Frontdoors Magazine - The Holiday Issue 2023

Community, Philanthropy & Lifestyle

Brick

by Brick

The family behind Cullum Homes shares their memories and traditions

The Holiday Issue 2023 frontdoorsmedia.com

© 2023 City of Hope

ENHANCING YOUR MISSION FULFILLMENT

Mission fulfillment is a daily challenge for every nonprofit. The lawyers at Lewis Roca are more than trail guides. We are your partners in recognizing, enhancing, and clearing the trail for accomplishing your organization’s mission goals and, by serving on nonprofit boards, our lawyers walk the trail with the community.

Laura A. Lo Bianco Partner Chair, Nonprofit Organization Practice Group llobianco@lewisroca.com

Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP This material has been prepared for general advertising purposes only.

Tito’s Espresso Martini

2 OZ TITO’S HANDMADE VODKA 1 OZ COFFEE LIQUEUR 1 OZ ESPRESSO ½ OZ SIMPLE SYRUP ½ OZ CREAMER, OPTIONAL 3 ESPRESSO BEANS, GARNISH Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.

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Garnish with espresso beans.

Magazine EDITOR IN CHIEF Karen Werner PUBLISHER & CEO Andrea Tyler Evans CONTRIBUTING EDITOR & COO Tom Evans CREATIVE DIRECTOR Neill Fox ART DIRECTOR Cheyenne Brumlow DIGITAL EDITOR & PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Abby Petersen CHIEF OF STAFF & PRODUCTION MANAGER Lori Appleby Hoke LIFESTYLE EDITOR Zenobia Mertel CONTRIBUTORS Traci Chandler Julie Coleman Shoshana Leon Judy Pearson FRONTDOORS TV HOST & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Carey Peña

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SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Lisa Grannis Lindsay Green Robyn Lambert Morgan McClellan Michelle Schneider BEAUTY PARTNER The Sparkle Bar PHOTOGRAPHY Scott Foust Studios FRONTDOORS MEDIA ADVISORY BOARD Latasha Causey Russ Dickey Rusty Foley Sarah Krahenbuhl Larry Lytle Monique Porras Mason Brad Vynalek SOCIETY OF CHAIRS ADVISORS Deborah Bateman Linda Herold

On the Cover The Cullum Family.

Shot on location at Ascent at The Phoenician Wooden tree by Anita Lang of IMI Design Makeup by Charlee Torres from The Sparkle Bar Photo by Scott Foust

3104 E. Camelback Road, #967, Phoenix, AZ 85016 480.622.4522 info@frontdoorsmedia.com | frontdoorsmedia.com

Phoenix | Nashville 800 379 5777

Magazine Frontdoors Magazine is dedicated to the memory of Mike Saucier.

HonorHealth Foundation is pleased to announce the formation of the Women’s Board of HonorHealth Foundation.

CO-FOUNDERS

Penny Gunning Ina Manaster

Philanthropy is central to HonorHealth’s ability to

As Ambassadors, it is our mission to inform and educate the public that HonorHealth is an extraordinary healthcare system that provides exemplary healthcare to our community.

advance innovative programs and attract the highest quality physicians, so you have access to the very best care.

My thanks to The Women’s

MEMBERS

Board of HonorHealth

Marilyn Alexander

Sasha Glassman

Barbara Nichols

Trisha Anthony

Penny Gunning

Diane O’Malley

Tiffany Broberg

Nancy Hanley-Eriksson

Tanya Rietz

Jaime Dion

Tori Heintzelman

Kathy Ritt

Patty Dion

Rona Kasen

Barbara Schlein

Anne Marie Dobbs

Jill Krigsten

Jennifer Schuitemaker

Jacquie Dorrance

Sandy Magruder

Hillary Sher

Bobbie Falk

Ina Manaster

Sandy Trznadel

Jean Feuer

Linda Mattes

Catherine Tuton

Harriet Friedland

Priscilla Nicholas

Christine Watson

8125 North Hayden Road | Scottsdale, AZ 85258 480-587-5000 | HonorHealthFoundation.org HonorHealth Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization

Foundation, who are a force for good in our community.

They are fueling our mission to find cures, save lives and transform healthcare.

—JARED A. LANGKILDE MBA, CFRE President & CEO HonorHealth Foundation

TABLE OF CONTENTS THE HOLIDAY ISSUE 2023, VOLUME 17, ISSUE 5

8 EDITOR’S NOTE

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot ...

10 1 0 QUESTIONS

Jim Brickman, songwriter and pianist

15 CREATING CULTURE

An Architect, an Artist

Arizona’s Local 501(c)(3) Breast Cancer Non-Profit

19 CHEERS TO THE CHAIRS

Upcoming philanthropic events

End-of-Year Donations!

Make a direct impact on YOUR local community today!

You can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer with a tax-deductible donation. 100% of funds stays LOCAL and help to provide free services like education, mammograms, diagnostic testing and direct assistance to breast cancer patients with new wigs and support.

We are proud to be financially transparent.

25 STYLE UNLOCKED

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

33 KEY TO THE GOOD LIFE

Homemade for the Holidays

38 COVER STORY Brick by Brick

44 NEXT DOORS

’Tis Better to Give

47 A 2ND ACT

Winning the Cultural Tug-of-War

50 OFFICE DOORS

INFO/DONATE

George Abrams, owner of George Abrams Events

*We earned 100% for the Accountability & Finance beacon

*Only the top 5% of non-profits who apply achieve Gold Status.

WWW.checkforalump.org

Impact on Our Community!

Over 2,300 free wigs for women undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer Over 1,900 free life-saving mammograms including diagnostic testing when necessary Over 700,000 people educated with vital breast health information Over 730 comfort kits hand-delivered to patients in treatment Host monthly survivor support gatherings for patients, survivors, and co-survivors

FOLLOW US!

INFO/DONATE

100% of funds raised stays LOCAL! outreach@checkforalump.org

602-688-5232 I.R.S. #27-4626148 MAGAZINE 6 | FRONTDOORS

79 CHARITY SPOTLIGHT Chai Arizona

82 FROM THE ROAD

Winter in Whistler

89 KITCHEN DOORS Let’s Eat!

95 BOOKMARKED

Dr. Warren H. Stewart Sr., senior pastor of First Institutional Baptist Church of Phoenix

96 LAST LOOK

A Victorian Christmas

ORGANIZATIONS FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE + Chai Arizona + First Institutional Baptist Church + Musical Instrument Museum + Petersen House Museum + Taliesin West + United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY)

Today’s children.

Tomorrow’s leaders.

Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Supporting future leaders by growing strong readers through Read On Arizona.

ReadOnArizona.org

pipertrust.org

© 2023 Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust

EDITOR’S NOTE

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot...

For treasured holiday recipes, go to page 33.

The calendar may have said September, but it felt like December on a recent Thursday morning in Arcadia.

The house brimmed with excitement as ladies donned in festive sweaters proudly arranged their dishes on the buffet.

These active Valley women shared their secrets for making holiday memories — in the form of forking over their favorite family recipes.

Speaking of families, the Frontdoors family felt a similar warm feeling just a week earlier, when our contributing writer Judy Pearson appeared at a local book signing. There

As the season of celebrations approaches, I hope you’ll have plenty of these warm moments yourself. And I hope you enjoy these stories of fascinating people in our Valley who remain relentlessly optimistic as they move forward with their good work.

People like the Cullum family, the hardworking team behind Cullum Homes; George Abrams, who focuses on the joy — and details — of professional event planning; and Mary Kim Titla, the unstoppable former anchorwoman who now leads UNITY. I’m also enamored with the cheery options in our lifestyle coverage. From Kitchen Doors, which extols the wonders of the food board, to Style Unlocked, which curates perfect outfits and gifts, there are lots of ways to slow down and savor the season.

Happy holidays!

Judy Pearson (right) discussed her latest biography with Emmy-winning journalist Olivia Fierro at a recent book-signing event.

to promote her new — and fifth! — book, “Crusade to Heal America,” she shared tidbits about the fascinating life of Mary Lasker. Credited with bringing the first Chagall exhibition to the U.S., tulips to Park Avenue, and needed dollars to cancer research, Lasker was a Renaissance woman who embodied grace, persistence and smarts — a lot like Judy herself. As the Frontdoors team cheered her success, the fond feelings that united us felt as real as any family celebration.

8 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

Karen KAREN WERNER

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Celebrating 25 years of helping foster youth This year, the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust is celebrating 25 years of community grantmaking and helping foster youth in Arizona. There are close to 14,000 children in foster care in Arizona and only 3,000 licensed foster families to care for them. Besides supporting basic needs of foster youth, organizations like Child Crisis Arizona, Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona and The Center for the Rights of Abused Children provide transformative programs, supportive mentors and critical legal protection for abused and neglected children in foster care.

These are some of the many qualifying organizations you can direct your state tax dollars to through the Arizona Foster Care Tax Credit. You may be able to claim a credit of up to $1,173 by donating to any organization below.

Aid to Adoption of Special Kids

Arizona Helping Hands

Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents

Arizonans for Children, Inc.

Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation

Center for the Rights of Abused Children Child Crisis Arizona

Learn more at azdor.gov/tax-credits.

ninapulliamtrust.org

Florence Crittenton Services of Arizona Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona Helen’s Hope Chest

10 QUESTIONS

JIM

BRICKMAN Songwriter and pianist

1

You started piano lessons as a young boy.

Whose choice was that?

My family wasn’t musical, and they weren’t sure what to do with me. They thought, well, he seems musical. Let’s sign him up for lessons.

So, I found my own way, but I was drawn to it from the beginning.

2

When did you have an inkling that music would be more than a hobby?

I don’t think most creative people think about a future; they just do what they love to do. I didn’t think I was special at it, and neither did my teachers.

Most of them had trouble with me because I didn’t follow the rules. Essentially, I’m a songwriter more than a pianist, but that’s not something you know when you’re 10. I eventually learned that my talent is songwriting, not being a classical pianist. I just had music going around in my head all the time. I was drawn to improvisation and creating my own style.

3

When did you start exploring the writing aspect?

When I was a teenager, I was enamored with singer-songwriters of the ’70s and started to play from songbooks by pop artists. I was also enamored with jingles. I loved them — they were happy and had great melodies. So when I was in my late teens, I made a tape of five or six jingles, took them to ad agencies and started a jingle business when I was 19 or 20.

10 |

Photos by Jeff Klaum

FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

4

How did that lead to performing?

In the ’80s and early ’90s, I started to do national things, like for McDonald’s. It was a really fun job, and it honed my craft. I would go to New York and hire singers. I was also on the speaking circuit, doing motivational speaking for ad agencies like the Phoenix Ad Club. That’s when I started thinking, gosh, I’m totally comfortable in front of people. I’m basically riffing, and people think it’s entertaining. I didn’t plan to have the career that I have now.

5

Today, you’re well-known for your holiday albums.

Why is Christmas music special to you?

The style of music I do is very emotional and lends itself to celebration, inspiration and familiarity. What makes it unusual is that most of the time, when you hear, say, “The Christmas Song,” it’s somebody singing — there aren’t a lot of unusual instrumental interpretations. When you hear my Christmas album, there are a couple of vocals here and there, but for the most part, it’s interpretations of traditional songs.

