East Valley Magazine

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 · $3.99

MAKING THE GRADE

A+

THE VALLEY’S

SCHOOLS

TOP LAWYERS

BOX YOUR WAY TO A

BETTER CORE

X-TREME TE X GAMES A THLETE JA GGER EATO

ECRWSS POSTAL CUSTOMER

EastValleyMagazine.com

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO.3280 DENVER, CO

ENS

N IS LIVING ON THE EDGE IN T HE EV—AN HE'S NOT D THE ONLY ONE!

1:05pm Aches.

4:17pm Answers.

Same Day Appointments.

Open evenings and Saturdays On-site lab and X-ray Four East Valley Locations

www.BannerHealth.com/HealthCenters • Connect with Banner Health: Queen Creek • 21772 South Ellsworth Loop Road • (480) 512-3700 Gilbert • 155 East Warner Road • (480) 649-6600 Chandler • 1435 S. Alma School Road • (480) 668-1600 East Mesa • 1917 S. Crismon Road, Mesa • (480) 610-7100 2

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

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EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

3

Discover

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Not only is his work impeccable, but his work ethic is more than I could wish for.

I feel comfortable with Dr Martin. He is kind, open minded and always honest. I think when getting a life changing procedure, honesty from your professional surgeon is extremely important. This is how I knew Dr. Martin would forever be my cosmetic surgeon.

He helps you become knowledgeable about how a procedure will work and prepares you for both the before as well as the after.

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Gift certificates make great gifts, and are available for both medical procedures and spa treatments.

www.anewbeautifulyou.com Botox - Facial Fillers - Breast Augmentation - Liposuction - Breast Lift Tummy Tucks Facelifts - Eyelid Surgery - Endoscopic Forehead Lifts 4

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

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AL PV L

YE

EY

46

L AW

42

These East Valley schools make the grade in and out of the classroom

4

Indulge in the flavors and traditions of Italy during Festa dell’Autunno

S TA R S C H O O L S

01

R E S O R T AT P E L I C A N H I L L

36

TO

30

AUG/SEPT '14

FEATURES

RS 2

EXTREME TEENS

T O P L AW Y E R S 2 0 1 4

X Games athletes Alana Smith and Jagger Eaton are living on the edge and loving every minute of it

We teamed up with AVVO to bring you a list of the best attorneys in the Valley

BUZZ /

18 ENTERTAINMENT

14 AZ SPORTS

61

EXPO

16 EVENTS 6

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

CROSSWORD Answers on page 51!

62 BACKSTORY

Need a Doctor?

Call One Convenient Number to Access Care Today We recognize the importance of having access to expert primary care physicians who are experienced in caring for patients of all ages. Now you can make an appointment for any of our locations, by calling one convenient number.

Call Today. 480-882-7575 • Accepting New Patients • Same Day Appointments • Most Insurance Plans Accepted

shc.org/primarycare Affiliate of Scottsdale Lincoln Health Network EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

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FRESH /

19 TUNES

In step with The Walkens

20 SKIES

Dr. Sky on amazing sights to look forward to this season

22 FACES

Local artist creates eyecatching pieces from discarded glass

BETTER / 50 GOLF

Try these three ways to launch the ball in a straight line toward the target

52 RELATIONSHIPS

Matters of the home and hearth

53 WHEELS

The 2014 Lexus IS F

24 READS

New and noteworthy

26 FUN

Anissa Stringer finds a fun and unusual activity to bond with her daughter

28 OPINIONS

54 HAIR

The latest hairstyles for back-to-school style

55 STYLE

Dress affordably for back-to-school

The Dearings chime in

33 ART

Nicole Royse discovers a Tempe artist whose fascinating work melds nature and art

HOME /

34 HISTORY

It always rains after a dry spell

40 CELEBRATIONS

Every child deserves a birthday party

41 LIFE

Shay Moser shares her 40-plus lifestyle lessons

8

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

56 BODY

Box your way to a better core

58 HEALTH

Keep the back-to-school bugs at bay

TASTE /

59 COOK

Pack a nutritious punch in your kids’ lunch boxes

60 COOK

Chef Matthew Grunwald on food fit to fuel your body

EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

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We’re groWing!

EASTVALLEY Volume 2 / Issue 3 PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER

Adam Toren adam@eastvalleymagazine.com Matthew Toren matthew@eastvalleymagazine.com

EDITORIAL

Managing Editors Sondra Barr sondra@eastvalleymagazine.com Crystal Huckabay crystal@eastvalleymagazine.com Pavlina Toren pavlina@eastvalleymagazine.com Copy Editor Kate Karp kate@eastvalleymagazine.com INTERNS Sara Goodwin Maia Lopes-Gilbert CONTRIBUTORS Julie Carlson, Lynette Carrington, Leeann Dearing, Matthew Dearing, Shannon Dougherty, Clifford Gazda, Matthew Grunwald, Steve Kates, Kim Kendall, Myles Mellor, Kim Miller, Kelli Morgan, Shay Moser, Nicole Royse, Greg Rubenstein, Scott Sackett, Anissa Stringer, M.D. Thalmann, Marshall Trimble, Martin Weston PHOTOGRAPHERS Lunabear Studios, Candice C. Thornton, Steven Trujillo ADVERTISING sales@eastvalleymagazine.com 602.828.0313 Marketing Director Eric Twohey

We at East Valley Magazine are experiencing rapid growth and are looking for community leaders to add to our team in several departments,

Art Director/Production Vanessa Fryer

CIRCULATION

Distribution Manager Mark Lokeli

including ad sales, editorial, social media managers, and more! Do you have some bright ideas and a zest for East Valley

Networking

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Eric Twohey

living? Connect with us today! info@eastvalleymagazine.com

(602) 828-0313 ext. 104 EastValleyMagazine.com

EASTVALLEY 10

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

East Valley Magazine sets high standards to ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable manner. Printed by American Web on recycled fibers containing 10% post consumer waste, with inks containing a blend of soy base. Our printer is a certified member of the Forestry Stewardship Council, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and additionally meets or exceeds all federal Resource Conservation Recovery Act standards. When you are finished with this issue, please pass it on to a friend or recycle it. We can have a better world if we choose it together.

EAST VALLEY MAGAZINE is published six times a year for distribution aimed at higher-income households in such areas as Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Queen Creek, Las Sendas, Fulton Ranch, Seville, and Ocotillo. You can also pick up East Valley Magazine at many businesses, including specialty shops, salons, spas, auto dealerships, libraries, children’s and women’s specialty shops, boutiques, restaurants, health clubs, hotels, medical offices, and many rack locations. Statements, opinions, and points of view expressed by the writers and advertisers are their own, and do not necessarily represent those of the publishers, editors or East Valley Magazine staff. Although East Valley Magazine has made every effort to authenticate all claims and guarantee offers by advertisers in the magazine, we cannot assume liability for any products or services advertised herein. No part of East Valley Magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher.

Publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising matter at any time.

Postmaster: Please return all undeliverable copies to East Valley Magazine, 3120 W. Carefree Hwy., Ste. 1-128, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Yearly subscriptions available; six issues mailed directly to your mailbox for $19.95 per year (within the U.S.). All rights reserved. ®2013 East Valley Magazine. Printed in the USA.

> PUBLISHERS' NOTE

Back to School in the East Valley Every August, we’re left wondering, where did the summer go? Of course, it still feels like summer, at least as far as the scorching heat is concerned. Yet as our kids embark on a new school year this month, it’s time to bid adieu to languid evenings hanging out by the pool and instead brace for early-morning carpools.

With this in mind, we bring you our back-to-school issue. This issue is full of tips and information to help make the transition to a fresh school year easier on students and parents alike.

ON THE COVER: JAGGER EATON PHOTO COURTESY OF KIDS THAT RIP

But before we completely say adios to Adam Toren Publisher summer, dive into this issue and read about extreme East Valley teens and X Games athletes Alana Smith and Jagger Eaton. They are living on the edge and loving every minute of it!

Both Guinness World Record holders—Alana is currently the youngest X Games medalist, and Jagger is the youngest X Games athlete—these kids show no fear performing amazing feats on their skateboards.

SOCIAL MEDIA MENTIONS #EVM

Reading about these fearless teens makes us feel a bit long in the tooth. Then again, as East Valley writer Shay Moser opines in her latest column, “age is just a number, and mine is unlisted.”

She shares her 40-plus lifestyle lessons on page 41, along with offering up her local go-to spots to help curb bad health habits.

Learning is important at any age, of course, but it’s paramount for today’s youth, which is why this issue also offers up a sampling of some of the top schools in the area, on page 36. The East Valley is full of wonderful schools, and we tip our hats to not only the schools listed but also the many talented teachers and staff educating our youth across the area.

Thank you!

Matthew Toren Publisher

Cheers!

EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

11

v’s is your back-to-school

boybershop

and bring in your big boy for a trim and an old fashioned hot lather shave!

Connect with EAST Valley Magazine To get in touch: East Valley Magazine 3120 W. Carefree Hwy., Ste. 1-128, Phoenix, AZ 85086 Telephone: (602) 828-0313 • Fax: (623) 889-9001 Website: eastvalleymagazine.com General E-mail: info@eastvalleymagazine.com.

For submissions and suggestions: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Letters may be e-mailed to letters@eastvalleymagazine.com. They may also be sent via mail or fax to Letters to the Editor at our address. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.

EVENTS CALENDAR: Submit press releases or event descriptions to events@eastvalleymagazine.com. Be sure to include event title, date, time, place, details, cost (if any), and contact number or website. The deadline for October/November 2014 consideration is September 1.

• • • • •

great haircut old fashioned hot lather shave facial & facial massage grooming Products shoe shine*

PRESS RELEASES: Submit press releases via e-mail to editor@eastvalleymagazine.com.

STORY QUERIES:

9 VALLEYWIDE LOCATIONS

vbarbershop.com *Not available at all locations.

IT’S A KID THING

Specializing in divorce, child Support, child cuStody and paternity iSSueS Since 1997.

Dealing with divorce and the associated complications can be an overwhelming time in anyone’s life, but we pride ourselves in getting our clients through these difficult times.

Rebecca L. Owen PLLc 301 E. Bethany Home Road Suite A-200 Phoenix, AZ 85012 602-264-3309 arizona-divorcelawyer.com becky@rlowenlaw.com

Submit one-page queries to us by mail, attention Editorial Department.

Accompany any queries with clips and a 50-word biography.

STORY SUGGESTIONS: We welcome editorial suggestions from our readers. Please e-mail story ideas to editor@eastvalleymagazine.com, or mail or fax them to the attention of the editorial department.

To advertise your product or business: Contact the sales department by phone at (602) 828-0313,ext. 1, or by e-mail at sales@eastvalleymagazine.com.

To subscribe or obtain back issues: SUBSCRIPTIONS: To subscribe to East Valley Magazine, or to make changes to an existing subscription, call (602) 828-0313 ext. 2, or visit our website.

BACK ISSUES: Back issues from up to two years are currently available for $8.95 each, including postage. You may order past issues on our website. Please allow five to seven days to process. It is East Valley Magazine’s policy not to mail, e-mail, or fax copies of articles that have appeared in the magazine.

Where to find us: East Valley Magazine has racks in prime locations across our distribution area.

For the rack location nearest you, e-mail info@eastvalleymagazine.com. We also mail magazines to various neighborhoods. If you would like to ensure that your place of business receives several copies or would like to submit your place of business for a future rack location, please send a request via e-mail or regular mail to Mark Lokeli at mark@eastvalleymagazine.com. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/EastValleyMag and join our fan page on Facebook!

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AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

THe S MILeM TeA

130 closed loans for over

$24 Million YTd

Stearns Lending provides home loan options for first-time homebuyers, savvy investors and borrowers looking to move up. Products include: ReALToR TeSTIMoNIAL

I came to know Ricky Miles with Stearns Lending when a counter offer came that stated…”If your buyer is not conditionally qualified by “x” date you will switch to my lender Ricky Miles with Stearns Lending” We signed that counter knowing my buyer was prequalified with another lender and was putting 50% down! Well, the other lender dragged their feet and wasn’t getting the job done. We switched to Ricky with Stearns and he got the loan done in 2 weeks and with a better rate for my buyer! Ever since then he’s had my business. Time and again, he gets the job done! I had 2 different clients that worked for two different banks and Ricky with Stearns Lending beat out their employee discount and did their loans. I recommend him to all my buyers.

“JET” JoAnn E. Trudeau, HomeSmart Real Estate

Are You Ready To Get Pre-

*DHW reporting / motivity

• USDA financing up to 100%* • 95% Conventional financing with No Mortgage Insurance** • Jumbo loans up to $3 million • Jumbo loan financing up to 90% with no Mortgage Insurance† • VA 100% financing • Home in Five down payment assistance◊

BoRRoweR TeSTIMoNIAL Ricky Miles with Stearns Lending Company was a pleasure to work with. He was always available to answer questions with a quick turn around and took the extra time to explain in detail each loan option. I was nervous about closing my loan in less than 30 days, the team at Stearns Lending worked extra hard making the process easy, closing on time! I would highly recommend Ricky Miles he is the best I have worked with, I look forward to working with the amazing team at Stearns Lending in the future.

Christina Berrelez

Photo by James Patrick Photography

? Call Me!

