FEBRUARY 2019
GRAND CANYON CENTENNIAL SUSTAINING A WORLD TREASURE FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS
SUSTAINABLE BANKING LOCAL BANKS HELPING LOCAL BUSINESSES
SCOTTSDALE ARABIAN HORSE SHOW OFFERING GREEN OPPORTUNITIES
GO GREEN ON VALENTINE’S DAY US $5.95
LESS WASTE, MORE LOVE THIS FEBRUARY 14
"OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ENTERPRISE ISN'T JUST LIMITED TO BANKING. THEY UNDERSTAND THE INTRICACIES OF OUR BUSINESS."
MORE THAN A JAR OF CHERRIES. A FAMILY TRADITION. How a line of credit helped serve a lifelong passion. Brandon Maxwell started his catering company with Chef Michael DeMaria 21 years ago. But he was born into the business. As a boy, he stole cherries from under the bar in his family’s pizza place. Today, M. Culinary Concepts cooks for some of the largest events in the world. When they needed help getting to the next level, Enterprise was there. The company hasn’t stopped growing, which makes running it that much sweeter.
Learn more about Brandon & Michael's story at more.enterpisebank.com
Member FDIC
- CHEF MICHAEL DEMARIA & BRANDON MAXWELL, CEO/PRESIDENT, M CULINARY CONCEPTS
25% Discount for CGH Earth Leisure Properties Use the discount code GLKerala25 at checkout BOOKING DATES: 1/29/2019 TO 9/30/2019 TRAVEL DATES: 1/29/2019 TO 9/30/2020 This discount code is applicable at the following hotels: Brunton Boatyard, Eighth Bastion, Coconut Lagoon, The Marari Beach, Spice Coast Cruises, Spice Village, Wayanad Wild, Palais De Mahe, Mantra Koodam and Visalam
When you are ready to book, please email sengelbrecht@us-sales.com
CONTENTS
FEBRUARY 2019
13 LIVE
26
33
PLAY
5
INTIMATE APPAREL THAT’S MADE WITH LOVE
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ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES
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FUN GREEN FACTS
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A PERSONAL JOURNEY IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
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ONCOLOGY MASSAGE
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SUSTAINING A WORLD TREASURE FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS
Part of Arizona’s most well-known monument celebrates a birthday
CHAMPION JASON WYRICK 32 GREEN Chef opening vegan fine-dining restaurant
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NEW SUSTAINABLE BUILDING COMPANY MOVES TO SCOTTSDALE
LIFE NUMBERS ARE GROWING 33 PLANT-BASED Vegan festival with more than food
Sustainable fashion made for the female body Tips for a green(er) home Save all kinds of green
An examination of personal waste Ric Coggins gets touchy feely
Rammed earth construction stays comfortable
WORK
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THE SKINNY ON EMPLOYEE TURNOVER COSTS
How much is worker churn costing you?
ARABIAN HORSE SHOW 26 SCOTTSDALE OFFERS GREEN OPPORTUNITIES Trophies, ribbons, and prize money; oh my!
OUTRAGEOUS STUFF 27 COOL Everyday green items for you HOTEL CONGRESS 28 HISTORIC Join the centennial birthday celebration DESERT DWELLERS GUIDE 30 THE TO REAL WINTER
Go anywhere but west for snow day options
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SUSTAINABLE ART COMBINES BEAUTY AND AWARENESS Art to feel good about
STATE UNIVERSITY’S OPEN DOOR 34 ARIZONA ASU hosts family-friendly sustainability workshops
36 RECIPES Food that warms you GREEN ON VALENTINE’S DAY 38 GO Less waste, more love this February 14th
MDX HYBRID 20 ACURA Inexpensive model offers excitement and luxury
GIFT GUIDE 39 GREEN Local gifts for loved ones
BANKING: KEEPING 22 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY FIRST
SCENES 43 GREEN What’s happening this month around Arizona
Local banks helping local businesses
FOR BUSINESS 24 CLOSED How did Arizona fare during the federal government shutdown?