You can put it on while you’re trimming the tree, and it’s not the 100th version of somebody singing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

6 You’re coming to the Musical Instrument Museum

for six shows in December and have been playing there since its inaugural year. Why do you like performing at MIM? It is, without a doubt, my favorite place to play for a variety of reasons. One, the multiple shows in an intimate setting is a completely different experience from the rest of my tour. My Christmas tour is very theatrical, but these shows are intimate. Plus, the sound in there is unbelievable. It’s become a tradition because it’s very conversational. Christmas is over, so it’s more of a New Year’s vibe.

7 You’ve supported causes like music education and food banks. Can you talk about your charitable work?

One big one that I have been working with is the Entertainment Community Fund. It exists to support entertainment workers who might be struggling. Not just actors; it can be stagehands, lighting designers, anybody in the theater or concert community. I’ve done two albums with Broadway stars singing my songs, and all the proceeds go to them. The other big one recently is Playhouse Square Foundation, which is the big theater complex in my hometown, Cleveland. It’s one of the biggest theater complexes outside of Broadway, but they had a hard time during COVID. I also do things with the Berklee School of Music. They have a campus in Valencia, Spain, continued

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10 QUESTIONS

that’s more of an international community. I do some coaching and speaking to raise money for them.

8

What is something that surprises you about your work?

I think I’m constantly forgetting about the reach of music and what it’s done. A lot of time, you’re just creating and don’t realize the impact of it. It’s one of the reasons that I love to perform so much.

9

10 Looking ahead to the holiday season, which songs are you most excited to play?

I actually like the winter songs the best. Like “Winter Wonderland,” “Sleigh Ride” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” Many people say, “Oh, Holy Night,” and that’s beautiful. But I like the happy ones.

Photo courtesy Jim Brickman

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Contrary to the stage persona, I am extremely shy.

I’m not comfortable in groups of people. I often do meet-and-greets before a show, and I’m very quiet and mild-mannered. But on stage, it’s completely different. I feel like that’s where I belong.

Jim Brickman will perform Dec. 29-31 at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix.

For information and tickets, go to mim.org.

THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT GIFT GUIDE

Your holiday shopping just got a designer upgrade!

We selected gifts, so you didn’t have to. Featuring designs by — and inspired by — Frank Lloyd Wright.

Scan the QR Code to shop now.

scot tsdale, arizona • 8 8 8.516.0811 • fr anklloydwright.org

We Are Scottsdale Arts!

Dreamy Draw Music Festival Friday–Saturday, Nov. 3–4, 1–11 p.m.

Tower of Power: Holidays & Hits Tour

Canal Convergence The Power of Play Nov. 3–12 at Scottsdale Waterfront

Opening Celebration

Tuesday, Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m.

Jane Lynch’s A Swingin’ Little Christmas Thursday, Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.

Check out our full-lineup of events at ScottsdaleArts.org.

Saturday, Nov. 4, 6–9 p.m.

scottsdale center for the performing arts scottsdale museum of contemporary art scottsdale public art scottsdale arts learning & innovation canal convergence civic center live

CLICK ScottsdaleArts.org CALL 480-499-TKTS (8587) BELONG OneMembership.ScottsdaleArts.org DONATE Donate.ScottsdaleArts.org

CREATING CULTURE

An Architect, An Artist New photography exhibition will provide a fresh look at two American icons

BY ABBY PETERSEN

Georgia O’Keeffe once wrote, “Nobody sees a flower

Taliesin West’s newest photography exhibition,

— really — it is so small it takes time — we haven’t time

“American Icons: Wright & O’Keeffe,” explores the pair in a

— and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes

way that’s never been seen before. Running from Oct. 20

time.” Through the lens of O’Keeffe’s life, this notion is

through June 3, the exhibit features portraits of the two shot

evident when considering her nearly three-decades-long

by Tony Vaccaro for “Life Magazine.” The exhibition explores

friendship with Frank Lloyd Wright.

the similarities between Wright and O’Keeffe not just as

The two are champions in their field — O’Keeffe’s paintings earned her the title of “Mother of American

artists, but as people — and friends.

“They are people that we look very closely at, not just

Modernism,” and Wright is still one of the most

at the artwork they made, but their life,” said Niki Stewart,

celebrated architects in the world — yet, beneath the

Taliesin West’s vice president and chief learning and

surface of their achievements lay similarities that run

engagement officer. “We as the public don’t always do that

deeper than their success.

with every artist. We sometimes really just focus on their art,

FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

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CREATING CULTURE

but there is a public fascination with both of these figures.”

Both born in rural Wisconsin, Wright and O’Keeffe were

to today with technology,” said Stewart. “We get so close to people who don’t live where we live. We use instant messaging,

drawn to the American Southwest. Wright sought refuge

FaceTime and all these other tools to get close to folks, some of

in Arizona during winters, while O’Keeffe found her artistic

whom we’ve never met.”

sanctuary in the heart of New Mexico. The pair were

In 2021, Taliesin West hosted an exhibit called “Chihuly in

fans of each other’s work, and as Stewart notes, “It’s no

the Desert.” The exhibit paired works of glass artist Dale Chihuly

overstatement to call them friends.”

with Wright’s architecture. Following the exhibition’s success,

One of many similarities was that nature inspired much

Taliesin West knew they wanted to pair Wright’s work with

of their work. O’Keeffe famously painted flowers, landscapes

another artist, this time on a smaller, more intimate scale.

and animal skulls, drawing inspiration from the environment

While looking for photos of Wright, Stewart discovered that

around her. Wright had the same respect for nature, once

Tony Vaccaro had photographed Wright and O’Keeffe for “Life

stating, “No house should ever be on a hill or on anything. It

Magazine” years apart, and that’s when the exhibit came to life.

should be of the hill. Belonging to it. Hill and house should live together, each the happier for the other.”

Michael A. “Tony” Vaccaro rose to popularity through photos he took while fighting on the front lines of World War II.

From the 1930s until Wright’s death in 1959, the pair

Vaccaro’s post-military career focused on fashion and celebrity

wrote back and forth, sent books, pamphlets and artwork,

photography for various magazines. Vaccaro would go on to

and shared ideas with each other. Notably, they only met in

photograph Wright and O’Keeffe, among other celebrities like

person once in 1942 at Taliesin, Wright’s Wisconsin home.

Sophia Loren, John F. Kennedy and Eartha Kitt. He passed

“I feel like that’s a story that people can really relate

away in 2022, eight days after his 100th birthday.

Featuring portraits by Tony Vaccaro, the exhibition showcases a more human side to these two luminaries.

16 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

Photo courtesy of Tony Vaccaro Archives / Manolo Salas

“After the war, he came home to the United States and started working for magazines like ‘Look’ and ‘Life’ and other magazines that were celebrating what’s good and beautiful about life,” Stewart said. “Because after the war, he decided that’s what he wanted to focus on — what makes life wonderful.”

Visitors of the exhibit can select between an audio or an in-depth guided tour. The audio tour offers a unique experience by featuring recordings of Wright himself, accompanied by some of his favorite music.

The in-depth guided tour provides visitors with a more interactive experience, allowing them to engage directly with tour guides who can offer deeper insights and answer questions about the exhibit and its subjects.

“I hope visitors walk out feeling interested in connecting with others and being with other people and being inspired by the people in their lives,” Stewart said. “I think we all run into people who inspire us every day, but what we do with that is up to us. So I hope this inspires you to get connected with others and do great things together.”

The exhibition is included in paid tour admission.

To learn more, visit franklloydwright.org.

Tony Vaccaro (shown here) started his photographic career on the battlefields of WWII and continued by capturing some of the most noted figures of his generation.

Mary Lasker had fabulous homes, jaw-dropping jewels, and museum-worthy art … but all she really wanted was a cure for cancer.

The never-before told story of the woman who moved medical mountains to enhance human health, changing the lives of millions.

“Judith Pearson’s clear and concise writing serves the narrative well. Her attention to detail is stunning, with reconstructed conversations so intimate, you might wonder if she was a fly on the wall.”

– Washington Independent Review

“(A) fascinating portrait of a medical champion deserving more wide-spread recognition.”

– Booklist

AVAILABLE FROM YOUR FAVORITE BOOK SELLER!

Judith Pearson

What do Arizonans agree on?

More than you think.

Arizonans want quality education, healthy and vibrant communities, rewarding jobs, and equity and justice for all; we also love our great state and are committed to ensuring a thriving economy and stewarding natural resources for generations to come.

Be part of shaping the future based on the things that unify us as Arizonans arizonafuture.org

CHEERS to the Chairs!

A preview of the Valley’s premier philanthropic events and who’s leading these important efforts

Noche para los Niños DATE: November 2, 2023

BENEFITTING: Kids in Focus CHAIRS: Colleen Katz & Bea Rocklin kidsinfocus.org/events/nocheparalosninos

2023 Children’s Museum Gala: Candy Land DATE: November 4, 2023 BENEFITTING: Children’s Museum of Phoenix CHAIRS: Sarah & Anthony Taylor childrensmuseumofphoenix.org/support-us/fundraising-events

Dinner With Frederick Douglass DATE: November 4, 2023 BENEFITTING: Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy CHAIRS: Nita & Phil Francis and Lois & Steve Savage oconnorinstitute.org

St. Joseph Signature Event DATE: November 9, 2023 BENEFITTING: St. Joseph’s Foundation CHAIRS: Susan Miele & Linda Surdakowski supportstjosephs.org/signatureevent

FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

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CHEERS TO THE CHAIRS

Beaux Arts 40th Anniversary DATE: November 11, 2023 BENEFITTING: Scottsdale Artists’ School CHAIRS: Danielle Spahle & Michael Little scottsdaleartschool.org

NiteFlite Gala DATE: November 11, 2023 BENEFITTING: The Saguaros CHAIR: Drew Butler saguaros.com/niteflite

Phoenix Heart Ball DATE: November 11, 2023 BENEFITTING: American Heart Association CHAIR: Charlene Burge-Blum phoenixheartball.heart.org

Signature Chef’s Gala DATE: November 12, 2023 BENEFITTING: March of Dimes CHAIR: Jenny Holsman-Tetreault signaturechefs.marchofdimes.org

Heroes of Education: Celebrating Education & the Arts DATE: November 16, 2023 BENEFITTING: Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation CHAIRS: Stephanie Hertzberg & Susan Bitter Smith mcccdf.org/heroes-of-education2023

20 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

Creating y t n u o C a p o c i r a in M No single strategy, program or organization can create Mighty Change alone. It takes all of us, and that’s where United Way thrives. We won’t stop until every child, family and individual is healthy, has a safe place to live, and has every opportunity to succeed in school, in work and in life.