Ricky Miles Branch Manager, The Miles Team NMLS# 251850

623-207-9212 rickymiles.com

866-224-7074 Fax rmiles@stearns.com 34406 N 27th Drive, Suite 140, Phoenix, AZ 85085 Branch NMLS# 355681 *Borrowers must qualify at certain income level depending on the county where the property is located. The property must be in designated rural area. **FNMA 5% Down: Higher limits may apply if the property is located in a “high cost area.” A credit counseling course must be completed. †Diamond Jumbo financing is limited to owner-occupied one-unit properties and condominiums. Nevada and Florida: Maximum 70% LTV/CLTV on all properties. Condos in FL & NV are not eligible. Prior to closing, all borrowers must apply to be members of Alliant Credit Union. Membership process must be followed. Borrowers are required to submit their membership application form at least 10 days prior to close. Alliant provides the $5 minimum to open the membership account. Mortgage insurance is required on loans with less than a 90% Loan to Value ratio. ◊Call for information and to obtain a quote specific to your situation. This is not a credit decision, an offer, or a commitment to lend. Your rate, fees, and other terms will depend on various factors including loan product, credit profile, property value, occupancy, loan size, etc. Rates and program availability may vary based on the loan application criteria established by FHA and the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Phoenix. Other program restrictions may apply. Stearns Lending, LLC. is an FHA Approved Lending Institution, and is not acting on behalf of or at the direction of HUD/FHA or the Federal government. This is not a commitment to lend. Program restrictions apply. Stearns Lending, LLC. offers many loan products. Stearns Lending, LLC. is a California corporation headquartered at 4 Hutton Centre Drive, 10th Floor, Santa Ana, California EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 13 92702. Call toll free at: (800) 350-LEND (5363). Arizona Mortgage Banker License #0905413; This information is accurate as of June 16, 2014 © 2014 Stearns Lending, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Company NMLS# 1854.

> BUZZ/OUTTAKES WHAT

ARIZONA SPORTS FAN EXPO WHERE

University of Phoenix Stadium

SEEN

Lots of sports mascots––Sparky the Sun Devil, Stryker, Big Red, Wilbur and Wilma, etc.

OVERHEARD

“Of course the Cardinals have super fans!”

—Photos by Candice C. Thornton, Easel Photography & Video, Inc.

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> BUZZ /EVENTS

Compiled by Anissa Stringer

8 Need a break from your usual

AUGUST 2 Need a good laugh? Then

don’t miss the Bust UR Gutz Comedy Tour, featuring Michael Blackson, Redbone, Melanie Comarcho, and Mike Bonner! Ikeda Theater, Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. mesaartscenter.com

3 Here’s your last chance to see Jersey Boys—It got rave reviews from Time and the New York Post, so you won’t want to miss them! ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave. Tempe. asugammage.com

3

C ool off with the whole family from noon to 2 p.m. during Family Swim for just $1!

Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center, 5901 S. Hillcrest Dr., Chandler. chandleraz.gov (click aquatics)

5 Are you interested in volunteering but aren’t sure what you can do? The Dennis J. Cahill Senior Center is looking for volunteers, so give them a call soon! Dennis J. Cahill Senior Center, 715 W. 5th St., Tempe. Call (480) 858-2420. tempe.gov

6 Into alternative rock? You won’t want to miss the Rebelution Count Me In Summer Tour! Mesa Amphitheatre, 263 N. Center St., Mesa. Call (480) 6442560. mesaamp.com

16

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

workday lunch? Check out Food Truck Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Friday for your choice of great food and a fun atmosphere! Open Air Market, 721 N. Central Ave. (Central and McKinley). phxpublicmarket.com /openair/

16 Check out the Kid’s Day

Off activity showcase and expo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This special community event is free to the public and will feature music and prizes by Radio Disney, live entertainment on two stages, an ice-cream-eating contest, dance and martial art demonstrations, a mobile video game unit, and more. chandler.macaronikid.com

30 Stay cool and try something

new on the FlowRider!

It’s skateboarding, snowboarding, and wakeboarding all rolled into one! It’s only open on the weekends through Labor Day. Hours vary, so check the website or call for more information. Rhodes Aquatics Complex, 1860 S. Longmore, Mesa. Call (480) 644-2550, mesaaz.gov/parksrec /aquatics/flowrider.aspx

27 Today’s the last day of waves at the

16 Kinky Boots runs through the

SEPTEMBER 1 Labor Day’s your last chance to try out the water slide, kiddie slide, drop slide, and so much more sliding fun at Desert Oasis Aquatic Center. Desert Oasis Aquatic Center, 1400 W. Summit Place, Chandler. Call (480) 732-1061.

13- Come admire the Summer 20 of Love exhibit, where you’ll get a chance to enjoy art that’s all about love!

Tempe Center for the Arts Gallery, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe. tempe.gov

Kiwanis Wave Pool! Come and ride the waves one last time for the season! Kiwanis Recreation Center 6111 S. All America Way, Tempe. tempe.gov (click aquatics) or call (480) 350-5201.

21st. This musical about the owner of a shoe factory who turns his business around is a Tony Award-winning sellout, so get your tickets fast. You won’t want to miss this show! ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe, asugammage.com

26– 28

27 For fun for all ages, check out

the ’Tukee Fest. There will be concessions, a bouncy house, three bands, beer, and BBQ! Ahwatukee Park, 4700 E. Warner Rd., Phoenix. ahwatukeehoa.com

T he Summer Ends Music Festival will host Foster the People, The Replacements, Capital Cities, and more than 25 other bands at Tempe Beach Park during the last weekend of September.

This three-day music festival will have great music as well as other attractions, including a 3-D game truck. Tempe Beach Park, 54 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe. summerendsmusicfestival.com

28 Get ready to rock out! Get the

Led Out with the Led Zeppelin Tribute Band playing at the Higley Center! Higley Center for the Performing Arts, 4132 E. Pecos Rd., Gilbert. higleyarts.org

it’s all fun &games Featuring state-of-the-art bowling; multi-level laser tag; gravity ropes adventure course; over 100 interactive, virtual and video games; regulation size billiard tables; full service bars; quality dining experiences and free Wi-Fi access.

mainevent.com 8545 S. Emerald Drive • Tempe, AZ 85284 • 480-753-1200

Interested in advertising? Call (623) 299-4959 Ext. 700 Today!

EASTvalleymagazine.com EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST AUGUST || SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2014 2014

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> BUZZ /ENTERTAINMENT

CONCERTS/

By Sara Goodwin

MOVIES/

TELEVISION/

Aug.

Sept.

Aug.

Justin Timberlake Jobing.com Arena

Katy Perry Jobing.com Arena

The Giver

If I Stay

In a world where choices are made for you and everyone has converted to “sameness,” a young boy, Jonas (Brenton Thwaites), brings color (literally) to a world where everything is gray when he’s chosen as the Receiver of Memory. When Jonas meets the Giver (Jeff Bridges), he learns that his life in what seems like a perfect world lacks all emotion and he must choose the path to his future.

The biggest decision teenager Mia Hall (Chloë Grace Moretz) thought she had to make was whether she would attend Julliard or choose a different path with her high school boyfriend, Adam (Jamie Blackley).

But a car accident flips her world upside down after it kills her parents and younger brother and leaves her in a coma. In an out-ofbody experience, Mia must make the ultimate decision.

9

The People’s Choice Award 2014 Favorite Male Artist is coming to the Valley for his 20/20 Experience World Tour. Concertgoers can expect two of his most recent and popular songs, “Mirrors” and “Pusher Love Girl” as well as some throwbacks like “Rock Your Body.”

18

25

Billboard Music Awards 2014 Top Female Artist arrives in Arizona just in time to wind down the summer with her Prismatic World Tour. The tour mainly supports Perry’s 2013 album, Prism , but she has played some of her earlier songs such as “I Kissed a Girl” on previous tour stops.

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

15

Aug.

22

Aug.

6

Top Chef Duels Bravo The Top Chef series takes a twist from the usual competition when 18 contestants from Top Chef and Top Chef Masters face off against one another in the series premiere of Top Chef Duels .

Wolfgang Puck, Hugh Acheson, and several guest judges will officiate.

Sept.

25

Parenthood NBC The NBC hit series is coming to an end this season. During the past four years, the Braverman clan weathered breast cancer, Asperger’s syndrome, love, loss, failed relationships, and blooming ones.

Huffington Post has called Parenthood the “saddest, happiest show,” and hopefully it will live up to this reputation during its final season.

> FRESH/TUNES In Step with The Walkens

<

Writer Lynette Carrington touches base with a versatile Valley band.

Arizona band The Walkens isn’t defined by genre, a specific number of band members, or a certain type of gig. The band was founded in 2006 and continues to morph to the needs of their corporate and wedding clients or to the demands of the local music scene.

Phoenix native Tod Miller is one of the founding members of The Walkens. Along with Mike Detto, Jeff Owens, and Ronnie Winters, the band boasts former members of T.A.T.E., the Scones, Zowie Bowie, and Frank Lloyd Vinyl. Bassist and vocalist Jeff Owens is also a Phoenix native. A prolific songwriter, his original music has been heard on network TV channels such as Showtime, NBC, Disney Channel, ESPN, and Fox Television.

“We were in the bar scene for a number of years,” says Miller, who formed The Walkens in 2006. “This band started off playing in the bars mostly, but lately we’ve been doing quite a bit more corporate work and weddings.”

The Walkens’ lineup varies slightly depending on the gig or the request of a client. “With this band, we also do everything from a solo acoustic act, duo acoustic act, to trios and all the way up to a seven- or eightpiece band. Sometimes, we’ll do a wedding

Lynette Carrington is a prolific local freelance writer with a background in marketing and the entertainment industry.

or corporate event where they will request us to have a female singer or a horn section,” Miller says. “We’re pretty versatile, and our set list is really, really broad.

We play everything from current rock to Top 40 dance that you hear on the radio today, to country, to old Motown.”

For a time, Miller was living in Chicago and flying back and forth to the Valley for gigs. “Things have been a little crazy for the last couple of years, but we’re trying to settle in,” he says. “Now that I’ve moved back into town we’re trying to concentrate on some original music.”

The band has traveled extensively across the United States and doesn’t mind entertaining at just about any kind of event.

“We’ve played weddings in California; Oregon; Boston; Chicago; Portland, Maine— and we’ve done resort gigs in Key West, San Diego, and all over the place. We kind of go wherever the phone calls take us.” This past June, The Walkens were out in Chicago to play a graduation party.

“I would say half of our corporate and wedding work is through word of mouth, where people have passed our name on to other people,” Miller says. “We also work with a lot of the destination management companies (DMCs) in the Valley. They’ll call when there is a new corporate party.

We work with about five to 10 DMCs and event planners in town that pass us quite a bit of work as well.”

The Walkens is Miller’s primary job, but when he’s not off entertaining the masses, he’s an avid scuba enthusiast and private instructor, teaching mostly in his home but going to students’ private pools all over the Valley as well. How many local band members can recount an underwater staredown with a 12-foot Galapagos shark while bleeding in the water? Miller can.

The Walkens have busy lives outside the

band, but they are working on some original music that they will incorporate into their sets in the coming months. You can hear what’s new at their upcoming shows and events in Valley venues.

To learn more about The Walkens or for a list of upcoming shows and events, visit thewalkens.com.

“With this band, we also do everything from a solo acoustic act, duo acoustic act, to trios and all the way up to a seven- or eight-piece band. Sometimes, we’ll do a wedding or corporate event where they will request us to have a female singer or a horn section.”

“We’ve played weddings in California; Oregon; Boston; Chicago; Portland, Maine—and we’ve done resort gigs in Key West, San Diego, and all over the place. We kind of go wherever the phone calls take us.”

EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

19

> FRESH/SKIES

By Steve Kates

An Astounding Conjunction Dr. Sky on amazing sights to look forward to this season.

The monsoon continues to wind down, with the promise of cooler weather just around the corner. With summer nearly over and the autumnal equinox on tap, we look to the skies of August and September for some amazing sights.

In August, we will experience one of the best meet-and-greets of bright planets in some time with the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. The great coming-together of Venus and Jupiter will rank as one of the top conjunctions of bright planets in our lifetime. These two planets will form a most amazing “sign” in the early-morning skies of August. Look to the northeast sky on Aug. 18, about 30 minutes before sunrise, as this planetary duet will outshine many of the objects in the predawn sky.

Just how close will these two planets appear in the sky? I’m told that they will be, at closest, less than the diameter of a full moon—more specifically, some 12 minutes of arc apart! You’ll definitely want to take photos of this amazing conjunction. By the time the planets rise over Arizona, they will have moved a bit farther apart to nearly 21 minutes of arc of separation—still a great sight to see. The last time we got to see a close Venus/Jupiter conjunction was back on Feb. 23, 1999, when they appeared some nine minutes of arc apart.

August is also the month of the annual Perseid meteor shower. The event will peak on Aug. 12. The Perseids usually produce well over 50 meteors per hour, but this year, we find a nearly full moon will wash out most of the shower at max. The other planets in the August evening sky are Mars, still low in the south at sunset followed by Saturn, low in the south at sunset, in the area

of Libra. Once again, Venus and Jupiter dominate the northeast morning sky before dawn. The moon reaches first quarter on the 3rd, the Full Sturgeon Moon on the 10th, last quarter moon on the 17th, and back to the new moon on the 25th.

The skies of September are full of great objects to view, too! Get set for the great Harvest Moon on Sept. 8 and 9, as we get to see the moon in the sky at the time of sunset, thus providing extra light for us to see by during dusk. The moon rises near 6:30 p.m. on the 8th, and the sun sets around 6:44 p.m. This means that the moon will be well up before sunset, a classic Harvest Moon rising in the east.

Harvest Moon

A Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox.

The Harvest Moon is seen in the sky at the time of sunset, unlike a regular full moon that rises some 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. In early days, the Harvest Moon helped farmers to gather crops by the light of the moon, near sunset.

