647 East Camelback Road in Phoenix.

An American Orchid Society judging will take place Saturday, and many beautiful displays and a large selection of premium flowering orchids will be offered for sale. Raffle tickets to win one of several blooming plants will also be on sale. Workshops on various orchid related topics are planned for 10am and 2pm each day. Society members will be circulating in the greenhouse to answer questions.

Desert Valley Orchid Society invites residents to attend monthly meetings held on the third Thursday of each month at 6:45pm at The Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 3641 North 56th Street, Phoenix. For additional information, visit www.dvos-az.com.

Informative and Fun Programs for Seniors in March

Join the JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment (CSE) for special programming exploring music, movement and more during the month of March. The CSE is located inside The Palazzo, 6250 North 19th Avenue in Phoenix and is open to all seniors, offering a wide variety of free, fun and stimulating classes and activities in a beautiful, newly renovated facility. Transportation is now available by reservation by calling the CSE at 602.943.2198.

Starting Friday, March 6, at 1pm, Julian Reveles, a local film historian, will present a seven-week series on “Hollywood Kids We Remember.” Ever wonder how Elizabeth Taylor got into the movies? How about Roddy McDowell and Margaret O’Brien? Or Mickey Rooney, Natalie Wood, Jackie Coogan (made famous by Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid) and so many others. Reveles brings the stories of these Hollywood youngsters to life, sharing film clips and movie memorabilia. Reveles presents with keen insight, encyclopedic knowledge and lots of humor.

The lively Jewish holiday of Purim will be celebrated Tuesday, March 10, with a festive party from 10:30am to noon. Rabbi Yaakov Benshabbat from Orot Synagogue and musical entertainer Gal Drimmer will lead a megillah reading (from the Old Testament book of Esther) with joyful music. Guests will enjoy hamentashen (a sweet, filled-pocket pastry), traditionally served at this time. They will also receive mishlot manot baskets. These gift baskets of sweets are also traditional for Purim and are offered to friends and family.

On Tuesday, March 17, at 1pm, the CSE will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Begged and Borrowed, a Celtic music duo featuring Shannon Schumann (harp, flute, whistles and vocals) and Rick Boyle (bouzouki, guitar and vocals). Drawing their inspiration from the deep well of Irish, Scottish, and Irish-American tunes and songs, they’ll delight with traditional dance tunes, jigs and reels.

Other programs in March include a wide variety of classes covering everything from fitness to educational talks. A full calendar and further information about programs can be found at www.jfcsaz.org/cse.

There are no charges for the events, but RSVPs are appreciated. Send to carol. goldstein@jfcsaz.org or call 602.943.2198. The CSE, under the auspices of Jewish Family & Children’s Service (www.jfcsaz.org), is free and open to all older adults in the community regardless of background. It is not necessary to be a resident at The Palazzo to participate. Lunch is available for $5 with reservation.