Join us! vsuw.org/MightyChange Creating Mighty Change in HEALTH | HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS | EDUCATION | WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

OVER 30 CONCERTS IN NORTH SCOTTSDALE SECOND SHOW ADDED! 11/17 The Music of Billy Joel & Elton John Starring Michael Cavanaugh

11/11 Frankie Avalon

SOLD OUT! 3/10 Renée Fleming with the Festival Orchestra

LIMITED AVAILABILITY! 1/5 & 1/6 Paul Anka

2/2 & 2/3 The Doo Wop Project

2/17 Kristin Chenoweth

2/12 Brian Stokes Mitchell & Lara Downes

3/16 Rita Moreno In Conversation

3/22 Judy Collins

LIMITED AVAILABILITY! 12/1 John Pizzarelli & Catherine Russell Swinging in the Holidays & More

12/4 The Texas Tenors Deep in the Heart of Christmas

TICKETS ALSO MAKE A GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT! 480.422.8449 | AZMUSICFEST.ORG

White Christmas DATE: December 2, 2023 BENEFITTING: Ryan House CHAIRS: Cassie Littell & Megan Peacock ryanhouse.org/white-christmas

ACI Holiday Luncheon DATE: December 4, 2023 BENEFITTING: Arizona Costume Institute/Phoenix Art Museum CHAIRS: Beth McRae & Oscar De las salas phxart.org/events/calendar

Board of Visitors Annual Fashion Show Luncheon DATE: December 16, 2023 BENEFITTING: Board of Visitors CHAIRS: Julie Palmer & Sydney Fox boardofvisitors.org/fashion-show

Desert Foundation Auxiliary Ball DATE: December 22, 2023 BENEFITTING: Desert Foundation Auxiliary CHAIRS: Meghan Fable & Dana Gapusan desertfoundationauxiliary.org

FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

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SHOP IT FORWARD OCTOBER 15 THROUGH FEBRUARY 15

To celebrate our community partners, customers can shop, dine and enjoy entertainment at Scottsdale Fashion Square, then submit their receipts to earn $1000 to $10,000 for their favorite charity.

Visit FashionSquare.com/ShopItForward to learn more about the participating non-profit organizations: ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY THE BOARD OF VISITORS CARE CARD ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY HOMEWARD BOUND TREES MATTER

The spirit of giving...

#StoryStyleSpirit

STYLE UNLOCKED

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Give and receive in style

Gaurav Gupta Ruffle One-Shoulder Side-Slit Evening Gown | $4,025

BY ZENOBIA MERTEL

Neiman Marcus, Scottsdale neimanmarcus.com

FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

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STYLE UNLOCKED

Valentino Garavani Rockstud Pump | $1,190 Valentino valentino.com

Event Ready

All dressed up and everywhere to go IWC Schaffhausen Ingenieur Automatic | $11,700 IWC, Scottsdale iwc.com

Bottega Veneta Knot Clutch | $3,800 Bottega Veneta, Scottsdale bottegaveneta.com

26 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

Dior Coral Brooch | $610 Dior, Scottsdale dior.com Christopher John Rogers Tie-Waist Dress | $1,895 Bergdorf Goodman bergdorfgoodman.com

Tom Ford Wool Mohair Shelton Tuxedo | $6,690 Tom Ford tomford.com

Oscar de la Renta Crystal Baroque Earrings | $490 Oscar de la Renta oscardelarenta.com

FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

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STYLE UNLOCKED

Bony Levy Butterfly Pendant | $295

Fully Fashionable

Bony Levy bonylevyjewelry.com

Dashing looks for the littles

Zunie Metallic Puff Sleve Dress | $58 Nordstrom, Scottsdale nordstrom.com

Gap Girls Faux-Leather Jacket | $79.95 Gap, several Valley locations gap.com

Burberry Wool Cashmere Jumpsuit | $530 Burberry, Scottsdale burberry.com

28 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

Stretchy Mod Suit | $180 Neiman Marcus, Scottsdale neimanmarcus.com

Vineyard Vines Boys Cable Crew | $78 Vineyard Vines, Scottsdale vineyardvines.com

STYLE UNLOCKED Jenna Leurquin Patisserie Lemon Meringue Pie | $35 JL Patisserie, Phoenix jlpatisserie.com

Salt Cellar Set | $88 Tory Burch, Scottsdale toryburch.com

For the Host With gratitude

White House Design Studio flower arrangements | prices vary White House Design Studio, Biltmore whitehouseflowers.com Williams Sonoma Original Peppermint Bark | $29.95 – $99.95 Williams Sonoma, Phoenix williamssonoma.com

30 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

S:3.625"

Picture a place that defies every cliché about senior living.

Arizona Bamboo Cutting Board | $48 urbAna, several Valley locations urbanashop.com

Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix phxart.org

I n a d d i ti o n to t h e e a s y a n d frequent opportunities to enjoy and participate in the arts, Vi at Silverstone provides residents with best-in-class amenities, a continuum of care should the need arise and a culture that makes you feel like you’re always among friends. In short, it’s not just another senior living option, but the very picture of living well.

23005 North 74th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85255 480.805.2776 • Silverstone.ViLiving.com

SSOM2023

CC/PDR Silverstone, L.L.C. is the sole entity responsible for the performance of the continuing care MAGAZINE contracts at Vi at Silverstone.

FRONTDOORS 31

|

S:10.25"

Phoenix Art Museum Daniel Shircliff Cake Tier Cruets | $65

Exhibition Opens November 10!

Instruments played by the heroes of folk, blues, and bluegrass music

Iconic Guitars, Mandolins, and Banjos

Earl Scruggs’s 1928 Gibson RB-Granada banjo

#ACOUSTICAMERICA

David Grisman’s historic 1925 Gibson F-5 “Fern” mandolin

Blues legend Mississippi John Hurt’s stunning 1964 Guild guitar

Loan courtesy of David Grisman

Loan courtesy of John Oates

Presenting sponsor

MIM.org | 480.478.6000 | 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix

KEY TO THE GOOD LIFE

Homemade for the Holidays Make memories this season with these tried-and-tested recipes STORY AND STYLING BY TRACI CHANDLER OF OH, SUGAR! EVENTS + PAPERIE PHOTOS BY SCOTT FOUST

If you’ve ever built a gingerbread house with a child or prepared a holiday feast for family, you know that food is embued with emotion. Here, five Valley women share treasured holiday recipes that any home cook can make, with love.

FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

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ERIN GOODNOW

Creamy Mexican Chicken Casserole Erin Goodnow is the owner of Going Ivy, an admissions consulting, tutoring and test prep business. She grew up in Phoenix and loves raising her family here — she and her husband, James, are high school sweethearts and have two busy kids. Work, school, sports and the arts don’t leave a lot of breaks, so taking time for traditions is important.

“This is the perfect make-ahead dinner for Christmas Eve,” Erin said.

“My mom would make this before we’d head out to mass, then we’d all eat chips, salsa and guacamole as the casserole went into the oven when we got home.”

After dinner, the family enjoyed a festivity Erin’s parents adopted when they moved to Phoenix from the Midwest in the 1980s. “We’d always do a piñata before going to bed,” she said. “It’s something I looked forward to every year, so I’ve carried it into our family’s holiday traditions.”

ERIN GOODNOW’S CREAMY MEXICAN CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Ingredients

1 medium onion, chopped 1 T butter 3 lbs. cooked chicken, boned and diced (You can also use rotisserie chicken) 1 lb. cheddar cheese, shredded 2 10.5 oz cans cream of mushroom soup 2 C sour cream 1 4-oz can green chilies, chopped 12 corn tortillas

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Sauté chopped onion in butter until the onion is cooked through and translucent.

3. Combine with chicken, 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream and green chilies; mix well.

4. Place half of the tortillas in a greased 13×9 baking dish.

5. Top with half of the chicken mixture. Repeat layers. Sprinkle the remaining 1 C cheese over the top.

6. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

Serves: 10-12 guests

LAUREN ROBSON

Christmas Sugar Cut-Out Cookies Lauren Robson moved to the Valley 37 years ago, when her father was playing Major League Baseball. Today, she lives in Phoenix with her husband, Michael, and their three children.

After 15 years in the bio-nutraceutical industry, Lauren founded Lauro Sparkling Cactus Water to keep her family healthy and hydrated. In her downtime, she loves to garden and cook with her kids — they love being able to pick veggies for dinner.

Some of Lauren’s fondest memories were spent in the kitchen with family, rolling out cookies and putting mounds of icing on them. It’s in this spirit that she shares her favorite recipe.

“Make sure you roll them thick and take them out of the oven right as the edge begins to brown,” she said. “You will not be disappointed with this perfectly soft and chewy sugar cookie.”

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LAINA FREEDBERG

Cast Iron Skillet Apple Pie

Laina, her husband Doug and their three children run in different directions during the school year, so time together during the holidays is precious. They enjoy traveling to new places, but Laina, who was raised in the South, prefers nothing more than a big holiday feast at home.

Laina loves traditional style and collecting vintage items — especially cake plates. “Traditions are important to me because they help build the memories we have together as a family,” she said. “It’s so fun when the kids look forward to something we do once a year.

The anticipation of what’s to come is half the fun!”

LAINA FREEDBERG’S CAST IRON SKILLET APPLE PIE

Ingredients

4 lbs. Granny Smith apples 1 tsp. cinnamon ¾ C sugar ½ C butter 1 C firmly packed brown sugar 1 egg white 2 T turbinado sugar 1 package of refrigerated pie crusts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Peel apples and cut into half-inch wedges. Toss apples with cinnamon and ¾ C sugar.

3. Melt butter in a cast iron skillet, add brown sugar and cook, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes until sugar is dissolved.

4. Remove the skillet from heat and place 1 pie crust in the skillet over the brown sugar mixture. Spoon apple mixture over the pie crust and top with remaining pie crust.

5. Whisk egg white until foamy. Brush the top of the pie crust with egg white and sprinkle with 2 T turbinado sugar. Cut 4 or 5 slits in the top for steam to escape.

6. Bake at 350 for 60-70 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.

LAUREN ROBSON’S CHRISTMAS SUGAR CUT-OUT COOKIES

Ingredients

3 large eggs ¾ C milk ½ C all-purpose flour 2 T unsalted butter melted, plus more for the pan 1 T granulated sugar ¼ tsp. salt Lemon juice for serving Granulated sugar for serving

Directions 1. In a large measuring cup or bowl with a pouring spout, whisk the eggs with the milk. Add the flour, sugar and salt, and whisk until smooth. Mix in the melted butter. Cover and allow to rest in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.

2. Heat a large nonstick skillet (at least 9”) over medium-low heat. Melt about ½ T of unsalted butter and distribute evenly throughout the pan.

3. Pour ¼ C batter into the center of the pan. Swirl the pan, tilting to distribute the batter all the way to the sides.

4. Cook the first side for 60-90 seconds until lightly browned.

Gently slide a spatula under the edges of the crepe to flip.

5. Cook an additional 45-60 seconds until cooked through and browned.

6. Repeat with the remaining batter. Between crepes, add more dabs of butter as needed.

7. To serve, add 1 T lemon juice and 1 T sugar onto half the crepe. Fold the plain half of the crepe over the filling and fold again so it is in quarters.

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SUNNY DUNLAVEY

Holiday Savory Breakfast Casserole Sunny married her college sweetheart and moved to Phoenix from Florida 14 years ago. The director of a prenatal and oncology genetics/genomic testing company stays active hiking with her husband, daughter and two pups.