If you enjoyed the Total Lunar Eclipse back on April 14, please note that the next total lunar eclipse will occur on the night of Oct. 8—don’t miss it! The seasons change once again with the arrival of fall (autumnal equinox) on Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. The moon is at first quarter on the 2nd and then moves onto the Full Harvest Moon on the 8th, with last quarter moon on the 15th and back to the new moon of the 24th. In September, we find Mercury high in the west at sunset on the 21st, with Mars and Saturn in the southwest at sunset. The morning sky belongs to Venus and Jupiter before dawn in the east.

Comet C/2013 A1 (aka Comet Siding Spring) Comet Siding Spring was discovered in Australia in January 2013

by Siding Spring Observatory. It will pass within 83,000 miles of the planet Mars in October. This is so close that the coma, or head, of the comet will press on to the atmosphere of Mars. This is one of the closest passages of a comet to a major planet in recorded history! No one is really sure what will happen to Mars and the comet. Imagine, if this comet were to pass that close to Earth, it might be the most amazing sight mankind has ever seen!

Lucky for us it won’t!

A radio and television personality, Steve Kates (aka Dr. Sky®) has been engaged in the science of astronomy for over 30 years. Tune in to the Dr. Sky Show on News Talk 92.3 FM, KTAR, on Saturday mornings at 3 a.m. for the full sky tour, or visit drsky.com.

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AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

Why take a pain reliever

when you can treat the cause of the pain?

At the SCNM Medical Center, we take a different approach to pain treatment.

Did you know food allergies can be a factor in migraine headaches, joint pain, and painful rashes among many other health complaints? There are often hidden factors causing pain.

Pain can range from being a nuisance to a distraction to disabling. SCNM pain specialists use a whole-body approach to find and treat the cause. We look at patients’ lifestyle, diet, leisure and work activities, stress, injury and strains/sprains to fully assess each individual’s needs.

If conventional medicine has not helped, you want to get off prescriptions or avoid surgery, or have been suffering from a traumatic event like a car accident or work injury…try a different approach, try naturopathic medicine.

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Medical Center 2164 E. Broadway Rd. • 480.970.0000 Tempe, AZ 85282 www.scnm.edu/medcenter EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

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> FRESH/FACES

Beautifully Broken Buckles Local artist creates eye-catching pieces from discarded glass.

There was a time, not so long ago, when Ahwatukee’s Kim Kiefer, the artist behind Beautifully Broken Buckles, felt broken. She was newly divorced, struggling financially, and learning to be a single mom. Everything seemed so much more difficult than it should be. But instead of wallowing in misery, she decided to do something about it.

Kiefer had been looking for a creative business for several years, but she couldn’t seem to find the right one. And then one day, when she was out on a run, she became aware of all the broken glass on the street. She noticed the way the glass glittered in the sun and realized that the shattered pieces were really quite beautiful. The glass was nothing but trash, but that’s when the pieces in Kiefer’s life began to come together.

She began collecting the broken pieces of glass: shards of smashed beer bottles, crumbly cubes of safety glass from broken windshields, and sea glass when she went out of town and hit the beach. She carefully saved the broken pieces of a favorite glass her son accidentally dropped and the shattered remnants of an antique ornament that had been her grandmother’s.

Today, she uses the glass to create breathtaking belt buckles that have been featured on Sonoran Living, Ahwatukee Foothills News, the Arizona Republic, and the CBS 5 Morning Show.

At the center of each of Kiefer’s buckles, you’ll find a unique or unusual piece of jewelry. Before Kiefer can add that final touch, she sterilizes each piece of glass.

For safety, she employs one of several processes to smooth the sharp edges. It can take as long as two hours to create a single belt buckle, but she loves the process.

“It’s therapeutic for me,” she says. “I could do it all day long—I literally just don’t have enough time in the day for all the ideas I have.”

Just as Kiefer created a belt buckle with her grandmother’s broken ornament, she has also helped others whose hearts have been broken when their own family heirlooms have been shattered or when a nostalgic piece of jewelry breaks. Kiefer often creates custom wearable 22

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

By Anissa Stringer

art from these broken pieces that would otherwise be swept up and thrown away. She’s created custom buckles for her clientele with the delicate remains of china teacups, antique brooches, and other sentimental items. She has also recently expanded her inventory to include bracelets and pendants for those who love her art but aren’t belt wearers.

Kiefer is the first to acknowledge the symbolism of her art and business. “I realized that I could take the shattered pieces of my own life and put it back together—it’s not the same life, but it’s just as beautiful. That’s what I’m doing every time I create a buckle or a piece of jewelry from broken glass.”

That philosophy has led Kiefer to something even more beautiful. She donates 10 percent of every sale to the Sojourner House, which provides housing and other life necessities for those in need.

“Even though it’s been such a challenge for me to get on my feet as a single mom, I realized that there are many women who leave their lives with nothing,” Kiefer says. “I really feel for women and children who deal with that.”

Beautifully Broken Buckles can be found online at beautifullybrokenbuckles.com or in person at Adelaide (Ahwatukee), Urban Lace Boutique (Scottsdale), Haven Boutique (Glendale), and Clothes Minded Boutique (Ahwatukee). In March, you’ll also find her art at Blue Ridge Cotton Company in Atlanta, Georgia.

“I realized that I could take the shattered pieces of my own life and put it back together— it’s not the same life, but it’s just as beautiful.

That’s what I’m doing every time I create a buckle or a piece of jewelry from broken glass.”

EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

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> FRESH/READS

By Julie Carlson

ANOTHER BOOK TO TRY

EXPECTING PERFECT: MY BUMPY JOURNEY TO MOMMYHOOD

By Nadine Bubeck

PLAYED

By Liz Fichera Liz Fichera’s debut novel, Hooked, is a romantic novel about high school and the sport of golf. In the sequel, Played, the story centers on Riley, the younger sister of Ryan from Hooked.

Readers get to see high school life from her own point of view and from that of her love interest, Sam. Sam is Native American and lives on the reservation.

The sport focused on in Played is football, so fans of books and films like Friday Night Lights should enjoy this read. Played is funny, insightful, and filled with romance to boot, and Fichera writes in authentic and realistic teen voices. Her books show the importance of breaking down cultural barriers by accepting people for who they are and of accepting differences among them.

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SCANDALS OF CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD: SEX, DEVIANCE AND DRAMA FROM THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICAN CINEMA

By Anne Helen Petersen Petersen, who writes a column for the entertainment blog Hairpin, does a good job of relating the scandals of classic Hollywood. She focuses on stories like the romance between Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, Mae West jailed for “indecency,” the love affair and marriage of Clark Gable and Carol Lombard, film noir couple Bogart and Bacall, and many others. Petersen clearly loves Hollywood gossip and has done her research. It’s fun to get her insight into the drama behind the drama. Some stories dig a little deeper than others, which makes them more interesting. Overall, however, Scandals of Hollywood is an interesting read for fans of classic Hollywood and film magazines back in the heyday.

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

CRAZY RICH ASIANS

By Kevin Kwan A film version of this book is in the works, and it’s easy to see why—it’s a hilarious read. The rich dialogue and descriptions will bring readers right into the story. The adventures and situations the characters get into may be familiar to anyone who has experienced racism and classism, visiting a foreign country, and meeting a significant other’s family for the first time. Readers will enjoy Nicholas Young and his family from the first sentence to the last.

While some readers might be offended by derogatory comments made in the book, the portrayal of the way people think and feel breathes realism into topics that must be discussed.

Readers will also root for Young’s girlfriend, Rachel Chu, to find her way in to his rich family, who are suspicious of her intentions.

Local mom, wife, TV personality, host, blogger, speaker, author, and columnist Nadine Bubeck just published her pregnancy journal. Why, you may ask?

“Well, even though it’s super-personal and completely candid, I want women to know, accept, and embrace [that] even an imperfect pregnancy can be a beautiful experience,” Bubeck says.

Here are five things that Bubeck thinks that most pregnant women as well as those who are now moms can relate to: 1. I did the whole legs-in-the-air thing after our baby-making attempts— and my husband was all for it.

2. While trying to conceive, I Googled “pregnancy symptoms” daily only to discover seemingly everything can be a telltale sign you’re pregnant—even numb teeth.

3. It was weird buying a pregnancy test at Walgreens. I couldn’t check out fast enough.

4. Waiting for the test to analyze my pee seemed like an eternity, even though it only took a few minutes.

5. I will keep my urine-contaminated positive pregnancy stick forever.

For more of Bubeck’s insight and to buy her book, visit Amazon or expectingperfect.com.

For over 40 years, A New Leaf has been helping families...changing lives in the Valley, providing critical needs programs and services.

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EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

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> FRESH/FUN

Glass Fusing in Ahwatukee Writer Anissa Stringer finds a fun and unusual activity to bond with her daughter over.

Pottery painting at As You Wish is a Valley favorite for many, but the last time my daughter and I visited, we did something that many people haven’t even heard of— glass fusing.

Classes are available to teach the basics, but they’re not necessary. Jessica and I were seated and given a quick explanation about how to create a fused-glass project.

We were set up with mats, glass-scoring tools, special pliers, gloves, school glue, and goggles

that gave me flashbacks of my high school chemistry class.

We knew we wanted to make a vase, but it took us a couple of hours of fiddling to decide exactly what we wanted it to look like. It felt like good bonding time to me even though Jessica tells me I kind of bugged her while we were there (as usual).

We used some of the sample projects on the shelves to give us ideas—we combined a couple of plagiarized designs and chose a color scheme: green, blue, and yellow on a white background. We used spaghetti-

like strips of glass to make skinny stripes and fatter pieces to create thicker ones. We layered squares of glass and more shapes on top of those. Dots of glue secured everything in place.

As with pottery painting, we paid for the project when we were finished; unfortunately, we got a call a few days later

Anissa Stringer is an aspiring fiction writer from the East Valley and especially enjoys writing for young-adult audiences.

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<<<<<<

By Anissa Stringer

telling us that there was a problem with the kiln and our vase hadn’t survived. We were asked to come back in and remake our project at no cost. It didn’t take long for us to whip out a duplicate of our vase from memory—which Jessica probably appreciated since teenagers can only handle so much mom time, after all.

The second time around, our vase made it through the kiln just fine. What’s more, it came out looking like something you’d actually pay for instead of a cutsie little project that would have gotten shoved into a corner and forgotten. Jessica might not have cared about the fact that we made it together, but it made the vase very special to me. Who knows, it might even become something Jessica feels sentimental about when she grows up—you know, once I stop driving her crazy.

I’ve gone back to As You Wish for more glass-fusing fun since the visit with Jessica. I made a four-compartment serving tray that turned out even better than the vase, maybe because I had a little bit of experience behind me. It goes without saying that this is a terrific way to spend an afternoon. I would recommend this for almost anyone except young children because there are sharp edges and tiny pieces of glass around. Jessica gives it a thumbs-up as an activity, too!

Do you have a f un or unique activit y in the East Valley that you’ d like to see featured here? Email me at fun@eastvalleymagazine.com and tell me about it!

As You Wish

4905 E. Ray Rd., #103, Phoenix

Visit asyouwishpottery.com to find a local studio Cost: $25+, depending on the project you choose

Activity level: Mild—You won’t do much more than sit when you create a fused-glass project, but it does require some finemotor skills.

Suitable for: Families with older children, girls’ night out, or even date night.

What to wear/bring: Any type of attire is fine—you won’t be getting dirty. All equipment is provided.

The least you should know: Your project will probably look best with lots of layers. If your background is opaque, you may find that the layers you add look best if they’re also opaque.

Look and sound like a pro Tiny slivers of glass that create a confetti-like appearance are called frit. Running pliers are what you’ll use to cut the glass after you score it.

If you create a vase or a bowl, it will be slumped, or heated over a mold, so that the glass takes on the shape of the mold.

EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

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> FRESH/OPINIONS THE DEARINGS CHIME IN ON SOME OF THEIR FAVORITE— AND-NOT-SO FAVORITE—THINGS IN THE VALLEY

BOOTLEGGERS bootleggersaz.com

LEEANN: The second location for Bootleggers (the first location is in Old Town Scottsdale) is nestled in a small Phoenix strip-mall location that has been killed and reincarnated over and over again. It was a Dirty Drummer, followed by the 51 Cafe, and now has reached a state of nirvana for smokehouse BBQ fans! My husband and I tried out the restaurant after the comedy show at the studio on a Friday evening. I was stunned at the visual transformation the restaurant had undergone! Modern and rustic, with sexy lighting (their words, not mine). The menu is standard barbecue fare with a few indulgent sides. I’m never going to say no to smashed potatoes!

MATTHEW: Let’s talk about the food. These guys specialize in meat. Beef brisket, pulled pork, ribs, hot links—if it’s barbecue, they’ve got it. On my night out with my wife, I ordered the sliced beef brisket. It didn’t disappoint—was very flavorful! The only thing I can point out as a negative was that the service was a little slow.

I wouldn’t come here for a quick bite. Come to stay and linger. Also, they have a great draft beer selection and a drink menu definitely worth exploring, including moonshine, if that’s your style! ($11 each for cocktails—pricey, but delicious.) Two thumbs-ups for the meat lover in your life!

Matthew and Leeann Dearing own and operate the local Dearing Acting Studio. Visit their website, dearingstudio.com, or follow them on Twitter @LeeannDearing and @DirectorDearing.

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SAS DANCE STUDIO sasdance.com

LEEANN: I recently enrolled our toddler in dance classes. (Dance college scholarship, anyone?) I couldn’t find anything near our home, and after hearing multiple endorsements, I decided to make the trek to Gilbert for SAS Dance studio. They were the only dance school I could find with a 2-to-3-yearold toddler class! After one week, I knew we would be making the drive every week—their product is just phenomenal. The teacher/student ratio was wonderful. The class had five toddlers (three girls, two boys) to one instructor. My typically cautious toddler was dancing by the end of the first class! They teach toddlers movement through games and songs, so your little one is engaged the whole time. I loved that the teachers begin teaching bits of tumbling as well! He learned an entire dance routine in just a month of classes. Prices are really reasonable— $50/month for a onehour class per week.