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GREEN, SHE’S GREEN 46 HE’S Reviews of gifts for someone special MANAGEMENT FOR KIDS 47 MONEY Never too early to start saving greenlivingaz.com
Yours in practicing a greener lifestyle PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Dorie Morales EDITOR: Aimee Welch COPY EDITOR: Tyler Hurst ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR: Kait Spielmaker DESIGN: Sly Panda Design ADVISORY BOARD: Ric Coggins Valerie Crosby Lori Diab Ken Edwins William Janhonen
Jon Kitchell John Martinson Mary McCormick Eric Olsen Thomas Williams
CONTRIBUTORS: Abduraafi “Raafi” Andrian Barbara Augsdorfer Rodric Bradford David M. Brown Rose Burke Jennifer and John Burkhart Ric Coggins Jordan Diab Megan Goodwin Melissa Goodwin C. Haire MEDIA CONSULTANTS: Lisa Racz John Waechter EDITORIAL INTERNS: Abduraafi “Raafi” Andrian Hailey Colbrunn Sema Topin Nikcole Thompson
Corey Hawk Tyler Hurst William Janhonen Laura Madden Kait Spielmaker Sema Topin Tina Viola John Waechter Aimee Welch Jack Welch
What makes you choose one dealership over another? It’s the way you’re treated! Courtesy Chevrolet is a J.D. Power 2018 Dealer of Excellence
GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN: Matthew Fisk PHOTOGRAPHY INTERNS: Mavisu Kose Olaff Lopez SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN: Corey Hawk
SUBSCRIBE TODAY! CONTACT US AT:
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Green Living magazine is a monthly publication by Traditional Media Group, LLC. Periodical rate postage paid at Scottsdale, AZ. Publisher assumes no responsibility for contributed manuscripts, editorial content, claims, reviews, photographs, artwork or advertisements. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the company or official policies. Entire contents © 2019 Traditional Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of content in any manner without permission by the publisher is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in signed columns and articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Submissions will not be returned unless arranged to do so in writing. One print subscription is $39 per year or digital subscription is $12 per year. Canadian orders please add $13 per year for shipping and handling. International orders add $22 per year for shipping and handling. Bulk and/or corporate rates available. No representation is made as to the accuracy hereof and is printed subject to errors and omissions. Green Living magazine is printed on recycled paper.
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1233 East Camelback Road Phoenix, AZ 85014 (602) 635-2559 www.CourtesyChev.com J.D. Power 2018 Dealer of Excellence ProgramSM recognition is based on individual dealer sales satisfaction research results and successfully passing a J.D. Power audit of dealership sales practices. For more information visit jdpower.com/DOE.
February 2019 | greenliving
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Letter From the Editor By the time February rolls around, we’re all settling into the new year, shifting from turkey and holiday lights to red roses and boxes of chocolate. Many of us are probably also working to get our budgets and waistlines back on track after the holiday overindulgences. You might even be busy researching and planning your next opportunity to get away – spring break is just around the corner! This month’s issue covers it all, and more. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Grand Canyon, and you’ll learn about the park’s incredible history and current sustainability efforts in David Brown’s educational and enlightening cover story. In our digital edition, you’ll also find a list of centennial events, including a Founder’s Day Centennial Celebration at the South Rim of the park. Sustainability efforts are becoming increasingly important for individuals and businesses, and this month you’ll learn about the ways living, working, and playing green can have a positive impact on our environment and on your wallet. From sustainable banking and home building to working to reduce your own footprint, living responsibly and efficiently is a journey we’re all on together, and more and more people and organizations are getting on board. Finally, it’s February, so we couldn’t forget to write about Valentine’s Day, and how you can show your special someone(s) and the environment some love. Get some green ideas about celebrating by collecting memories and moments instead of giving stuff. Learn to make a Juniper Rose Valentine’s cocktail for a special occasion, or check out some sustainable fashions that are made with love, for love. As always, thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy it! Best,
Aimee Welch Aimee Welch, Editor editor@greenlivingaz.com
This is me, sledding in Flagstaff. Check out our article on great places to play in the snow this winter!
WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM OUR READERS
Thank you to Luella Kenny for your letter. We’re glad you enjoyed David Brown’s Love Canal article! “I thought the article was very well done and certainly reflected my comments accurately. So often I find that I don’t recognize my quotes. In today’s antienvironmental climate, we need articles like yours to inform the public about the consequences of a cavalier attitude towards protecting this planet. This current attitude of instant gratification with no concern for the future is so wrong and needs to be corrected.”
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Photo by Edward Duarte
INTIMATE APPAREL THAT’S MADE WITH LOVE
FASHION FOR ALL FEMALE BODIES – INCLUDING MOTHER EARTH
BY LAURA MADDEN
I
t is predicted that 2019 will be a turning point for the fashion industry as more brands prioritize sustainability in their business models. Scottsdale-based lingerie brand Activ Intimates is one such brand that is redeveloping its business model to prioritize environmentally friendly practices. From the start, Activ Intimates has been focused on making women feel good, comfortable, and confident just as they are. After attending last year’s AZ Eco Fashion Week at F.A.B.R.I.C., Tempe, the company’s eyes were opened to how they could make an even bigger impact in the world by taking care of another female – our Mother Earth. Laura Madden (LM): Your website states that you strive to reduce your environmental footprint in all aspects of your business. Why is that important to you? Activ Intimates (AI): We are always learning and asking questions about how we can do better. As designers, we realized we are part of the issue with what’s happening with the Earth. We love fashion. But when you make clothes, it hits even closer to home. We understand the supply chain and the environmental issues it can create. We know there is something we can do about it. greenlivingaz.com
LM: What are some of the measures you are taking to decrease
your environmental footprint and protect the planet? AI: ReActivate is a new model we are developing using zerowaste patterns, leftover fabrics, and fabric from jobbers (leftover fabric often destined for landfill). We are thinking ahead about minimizing waste and how we can use fabric scraps by starting with the design process. We have visited our factory in California. We know the owner, we know the working conditions. We’ve asked the factory to collect the leftover fabric scraps from production, which we will use in future collections. We have already received 30 lbs. of fabric scraps (that is only from the most recent lingerie line production). We have also taken a more minimal and sustainable approach with our packaging to reduce excess waste and conserve resources. We have and will continue to use resources from F.A.B.R.I.C. Tempe, such as pattern-making, digitizing, sizing and grading, and their sample sewers for small-batch production. Future developments will include recycling programs to help minimize the amount of textile waste going to landfill. February 2019 | greenliving
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LM: How is your approach to lingerie different from other
brands? AI: Our garments are for before, during, and after. They are specifically created to help women feel uninhibited in the bedroom – secure and confident. From the start the focus has been on the experience that women have, making every woman feel good and comfortable, if she happens to feel self-conscious in any way. We take female empowerment beyond our designs with our sexual wellness program, which includes resources, information and real talk to enhance women’s experiences in and outside of the bedroom. We’re starting the conversation through our Activ Intimates Blog and are planning events throughout 2019. Follow Activ Intimates on Instagram and Facebook @activintimates for upcoming events. Laura Madden is a fashion advocate, model, and creator of Laura Madden Lifestyle, a lifestyle brand and blog that inspires a life of style, sustainability and self-esteem. Visit laura-madden.com and follow her on Instagram @lmlifestylist for sustainable shopping tips and her sustainable fashion finds. Previous page: Activ Intimates Free Spirit Modal Bralette in Favorite MicroSuede Thong, designed to resist pilling and endure through washing & wearing. All styles in the Playful Collection are designed in Scottsdale and made in Los Angeles. Right: Heating up the runway at Phoenix Fashion Week 2018! Wearing Activ Intimates Sheer Playlette and Ultra-Sheer Poncho Peignoir, pro ballroom dancer Anja revs up the crowd to the beat of Havana. Photo by James Almanza
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greenliving | February 2019
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Infrared imaging is used to show the radiant heat signature in an existing home where added insulation may improve efficiency.
ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES
MAXIMIZING THE BENEFITS OF OWNING A GREEN HOME BY BILL JANHONEN
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s I travel the country teaching green finance and green appraisal courses, I always get the same questions: Is my green home worth more than a standard home? How much money can I save by buying green or lowering my energy costs? What incentives, credits or help is available to me to help finance improvements? What incentives are available for just building a green home? For every question, the answer almost always supports green homes. Energy efficient, sustainable homes –known more commonly as High Performance (HP) or Energy Efficient (EE) homes – are generally more durable, more cost efficient, healthier and have a higher resale value. They save more energy, have lower air infiltration rates, control moisture infiltration better, and utilize HVAC equipment more efficiently than standard homes. Back in 1981, a group of mortgage industry leaders got together to set up the National Shelter Industry Energy Advisory Council. The purpose of the Council was to establish a way to measure the financial savings generated by energy efficient features in a home and to credit that home’s energy efficiency in the mortgage loan. The not-for-profit organization known as the Energy Rated Homes of America was born. Fast forward to the 1980s and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, HUD, FHA, and the VA were all adopting energy mortgage programs but the programs were not well known or utilized. Fast forward again to 1995 and RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) was founded. RESNET created the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) greenlivingaz.com
Index which has become the Gold Standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured. It’s also the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance. So much so that the Energy Rating Index (ERI) was made part of the recent code adopted in January 2019 in Phoenix. ASSESSING YOUR CURRENT HOME FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY If you can measure the efficiency of a new home by comparing the HERS Index, what about your existing home? Can you have it reviewed for energy efficiency? Yes, on the RESNET website (www.resnet.us) you can engage a HERS rater professional to assess where you can get the biggest bang for your buck, and use an interactive tool to rate your home’s efficiency (www.resnet.us/ smarthome). FINANCING FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS AND PURCHASES Once you know how to improve your home’s energy efficiency, how do you pay for those improvements? There are significant financial incentives being offered by federal, state and municipal governments to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient. All existing state and federal credits and incentives can be found on www.dsireusa.org. The details can be difficult to navigate and incentives can be ended, suspended or extended – so look closely. February 2019 | greenliving
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Energy Mortgages and Home Tax Credits are only some of the benefits available. Some banks participate in a program called 203k loans. An FHA 203k loan allows you to borrow money, using only one loan, for both home improvement and a home purchase. These loans can also be used just for home improvements, but there might be better options available. You can borrow enough to finance 110 percent of the home’s projected value after improvement. Appraisers will review your plans and take the future value of your home into account. An alternative to the 203k program is a PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy). PACE is a way to borrow money for clean energy projects. Property owners, including homeowners and businesses, get financing for upgrades and repay through property taxes. Approval for PACE financing is mainly based on the equity in the property being upgraded, which will be used as collateral to secure the loan, and you can typically borrow up to 15 percent of a property’s value. Common uses of PACE include solar installations, energy efficient heating and cooling, watersaving landscaping, and other projects for both residential and commercial properties. PACE is only available in locations where state and local laws allow this type of financing, and where local programs have been developed. RATING THE VALUE OF A GREEN HOME RESNET has passed a milestone by having over two million homes having been rated in the United States. We know the HERS Index helps us understand whether a home is energy efficient or not; it provides a more accurate cost of homeownership; and it impacts a home’s comfort and reduces energy bills – but what about the proof that energy-efficient homes are worth more and enjoy a higher resale value than their counterparts? A study published in the Los Angeles Times and conducted by Portland, Oregon based Earth Advantage Institute, a nonprofit group, found that newly built homes that were certified as energy efficient sold on average for 8 percent more than non-certified homes. Not only that, but certified existing homes sold for up to 30 percent more than their non-certified counterparts. (The study looked at homes in the six-county Portland metropolitan area.) A March 2018 report by the North Carolina Building Performance Association (NCBPA) identified 34,152 highperformance homes being built or retrofitted in three of North Carolina’s metro district markets between 2015 and 2016 sold for
a 9.5 percent price premium. “We anticipated this analysis would illustrate that, on average, builders and homeowners receive a net positive financial return on the sometimes added upfront costs of energy efficient, green or high-performance features in the homes they build or sell,” said Ryan Miller, NCBPA’s executive director and lead author of the report. “The results indicate a $29,365 average sales price premium in addition to the improved health, safety, comfort, durability and lower utility bills that these homes offer,” said Miller. So, the answers are yes, HP or EE homes are worth more, save money on operating costs, and allow for reduced mortgages and insurance rates. They are healthier, more durable, and will return your value for energy improvements better than any other home investment. Bill Janhonen is a Building Science instructor, HERS rater, Energy Star verifier and long-time writer of several articles on Sustainable Building. He holds a Brokers license in three states, NY, CT and NC, and is an approved instructor for the National Association of Home Builders – oh and he is an advisor to Green Living AZ magazine. For questions, contact William Janhonen at wjanhonen@wsjenterprises.com.