As a first-generation Korean American, Sunny wasn’t raised with standard Western holiday traditions, like gift-giving or driving to see Christmas lights. But many of her family traditions focused on food. For example, every New Year’s Day, her mother would make tteokguk, a rice cake soup that represents new beginnings and luck in the coming year.

Thanksgiving is Sunny’s favorite holiday because that was the one day her mom would make a traditional turkey dinner with all the sides.

Speaking of, Chuseok, which is Korean Thanksgiving, is one of the most celebrated holidays in Korean culture, a tradition Sunny loves. It has become important to her to create new traditions while maintaining the traditions she holds close.

SUNNY DUNLAVEY’S HOLIDAY SAVORY BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

Ingredients

6 eggs 1 C half-and-half 2 T scallions, chopped Salt & pepper 1 lb. pork sausage, cooked and drained (Sunny prefers Jimmy Dean spicy.)

1 C shredded or grated cheddar cheese 6 slices of Texas toast (straight from the freezer) Serves: 6-8 guests

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Directions

1. In a small bowl, beat the eggs until they loosen up. Add half-and-half and green onions. Mix well and highly season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

2. Grease 12×10 baking pan. Line the pan with Texas toast, cutting and arranging as needed. Cover the bread with the cooked sausage, making sure to layer it evenly.

Follow with a layer of shredded cheese.

3. Pour the egg mixture over the entire pan. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

In the Morning

4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook, covered for approximately 40-45 minutes, until the egg mixture is set. This could vary depending on the thickness of your baking pan, so check accordingly.

5. Serve with a side of fruit salad and mimosas.

KEY TO THE GOOD LIFE

KELLEY MORRISON

Holiday Crepes

Kelley and her husband, Chris, are both Arizona natives. Three years ago, Chris founded RETSY, a high-end residential real estate brokerage, and both he and Kelley are extremely involved in the Valley’s real estate market.

When Kelley isn’t running their two kids to activities and to design meetings for her clients, she is running marathons — 10 and counting, so far.

Holiday traditions are important to Kelley. “Growing up, Chris’s dad made crepes every holiday, so Chris continues this time-honored tradition and makes them for us every Christmas morning,” she said.

Thanks to their daughter’s new hobby, Kelley thinks the tradition will continue. “Avery started to develop a love for baking. She and Chris now make them together,” Kelley said.

For digital versions of these treasured recipes, visit frontdoorsmedia.com/holidays.

KELLEY MORRISON’S HOLIDAY CREPES

Ingredients

3 C all-purpose flour ¾ tsp. baking powder ¼ tsp. salt 1 C unsalted butter, softened 1 C sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 1 egg, beaten 1 T milk Powdered sugar for rolling out dough

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. Place butter and sugar in the large bowl of an electric stand mixer and beat until light in color. Add egg and milk and beat to combine. Put mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, and beat until mixture pulls away from the side of the bowl. Divide the

dough in half, wrap it in waxed paper, and refrigerate for 2 hours.

3. Sprinkle the surface where you will roll out the dough with powdered sugar. Remove one wrapped pack of dough from the refrigerator at a time, sprinkle a rolling pin with powdered sugar, and roll out the dough to ¼ to ½ inch thickness. Move the dough around and check underneath frequently to make sure it is not sticking. If the dough has warmed during rolling, place a cold cookie sheet on top for 10 minutes to chill. Cut into desired shape, place at least 1 inch apart on greased baking sheet, parchment or silicone baking mat, and bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are just beginning to turn brown around the edges, rotating cookie sheet halfway through baking time. Let sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes after removing from oven and move to a wire rack to cool.

4. Serve as is or ice as desired. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.

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Kim and Rod Cullum have become mentors to daughter Lindsay Cullum-Colwell and her husband Paul Colwell as they continue the second generation of Cullum Homes.

Photos by Scott Foust

COVER STORY

Brick Brick From business philosophies to holiday traditions, get to know the family behind Cullum Homes.

BY KAREN WERNER

L

indsay Cullum-Colwell remembers riding in her father’s truck as a little girl. Her dad, Rod, would take her and her brother, Brad, out on Saturday mornings so their mom could have some quiet time alone. Together, they’d visit job sites for projects he was

building for his company, Cullum Homes. “He kept big rolls of plans on the dashboard. If he made a hard turn, they’d come down in the passenger seat,” Lindsay said with a laugh.

It has been a family affair for the company ever since Rod founded it with his wife, Kim. A magnetic pair, the two met on a college ski trip when Kim, an ASU student, met Rod, who then attended Scottsdale Community College. They married after they had both graduated from ASU. A short time later, Rod discovered that he had a special skill. He was working with builders on marketing and realized that he could visualize and communicate what would work best on the land — where to place a garage or how to site an owner’s suite. “I just had a knack for that.

I had an ability to verbalize it to people,” Rod said.

This talent came in handy when he was working as a real estate agent, describing what he would do with a particular lot. The client asked, “Why don’t you just build it for me?”

So Rod partnered with a builder and did precisely that, which led to the creation of Cullum Homes in 1985.

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Although building was in her blood, when it came time for college, Lindsay went to Vanderbilt University to study medicine. “I wanted to be a doctor, but when I got away to college, I discovered that I missed the interaction with what we did in the family business,” she said. So she decided to study economics as an undergrad, then come back to ASU for a master’s in architecture.

It seems Rod’s special skill was inherited. “It just kind of rubbed off on Lindsay,” he said. “She has that magical way of explaining how to best use the lot and make the most functional house.”

Lindsay describes her journey. “The love of designing homes and the ability to see spaces is something I always had. But to me, it was a hobby,” she said.

Eventually, she saw it as her calling and came on board the family business full-time.

Her husband, Paul Colwell, later joined her. The two “We love Arizona,” said Kim Cullum, shown here with her young family.

“It’s a great place.”

At first, the company was very small. Rod and Kim quit their old jobs and worked out of their home in McCormick Ranch for seven years. “We had no overhead and really no expenses and no employees,” Kim said. “It was just Rod and me.”

Today, Cullum Homes is an integrated design and construction firm specializing in luxury custom homes,

met at Vanderbilt and spent the early part of their marriage moving from city to city with Paul’s military career. “When he was away on mission or training exercises for the Navy, I’d fly out here and be able to work and visit job sites,” Lindsay said. The couple decided Paul would stick with the Navy as long as it made sense. Post-Navy, their first choice would be to come to Arizona.

“The Navy was always something that I enjoyed,” Paul said. “But my last appointment was when we had kids, and it was different to leave and come back six months later.”

architecture, interior design, renovations and home concierge. Their home builds are in some of the toniest neighborhoods in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Desert Mountain, Phoenix and Carefree.

“Traditionally, the builder is in the middle of the architect and the designer,” said Rod. “But I said, ‘I’m done with the traditional way of building homes.’” Instead, Cullum Homes does everything from home site selection to home design, so they can supervise every stage of homebuilding and ensure it is done “the Cullum way.”

“You have one contract with us,” Rod said. “We think it’s the best way to get the best value for the client. Our niche is about the finest homebuilding experience and about the performance, quality, service and experience of the house.”

It’s a mindset Lindsay learned from the start. She was born a few months after Rod and Kim started Cullum Homes and has fond memories of growing up with the company.

“One time, my brother and I started a Bobcat with one of my bobby pins and drove it around a job site. We got stuck trying to climb a pile of trusses,” she laughed.

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Rod Cullum enjoyed visiting job sites with his kids, Brad and Lindsay, when they were young.

Cullum Homes projects can be found throughout the northeast greater Phoenix area, including Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

So, after a 10-year career in the Navy and a corporate stint at Honeywell Aerospace, Paul joined the team at Cullum Homes and became an integral part of the business’s day-to-day operations. A former nuclear submarine officer, he ensures checklists are followed and tries to mitigate challenges so any mistakes don’t happen twice. He is essentially applying the discipline he learned

Cullum Homes has grown since its early days at McCormick Ranch and today employs 87 people. Lindsay feels a responsibility to each one. “The finest homebuilding experience is not only for our homeowners, but for our team and trade partners, for everyone that touches the project,” she said. “It’s a matter of doing the right thing by all those groups, and living to that standard.”

in the Navy to the chaos of construction.

Paul appreciates the challenge, and the perks it provides. “It’s been exciting to go from where Lindsay and I would not be able to communicate for months at a time to now, where we sometimes carpool to work,” he said.

With Lindsay at the helm as managing principal and Paul serving as director of business process, they are now the second generation in charge of Cullum Homes.

Rod and Kim have taken a step back and now serve as founders and mentors.

“I want to make sure the mentality of Cullum Homes is that things are done exactly as they should be — durable, sustainable and the best value we can deliver to clients.

To do that, you need lots of sous chefs, but one head chef. And that chef needs to be Lindsay. Lindsay has replaced me in that role,” Rod said.

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Through their work as an integrated design-build company, they get to know their clients and understand how they live in a house. “Home is the backdrop for where life happens,” Lindsay said. “Do the homeowners like to cook Christmas dinner for 30 grandchildren, but most of the time, it’s just two people? The homes we do are showpieces in and of themselves, but they really shine because they support those family traditions.”

Traditions are important to the Cullum family. “When our kids were growing up, my parents and Rod’s parents were 2 miles in either direction. So, we have always had an extended family of children, parents, grandchildren, cousins, aunts and uncles close to us. That’s important to me,” Kim said.

Also important is giving back to the community they’ve built their business in. Lindsay recalls volunteering for National Charity League with her mom as a girl. “It’s just what we did. It’s always been a part of the family,” she said.

The Cullums have brought their philanthropy to the company as well. They’ve been involved with Habitat for Humanity for many years and recently dedicated the first Cullum Homes-sponsored Habitat house.

“We were part of the construction team,” Kim said. “That offered us the opportunity to have many shifts for our team members. It’s optional, but many of them chose to do that.

The homeowner was there too, which was great. She’s a single mom with two teenagers and we’ve gotten to know them really well.”

Once a quarter, the Cullum Homes team volunteers at Feed My Starving Children. “It’s fun and competitive,” Paul said. “We take our kids, and it’s good to see them enjoying it too.”

With holidays approaching, the family is making a punch list of plans. Each year, Kim and Rod host a Christmas Eve soup supper. Paul’s parents usually come in from Texas,

42 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

Earlier this year, members of the Cullum Homes team constructed a house for Habitat for Humanity.

and everyone enjoys a late afternoon family get-together

journey for us — 38 years,” Kim said. “We’ve seen Arizona

before heading off to church, to visit in-laws or to other

grow and change and are proud to employ a lot of people.

holiday plans.

We always wanted to stay here, raise our family here, and

The family also tries to take in some type of artistic production for the season. It will be “Elf” at the Phoenix

now Paul and Lindsay are raising their kids here.”