MATTHEW: My wife told me that dance classes increase overall athleticism and will increase our son’s odds of being a professional athlete by 150 percent. Naturally, I gave in.

I should have asked to look at that study. Jack really seems to enjoy his dance class, and I noticed a little boost in his confidence in a classroom setting. Leeann has taken him to lots of classes, but he’s never been so fully engrossed before. I thought it was wonderful. Prices are reasonable, which makes Dad happy. Come on, SAS, when are you opening your North Valley studio? In the meantime, you lucky East Valley residents should take advantage!

JOY MANGANO—MY LITTLE STEAMER bedbathandbeyond.com

LEEANN: My husband goes through a lot of shirts, especially in the summer. What does this mean? A lot of laundering and a lot of ironing. The iron and I, we don’t get along. We’re like the Capulets and Montagues—we don’t mix. So when I saw JM’s My Little Steamer at Bed Bath and Beyond, I thought it was worth a gamble. What do you know? This is the little steamer than could! You just twist the lid and fill it with water—it doesn’t have to be filtered—and within seconds, wrinklereleasing steam pours forth from the nozzle! Give it a whirl, lazy ladies. I now swear by this thing! Bonus—it’s ultraportable!

MATTHEW: As an actor, I have to be audition-ready very quickly, and that means always having a clean, pressed shirt ready to rock! I used to have to pray that my wife remembered to iron my shirts. No more! The JM mini-steamer has my shirts wrinkle free in 60 seconds.

The only drawback? The tank is small, so you have to refill the machine between shirts. But at $19.99, it’s an easy solution to an age-old problem!

Want the Dearings to review your business or product?

Send an e-mail to reviews@eastvalleymagazine.com.

2013

EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

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> FRESH/TRAVEL

Festa dell’Autunno

Indulge in the flavors and traditions of Italy during Festa dell’Autunno at the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach.

Newport Beach’s only five-star resort, the Resort at Pelican Hill, provides more than just gourmet dining and luxurious accommodations. As the setting for the three-day Festa dell’Autunno, guests can indulge in Italian traditions and cuisine f rom Oc t. 10 through 12 during this annual festival.

At the festival, guests will have the opportunity to embrace Italian culture as if they were actually in Italy. Starting with a multicourse dinner on the evening of Friday, Oct. 10, participants will enjoy the freshest of autumn ingredients paired with Italian wines at the resort’s renowned Andrea Ristorante.

The highlight of the festival is the Italian Street Festa that takes place from noon

to 5 p.m. the next day, where adults and children will experience the traditional celebration of the harvest season. Masked performers and stilt walkers will entertain throughout the display of Italian cars, plein air painters, and chalk artists. During the Street Festa, children will be able to learn traditional Italian dancing, create handdecorated flags and Venetian masks, and learn the art of pizza making.

The weekend comes to an end Sunday morning at the Under the California Sun Jazz Bruch, where guests can dine while overlooking the ocean and drinking endless prosecco mimosas as a jazz trio performs. If you want to skip one of the festival’s meals, there are plenty of other resort dining options such as Piccolo, which offers a variety of Asian and Italian food, or the afternoon tea in the resort’s Great Room from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Award-winning author and co-publisher of East Valley Magazine, Adam Toren is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and mentor.

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By Adam Toren Photos courtesy of Pelican Hill

Pelican Hill Panoramic View

If you’re looking to fill your Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon during the festival, there are also two 18-hole golf courses on the resort property designed by golf course architect Tom Fazio. Both courses, Ocean North and Ocean South, offer the guests views of the Pacific as well as a beautiful contrast as the grassy course drops to the deep chasms that meet the ocean. The South Course also has several holes by the ocean’s edge. And if children want to learn how to golf, or if you do, there are lessons and clinics for all ages and skill levels, led by Golf Magazine’s Top 100 teacher Glenn Deck.

The resort is offering a weekend package that includes two adult tickets to Saturday’s Italian Street Festa, two adult tickets to Sunday’s Under the California Sun Jazz Brunch, and a bungalow stay along Via Capri, starting at $775.

About the Resort at Pelican Hill Pelican Hill sits on 504 acres just off the Pacif ic Ocean with 128 two-, three- and four-bedroom villas with Interested in advertising? Call (623) 299-4959 Ext. 700 Today!

Coliseum Pool & Grill Evening Dining

EASTvalleymagazine.com EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST AUGUST || SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2014 2014

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Looking for other things to do and explore in Newport Beach?

Here are some other local shops and activities.

•

Want to experience the SoCal surfing culture? Head to Almond Surfboards & Designs and take a look at some of the quality handshaped surfboards. You can also get a one and a half-hour surfing lesson with Surfari Surf School.

•

If you want to have a peaceful afternoon off the resort property, visit Roger’s Gardens or Sherman Library and Gardens. You can peruse outdoor furniture at Roger’s or read a book or a magazine at the library. Both locations provide a horticultural retreat where you’ll have plenty of time to stop and smell the roses.

•

If you have younger children or you just want to stop by for the day, Disneyland is only 30 minutes away from the Resort at Pelican Hill.

•

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To do some shopping and ride a giant Ferris wheel or carousel, drive over to the Irvine Spectrum Center.

The shopping center has more than 130 shops and restaurants to keep you busy all day.

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

Pelican Hill Italian Street Festa Flag Performer

Bungalow Guest Room

panoramic ocean views that have private terraces, one- and two-car garages, flat-screen TVs, a gourmet kitchen that features a Wolf oven and a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a washer and a dryer, and personal staff that includes a butler, among many other amenities. There are also 204 bungalow guest rooms and suites housed with plasma TVs, a granite wet bar, a refrigerator, a deep soaking tub and separate walk-in shower, and much more.

The resort also boasts a five-star spa with treatments lasting from 15 to 80 minutes.

These are not only limited to spa treatments but also extend to hair and nail treatments. An outdoor pool, poolside cabanas to lounge in, and a fitness center are also onsite.

Pelican Hill is a little more than a five-hour drive from Phoenix, or if you want to take the more scenic route by driving up the California coast, it’s only 45 minutes more. If you prefer to fly, the flight from Phoenix to Long Beach Airport is just an hour and a half, with a 30-minute drive to the resort.

If you’re looking for a fun weekend trip or a weeklong stay, the Resort at Pelican Hill has much to offer families, couples, or a group of friends. Don’t miss the opportunity to take part in this delightful cultural experience; otherwise you’ll have to wait another year!

> FRESH/ART

Drip Dribble Drop, a site-specific artwork created by Melissa Martinez for the Marshall Way Bridge that covered the awning with white umbrellas dripping water.

Melissa Martinez Writer Nicole Royse discovers a Tempe artist whose fascinating work melds nature and art.

Meet local Tempe artist Melissa Martinez, a firm pillar of the Arizona Art Community through the years. Martinez creates fascinating and beautiful artwork that revolves around nature; she actually utilizes organic materials within the works themselves.

“The spectacular beauty of nature and very emotional experiences directly inspire my artwork, and I hope my drawings, sculpture, video and installations provide a momentary focus upon basic beauty and the oddity of simplicity,” Martinez says of her artwork.

Martinez works in a wide range of media and styles that include her Salvage Jewelry line (found at Made Art Boutique in Phoenix), wall hangings, installations, and most recently, the public art commissions that have been popping up all around the Valley. She has exhibited her artwork throughout the area and continues to do freelance museum and interior-design work. Through her work, she continues to explore and create studies of the Sonoran Desert, plants, weather, and naturally occurring phenomena.

In 2011, Martinez received the prestigious Contemporary Forum Artist Grant and in 2012 was honored to exhibit her work at the Phoenix Art Museum.

Martinez has also been very busy with public art projects over the last few years. They include several Scottsdale Public Art commissions: Pollination, which featured enormous fabric and steel flowers in bold colors decorating empty storefronts in Old Town Scottsdale, and Drip Dribble Drop, a site-specific artwork created for the Marshall Way Bridge that covered the awning with white umbrellas dripping water.

The installation was reminiscent of spring showers that people could stroll under, using clear umbrellas.

Martinez recently completed her commissioned work for Mitchell Park West and Mitchell Park East. Take Flight, located on 13th Street in Tempe, has perched birds upon thin poles that move in the wind and are placed within the median. Currently, she’s working on the Hardy Streetscape Project, also located at 13th Street and Hardy Street in Tempe, which features an impressive monumental sculpture of a tree covered in pinwheel flowers, bus shelters decorated with pinwheel flowers, and hand-stamped flowers on the concrete along the east and west walkways.

Take a look at Melissa Martinez’s work at howestreetstudio.com.

ASU Art Museum: asuartmuseum.asu.edu/exhibitions Tempe Center for the Arts: tempe.gov/city-hall/community-services/tempe-center-for-the-arts The Vision Gallery: visiongallery.org

<

Nicole Royse is an artist and the curator at The Willo North Gallery. She’s also the associate curator at the MonOrchid gallery.

To see her work, visit nicoleroyse.com.

The dog days of summer are the perfect time to get out of the heat and explore the arts around the East Valley.

The Tempe Center for the Arts features Summer of Love: Family, Friendship and Devotion, a familyfriendly exhibition focusing on love-inspired ceramic sculptures, botanical prints and drawings, original children’s book illustrations, contemporary paintings, and installations. The ASU Art Museum is offering several exhibitions that include Warhol: New Works from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts,” with six screen prints on view in the lobby, and Funny Papers, which features vintage comic strips and contemporary artwork that utilizes comic icons. If you head to Vision Gallery in Downtown Chandler, you’ll enjoy Flourish: Artworks Inspired

by Our Gardens, a juried group exhibition of Arizona artists who focus on natural, floral, and botanical artworks. The exhibit will be on view until Aug. 29.

EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

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> HOME/HISTORY It Always Rains after a Dry Spell The driest creeks, dustiest storms, least rainfall, and longest drought. Yep, Arizona has ’em all!

It’s that time of the year again when Arizona ranchers like to sit around discussing the dry weather.

Each prevaricator likes to claim that their particular ranch has the driest creeks, dustiest storms, least rainfall, and longest drought. As a rule, the first liar doesn’t stand a chance. Some of ’em are so good at it you can’t believe ’em when they say they’re lyin’.

O.D. Fuller once got caught tellin’ the truth, and it took him 30 minutes to lie his way out of it.

Arizonans like to boast that their heat is a dry heat, something that probably helps to explain why most of the rainfall around here is a dry rain. I’ve known folks who prayed their family picnic would get rained on so the youngsters would have something to tell their grandchildren. Optimism soars, and natives grab their umbrellas and raincoats when the television weatherman goes out on a limb and predicts a “slight chance of showers.” Waddie Culpepper once showed up at a bridal shower wearing a slicker.

I was headin’ west of Zuni, New Mexico, in a driving rainstorm a few years back. The moment I hit the Welcome to Arizona sign, the rain stopped, the sun came out, and the pavement was bone dry. Being a practical kind of guy, I stopped, put my pickup in reverse, and backed into New Mexico just to savor a few more

rainy moments before heading home.

My uncle Charlie Gilpin was born in Bisbee but spent most of his life in Yuma. He swore that back in Ol’ Noah’s day when it rained 40 days and 40 nights, Yuma only got a quarter of an inch. When Shorty Logsden and his wife, Sadie, moved from Oregon to Gila Bend, they went to buy an adobe house from an old prospector. The house looked like it would suit their needs, but before committing, Shorty looked up at the ceiling and asked, “Are you sure the roof doesn’t leak?” The prospector got a puzzled expression on his face and replied “Leak what?”

Down near Willcox is a huge, dry lake bed. Old timers claim that at one time, its sparkling blue waters rivaled those of Lake Tahoe—that is, until a group of German tourists held a picnic there a few years ago. They brought along a couple of kegs of beer and a barrel of pretzels. They guzzled all the beer, but there was still a half-barrel of pretzels, so they tossed the remainder in the lake. The fish started feasting on those pretzels, got so thirsty they drank all the water, and there hasn’t been

Arizona’s official state historian, Marshall Trimble, is a cowboy singer, a humorist, and a storyteller.

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During the summer of 1990, a

heat wave set all kinds of

records in Arizona.

The climax came on June 26 when the temperature hit

122 degrees.

By Marshall Trimble

enough rainfall since to refill it.

The drought also had an effect on religion.

The churches out in Salome passed a watersaving ordinance that until the drought ended, the Baptists could only sprinkle, the Methodists used a damp cloth, and the Presbyterians issued rain checks.

During the summer of 1990, a heat wave set all kinds of records in Arizona. The climax came on June 26 when the temperature hit 122 degrees—that’s in the shade and five feet off the ground. It got so hot that cowboys out in Cave Creek were heatin’ their branding irons just by aimin’ ’em at the sun, and the bronze statues at the state capitol started sweating. A capitol police officer swore he saw Father Kino spur his horse, then ride over to a large shade tree. I checked the other day, and it’s still there.

A man in Scottsdale wound up in the hospital with third-degree burns after jumping into his swimming pool to cool off.

Mirages have been known to fool the saltiest of old cowboys. Hector Salazar tells of a time when he was driving a bunch of thirsty cows across the Sulphur Springs Valley, sometimes referred to as the “Sufferin’ Springs Valley.”