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FUN GREEN FACTS TIPS Save Some Green Being Green
START A NEW TRADITION
Create a no-spending tradition on the day or evening you tend to spend the most money. Instead, do something eco-friendly – you can have fun and be creative with this. If it’s a nice day, a stroll in the park could be relaxing and rejuvenating (and free!). If you’re feeling social, you could host a fun tea gathering at your home with friends. You can enjoy some friends and fresh air, and feel good about saving your money.
PAY YOURSELF FOR GOOD HABITS
Pay yourself for breaking an old, unhelpful/unhealthy habit. You’ve heard about the possibilities of collecting loose change or a dollar here and there… but what if you paid yourself an impactful amount of at least $5 for every bad habit slip-up. Then, you might just break bad habits, train yourself to form new habits, and reap the financial rewards of your own forced savings account!
TRAVEL GREEN
If possible, downsize to one car or use your car(s) less. Reducing your family’s fueldriven transportation miles is one of the best things you can do for the environment. Without an extra car, you’ll save a lot of money – depreciation, gas, insurance, repairs, etc. Instead, ride your bike, carpool, or download the totalride app, an eco-friendly cab service that works like Uber. Glendale-based totalride’s signature green Prius fleet saves around 4,000 gallons of fuel per year (since converting from regular taxicabs).
RECYCLE ELECTRONICS
Did you know you can receive cash for recycling electronics and preventing electronic waste (e-waste)? E-waste ends up in landfills where it leaks toxins, like lead, mercury, and cadmium which we end up ingesting through soil and water. Laptops, cell phones, tablets, video game consoles, refrigerators, televisions, and other appliances and electronics can all be recycled. On www.Gazelle.com/ recycling, you can sell old electronics for cash and buy the latest upgrade. Or, to just recycle your old electronics, check out Staples’ free electronics recycling program at www.staples.com, eGreen IT Solutions at www.egreenitsolutions.com or Westtech Recyclers at www.westechrecyclers.com.
GREEN YOUR LAUNDRY
Most of us could save a lot of energy and money by greening our laundry process. Using cold water instead of hot, and following your power company’s time-of-use guidelines are easy ways to save. If you can manage it, going old school – hand washing and line drying – is even more efficient!