So, has the family’s special skill passed to a third

Theatre Company this year.

generation of builders? It’s too

“Phoenix Theatre is near and

soon to tell, but Brendan, 7,

dear to us,” Kim said. “Lindsay

seems to have inherited his

and I just co-chaired their

father’s process-type personality,

gala, which is their big annual

while Annaleigh, 8, is more

fundraising event.”

creative. “She likes to debate and

Somewhere in the season,

push the limits,” Paul said.

too, the family tries to sneak

Together, they enjoy building

in a shift at Feed My Starving

with bricks during their off-time

Children. “They welcome

— as a family, they’re really into

children age 5 and up. It’s a great

Legos. They just finished a Cat

introduction to charitable work

D11 bulldozer, and they’ve

for a really young child,” Kim said.

built the Home Alone house,

And in a nod to Rod and Kim’s

Disney Castle and massive

meet-cute beginnings, they make

Hogwarts Castle.

time for a trip to snow country

These days, it is Paul and

each winter. “We have been

Lindsay who haul their kids to

going as a family to Park City since my parents started about 30 years ago,” Kim said. “Our

jobs, just as Rod carted Lindsay Annaleigh and Brendan Colwell are the newest generation to enjoy a favorite family hobby: skiing.

in his truck when she a child.

“They both enjoy going to job

grandkids are now learning how to ski, and they are

sites,” Paul said. “Even yesterday, we had to stop at some

quite good.”

sites on the way to work. We carpooled and our kids got to

At this stage of life, Rod and Kim do a lot of honoring tradition while looking to the future. “It’s been a very long

go with us. They were anxious to get out and see what was going on.”

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NEXT DOORS

Operation Santa Claus is a 23-year Arizona tradition that feeds families, makes kids happy and offers donors a chance to win a new vehicle.

’Tis Better to Give

Operation Santa Claus celebrates more than two decades of impact

BY TOM EVANS

M

ax Sirstins is the “grandfather” of something celebrating its 23rd year this holiday season.

The annual partnership between ABC15 Arizona and Sanderson Ford has been going strong for 23 years,

His day job is director of advertising for Sanderson Ford

collecting food, toys, children’s clothes and donations for

and Sanderson Lincoln, one of the Valley’s most prominent

Arizona charities at drop-off locations around the Valley.

automobile dealership companies. But he’s also the founder

For donors, there’s a bit of an incentive as well.

and “grandfather” of a holiday tradition in the Valley called Operation Santa Claus.

It started when Sirstins was working in the radio industry

Donors who contribute $5 or more are entered into a drawing to be one of 15 finalists to win a new vehicle.

Sanderson Ford and Lincoln will randomly select one donor

and decided to use his platform to start a holiday giving

to win a new Ford F-150 crew truck or Lincoln Corsair, and

drive. That first year, Sirstins’ efforts helped raise $68,000

all 15 finalists will receive a $100 Visa gift card.

for St. Mary’s Food Bank and the Child Crisis Center in

One hundred percent of the contributions stay in Arizona,

Glendale. Sirstins made a career change in 2000, joining the

this year benefiting five local charities: St. Mary’s Food

Sanderson team. But he didn’t want to leave the momentum

Bank, Chicanos Por La Causa, Southwest Autism Research

from Operation Santa Claus behind.

& Resource Center, Military Assistance Mission and Special

“When I came here, I thought, ‘Well, I’ll just team up with a

Olympics Arizona.

partner,’ and ABC15 is our main partner here,” he said. “It’s their

Anita Helt, vice president and general manager

main holiday event and they’ve been with us for all 22 years —

of ABC15, said the campaign is an integral part of the

so it’s actually Operation Santa Claus Presented by ABC15.”

company’s culture.

44 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

“Operation Santa Claus checks every box of our station’s

The impact of Operation Santa Claus is substantial — it’s

core values,” she said. “Our team looks forward to Operation

one of Arizona’s largest holiday charitable drives. Sirstins

Santa Claus all year. It is a true station initiative in which

said it had started to hit the million-dollar mark before the

every member of the ABC15 team is involved with the

pandemic slowed contributions for a couple of years, but in

project in some way. I can’t think of a better way to build

2022, the campaign hit $1 million once again.

your team than getting out into the community and helping our neighbors in need.”

Operation Santa Claus includes a number of events leading up to the car giveaway that also help fund and secure donations for the charities involved. For instance,

Helt said that in the past 22 years, Operation Santa Claus has helped provide more than 1.7 million meals for hungry families in Arizona and more than 1 million toys for Arizona children and families.

“You can’t put a dollar amount on the awareness raised

new this year is “Stuff the Sleigh” on Nov. 18, when

for the nonprofits and the additional volunteers they

volunteers will collect donations at all Valley Walmart stores

received because of it,” Helt said.

from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A full listing of events can be found at givetotheclaus.com.

Plus, Sirstins said the campaign is a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

“There’s a great deal of need in our community, and it

Operation Santa Claus drop-off locations

seems like the need gets bigger every year,” he said. “Who doesn’t want to help a kid at Christmastime and see how you can make families and their kids happy?”

For more information, visit givetotheclaus.com.

ABC15 STUDIOS 515 N. 44th St. in Phoenix LITTLE DEALER LITTLE PRICES 2350 W. Deer Valley Road in Phoenix SANDERSON FORD 6400 N. 51st Ave. in Glendale SANDERSON LINCOLN 2121 W. Bell Road in Phoenix SANDERSON LINCOLN BOUTIQUE 15345 N. Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale U-HAUL Participating U-Haul locations across the Valley FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

| 45

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Learn more and donate at AZAdvances.org.

Donate Today

A 2ND ACT

UNITY executive director Mary Kim Titla has won many awards throughout her career and was inducted into the Cronkite School Alumni Hall of Fame in 2006.

Winning the Cultural Tug-of-War

Arizona’s first Native American TV journalist tells young Native Americans, ‘There’s nothing you can’t do.’

BY JUDY PEARSON

“

Going to my first United National Indian Tribal Youth

Carlos Apache reservation. Her prospects looked dim. On a

(UNITY) conference was like going to Disneyland,” said

visit to a tribal office as a teenager, she found a newspaper

Mary Kim Titla. “It was a magical experience. But just like

article about UNITY. It talked about events going on

Disney, that magic is difficult to explain. You can only feel

around the country and the big conference taking place in

it when you are a part of it.” For Titla, that magic expanded

Oklahoma. She begged her parents to take her, which they

into a passion, touching the lives of thousands of other

did, along with her two siblings.

Native American youth across the country.

Titla was born to poor teenage parents on the San

“The conference was life-changing and inspired hope for young Indians looking ahead to the future,” Titla said.

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A 2ND ACT

More than 2,500 individuals from throughout the United States attended the sold-out UNITY conference this summer.

UNITY’s founder, J.R. Cook (who would go on to be her friend and mentor), was keen to guide the young attendees through their cultural tug-of-war. He wanted them to succeed in mainstream America without turning their backs on the ways of their ancestors. Titla listened and learned.

After high school graduation, Titla attended the University of Oklahoma to be close to UNITY’s executive office, continuing to volunteer. “It helped me become the person I am today,” she said. That person is multifaceted with multiple second acts. She was the first in her family to graduate from college. With her degree in journalism, she landed a job at a Tucson television station, becoming the first Native American TV reporter in Arizona. After a stint at a Phoenix TV station, she earned a master’s degree in communications at ASU.

Photo by Troy Richardson

48 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

Titla knows from experience that transformative teen experiences can shape lives.

Hawaiians). But now, groups in other countries are looking at the model for their communities.

UNITY provides something for every Native youth, including athletics, leadership and community. The programming is year-round, with many peer-cohort programs. But the organization’s heart is the National Unity Council. “These youth councils are the key for kids to see their potential,” Titla said. “They learn about organizing and Robert’s Rules of Order, etc. The councils are autonomous, giving the youth a voice. Each sets up its own bylaws and officers and conducts its own service projects.”

Native Americans face challenges similar to all youth: substance abuse, domestic violence, suicide. Packed on top of those are the frightening annual numbers of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, preserving their cultural language and overcoming still-existing prejudices.

But Titla is excited about the future of Native America.

She sees smart, talented young people climbing through the ranks. A 16-year-old she knows started a nonprofit. A 15-year-old was invited by the Seattle Mariners to be in the broadcast booth. They are the hope of their people.

“My mother has always said, ‘Never forget you’re a

“I always had a strong desire to move back to the

descendant of three Apache chiefs. Whenever you face

reservation and give back,” Titla said. “I wanted to

challenges, remember there’s nothing you can’t do.’ I carry

reconnect with my cultural identity. And I loved it!”

that with me, knowing that all of my life experiences leading

She worked in the school system, simultaneously

up to this point have prepared me for this role.”

working on a second master’s degree in education and

To learn more, go to unityinc.org.

supervision. All the while, she never lost touch with UNITY founder Cook.

The first time Cook asked Titla to consider becoming the organization’s executive director in 2008, she was making a run for U.S. Congress, which was not successful. The second time he asked, she was running for Tribal Chair, also unsuccessful. “When he asked me the third time in 2013, I decided this was meant to be,” she laughed. “My only condition was to move the headquarters from Oklahoma to Mesa in 2013. My family is here, and I didn’t want to move.”

UNITY is the only organization of its kind in the country. It encompasses 300 of the 576 federally recognized tribes, coming from 36 states. Of course, Titla and her team are working on bringing in the remaining tribes. The young people range from 14 to 24, though it is open to everyone. It was designed to empower Native Americans in the U.S. (including Native Photo by Troy Richardson

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OFFICE DOORS 6:30 A.M. >> PREPARING TO PLAN

The start of my day can include a 30-minute walk or drinking coffee while I go through emails and texts in preparation for the arrival of my two associates. We work from my house, and the flow of the 50-to-60-hour workweek for the team is Monday is a catch-up day, Tuesday is my personal day, Wednesday we meet with clients in the office, and Thursdays and Fridays are spent getting ready for client events.

9 A.M. >> QUESTIONS MAKE THE EVENT

We work with individuals and corporate and nonprofit clients and begin planning each event with an initial meeting or phone call during which a date is selected and many questions are asked. Clients want to know what we’ve seen or what we think would be fun this year. When planning for the holidays, we ask what they would like to focus on, which can range from “metropolitan” to “at-home Christmas,” where it’s homey versus big-city shiny, to a New Orleans-style holiday corporate event with dueling pianos.

Do they want guests to dress in holiday attire or casually?

Do they want the event to be interactive or a night for their guests to relax? Will there be speeches?

Once we have gathered the information from our client, we secure our entertainment and catering partners. I then work with my colleagues to put together a design board, which is our plan of attack on how to make our ideas come Photo by Scott Foust

together for the event to stand out.

11:30 A.M. >> CONSISTENCY IS KEY

A Day With

GEORGE ABRAMS Owner of George Abrams Events

BY JULIE COLEMAN

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Most of our communication with vendors is done via phone and email, with in-person meetings at florists, looking at invitations and décor samples and tastings. We strive for the consistency of our crew and vendors to make our clients comfortable. Most of our clients have multiple events in a year and find it less stressful, especially during the holidays, knowing it’s the same person at each event.

Photo by Scott Foust

George Abrams and his team mind every detail to execute exquisite weddings, events and gatherings.

1 P.M. >> BRINGING COMFORT AND JOY

experiences from all over the world. The bad news is that

When events came back post-COVID, they really came

it gives people ideas from all over the world, and it can be

back. Because of supply chain challenges, limited hours and

hard to come up with something new.

fewer people working in the service industry, we have to be

It’s best not to try to “one-up” parties and instead do

flexible on the timing of vendor deliveries and accommodate

what you can and execute well. It’s easy to go down a rabbit

everyone to get the product we want.

hole. You may see a perfect picture of an envelope but don’t realize it took a person 45 minutes to address one envelope using calligraphy. A picture of a beautiful meal is presented, but you don’t know if that one plate can be served to 300 guests. It’s important to remember that real life is not Instagram, and my job is to manage expectations.