Most of the water holes had dried up and it looked like they weren’t gonna make it, but then he came upon a big pond where he camped for several days waterin’ his stock before he re-

Mirages have been known to fool the saltiest of old cowboys.

alized the pond was only a mirage—but he insisted, “It kept my cows from dyin’ of thirst.”

During a long drought in 1889, the Arizona Cattlemen’s Convention met in Phoenix, and rancher Daniel Houston Ming was asked to give the opening prayer. Dan was a salty old cattleman who normally accepted no man or beast as his master. But these weren’t normal times, and he needed a big favor and wasn’t too proud to humble himself before the Almighty.

He removed his hat and, gazing toward the heavens, began: “Now Lord, I’m about to round you up for some plain talk. Lord, I ain’t like those fellers who come bothering you every day. Why, this is the first time I’ve ever tackled you for anything, and if you will only grant this, I promise I’ ll never bother you again. We want rain, Good Lord, and we want it real bad and we ask you to send us some. But if you can’t or don’t want to send us any, doggone it, don’t make it rain over on the ranges in New Mexico but treat us all alike. Amen!”

And that ain’t no bull.

The churches out in Salome passed a watersaving ordinance that until the drought ended, the Baptists could only sprinkle, the Methodists used a damp cloth, and the Presbyterians issued rain checks.

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EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

35

> TOP/SCHOOLS

R A T S S L HOO C S e h t e k a m s l o o h c S y e . l l a m V o t o r s s a s E a l e c s e e h h t T f o t u o d n a n i e d gra ter har C S I S A B o ols BASIS Mesa Sch 5010 S. Eastmark

BASIS Ahwatukee 10210 S. 50th Pl. (480) 659-2294 basisahwatukee.org

36

Pkwy.

(602) 239-4807 basismesa.org

BASIS Chandler 1800 E. Chandler Blvd.

(480) 907-6072 basischandler.org

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

BASIS Charter Schools are consistently ranked within the top 10 high school programs in the country by publications such as U.S. News, the Washington Post, and Newsweek. This fall, nationally ranked BASIS charter schools will again be thrumming with academic and extracurricular in the East Valley as well as across Arizona and the nation.

They’re particularly proud of their three East Valley schools and grateful for support from students, families, and the community as they commence the second year at BASIS Ahwatukee and BASIS Mesa and the fourth at BASIS Chandler.

BASIS schools have provided a world-class education in Arizona since 1998, when their first charter school was founded in 1998 in Tucson out of the desire of a professional couple—one an economist and the other an educator—to provide an education for their daughter that matched the highest international standards. Many more communities wanted their kids to have access to a BASIS education, so in the 2014–15 academic year, BASIS will operate 13 Arizona charter schools. Each campus will have its own unique vibe, and all of them will share the same world-class curriculum and bright, distinguished teachers.

Prepare a

First-Day Kit Every well-prepared mom carries a first-aid kit, so why not put together a first-day kit? Here are a few little ideas for sending a longdistance hug to your child on the first day.

• Put a little unexpected special treat in the lunchbox, such as a hand-decorated cookie that you made together.

• Write a loving note on a piece of construction paper. Try cutting out a brown-bear-shaped card and write, “Mommy loves you beary much.”

• A pictures says it all. Use a piece of double-sided tape and stick a photograph or a picture of the family enjoying summer vacation to the inside of the lunch box. *Tips courtesy of beeinghappy.com

WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO START. • School Readiness Pathway: programs for infants through school-age

Bethany Christian School 6304 S. Price Rd. Tempe (480) 752-8993 bethanychristianschool.org

Bethany Christian School is a private accredited K–8 Christian school that delivers academic excellence from a biblical worldview in a caring environment. The school is built on a foundation that meets the needs of the whole child. The program is carefully designed to develop each student’s full potential in an environment where cooperation, hard work, and respect for individual differences are valued. Students thrive in small classes taught by experienced, passionate, and caring teachers. The academic program integrates a deep, sequential course of study with integration of art, music, Spanish, and physical education. State-of-the-art technology supports the academic program at every grade level. Open enrollment is underway for new students entering all grades. The staff is able to help prospective families learn how to afford a well-rounded, solid Christian-based education for their children.

• Learn from the Start: our exclusive infant/toddler curriculum • Focus on Literacy! in Preschool and Pre-K • Enrichment programs including computers, art, languages, and music • Infant to school-age programs • Specialized curriculum for all ages

ENROLL NOW AND GET ONE FREE WEEK!* TOUR YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL TODAY. CALL 877.217.9530 I LaPetite.com

*See school for details. Programs and hours of operation may vary by school. La Petite Academy, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ©2014 La Petite Academy, Inc. ALPA31

EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

37

Tempe Preparatory Academy and Tempe Prep Junior Academy 1251 E. Southern Ave., Tempe (480) 839-3402 tempeprep.org Tempe Preparatory Academy and Tempe Prep Junior Academy are liberal arts schools that use a Socratic practice as their pedagogical foundation to school students in grades six through 12. With a mission to educate students for the lifelong pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty, TPA instills in its students a passion for the liberal arts of grammar and rhetoric, logic and mathematics, history, natural science, and philosophy.

Through a rigorous core liberal-arts curriculum, students are encouraged to be intellectually curious and to absorb knowledge organically at an unhurried pace.

TPA is a charter school and draws from a waiting list throughout the year. According to the website, “a liberal arts education cannot be pursued hurriedly or with a sense only of its immediate benefit or material value. The formation of students’ characters and imaginations involves an exposure to great works and thinking over time, engendering a habit of excellence.” As part of this style of instruction, students at TPA read great works of literature that are rarely part of the typical public school curriculum; philosophy, economics, and classical and modern European languages are also part of the forward-thinking curriculum.

Gilbert Classical Academy is ranked third-best high school in Arizona and 28th in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report. A public school within the Gilbert school district, GCA provides pupils with a rigorous, integrated curriculum in a small school setting.

GCA utilizes its own three R’s—rigor, relevance, and relationships—to create an environment of outstanding learning. The school defines rigor as a condition of the learning environment, which stretches the individual learner to advance beyond his or her comfort zone. Relevance is addressed through lessons that bear on the experiences of the 21st-century citizen, and students who learn to interact with society at large will forge worthy relationships. The staff utilizes the Socratic method of instruction to encourage students to develop critical-thinking skills that prepare them for the world at large.

Gilbert Classical Academy 55 N. Greenfield Rd. Gilbert (480) 497-4034 gilbertschools.net/gca

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Notable Schools for the Little Ones

School Lunch Solutions Try these inventive tips to create a kid-approved sandwich.

“Waterproof” the Bread No one likes a soggy ’wich for lunch. To waterproof the bread before adding meat and fillings, spread a thin layer of butter edge-to-edge on the inside of each bread slice.

Tutor Time (Multiple North Valley locations)

Ditch the Square It’s not hip to be square, don’tcha know. Nix the standard box and stamp out something unusual for your kids’ sandwiches. Check out lunchpunch. com for some inventive cutters to create a variety of shapes— animals, objects, and more.

Unusual Combos Let your kids experience flavors outside their comfort zone. To mix things up, try unusual sandwich combos like apple and cream cheese, baked beans on a roll, peanut butter and grated carrot, or ham and cheese with a pineapple ring.

tutortime.com

Tutor Time in Phoenix provides a unique blend of care and education in state-of-the-art facilities to guide children’s first steps toward a lifelong love for learning.

The atmosphere is safe, secure, and stimulating–– designed to make learning fun. It enables children to create, explore, and grow. Teachers are encouraging and focused on meeting each individual child’s development and education needs while allowing him or her to advance through each program at his or her own pace. Our curriculum is designed to give children the tools they need to fuel success in kindergarten and beyond.

This fall, because education is not a one-size-fits-all experience, Tutor Time’s team of education specialists has developed a School Readiness Pathway to provide educational options, which empowers parents to choose the best fit for their child. Unique and individualized lesson plans are found in each classroom in every school; all are based on the abilities, strengths, and needs of those particular children. Teachers continually assess each child’s progress in meeting objectives established for every stage of the Pathway and shape lessons accordingly. Lessons are brought to life in ways that are meaningful for each child.

Tutor Time in Phoenix now offers a suite of offerings that build on the traditional pre-K experience, helping ensure a child’s academic and social kindergarten readiness without having to repeat coursework. In Kindergarten Prep, children are introduced to kindergarten-level concepts and skills as well as enriched reading, math, and handwriting.

Meanwhile, Junior Kindergarten focuses on sustaining attention, following multistep instructions, controlling impulses, and learning multiple ways to solve problems.

For more information on Tutor Time or to tour a location in the Valley near you, please visit tutortime.com or call (877) 794-6704.

Bethany Christian School focuses on the whole child as we encourage each student to reach his or her unique potential in Christ.

We are currently enrolling for the 2014-2015 school year!

Call for a tour today!

(480) 752-8993

6304 S. Price Road Tempe, AZ 85283 NW Corner of Guadalupe and Price Road EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

39

> HOME/CELEBRATIONS

Jamila Watson runs partiesonpurpose.com, a children’s party-and-event entertainment company.

Parties For Purpose

Every child deserves a birthday celebration, and party planner Jamila Watson aims to make sure they do!

Can a cupcake and a tutu change the world? We certainly think so, but let me start from the beginning.

When I first started my business, Parties On Purpose, my mission was always to plan fun and memorable parties where parents could just sit back and relax and also to give back to children who may not ever have the opportunity to celebrate their birthday. That was the “purpose” of Parties On Purpose.

Well, it’s amazing how things work and also how someone with the same big vision suddenly comes into your life. I received a call from my super-talented friend Julie Read.

Julie is the owner and fashion designer behind Juju’s Tutus, and I have always been an admirer of her work. Julie told me about her idea of planning parties for children living in homeless shelters, which led to an intense conversation about ways we could be of service.

This desire to serve those in a way that was already so familiar to us resulted in the creation of Parties For Purpose!

Parties For Purpose is an Arizona-based nonprofit that was established to organize and facilitate birthday parties for children in need. Our goal is to create lasting memories and to help build self-worth by honoring children with a birthday party.

Our first fund-raising effort was our Frozen in Summer photo shoot, which featured designs by Juju’s Tutu’s, party styling by Parties On Purpose, photographs by KSL Photography, and other surprises for the honoree and guests. Through generous donations, we were also able to sponsor a beautiful little girl named Adilynn. Adilynn was adopted at birth and was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. She recently turned 1, but unfortunately, her birthday party had to be canceled because of her health issues. It was such a pleasure to have her in the photo shoot along with the other models, and now her parents will have the cherished first-birthday-party photos.

We are both very excited for the future of Parties For Purpose and hope to both touch the lives of some very well-deserving children and inspire others to give, even if it’s in a small way. For more information about our services, to donate, or to volunteer, please visit us at partiesforpurposeaz.com.

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Thank you to all these wonderful vendors for donating their time to create a cherished first birthday.

Parties On Purpose: party styling Juju’s Tutus: Frozen character dresses and tutus, photo shoot concept KSL Photography: photography Makmaydesigns: character tops MooreCrayons: boots Makeup By Nicole Fisk: hair and makeup Avry Couture Creations: headbands Inspired Frog: mermaid towels SpendidINK: Frozen printables Angel Cakes Bakery: cake pops, cupcake snow cones Stacked Cakes by Jennifer and Lamay: wave cake Cuteology Cakes: smash cake Pure Nails: manicures

> HOME/LIFE

The Fourth Wise Decade of Life Ways Shay Moser shares her 40-plus lifestyle lessons.

It has been said by some anonymous person that “age is just a number, and mine is unlisted.”

You know who I am, though, and I have no problem telling you that my age is listed as 41.

Why can’t it be public? If the belief is that it’s a confident, sophisticated, more self-aware version of you, then wouldn’t that version be totally tickled with being 40-plus? I say, fly your 40 flag high and firmly! It’s OK if your flag isn’t perfect.

Certain lifestyle habits such as poor diet, high-impact exercises, slouching, and tanning have begun to take their toll, but they’ve also taught me lessons:

/

40-Plus Food When I was younger, I could eat anything without a worry. But the health experts aren’t kidding when they say metabolism decelerates by about 5 percent for every decade of life past age 40. As soon as I turned 40, I noticed a difference in how my clothes fit after years of freely eating white, refined foods regularly. Once I started following a diet rich in whole foods and limiting the “bad” carbs, the 40s flab fell off.

It’s a rude awakening the first time you realize that bad health habits have caught up to you.

But it’s never too late to make better choices. Here are a few healthy East Valley options to cuisine, well-being, and beauty.

Healthy Fast Food What: Salad and Go, drive-thru fast-food salad eatery Where: 743 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert saladandgo.com

Alternative Healthcare What: The Joint…the chiropractic place Where: 21582 S. Ellsworth Loop Rd., Queen Creek; 3426 E. Baseline Rd., Mesa 2895 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler; 3305 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler thejoint.com

/

40-Plus Fitness In my 20s and 30s, I took only the most challenging workouts like cardio kickboxing and advanced step aerobics. Now those exercise routines are a pain in my muscles and joints.

Medical experts warn that as we age, the supportive framework for the body—cartilage, tendons, and ligaments—becomes less elastic. Now I opt for low-impact fitness classes.

/

40-Plus Posture Improper posture at any age may put too much stress on your back and neck. But once I hit 40, bad posture combined with back strain and injury from high-impact exercises were debilitating, landing me in physical therapy and chiropractic care more than once. Now I not only have an ergonomic office setup but I’m also more conscious of keeping my ears, shoulders, and hips in a straight line.

Sunless Tanning What: Celebrity Tanning Where: 29 N. Val Vista Dr., Gilbert 1705 S. Greenfield Rd., Mesa 1901 S. Signal Butte Rd., Mesa 5110 E. Southern Ave. #110, Mesa 725 S. Rural, Tempe celebritytanning.com

/

40-Plus Skin Care I cringe when I remember that I used to work on my tan with help from baby oil. With the threat of sunspots on my delicate skin today, I wear at least 30-proof makeup or sunscreen and use store-bought self-tanning towelettes. Sometimes, I even pamper myself with a professional spray tan.

The moral of the story: I am healthier at this age than ever before.

Interested in advertising? Call (623) 299-4959 Ext. 700 Today!

Shay Moser is a Gilbert mom, writer, and business owner, and she’s passionate about the East Valley.

Follow her @ShayMoser.

EASTvalleymagazine.com EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST AUGUST || SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2014 2014

41 41

East Valley youths and X Games athletes Jagger Eaton and Alana Smith are living on the edge and loving every minute of it

x-treme Teens 42

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

By Anissa Stringer

T

he X Games, which debuted in 1995, have been around longer than two particular local athletes have been alive.

Alana Smith and Jagger Eaton, both 13, may be young, but they’re already world-class competitors.

The X Games allow athletes to compete against one another in extreme sports that include skiing, surfing, BMXing, and skateboarding—the sport in which Alana and Jagger both excel. The most recent competition took place this past June in Austin, Texas, and both of these phenomenal skateboarders outshined many older and more experienced athletes. After four runs in the preliminaries of the Big Air Skateboard Elimination, Jagger placed eighth overall—a pretty impressive feat considering he only skates that particular ramp once a year.

Alana left Austin with a new achievement under her belt as well. She took fifth place in the Women’s Skateboard Street Final, a form of skateboarding that includes skating rails and stair sets.

Aside from competing, Alana says her favorite thing about the Austin X Games was when she did an interview with Andrew Cannon, a professional skateboarder who calls Gilbert home. Alana’s mother, Rayonna Smith, says that the way the two interacted was amazing.

their ages didn’t give Alana and Jagger enough in common, they both also happen to be Guinness World Record holders. Alana is currently the Youngest X Games Medalist, and Jagger is the Youngest X Games Athlete. They both live and train in Mesa and develop their skills on a daily basis at Kids That Rip (KTR), right alongside several hundred other skateboarders.

KTP is considered one of the most progressive training centers in the area.

“The atmosphere is very positive, the skate park is amazing, and the staff is the best of the best,” says Geoff Eaton, Jagger’s father.

“We’re very lucky to have this place right here in Mesa.”

Unfortunately, no matter how safe a training program is, extreme sports come with risks, and injuries are bound to happen. Alana has fractured an ankle several times and broken her arm, and Jagger has also had a couple of broken arms.

But neither of them has allowed a few serious injuries (and many more bumps and bruises) to slow them down or hold them back! In fact, Alana’s mom says that Alana Smith (left) at the Barcelona X Games.

Alana isn’t the least bit nervous about skateboarding after an injury, although as a parent, she’s understandably worried at times.

As elite athletes, it’s not surprising that both young teens have lives that revolve around their sport. Jagger is homeschooled and does his schoolwork in the mornings, after which he spends his afternoons and evenings skateboarding and working out at CrossFit, often until dinnertime. Until recently, Alana was Jagger Eaton and Alana homeschooled as well. Now, she Smith are extreme teens. attends Fremont Junior High. The school has been very flexible about allowing her to come and go as necessary to “It was like they had their own talk show,” keep up with her training as well as other obshe said. Alana and Jagger agree that the venligations most students don’t have to worry ue and the people made the Austin X Games about, like photo shoots, filming with sponone of their all-time favorite competitions. sors, and attending international competiIf their mutual love of skateboarding and

EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

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"The atmosphere is very positive, the skate park is amazing, and the staff is the best of the best."

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AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

tions. Alana’s schedule is much like Jagger’s.

During the school year, she attends school until noon, followed by a grueling training schedule that eats up most of the evening.

While Alana and Jagger both take their training very seriously, they do manage to achieve some balance in their lives.

“As a mom, it’s super-important to me that Alana has downtime so she’s not just focused on skateboarding,” Rayonna says. That might include paintball with friends, among other things. And according to his dad, in Jagger’s downtime, “he’s really into Moto X and golf right now.” In the winter, though, he’s all about—you guessed it—snowboarding.

High school is just around the corner for these two, and while their experiences will probably be a little different from the average high schooler’s, both athletes are very sure that skateboarding will continue to be a big part of their futures. If the following they each have online is any indication, skateboarding will probably take them both far, perhaps literally. In fact, Alana and Jagger have already travelled extensively throughout the United States for various competitions. At Exposure, an annual women’s skateboarding benefit event and competition in California, Alana was the first female to ever land a McTwist (a 540 rotation with a front flip) in a contest. In Florida, at the Nike Skateboarding Tampa Am 2012, Jagger took third place, and he also took fourth in Big Air while in Los Angeles for the 2013 X Games.

Their passports are filling quickly as they travel farther from home as well.

In March, Alana took first place in the Women’s Vert Contest at Vert Attack in Sweden, and she and Jagger both attended the 2013 Barcelona X Games.

Jagger has also competed in Brazil, taking fourth place in the Mega Ramp Challenge; China, where he earned second place in the X Games in Shanghai, and South Africa, where he took first place for Big Air Mini-Mega Best Trick in the Kimberly Diamond Cup. Despite her nonstop schedule, Alana spent part of her summer at KTR’s summer skateboard

camp as a guest coach, where she answered questions, taught kids tricks, and just hung out with them. She loved being a guest coach because she remembers how excited she used to get when she met pro athletes, and she especially loves motivating girls to get involved in skateboarding.

In a sport in which winning athletes are sometimes a decade or more older than

Jagger and Alana, it’s clear that their careers are just now getting underway. As their travels take then farther from home, let’s hope that this pair of remarkable X players keeps returning to the East Valley so they can continue to share their passion for skateboarding with the next generations of athletes.

Alana letting it rip.

EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

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2014 Business

Paul Eckstein perkinscoie.com/peckstein (602) 351-8222 Phoenix Randal Evans evanslawaz.com (602) 492-2073 Mesa Martin Galbut galbutlaw.com (602) 955-1455 Phoenix Jean Harris gtlaw.com/people/jeaneharris (602) 445-8310 Phoenix Robert Kant gtlaw.com/people/robertskant (602) 263-2606 Phoenix Aaron Kelly kellywarnerlaw.com (480) 588-0449 Scottsdale Michael Kennedy bit.ly/1jUhOK7 (602) 530-8504 Phoenix 46

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

Matthew Harrison harrisonlawaz.com (480) 988-7407 Gilbert

Michael Zdancewicz wzfirm.com (602) 266-1327 Tempe

Michael King bit.ly/Ur1i8a (602) 256-0566 Phoenix

>

Guy Bluff guywbluff.com (602) 885-6007 Phoenix Jerry Bonnet bffb.com (602) 776-5900 Phoenix Jodi Feuerhelm perkinscoie.com/jfeuerhelm (602) 351-8015 Phoenix Elizabeth Fitch bit.ly/1rqoJLQ (602) 385-6776 Phoenix Jessica Fotinos bit.ly/1nkY3KJ (602) 542-1525 Tempe

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TO

William Klain lang-baker.com/attorneys/klain.htm (480) 947-1911 Scottsdale

Construction

RS 2

Avvo is a Seattle-based company that helps consumers make better legal decisions by offering free Q&A forums, backed by ratings and profiles for 90 percent of the lawyers in the country.

They have teamed with us to present this list of the top lawyers in the Phoenix area. Lawyers are ranked based on their professional backgrounds, according to Avvo’s proprietary algorithms.

The Avvo Rating is a score on a 10-point scale distilled from the raw rankings it generated. These ratings and rankings were calculated as of June 16, 2014.

We’ve teamed up with Avvo—a leading company that helps consumers make better legal decisions—to bring you the top attorneys in the Valley.

>

YE

EY

LAWYERS

L AW

TOP Valley

ALL V P

Matthew Meaker bit.ly/1pCJ4dP (480) 425-2627 Scottsdale Sharon Shively bit.ly/WC2mrK (480) 425-2625 Scottsdale David Tierney bit.ly/1jUi6QX (480) 425-4920 Scottsdale

>

Criminal Defense

Ashley Adams azwhitecollarcrime.com (480) 219-1366 Matthew Brown brownandlittlelaw.com (480) 299-2093 Tempe

E S T AT E P L A NN I N G David Cantor dmcantor.com (602) 307-0808 Phoenix

Alex Lane alexlanelaw.com (480) 776-5757 Phoenix

Kathleen Carey azduiatty.com (480) 705-6688 Phoenix

Scott Maasen maasenlaw.com/about (480) 329-5886 Scottsdale

Kristen Curry www.azlaw.com (602) 258-1000 Phoenix

Burges McCowan burgesmccowan.com (602) 492-8295 Phoenix

Donna Heller mediationinstead.com (602) 453-4200 Phoenix

Jeremy Geigle bit.ly/1lsAzPH (480) 818-9943 Peoria

Craig Penrod penrodduilaw.com/about-penrod.php (480) 753-5888 Tempe

Douglass Lodmell lodmell.com (602) 230-2014 Phoenix

Craig Gillespie craiggillespie.com (602) 253-1010 Phoenix

Paul Ramos ramosduilaw.com (480) 247-8558 Scottsdale

Grant McKeehan grantmckeehan.com (888) 913-8943 Scottsdale

Michael Kielsky krazlaw.com (480) 626-5415 Tempe

Craig Rosenstein scottsdale-duilawyer.com (480) 248-7666 Scottsdale

Phoebe Moffat bit.ly/Ur1xQJ (480) 425-2608 Scottsdale

Craig Orent orentlaw.com (480) 656-7301 Peoria

Scott Silva attorneysilva.com (480) 456-1985 Chandler

Michelle Perkins oplaw.com (480) 630-2464 Scottsdale

Howard Snader SnaderLaw.com (602) 957-3300 Phoenix

>

DUI/DWI

>

Estate Planning

Charles Davis davismiles.com/attorney/charles-e-davis/ (480) 733-6800 Tempe

Ilene McCauley gandmlaw.net (480) 296-2036 Scottsdale

TJ Ryan frgalaw.com (602) 277-2010 Phoenix Jeannette Woods deckerandwoods.com (480) 821-1012 Chandler

Aaron Black aaronblacklaw.com (480) 729-1683 Chandler

Quinn DeAngelis azdox.com (480) 281-1512 Scottsdale

Kristopher Califano califanolaw.com (602) 402-8708 Phoenix

Ike Devji proassetprotection.com (602) 808-5540 Phoenix

Joan Bundy joanbundylaw.com (480) 463-4600 Chandler

Joshua Davidson jdavidsonlaw.com (480) 248-7022 Phoenix

John Fitzpatrick arizonaestatelitigation.com (602) 277-2010 Phoenix

Jessica Cotter jessicacotterlaw.com (602) 843-3004 Glendale

>

Family

EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

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F A M I LY

F A M I LY

Rebecca Owen arizona-divorcelawyer.com (602) 264-1701 Phoenix

DeShon Pullen deshonpullenlaw.com (602) 252-1968 Phoenix

Monica Donaldson Stewart donaldsonstewartlaw.com (480) 792-9770 Chandler

Douglass Christian bit.ly/1pCJEZ1 (602) 792-1717 Phoenix

Marc Lamber lambergoodnow.com (602) 274-9662 Phoenix

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Insurance Robert Bruno bit.ly/1kb3AVx (602) 532-5755 Phoenix

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INSURANCE

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Personal Injury Gordon Goodnow lambergoodnow.com (602) 274-9662 Phoenix

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

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>

Real Estate

David Brnilovich jsslaw.com/peoria.aspx (623) 878-2222 Peoria Lance Davidson cleverlegal.com (480) 860-9390 Scottsdale Keith Galbut galbutlaw.com (602) 955-1455 Phoenix Gregory Hague greghague.com (602) 999-1000 Scottsdale

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EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

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> BETTER/GOLF

Straight Shot

Try these three ways to launch the ball in a straight line toward the target.

Many in the game of golf believe there is only one way to hit a straight shot. This is far from true.

When club path and impact location vary, a multitude of resulting ball flight options present themselves. Let’s discuss the three combinations that help produce a straight ball. *Face is measured where the ball is contacted, not in the center. Toe=Open. Heel=Closed.

Method One

/

Method Two

/

Path 0. Face 0. Center Contact. This would obviously be the preferred method—it leaves little guesswork surrounding where the golf ball will finish. This will produce the shot traveling the farthest distance.

Path right/in to out, with face closed and heel impact. Remember, the face is only closed because the ball is being contacted on the heel. The center of the face on this particular shot is assumed to be square to the target line. Out of the three methods, this will produce the ball traveling the least distance, all things equal.

Scott Sackett, a GOLF Magazine Top 100 Teacher since 1999, was recently voted as one of Golf Digest’s best teachers in Arizona for the fifth year in a row. Reach him via scottsackett.com or youtube.com/scottsackettgolf.

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AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

As unlikely as a hole-in-one is on a parthree, imagine making one on a par-five. This highly unusual shot, informally known as a condor, has only been verified four times!

Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama— these are just a few of the presidents associated with golf. But Woodrow Wilson is often overlooked. An avid golfer, he was so dedicated to the game that he even played in the snow—using black golf balls!

Info courtesy of The Daily Tee

> BUZZ/ANSWERS

By Scott Sackett

Method Three

/

Path left/out to in, with face open and toe impact. The face is open only because the ball is being contacted on the toe. The center of the face is assumed to be square to the target. Out of the three methods, this will produce the ball traveling the second farthest of the three, all things being equal.