4 P.M. >> IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE

Entertaining is not for sissies; event planning is more than Pinterest and spitballing. It can be a physically demanding and all-consuming job. It’s not just ideas but Photo by Andrew Shainker

executing and getting them to work. It’s knowing something

A “reindeer” mingled with guests at this brunch-and-be-merry event Abrams planned for a multigenerational family.

well with another.

that plays really well to one demographic will not work Working with many people on different types of

Our role is to be the main communicator and run interference with all of the vendors as needed throughout the event. I try to be behind the scenes so my clients can enjoy their party. I am not a guest, and it’s best that I am seen and not heard. I consider an event successful when a client is ready to start talking about their next party before the last guest has left.

2:30 P.M. >> THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE SPARKLY

Social media has been both good and bad for our profession. The good news is that it gives people ideas and

celebrations is what I love most about my job. I get a glimpse into different families, cultures and traditions, and then we get to put our spin on it. The best parties keep people around, and there’s always good energy.

Event planning and execution are my whole life, and I’m always working. I don’t think there’s much difference between George, the event planner, and George. I stay engaged by watching culture, whether it’s movies or magazines, and stay attuned to trends and fashion, art, decor and music to keep on top of the next look and theme.

To learn more, go to georgeabramsevents.com.

FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

MAKE ARIZONA STRONGER while getting a break on state income taxes! Consider donating to one of the Arizona Tax Credit Giving Guide participants on the following pages.

MARICOPA C

OUNTY EDIT

ION

ARIZONA T I D E R C X TA IDE G IVING GU 2023-24

NEW AD TO COME ????

imizing x a M o t e id u Your G redits Arizona Tax C

Presented by

DO N’T FO RG ET TO BRIN G TH IS X TO YOUR TA ADVI SE R!

FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

| 53

MAXIMIZE THE

TAX CREDIT OPPORTUNITY

BY GIVING TO ALL FOUR CATEGORIES

The deadline is Tax Day annually to make these contributions and submit your forms to get your tax credit when you file.

TAX CREDIT

QUALIFIED CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION

QUALIFIED FOSTER CARE ORGANIZATION

PUBLIC & CHARTER SCHOOLS

PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION ORGANIZATION IF you give to Private School Tuition Organization, you may ALSO donate to:

SCHOOL TUITION ORGANIZATION

PER INDIVIDUAL

MARRIED COUPLES

421

Code QCO

841

$

Tax Form 321

526

Code QFCO

$

Tax Form 352

Code PSTC

$

1,051

$

200

400

$

Tax Form 322

Code STO Tax Form 323 Code STO

$

655

$

652

$

$

Tax Form 348

$

1,308 1,301

MAX OUT THE TAX CREDITS Mr. & Mrs. Smith have tax liability of $5,000 and donated the maximum combined amount to all tax credits of $4,901 on their Arizona tax returns. They now receive a credit of $4,901 and their tax liability is $99. No catch, dollar-for-dollar assistance to their favorite organizations or schools.

2,454 $4,901

$

THESE “ARIZONA TAX CREDIT GIVING GUIDE” PARTICIPANTS ARE FEATURED IN THE FOLLOWING 21 PAGES.

QUALIFIED CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children Autism Society of Greater Phoenix Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona Duet Fresh Start Jewish Family & Children’s Service NourishPHX one•n•ten Phoenix Children’s Power Paws Assistance Dogs Save the Family QUALIFIED FOSTER CARE ORGANIZATIONS Aid to Adoption of Special Kids (AASK) Arizona Sunshine Angels Center for the Rights of Abused Children Florence Crittenton The Foster Alliance Hope & A Future SCHOOL TUITION ORGANIZATIONS Brophy Community Foundation Catholic Education of Arizona New Way Academy

FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

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GIVE BIG

MAKE YOUR LAST ACT OF 2023 A GENEROUS ONE VISIT BBBSAZ.ORG/DONATE OR TEXT GIVE23 TO 269-89 All donations made by individuals to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona qualify for a dollarfor-dollar Arizona Tax Credit, up to $400 for individuals or $800 for couples filing jointly.

ENJOY OUR ENCLOSED 2023 IMPACT REPORT

Four Ways You Can Change a Life!

• AZ Individual Tax Credits

Catholic Education Arizona Team with the Most Rev. John P. Dolan, Bishop of Phoenix

Individual Tax Credits

Contribute any amount up to:

• AZ Low-Income Corporate Tax Credit • AZ Disabled/Displaced Corporate Tax Credit • Changing Lives Donations and Planned Gifts (Non-Tax Credit)

Changing Lives Donations We accept cash donations, gifts of stocks and bonds, charitable IRA rollover, gifts from Donor Advised Funds, gifts to endowment, bequests, charitable gift annuity, and more!

Corporate Tax Credits Arizona S & C Corporations, and Insurance Companies that pay premium tax may direct 100% of their Arizona liability through the Low Income and Disabled/Displaced dollar-for-dollar tax credits! Join 130+ corporate contributors investing in future leaders.

It’s Quick. It’s Easy. Ask us How!

602-218-6542

WWW.CEAZ.ORG

Changing lives one scholarship at a time.

Catholic Education Arizona is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization and has never accepted gifts designated for individuals. Per state law, a school tuition organization cannot award, restrict or reserve scholarships solely on the basis of donor recommendation. A taxpayer may not claim a tax credit if the taxpayer agrees to swap donations with another taxpayer to benefit either taxpayer’s own dependent. *2020 ADOR Report

Front Door Media - October 2023.indd 1

10/10/23 2:15 PM

Our patients are more than their diagnosis. They’re the face of resilience and strength. They’re the face of caring and love. They’re the face of someone you know, your neighbor, your friend.

They are…the face of hope.

Give Hope Today.

GivetoPCH.org

George, age 6 months

Phoenix Children’s Foundation 2929 E. Camelback Road, Suite 122, Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-922-4483 | GivetoPCH.org

It’s simple. We help kids with cancer.

Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children (ACFC) empowers families impacted by a pediatric cancer diagnosis. Join us in the fight to save lives on Arizona Gives Day, Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 by making your tax-deductible donation to ACFC. Make your Arizona Gives Day donation and save up to $821 on your Arizona state taxes! Visit azcancerfoundation.org for more information and make an impact at no cost to you!

ACFC is a Qualified Charitable Organization (QCO Code: 20873) 60 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

ARIZONA CANCER FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN IS A 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION. TAX ID: 46-2691606

Support Arizona’s women with your tax credit.

Empower women to achieve self-sufficiency — all while getting the most from your 2023 tax return.

Transform generations with your tax credit donation today!

Donate up to $841 filing jointly or $421 filing individually and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit, which can result in a reduction to what you owe or an increased refund.

Scan the QR code with your mobile device or visit our website:

FreshStartWomen.org/donate *Please note: the donation amount has increased from prior years in the state of Arizona.

For specific advice, please consult your tax professional.

New Way Academy

provides a life changing education for students with learning differences.

One quarter of New Way students rely on Arizona Private School Tax Credits to afford their education.

Receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit and change a student’s life by redirecting your state tax liability to FAIS.

newwayacademy.org/taxcredit 602.389.8600 5048 E Oak Street Phoenix, AZ 85008

It’s as easy as :  Contribute by April 15, 2024  File your taxes and complete AZ forms 323 and 348 to claim your Private School Tax Credits

 Receive your refund and/or pay your tax liability A School Tuition Organization (STO) cannot award, restrict or reserve scholarships solely on the basis of a donor’s recommendation. A taxpayer may not claim a tax credit if the taxpayer agrees to swap donations with another taxpayer to benefit either taxpayer’s own dependent. FAIS does not discriminate against any person due to color, race, religion, national origin, disability or gender. The information contained on this page is not intended to offer taxpayers legal or tax advice. Always consult a tax professional regarding your tax situation. For more information contact the Arizona Department of Revenue at 602-255-3381.

ONE IN SEVEN PHOENICIANS ARE LIVING IN POVERTY YOU CAN HELP. Charitable Tax Credit Eligible ($421 single / $841 married) Give the gift of immediate relief to working-poor Valley residents who depend on NourishPHX. Help provide food, clothing, employment and educational resources to more than 17,000 local families.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. Gifts Online: NourishPHX.org Mail: P.O. Box 2225, Phoenix, AZ 85002 QCO Code: 20385 Tax ID: 86-0401223

OUR SERVICES PARENT SUPPORT GROUP HEALTH & WELLNESS

COMMUNITY TRAINING

JOB READINESS

BIPOC, TRANS & GENDER EXPANSIVE PROGRAMS

HOUSING PROGRAM & RESOURCES

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

EDUCATION

www.onenten.org | 501(c)(3) Non-Profit | EIN: 86-0728990

SUPPORT LGBTQ+ YOUTH

WE ENVISION A WORLD WHERE ALL LGBTQ+ YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS ARE EMBRACED FOR WHO THEY ARE, ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND EMPOWERED TO LEAD!

YOUR TAX CREDIT COULD PROVIDE ...

Housing 1 month of housing and wrap around supportive services through Promise of a New Day Housing Program

Leadership 2 full scholarships to Camp OUTdoors, the largest LGBTQ+ summer camp of it's kind, advancing leadership development skills

ARIZONA CHARITABLE TAX CREDIT

Prevention Sources Of Strength, evidence-based suicide prevention training for 40 youth

COMPASSION

DIGNITY

HOPE

Imagine a community where every person ages with compassion, dignity, and hope.

Your tax credit donation to Duet: Partners In Health & Aging can help turn this vision into reality by providing vitally needed, free-of-charge services to:

Homebound adults

Family caregivers

Grandparents raising grandchildren

Volunteer. Donate. Ask for help. duetaz.org/donate | (602) 274-5022

Homelessness is on the Rise Join us in Giving Hope to Homeless Families

Make your tax credit donation today to help us end homelessness and poverty in Maricopa County Charitable Organization Tax Credit QCO Code 20320

Single AZ Filer Maximum

Married/Joint AZ Filer Maximum

$421

$841

Arizona provides a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for individuals who make donations to Qualified Charitable Organizations

Your Tax Credit Changes Lives

SCAN TO GIVE

600

Families Served 2022-23

1,200

Children Served 2022-23

86%

of our families obtained permanent housing 2022-23

www.savethefamily.org | (480) 898-0228 | development@savethefamily.org

Give her that second chance.

Every girl deserves safety, hope, and opportunity.

When Clara* came to our Girls Ranch in Scottsdale with her son in arms and another child on the way, she was scared and unsure of where her life was going. She had just lost housing and dropped out of high school.

Florence Crittenton provides young girls in crisis, like Clara, with a safe refuge where they can stay while they complete high school, gain life and parenting skills, and receive mental health support, among other services. One such program is our Girls Ranch— our group home for young mothers in Scottsdale.