A word on the big miss with off-center hits: you take a look at methods two and three and reverse the contact point, as a result reversing the face angle (the face angle changes as you move the contact point from toe to heel) but keeping the path the same, it would produce the big misses. Path left and heel impact produces a slice, assuming that the face center is 0, while path right and toe impact produce the big hook. The miss left I see with a lot of tour players is a path slightly right with a slight toe impact. This miss will often be diagnosed by the commentators and even sometimes by the player as a double-cross. However, when looking closely at the contact point, you see a slight toe impact. Based on the ball flight being a hook finishing left of target, it’s fair to theorize that the path of the golf club is right. The biggest determinant in the variations of ball flight for any one tour player on any given day is not path or face but contact point on the clubface.

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

Across

DID YOU KNOW Actor Samuel L. Jackson is also an avid golfer. In fact, the star of flicks like

Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained has a contract clause to play golf twice a week whenever he films movies.

Down

1 Back-to-school carrier 5 Creative spark 9 What a coach does with students 10 Italian luxury car 11 Running-shoe brand 13 One who is learning 14 Understand 16 Branch of math 18 Bean used to make miso 22 You can find Wikipedia on it—the ________ 23 “Yay, team!” cheer 24 New language to learn, perhaps 27 Compass direction 28 Computer department 29 Bentley tourer 31 College student 34 Alias 35 Text-_________ 36 Iconic English luxury car brand

1 Item for a relay race or a conductor 2 Teacher’s writing implement 20 years ago 3 What you usually do on a fourth down 4 Where school food is served 6 Sketched 7 You might see this kind of substance in a chemistry lesson 8 Level of a group of students 12 Goes with a tea, for example 13 Collection of numbers in math 14 Advanced study group led by teacher 15 September holiday (2 words) 17 Shakespearean tragedy 19 In soccer, scoring against yourself (2 words) 20 Old form of you 21 Football tackle 23 Computer memory 25 Decade number 26 Be situated horizontally 30 It’s part of a pen 32 Barely make, with out 33 _________ display

EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

51

SAY WHAT?

Ask Dirk

A guy’s perspective on matters of the heart and hearth.

CHIVALRY AIN’T DEAD Hi Dirk, I recently took a new job. I love everything about the job, except that it’s my first time with a female boss and I keep insulting her by accident. I’m not a sexist, but I was raised to treat women as the fairer sex and apparently, it offends her.

One example is that in meetings when she extends a hand, I instinctively grasp her fingers instead of giving her a firm handshake. She has now asked me a couple times to shake her hand like I would any man’s hand, but I don’t agree that I’m insulting or belittling her. She is a successful and accomplished businessperson who I want to treat with respect, but I just can’t change 40 years of chivalry.

What would you do?

—Steve H. Steve, Tough question, easy answer! Your boss doesn’t sound like the softer side of anything, and I’m sure she has been put through the wringer on her way up the ladder. Furthermore, I’m sure she had a dad who taught her to shake hands. But I don’t think you’re at fault for the way you were raised. Perhaps her dad should’ve taught her the difference between misogyny and chivalry. That being said, you should always respect someone’s wishes and treat them as they would prefer, so here’s what you do: Walk into your next meeting and grasp her hand with a grip so firm it could strip bark off a birch the way you would grab your father’s hand, whose fingers you’d never grasp daintily. Bear down until you are sure there has been permanent damage to the cartilage. Maintain eye contact and offer a friendly smile. Keep a lookout for a subtle eye twitch or watery tear ducts, which might surface when she realizes she will need surgery. This will be your sign that the handshake should end. You will need to end the handshake, as she surely didn’t get to the front of the room by being a quitter.

After this, one of two things will likely happen: • She will avoid shaking your hand altogether after a warning from her physician.

• She will ask you to be gentler, and your chivalry will be appreciated.

• She will crush your hand like your dad would’ve, because after all, she didn’t get to the front of the room by giving up. Hope this helps!—DIRK

To submit a question about your relationship, e-mail askdirk@eastvalleymagazine.com.

[Editor’s note: The opinions and advice given in this column in no way reflect those of the editorial staff—at least those that we’d express openly!

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According to a Facebook study conducted by TED talker and data journalist David McCandless, spikes in breakups happen in spring and right before the holidays. The lowest amount of breakups happen between the end of July and beginning of October.

“Psychologists at the University of Pennsylvania studied data from over

10,000 speed daters

and found that most people make a decision regarding a person’s attractiveness within the first three seconds of meeting,” says licensed psychologist Rachel Needle, Psy.D.

Paul Davis, author of Breakthrough for a Broken Heart , says that on average,

12 to 14 dates occur before couples trade house keys.

> BETTER/WHEELS

2014 Lexus IS F This F grades an A, according to auto writer Greg Rubenstein.

One of the oldest strategies for automotive success is to embed a powerful engine into a sedate sedan, thereby creating a stealthy hot rod that’s as fun to drive as it is practical. At least, that’s the theory.

What sometimes happens, however, is that a soft chassis gets overpowered, creating a dreadful or even dangerous high-performance driving experience. Even with—or especially with—a full complement of upgraded brakes, suspension, wheels, tires, and interior tidbits, there’s no amount of tuning that can overcome insufficient structural integrity.

Fortunately, in the IS sedan, Lexus has a chassis that’s well sorted and fully capable of managing more power. While the more pedestrian IS 250 and IS 350 make do with a V-6 engine—a 2.5-liter version good for 204-horsepower and a 3.5-liter version that churns out 306-horsepower, respectively—the IS F gets a 416-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8 engine.

For 2014, the IS 250 and 350 sedans have been redeveloped with new interior and exterior designs, including the brand’s “spindle” grille, a signature look as divisive as it is striking. Happily, the IS F continues to use the previous-generation sedan for its underlying structure, which also means the spindle façade has yet to make it to this performance machine.

Whereas the new lower-tier IS models have closed some of the gap with respect to luxury appointments, the IS F remains above its siblings in appointments, sparkling with luxury features and go-fast goodies. Updates for 2014 include higher-end leather/Alcantara upholstery, LED fog lights, and a subtle rear spoiler constructed of carbon fiber.

The IS F’s luxury and safety features are numerous, as one would expect in a performance sedan with a base price of $64,260. The tested vehicle stickered at $68,170 and included the optional Mark Levinson audio package, a sound system worth its price and as good as any highend aftermarket installation. Other ameni-

Greg Rubenstein is a freelance automotive journalist and deputy editor for izoom.com, an autoenthusiast website.

He’s been writing about and racing cars for 25 years.

ties include keyless entry, push-button start, 10-way heated power front sport seats with three-position driver/front passenger memory, seven-inch multifunction LCD touchscreen display with hard-drive navigation and voice-command, headlamp cleaner, and park assist with backup camera.

This rear-wheel drive four-door is truly a driver’s sedan, and its eight-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters makes easy work of long-distance road trips or daily commuting. Lexus claims this rocket is good for a top speed of 170 mph—an assertion not tested—though the standing-start acceleration easily matched the factory-rated 4.6-second sprint from zero to 60 mph.

Although it offers ferocious speed, the IS F can be quite docile.

In standard mode, the ride is a breeze for everyday driving. Select the Sport setting, and dynamics are firm yet still compliant, soaking up most bumps without upset. The steering is suitably heavy but not tiring, and overall, there’s a sublime feeling of connectivity between driver, road, and machine. Lane changes are near-telepathic, and scooting into or through traffic gaps happens with the lightest pressure on the throttle.

Against its German rivals—BMW M3, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, or Audi S4— this Lexus gives up just a bit in overall performance, but in practical daily use, it’s a very livable machine and every bit a sport luxury sedan. In the IS F’s favor is exclusivity, reliability, and, depending on options, a significant price advantage. Those ready to add a high-performance hot rod to their stable need to visit Lexus’s showroom for a test drive. The IS F may be the perfect combination of lowkey speed and luxury.

Interested in advertising? Call (623) 299-4959 Ext. 700 Today!

EASTvalleymagazine.com EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST AUGUST || SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2014 2014

53 53

> BETTER/HAIR

In Session

Stylist Martin Weston on the latest hairstyles for backto-school style.

It’s back-to-school time. Every department store has a sale on clothes, shoes, socks and underwear, notebooks, pens, paper, and everything else that’s on the teachers must-have and wish lists. Summer vacation is finally over for those going back to school. On the other hand, for some parents, this is when their vacation begins.

Say goodbye to the long days of summer and sleeping until noon.

Back to school means you’ll have much less time each morning to fret over what hairstyle looks best. For this reason, you’ll need an easy, lowmaintenance style that looks great and trendy. Here are some ideas to take you from simple summer looks to back-to-school hair easily.

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

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Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

Short Hair

It seems every week, another celebrity has followed the trend of cutting her hair into an edgy, super-flirty pixie.

Even Disney’s Rapunzel cut her hair short. For some, the new look has been transformative! If you have the right face shape and hair texture, this cut could be quite freeing. Style your new cut with an extreme side part and let the longer fringe fall toward the face, or sweep it out of your eyes. Spike it, scrunch it, or emphasize the texture using gels or creams. This cut is artfully flirtatious and playfully cool. If you’re limited on time, a short cut is a snap to style. Ditch the ponytail and jump into the new school year with attitude!

Here are a few celebrities who’ve empowered others with the freedom to experiment with their hair by cutting theirs short: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Lawrence, Pamela Anderson, Jennifer Hudson, Charlize Theron, P!nk, Emma Watson, Michelle Williams, Alicia Keys, Evan Rachel Wood, Anne Hathaway, and Miley Cyrus.

DFree / Shutterstock.com

MediumLength Hair

Shoulder grazing, show stopping, and hot, hot, hot! Whether your hair is straight, wavy, or curly, keeping it cut so it falls at your shoulders or collarbone will have you looking fabulous on your first day back to school. A few well-placed medium to long layers coupled with a long fringe will keep this cut from looking too heavy. Use a flatiron to create smooth texture with bouncy ends that kiss your shoulders, or use a 1½– inch-barrel curling iron for effortless waves. Add a few beach blonde highlights or caramel undertones for a lasting summer impact.

A medium-length cut still allows you to pull it back for sports or when you’re working out. The styling options are limitless. Have your hairdresser show you a new way of styling your hair every time you’re in the salon for a trim.

If you decide to cut your hair to medium length, here are some celebrities you’re in good company with: Claire Danes, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, Rachel McAdams, Reese Witherspoon, Amy Poehler, Katy Perry, Sienna Miller, Keira Knightley, Scarlett Johansson, Jenny McCarthy, and Taylor Swift.

DFree / Shutterstock.com

Long Hair

Besides Snow White, I can’t think of a single Disney princess who didn’t have long hair. Why is that?

Glamorous and touchable, long hairstyles ooze romance and sex appeal.

Cutting long, subtle layers keeps the length full and thick, or you can maintain it one length. If you were born with luxurious hair, then show it off! Turn some heads this year in the hallway with your hair styled sleek straight; with bohemian waves or ringlets, braids, or plaits; half up; or an updo with a bun. You could also enhance your hair’s thickness and length by adding extensions.

Talk to your stylist, as salons offer many different techniques using either 100 percent human hair, synthetics, or a combination of both.

Some long-hair show-offs include Angelina Jolie, Sofia Vergara, Beyoncé, Emmy Rossum, Fergie, Jennifer Lopez, Megan Fox, Selena Gomez, Carrie Underwood, Haley Reinhart, and Grace Potter.

As you prepare for your first year in college or your last year of junior high or high school, consider who will be your hair-inspiring muse. There’s a lot riding on making that first impression. Be the best you—and be astounding!

> BETTER/STYLE

Photos by Lauren Streiff, Lunabear Studios, lunabearstudios.com Models: Kimberly, Amanda, Nicole Clothing borrowed from Fresh Start Treasures, fstreasures.com

Fresh Start

Fashionista Kim Kendall shows you how to dress affordably for back to school and support a local women’s charity at the same time.

The new school year is upon us, which means back-to-school shopping. In the heat of Arizona, we need to choose our clothing wisely while keeping in mind the extreme heat. Since many Arizonians get away in the summer to cool off, this can leave little in the budget for back-to-school fashion.

Shopping at a local resale store can be a great way to save money while finding great clothing.

A new school year means a fresh start—new classes, new teachers, and new style. Fresh Start is also the name of a women’s resource center that you can support while you shop. Works both ways, and it’s a win-win for everyone.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Kids in high school want to be comfortable and cute without looking like they tried too hard.

Recommended items to shop for: colorful shorts, trendy tank tops, and patterned tennis shoes.

This student is wearing a feather top, $5; a salmon tank, $5; khaki shorts, $5; and an orchid belt, $.50. Total price: $15.50.

COLLEGE STUDENTS

Young adults in college hope to make a big impression on peers and professors, so they have to take their look up a notch. Recommended items to shop for: versatile dresses, light cardigans, and bold ballet flats. This student is wearing a striped dress, $8; a navy blazer, $6; and gold-starred shoes, $8. Total price: $22.00.

Here are three looks to inspire your backto-school shopping

Every year, students, teachers, and parents get an opportunity to make a “fresh start,” and what a perfect way to do so by buying and wearing clothing from Fresh Start Treasures.

Fresh Start Women’s Foundation was founded in 1992 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving women in need. Fresh Start Treasures, located at 40th Street and E. Thomas Road in Phoenix, takes donations from the public and resells those items in their boutique. The proceeds directly benefit the programs at the Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center.

TEACHERS

Teachers must find a balance between fashionable and appropriate when they choose what to wear. Recommended items to shop for: pencil or A-line skirts, button-up shirts, and kitten heels. This teacher is wearing a floral sheath dress, $8, and brown sandal wedges, $14.95. Total price: $22.95.