Our program provided immediate stability for Clara’s family through safe housing, and our prenatal medical care and parenting classes helped her gain independent living skills, so she was prepared to deliver a healthy baby girl.

Today, as a high school graduate and full-time worker, a now adult Clara decided to extend her stay at Girls Ranch to provide further stability for her children as she continues to build the foundation for a healthy family life. *Name has been changed to protect privacy.

Your donation is eligible for the AZ Foster Care Tax Credit of up to $526 for individuals or $1,051 for couples filing jointly.

Your support gives local young women an opportunity to heal and grow from trauma, such as physical or sexual abuse, chronic neglect, homelessness, poverty, teen pregnancy, drug abuse, or mental instability.

Give now at www.flocrit.org

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Help Our Angels Shine!

Your Tax Credit Donation will help children in foster care that reside in residential group homes improve their self-esteem and feel loved and valued.

98% GOES TOWARD OUR PROGRAMS FOR KIDS • $1,051-MARRIED AND $526-SINGLE

HOW YOUR DONATION MAKES AN IMPACT: + Birthday/Holiday Celebrations + New Shoes + New and Used Clothing + Hygiene Products + Haircuts/Ethnic Braiding and Styles + Tutoring + Scholarships

SunshineAngelsAZ.org/Donate QFCO Code: 10014

70 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE 602.550.3933 • SunshineAngelsAZ.org

EACH DAY, 47 CHILDREN ARE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH MEANS MORE THAN 17,000 CHILDREN IN THE U.S. ARE DIAGNOSED EACH YEAR.

AMANDA HOPE RAINBOW ANGELS BRINGS DIGNITY AND COMFORT INTO THE HARSH WORLD OF CHILDHOOD CANCER AND OTHER LIFE-THREATENING DISEASES.

OUR SERVICES AND PROGRAMS: COMFYCOZY CARE PACKS MAJOR DISTRACTION EVENTS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE COUNSELING SCAN THE QR CODE TO DONATE

LEARN MORE AT AMANDAHOPE.ORG

The Foster Alliance

Holiday Joy Drive

Formerly Arizona Helping Hands

This is our chance to make the holidays bright for children experiencing foster care in our state.

Collect Host a drive to collect new toys and gifts for children aged 0-21.

Donate Donate online or shop our Amazon wish list. $110 will provide brand new gifts for a child in foster care.

Become a #FosterAlly and show every child that they matter, they are special, and we won’t let them forget.

@thefosteralliance

thefosteralliance.org • 480.889.0604 3110 East Thunderbird Road, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85032

is now

Change the life of a child in foster care for free.

Foster Care Tax Credit maximums have increased.

$526

$1,051

filing single

filing jointly

creditsforkids.org

Congratulations to the 2023 ATHENA Awards Finalists!

PRIVATE SECTOR FINALISTS Ginger Clayton, CEO, Elontec

Melody Lewis, Owner & Founder, Indigenous Community Collaborative

Jen Scrivner, Chief Operating Officer, Goodmans

Kristen Shroyer, Co-Founder & Chief Impact Officer, ONEHOPE

PUBLIC SECTOR FINALISTS Tara Jackson, President, Arizona Town Hall

Jeri Royce, President & CEO, Advance Community

Lorraine Tallman, Founder & CEO, Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels

Dawn Trapp, Chief Executive Officer, Civitan Foundation, Inc.

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL FINALISTS Ashlee Atkins, Diversity Manager, ASU Enterprise Partners

Naquana Borrero, CFRE, Director of Development and Communications, Jazz in Arizona/ The Nash, and Proprietor & Principal Consultant, Bella Vita Consulting Group

Join the Greater Phoenix Chamber on November 15th to celebrate these incredible women and find out who will be named ATHENA!

Heather Vana, Senior Director of External Communications, Avnet

ATHENA Awards Luncheon Wednesday, November 15th | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

www.phoenixchamber.com/athena2023

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT

A ‘Light to the Nations’ Chai Arizona nourishes bodies, lifts spirits and brings hope to those in need

Origin

Chai Arizona is the umbrella organization for Ezras Cholim, Tomchei Shabbat and the Arizona Kosher Pantry. The organization prides itself on strong relationships within the Jewish, Muslim, Christian and secular communities and serves everyone, regardless of religion or affiliation.

Mission

Chai Arizona is committed to inclusivity, partnerships and Kosher law as it works to support the lives of thousands of Arizonans facing hunger, illness

ORGANIZATION

Chai Arizona ANNUAL BUDGET

$300,000 LEADERSHIP

Yecheskel Friedman President & co-founder of Ezras Cholim and the Arizona Kosher Pantry

and hardship.

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CHARITY SPOTLIGHT

Fun Fact About the Organization

A recent community event was a home run for Chai Arizona. “We were very excited to be a part of Jewish Community Day, when the Diamondbacks played at Chase Field,” said Yecheskel Friedman, president of the board of directors. “We were proud to serve Kosher food from our food truck. All of the monies raised were turned back to the pantry to support our programs.”

Program Highlights

Ezras Cholim serves precooked meals to community members in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes or private residences. It also loans durable medical equipment at no charge.

Tomchei Shabbat distributes Kosher food baskets so the sick and needy can celebrate the Sabbath with dignity.

The Arizona Kosher Pantry is the only certified Kosher food pantry in Arizona. Open five days a week, it distributes over 150,000 pounds of food to the general public each year to combat food insecurity. Individuals and families can access the pantry once a week for fresh food and non-perishables.

Recent Challenges

Ezras Cholim, Tomchei Shabbat and the Arizona Kosher Pantry have grown as the needs of the community demanded. And as gas, rent and food prices have increased in the last few years, so has the number of community members needing services. Fortunately, with thoughtful stewardship, Chai Arizona has successfully anticipated needs and continued providing services to the underserved.

Future

The Arizona Kosher Pantry supports a food truck that goes to local parks to provide cooked meals to the unsheltered and undernourished. They hope to continue to deliver those programs, as well as additional services. “We look forward to getting back to the parks and serving breakfast or lunch to the unsheltered. Now that the weather has cooled down, look for us at a park near you,” Friedman said.

To learn more, visit chaiarizona.org.

80 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

Turn Your Event Vision Into Reality Phoenix Technology Audio Visual provides top-tier AV equipment and crew to events both large and small.

Our talented techs specialize in audio, projection, lighting, scenic and video production — both in studio and on location.

Through hard work, dedication and love, our team has a personal share in the success of your event!

Reach out today and discover how we can help design your event vision into a reality.

602.488.5765

FROM THE ROAD

Photo courtesy of Tourism Whistler / Justa Jeskova

Winter in Whistler Canadian gem offers more than mountains

BY KAREN WERNER

F

rom the peaks to the valley, Whistler offers abundant

chair lifts status — all the details you need to have a super

activities, great lodging and stunning scenery. And

day on the slopes.

while its boutiques, restaurants, galleries and events offer options for all seasons, winter is Whistler’s prime time.

The host city of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Whistler boasts North America’s largest ski resort, Whistler

But even those who don’t ski or snowboard will fall for Whistler’s charming pedestrian-only village. Its winding walkways, wooden bridges and manicured landscaping allow easy strolling between shops, restaurants, ski lifts and lodging.

Blackcomb. With 200 marked runs, 32 lifts and over 8,000

For a luxurious base camp, opt for the Four Seasons

acres of terrain, it’s a wonderland for alpine enthusiasts of

Resort and Residences Whistler. Nestled at the base of

all abilities.

Blackcomb mountain, the resort offers an idyllic setting

To get the inside edge, check Whistlerpeak.com for

to unwind after an adventurous day. It even boasts a ski

weather updates. This well organized site curates info

concierge who will take care of every detail, from lessons to

about temperatures, webcams, avalanche reports and

rentals to meeting you post-run to collect your gear.

82 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

Photo courtesy of Tourism Whistler / Mike Crane

Those looking to stay in the laid-back Creekside area should check out the Nita Lake Lodge, Whistler’s only lakeside boutique hotel.

Each of its 77 rooms features wooden interiors flooded with light and its own basalt gas fireplace.

“Après-ski” is French for “after ski,” and it marks the shift between muscle-burning ski runs and the convivial buzz that takes place after skiing. Head to the Garibaldi Lift Company, to mix with skiiers coming down from the mountain to

Nita Lake Lodge

grab a beer and recount their day.

For additional après vibes, check out Coast Mountain Brewery. Its flagship “Hope You’re Happy” IPA and homemade pepperoni sticks draw crowds, making it a perfect spot for peoplewatching while loosening your boots at the end of an epic day.

But this picturesque ski town offers more

Photos courtesy of Tourism Whistler / Justa Jeskova

than adreneline-fueled adventure and ways to unwind; it’s brimming with culture as well. The Audain Art Museum, which opened in 2016, offers a transformative experience for appreciating the art of British Columbia. The architecturally stunning 56,000-square-foot gallery boasts a comprehensive collection of the province’s most celebrated artists, including works by Emily Carr, Jack Shadbolt and Jeff Wall.

A different kind of transformation awaits at the Scandinave Spa; namely, the ancient Scandinavian tradition of hydrotherapy. Tucked away from the main village, this tranquil oasis offers various hot pools, cold plunges and

Photo courtesy of Scandinave Spa / Justa Jeskova

saunas in a lush rainforest native to British Columbia. The Nordic-style outdoor thermal spa promises silence and a digital detox — cell phones, cameras and talking aren’t allowed in the baths areas — as guests journey through cycles of hot, cold and relaxation.

Plan to spend between three and four hours to allow time to linger in the cedar-burning dry saunas, eucalyptus-scented steam rooms and soothing solariums. Better yet, enjoy a massage before donning a robe and sinking into a lounge chair with a good book.

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FROM THE ROAD

The Ketel One Ice Room at Bearfoot Bistro

After you’ve recovered, stroll through Whistler Village and pick up a globally sourced gift or something from a local designer at shops like 3 Singing Birds, Arthentic or Amos & Andes.

In the evening, world-class dining awaits at Araxi, famous for its seasonally focused menu made with locally sourced ingredients. Pro tip: Snag a reservation after 8 p.m. to have time for a pre-dinner drink at Araxi’s sister restaurant, Bar Osa. The Alpine-themed cocktails rival libations in any major metropolitan — think local spirits like B.C. gin and cedar-infused rye.

Another high-end option is Bearfoot Bistro, which highlights the exceptional seafood and wild game found in British Columbia. Try the Ice Room to experience a flight of four vodkas and discover how the extreme cold enhances the flavor while minimizing the alcohol burn. Or head to the underground wine cellar to swing a saber and experience the thrill as the blade hits the bottle and the Champagne flows.

Soak up your hangover the next day with fresh bread or pastries from Purebread Bakery in the village. This Whistler original is famous for warm baguettes, mouthwatering cake and other baked delights.

84 |

Photo courtesy of FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE Scandinave Spa / Justa Jeskova

Photo courtesy of Tourism Whistler / Vince Emond

Photo courtesy of Tourism Whistler / Mike Crane

For another casual favorite, tip into Peaked Pies, which serves up perfectly baked Australian meat pies.

Quick, warm and tasty, the pies come in savory, sweet Photo courtesy of Tourism Whistler / @nickvoutour

and breakfast varieties. Go early in the day before they sell out.

Families will love Whistler Blackcomb’s free Fire & Ice Show, where Whistler’s best skiers and riders hit air jumps through a blazing ring of fire every Sunday night.

The awesome evening mixes music, dance and fire as world-class athletes flip and twist through a burning ring of flames before finishing off with a first-class fireworks show.

Whistler is easily accessible from Vancouver International Airport. From there, it’s a two-hour drive from Vancouver along the scenic Sea-to-Sky highway, which follows the Squamish River from the Howe Sound past Daisy Lake and Brandywine Falls. Try to time the drive for the day, if you can. With its mix of powder and peaks, outdoor adventure and nightlife, Whistler just may be the perfect winter destination.

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM FRONTDOORS! Here’s what we have planned for the New Year:

WINTER ISSUE

SPRING ISSUE

SUMMER ISSUE

Healthy Living

Fashion & Philanthropy

The Best of Arizona

featuring

featuring

featuring

- PLUS -

OUR END-OF-THE-SEASON CELEBRATION EVENT ON APRIL 24, 2024

To participate or for more information, email publisher@frontdoorsmedia.com

CONNECTING WOMEN WHERE THEY WORK, LIVE OR PLAY Join us where you live, work or play to connect with like-minded women to share information, ideas, contacts and opportunities.

Learn more at: eastvalleywomen.org | centralphoenixwomen.org womenofscottsdale.org | northvalleywomen.org

KITCHEN DOORS

Chef Cory Oppold Sets a Course for Fine Dining

Photos by EatDrink Creative Agency

‘Chopped’ winner focuses on creativity and hospitality

BY SHOSHANA LEON

CHEF Cory Oppold has worked for some of Arizona’s most acclaimed restaurants and chefs. In May 2023, he opened his own restaurant in Scottsdale called Course. “I’ve been dreaming about having my own restaurant since I was in culinary school,” he said. “It’s everything and more that I hoped for, and it’s been really fun building it.”

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FROM THE ROAD

KITCHEN DOORS

Like many chefs, Oppold had to pivot when the pandemic closed Atlas Bistro, where he had worked for several years.

“During the pandemic, people wanted to enjoy fine dining but didn’t want to go out, so I focused on offering multi-course tasting menus in people’s homes and thought about how I could translate the experience to a restaurant,” Oppold said.

In February 2022, Oppold met investors Brett and Christian Pezzuto at a wine dinner, and Course started to take shape. “We were looking to create an experience where diners could have fun and enjoy a high-end tasting menu in a relaxed atmosphere with great hospitality and exceptional service,” Oppold said.

Course offers three dining options with menus that change regularly, including a 10-course dinner Thursday through Saturday and a five-course dinner Tuesday and Wednesday, with wine pairings available. Morning Would, which Oppold started as a pop-up, features a multi-course Sunday brunch with upscale twists on familiar favorites like chicken and waffles, and cereal and milk.

“We like to add playful and nostalgic elements to the menu, offering some things people are familiar with and some things they may not have tried before,” Oppold said.

Oppold was raised on a farm in Illinois and moved to Arizona to study architecture. One dinner at the Arizona Biltmore resort in Phoenix changed his career path.

“When I experienced a high-end restaurant for the first time, I fell in love with the artistic approach to food and fine dining,” Oppold said. “Growing up on a farm, food was more a source of energy than art. I was interested in making food more of an experience.”

Oppold studied at Scottsdale Culinary Institute and started his career at the iconic Different Pointe of View restaurant in Phoenix.

He worked there for several years, starting as a line cook and becoming executive sous chef.

He then served as chef de cuisine at L’Auberge de Sedona before returning to Phoenix to teach at his former culinary school. “I learned so much about food by teaching classes,” he said.

After a few years teaching, Oppold worked as sous chef at Binkley’s, one of Arizona’s most celebrated fine dining restaurants. He then became executive chef at Tarbell’s. His next career move was to Atlas Bistro, where he worked from 2014 until the pandemic hit in 2020.

“Atlas Bistro was my first opportunity to create my own menu, incorporating what I learned from my past experiences,” said Oppold, who won Food Network’s “Chopped” in 2019.

After receiving great feedback from diners and the media, Oppold is working on new menus for Course, including a holiday menu.

“I like to bring simplistic elements together to create complex dishes with attention to detail and a focus on presentation,” Oppold said.

“People eat with their eyes first. As chefs, it’s our job to make everything taste good, but also to make it look good. That’s where everything comes together.”

To learn more, visit courserestaurantaz.com.

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Bountiful Boards

Photo courtesy of Mingle + Graze

Always great for entertaining, boards are especially festive for the holidays BOARDS have become extremely popular for entertaining and celebrating. They offer endless options and a pleasing presentation for everyone to enjoy.

“Grazing boards are a great way to celebrate getting together,” said Jenny Zink, co-owner of Shea Cheese in Phoenix, which offers boards, a wide selection of cheeses and classes. “Instead of setting out 20 different dishes, you can incorporate them all into one beautiful platter.”

Boards are versatile and can be customized for a variety of holidays and occasions. “Holiday boards can include both savory and sweet items, as well as decorations. They also make great gifts,” said Liza Noriega, owner of She Shed Chef.

One of She Shed Chef’s most popular boards is the Largecuterie, a grazing table for large gatherings, which includes meats, cheeses, fruit, bread, crackers and a variety of homemade spreads. “People want to celebrate in their homes with a unique table of food. It’s super convenient because I do all the preparation, delivery and set up, and leftovers can be enjoyed later.”

92 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

KITCHEN DOORS

Holiday boards can incorporate flavors of the season.

“For our Thanksgiving boards, we like to pick cheeses that pair with classic Thanksgiving flavor profiles, such as adding Sage Derby, a cheese from England that has a flavor profile similar to a mild cheddar laced with sage. We also like to add a smoky cheese like Gouda,” said Mahfam Moeeni-Alarcon, co-owner and chef at Mingle + Graze, a cheese shop and eatery in Chandler. “For Christmas, we love using rosemary to garnish our boards and Christmas cookies for that extra pop of holiday fun. For a sweet treat, we add peppermint bark.”

Many people enjoy creating their own boards, and Mingle + Graze provides expert tips and classes to provide guidance and ideas.

“Remember, the threes — three types of meat, three kinds of cheeses, three spreads, three types of crackers and three types of snacks,” said Noriega, who teaches a charcuterie board class at LDV Winery’s tasting room in Old Town Scottsdale.

In addition to the aesthetics, consider your guests’ preferences. Boards can easily be customized for vegetarians, vegans and people who are gluten-free or have other dietary restrictions.

Photo courtesy of Shea Cheese

“You can add charcuterie or keep it vegetarian.

Fruit is always a must to add pops of color. Jams, mustards, honeys and olives add a nice touch. Nuts give it a great look,” Moeeni-Alarcon said.

Ask for suggestions at your local cheese shop.

“We encourage people to start with the cheese,” Zink said. “Soft, hard and blue are great places to start. If you don’t like brie, you can choose another soft cheese, like a fresh chevre or a creamy burrata.

For a hard cheese, choosing something in the cheddar family is an easy win. If you’re not a fan of blue, choose a flavored cheese like a fun Cajun cheddar or a truffle cheese. Once you have your cheeses, you can add other things to make your board pop. We recommend using this formula: cheese, meat, produce, pickle, dip, crunch and something sweet.”

Whatever the occasion, guests are sure to love a board.

For information, go to sheshedchef.com, mingleandgraze.com and sheacheese.com.

Photo courtesy of She Shed Chef

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4001 N. 24th St. Phoenix, AZ 85016 www.WhiteHouseFlowers.com ph: 602.957.0186 fax: 602.956.0463

greenlivingmag.com

EDUCATE EMPOWER INSPIRE

BOOKMARKED

DR. WARREN H. STEWART SR. Senior pastor of First Institutional Baptist Church of Phoenix

RECOMMENDS “Soul Care in African American Practice”

by Barbara L. Peacock

H I S TA K E “African American spirituality has its origins on the continent of Africa ... [Black spiritual leaders] ... represent traits identified in what we know today as spiritual direction and soul care.”

“Dr. Barbara L. Peacock, in ‘Soul Care in African American Practice,’ writes those healing words amid today’s world saturated by hurt, hopelessness and hate. Her book provides ‘a balm in Gilead’ for people of African descent residing in the U.S., who daily have had to face for over 400 years what it means to be Black in this land — never being accepted completely as equals due to systemic racism.

Peacock presents spiritual direction and soul care as necessary self-care prescriptions for African Americans.

She methodically identifies how 10 African American heroes and sheroes — beginning with the abolitionist champion Dr. Frederick Douglass of the 19th century to respected theologian Dr. Renita Weems of our times — are spiritual leaders in their own rights as they advocated for ‘liberty and justice for all,’ which gave my soul a lift.

This book also is an eye-opener for those who are not Black to witness how African American spirituality has sustained their ebony sisters and brothers.”

For more information, go to fibcaz.org.

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LAST LOOK A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS Once the center of a bustling ranch, this colorful Victorian home proclaimed one family’s status in a growing town. Today, the Tempe icon known as the Petersen House Museum offers guests a peek at the past. But it is Christmastime when this architectural jewel really shines — for over 35 years, it has hosted holiday events for the community. Here, the Marcos de Niza High School Madrigal Singers entertain guests.

This year, the Petersen House will again be decorated in high style, emphasizing its Danish heritage. Enjoy free self-guided tours, light refreshments, entertainment and fun activities in December. There’s even a pop-up museum store to cross some shopping off your holiday list. To learn more,, visit tempe.gov/MuseumHistoricHouses.

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Photo courtesy of the City of Tempe

National Philanthropy Day Luncheon We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 39th Annual AFP National Philanthropy Day Leadership Awards. Congratulations to these outstanding and deserving recipients of the 2023 Leadership Awards!

Join us Friday, November 17th, at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort where the recipients of the 2023 Leadership Awards and Spirit of Philanthropy awards will be recognized.

JoEllen Doornboos Philanthropist of the Year Nominated by: Phoenix Zoo

Chandler Compadres

Outstanding Corporate/Foundation of the Year Nominated by: Boys and Girls Club of the Valley

Stacey Lovell

Pinnacle Peak High School Key Club

Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year Nominated by: HonorHealth Foundation

Outstanding Youth Fundraiser of the Year Nominated by: OCJ Kids

Ashleigh Leite

Tatumn Zale

Outstanding Fundraising Executive of the Year Nominated by: HonorHealth Foundation

Emerging Fundraiser of the Year Nominated by: FSL

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Media Sponsor

Design Sponsor

Supporting Sponsors Scan the QR code or visit www.afpaz.org to purchase tickets or a table, submit your Spirit of Philanthropy honoree, or purchase an ad in the program.

Abeja Solutions Arizona Community Foundation Arizona Diamondbacks Black, Starr & Frost Bloomerang Crescendo Desert Diamond Casino West Valley Donor Recognition Art Fiesta Bowl Charities

Fry’s Food Stores GiveSmart GivingSMITH Kim Joyce & Associates Northern Trust The Phoenix Philanthropy Group Raise the Bar Consulting Salt River Project Synergy Philanthropy