Kim Kendall is a mom who is passionate about fashion. She owns Clothes Minded Women’s Boutique in Ahwatukee. Follow her at clothesmindedaz.com, facebook.com/clothesmindedaz and on Twitter @clothesmindedaz.

EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

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> BETTER/BODY

Box Your Way to a Better Core

Workout shot at Jabz Boxing, jabzboxing.com Models: Kim Miller and Shannon Dougherty of Fit Mom Diet and Joyce Emily, Founder of Basic Greens Photos by Steven Trujillo, trudgephoto.com

Engage and strengthen your midsection with these simple exercises.

Want to melt calories away and tone yourself up? These basic movements are designed to effectively engage and strengthen your core. This workout, shot at Jabz Boxing Fitness For Women, was designed to incorporate muscle-toning exercises with boxing.

Your core is the group of muscles that make up your midsection. They consist of the abdominals, obliques, and lower back. The core is responsible for stabilizing everything we do and for helping maintain our posture. The benefits of a strong core include improved posture, the elimination of lower-back pain, higher levels of physical performance, injury prevention, and better muscle tone. To complete this workout, set a timer for 45 seconds for each exercise, with a 15-second break in between. Progress through the workout three to four times, with a one-minute rest in between each circuit, if necessary.

Shannon and Kim are the Fit Mom Diet Team. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re nationally published health experts, and they also advocate locally on wellness at fitmomdiet.com.

Standing Side Crunch a. Stand with feet wide and hands above your head, holding a bar or a broom. b. Lift your left leg to the side as you lower your left elbow and raise your left knee so they meet in one fluid movement, working the waistline.

Side Twists a. Sit on the floor with knees bent, heels lifted slightly off the ground, and fists clenched, and lean your torso back 45 degrees. b. Slowly lower upper body and twist torso to each side; left and right makes one repetition.

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c b a

Squat, Pivot, Punch This exercise can be done with or without a punching bag a. Start in a squatting position with hands ready at chest height. b. When you have squatted fully, reverse direction and begin to stand back up, keeping your knees slightly bent. Pivot and turn your upper body toward your left. c. Powerfully punch your right arm across your body and up diagonally at about a 45-degree angle. Pivot through your hips, feet, and knees as you punch up and across. Switch sides on next round.

Cross Crunch a. Lie down flat on your back with hands behind your head. Slide your right leg up toward your body to form a 90-degree angle with the floor. Lift your left leg off the floor, and position your right ankle under your left knee. b. Begin a cross-crunch by lifting off the floor in a twisting motion from your left elbow to your right knee.

Return to starting position.

EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

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> BETTER/HEALTH

Keep the Back-toSchool Bugs at Bay!

Dr. Clifford Gazda offers suggestions to reduce the risk of your children contracting and transmitting disease.

Back-to-school time for students means taking new and exciting classes; signing up for sports, clubs, and other extracurricular activities; and catching up with old friends and making new ones. For parents, it means new schedules and a break from the summer activities. It’s an exciting time, no matter how old you are!

With all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy for students to get run down at a time when they’re exposed to myriad germs. After the back-to-school viruses go around, parents and other family members will often contract these illnesses as well. To reduce the risk of contracting and transmitting disease, physicians often recommend that students be evaluated prior to starting the school year. This typically means a complete physical and review of immunization status and the possible administration of vaccines.

Vaccines work by exposing an individual to inactivated or weakened germ particles to induce an immune response.

In time, that person will produce antibodies against the particles creating immunity to that germ. When confronted with the real thing, the immunized individual’s body recognizes and protects that person from infection.

The first vaccine was created more than 100 years ago to fight the smallpox virus.

Worldwide vaccination has been so successful that the World Health Organization certified eradication of smallpox in 1979.

Today, there are vaccines for a variety of illnesses, some of which can be devastating if contracted. Partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physicians

can recommend to their patients what vaccinations to get and when they should be given. We can “catch up” those that have missed doses and, depending on the vaccination, check if a patient is immune.

Vaccination may not be for everyone.

Those with weakened immune systems, for example, should discuss with their doctor whether certain vaccinations should be administered.

Our goal at Scottsdale Healthcare Pri-

Clifford Gazda, MD, can be reached at Scottsdale Healthcare Primary Care Mesa.

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mary Care Mesa, an affiliate of Scottsdale Lincoln Heath Network, is promotion of wellness and healthy lifestyles. That starts with preventing illness before it happens.

Washing hands and sanitizing areas is a great first step. Seeing one of our physicians around back-to-school time for an exam and review of immunizations is another. We can answer questions, give vaccines, and get you and your family on the road to better health.

Scottsdale Healthcare Primary Care Mesa 1124 E. McKellips Rd., Suite 110 Mesa (480) 228-7370 primarycaremesa.org

> TASTE/COOK Brown Baggin’ Dietitian Kelli Morgan packs a nutritious punch in her kids’ lunch boxes.

Another school year is about to begin. If you’re like me, you have the best intentions of making creative social-mediapost-worthy lunches every day. The reality is that we make a couple of creative lunches and then revert back to the same convenient “brown bag” variety we all know and love. Here are a few of my tips to keep your kids’ lunches fun and creative every day!

I recently bought the PlanetBox for my daughter. It’s a stainless-steel compartmentalized lunch box. Its shape inspires me with ideas on how to fill those little compartments. And my kids love to give me their ideas, too! Even if you don’t have a compartmentalized lunch box, you can still try these ideas.

I mix up my kids’ entrees in their lunch daily—sandwiches, wraps, pasta, salad, and pizza. This way, they get something new every day, and it’s easy for me to come up with a new sandwich or pasta idea. I like to pack them healthy pizza on Friday when the school is eating pizza so they don’t feel left out!

I always pack a fruit and a vegetable, and I also try to change them up. My kids also love it when I make a fruit salad, and this provides them with three or four different fruits in one lunch. Lunch is a great time to try out new fruits and vegetables because your kids will be hungry and they won’t have any other options.

Kelli’s Summer Pasta, ants on a log, lychee fruit, cherries, and Juice Plus chewables

Kelli’s Summer Pasta 16 oz. gluten-free pasta green beans, chopped

into bite-size pieces

heirloom cherry tomatoes,

chopped into quarters

basil for garnish Dressing ¼ cup fresh lemon juice ½ cup olive oil 1 Tbs. Dijon mustard 1 Tbs. honey 1 shallot

salt and pepper to taste > Combine the dressing ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth and creamy. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook according to the package’s directions. Add the green beans at the last four minutes of the pasta’s cooking time. Drain the pasta and green beans.

Transfer to a large glass bowl. Pour the dressing over the top of the pasta and green beans. Stir to combine. Top with tomatoes and basil.

Kelli Morgan, R.D., is a registered dietitian living and loving the Valley. She’s also a total foodie. Check out her recipes on kellird.com.

EASTvalleymagazine.com AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014

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> TASTE/COOK

Primal Workouts and Food to Match!

Young culinary gun Chef Matthew Grunwald on food fit to fuel your body.

As a full-time chef and television personality, fitness is key. I’ve had the fortune to team up with Amenzone Fitness, a high-intensity cross-fit training gym that utilizes tires instead of actual weights. My day begins with a 9 a.m. workout, which sets me up for the entire day.

When I think of wellness, I picture a combination of healthy, clean nutrients such as proteins, grains, leafy greens, and berries, all balanced with fitness. I’ve always been strong and in solid shape, but Amenzone has taken me to a new level.

My workouts include intense laps with a tire held over my head, a primal-warrior boot camp, kickboxing, and boxing, which is where my black-belt training comes in handy.

My favored class is the primal one—it’s primal in its intensity! Within five minutes of the warm-up, I’m already sweating. This is the same feeling I get when I’m in front of a camera during a live cooking competition—new breath comes into my lungs, and I feel vibrantly alive as I push my way through with full focus and intensity.

Now, with such high levels of physical intensity every day, I’m reminded as a trained chef that the body requires a greater fuel source through what it’s fed.

This means clean fats such as avocados and almonds. I highly recommend, depending on your weight, a half-cup to a cup of oatmeal with 1 teaspoon of brown sugar and a handful of almonds two hours before your workout. Oatmeal is a source of soluble fiber, which means your body is going to digest it slower and provide you with more energy for a longer period of time. Right after the workout, I recommend a ripened banana and a small form of protein, whether a bar, a shake, or some 60

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2014 EASTvalleymagazine.com

source of food. Even though you are going to eat a snack right after you work out, it’s important to immediately feed your body with something light after you have gone beast mode at the gym.

My recipe for success that I am providing should be eaten 30 minutes to two hours after your workout if you go to the gym any time in the morning or afternoon. Remember—everyone’s body is

Matthew Grunwald regularly whips up original recipes for a television audience on Arizona Midday and Valley Dish segments. different, so do what works for you, and always remember to consult your doctor before committing to any sort of diet or workout plan. As the Amenzone mantra states, “Every day, train for life!” Enjoy the recipe, guys!

Super-Foods Protein Salad 1 cup shredded kale 1 cup shredded carrots ½ cup dried cherries or cranberries ½ cup slivered almonds 1 cup quinoa, boiled, cooked, and cooled according to the box instructions ¼ cup Brie cheese, diced small 2 roasted red peppers, sliced 1 store-bought rotisserie chicken, skin removed and meat shredded ¼³ cup extra-virgin olive oil 4-5 Tbs. soy sauce 1 Tbs. Mirin 2 Tbs. miso paste 1 orange, zested and juiced 2 Tbs. honey

Freshly ground black pepper > In a large bowl, combine the kale, carrots, cherries, almonds, quinoa, Brie, roasted red peppers, and chicken until evenly distributed. > In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, mirin, miso paste, orange zest, orange juice, and honey until smooth and combined. Pour over the salad when ready to serve. This salad will last three to four days in the refrigerator when dressed with the vinaigrette.

> BUZZ/CROSSWORD

By Myles Mellor

2 Down Across 1 Back-to-school carrier 5 Creative spark 9 What a coach does with students 10 Italian luxury car 11 Running-shoe brand 13 One who is learning 14 Understand 16 Branch of math 18 Bean used to make miso 22 You can find Wikipedia on it—the ________ 23 “Yay, team!” cheer 24 New language to learn, perhaps 27 Compass direction 28 Computer department 29 Bentley tourer 31 College student 34 Alias 35 Text-_________ 36 Iconic English luxury car brand

Down 1 Item for a relay race or a conductor 2 Teacher’s writing implement 20 years ago 3 What you usually do on a fourth down 4 Where school food is served 6 Sketched 7 You might see this kind of substance in a chemistry lesson 8 Level of a group of students 12 Goes with a tea, for example 13 Collection of numbers in math 14 Advanced study group led by teacher 15 September holiday (2 words) 17 Shakespearean tragedy 19 In soccer, scoring against yourself (2 words)

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20 Old form of you 21 Football tackle 23 Computer memory 25 Decade number 26 Be situated horizontally 30 It’s part of a pen 32 Barely make, with out 33 _________ display

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> BUZZ/BACKSTORY

By M.D. Thalmann

Flightless Fowl

>>

Prepare for the arrival of the snowbird.

Summer is finally coming to an end, and oh, have we locals paid the price for the subtler, shadier days ahead. Remind me again why we moved here or didn’t move somewhere else after high school. Oh, yeah—it was that nine or so months out of the year that this place is paradise. We suffer through the scorching days of near eternal summer to enjoy the nectar of a late Arizona fall, when the trees change from dark green to a slightly brighter shade of that same green. As the cooler air hints at rolling in, along comes an infestation that both plagues the locals and bolsters the economy. These varmints* (I jest, of course) can be quite annoying and can really put a damper on your plans for the day. They get in the way, leave behind big messes, and clog up the highways and

byways almost as if they were sent by the state to provide evidence M.D. Thalmann is a local that we need more writer and author. To see his money budgeted work, visit mdthalmann.com . to the city works.

No, I’m not referring to the rogue coyotes that come down from the mountains and stop traffic—I’m talking about a flightless fowl—the snowbird—and a few ways to avoid getting in their way when they come back to roost.

Don’t feed them, otherwise they will think its OK to keep coming ’round, and this helps no one.

Don’t make eye contact with anyone who says “don’tcha know,” “jeepers,” “golly,” “gosh,” or “oh ya.”

If cornered by one of these critters, simply make a reference to how the Vikings looked strong in the last game, and RUN.

Sell your car, or only go out after dark—like way after dark. It’s safest to go out near midnight, as the snowbirds will all be sawing logs or else indoors dining very late. Either way, you can finally get to the gym.

As demonstrated in the popular ’80s movie Gremlins, don’t get ’em wet. You can always spot a snowbird by a desire to get into the pool in the middle of December, claiming it’s warm and that others should join in. This is a trap—don’t fall for it. The water is actually near freezing.

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Speaking of the gym, as long as you are going for the weight-lifting half of the gym, you may be safe.

However, if you have designs on cardio, you might as well pack it in. The snowbirds will be lined up in loud wind suits, hiking on treadmills moving so slowly that you have to stare to be sure they’re even plugged in. This isn’t bad in itself until you overhear the din of their conversation, which sounds much like a flock of seagulls arguing over the legal ownership of a mackerel.

Don’t wear brightly colored clothing, reflective sneakers, or a fanny pack, as this will attract the creatures to you to fill a need to assimilate with their own kind, so far away from the burrow.

Note: If you encounter any of these miscreants, please remember that it’s only temporary. Again, just like in the movie Gremlins , the intense summer sunlight will drive them out—we just have to look forward to the sweltering torture of next summer. *Editor’s note: This article is entirely in jest.

Snowbirds are our friends.

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