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A PERSONAL JOURNEY IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY PART 1: A TRANSITION BY KAIT SPIELMAKER
T
he new year is a time for fresh ideas, a blank slate, and creative freedom. It is a chance to try something new and become a better version of yourself than you were the year before. This year, I am devoting myself to the environment. Drastically cutting the waste you produce is not an easy task, I’m learning. I have told myself that a thousand times already, but it’s a challenge I want to take on. According to a recent statistic from the EPA, containers and packaging make up about 30 percent of municipal solid waste (the largest portion) which equates to approximately 78 million tons. But how do you get around plastic packaging when nearly everything we buy comes in some sort of material that eventually makes its way to a landfill, the ocean, or the stomach of a whale? Every single day on my journey, I discover new things I need to change or adjust —my list is ever expanding. From my Amazon packages to a highly-packaged new tube of mascara, conveniences I’ve enjoyed are now causing me to think twice. Single-use plastic is more convenient, that’s for sure. It’s so easy to dispose of and never think about again. The same goes for prepackaged meals – I can just grab it out of my refrigerator on my way out the door. Reducing waste has forced me to be more strategic about planning out and preparing my meals in advance, and sometimes buying more expensive products. Going zero waste is incredibly difficult and time-consuming, and something that isn’t easily attainable for most people, myself included. But every little bit helps. My goal is to focus on reducing and not rely on recycling; in the year ahead I will strive to reduce my waste by 70 to 80 percent. This change isn’t greenlivingaz.com
Photo by Kait Spielmaker
just about me cutting my waste at home, but an entire lifestyle shift. I’m moving away from companies that don’t accept their corporate social responsibility, and supporting companies and brands that support you, me, and future generations. That’s why I’m here. To share my journey so you can follow along and take from it what you find inspiring and useful in your own life. We live in a world that is being suffocated by nonbiodegradable materials and it’s difficult to navigate. Some of you may be just embarking on this journey and others may be much further along that I am. Like me, many of you may have been wanting to make a change like this but didn’t think you had the time, resources, money, or determination to do so. I’m doing this so we can figure it out together. As a society, we have become indifferent to our waste and feel that this pressing issue is out of our control; that a solution is unattainable. I want to dispel that notion because I believe we can all be better. I want us to transcend the norms. We are all inhabitants of this planet and should be able to enjoy its beauty and not worry about negatively affecting those around us with our everyday choices. Stay tuned in the issues ahead for my personal journey on the ebb and flow of reducing my waste, transitioning from plastic, and doing my part to contribute to a solution. Kait is a Michigan native who recently relocated to Phoenix and is the administrative coordinator for Green Living Magazine. She is an avid hiker with a sense of adventure. She is currently working on her masters degree in Sustainable Tourism at Arizona State University.
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ONCOLOGY MASSAGE
PART 2 OF RIC COGGINS’ JOURNEY INTO CANCER RECOVERY
S
urprisingly, all modalities of medicine seem to agree that there are specific benefits to be had from massage in the treatment of cancer. While allopathic medicine views the therapeutic value to be primarily palliative, holistic medicine practitioners claim additional healing benefits.
PALLIATIVE ONCOLOGY MASSAGE Arizona’s Mayo Clinic’s Oncology Massage Program touts a better quality of life during the cancer journey. From their allopathic vantage, Mayo suggests that the program benefits include “the decreased experience of pain and anxiety, less nausea, improved sleep, increased energy and reduced needs for narcotic pain medications.” Mayo’s oncology massage regimens are individually tailored to cancers and conditions. Mayo makes no claims that oncology massage aids in the healing of cancer. RIC COGGINS
Oxidizing (Lyme, Cancer): High dose vitamin C Ozone autohemotherapy Peroxide IPTLD℠ therapy Antixoxidants (Detox): Glutathione Lipoic acid B vitamin infusions (Myers cocktail) Poly-MVA Curcumin
Request Your Free 15-Minute Phone Consultation
480-240-2600
10210 N 92nd St , Suite 104 • Scottsdale, AZ 85258 www.arizonaadvancedmedicine.com
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REFLEXOLOGY MASSAGE AS A CANCER TREATMENT With Chinese origins tracing back some 3,000 years, reflexology teaches that patients benefit from increased energy flows within the body — aided by the practitioner’s manipulation of mapped areas on the feet, hands, and ears. Reflexology was part of my own personal cancer treatment program, as I believed it helped my healing life force energies flow – encouraging the enhancement of my immune system. LYMPHATIC MASSAGE AS A CANCER TREATMENT The lymphatic system, our “other” circulatory system, is vital to our health. It is an organ network that gets rid of body toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials. Your lymphatic system includes your tonsils, adenoids, spleen and thymus gland. I had lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymph nodes that occurs when lymph cells grow and multiply uncontrollably. Lymphatic massage for cancer treatment is embraced by both allopathic and alternative medicine alike — with different interpretations and expectations. Some practitioners of oncology massage believe that traditional deep massage can trigger lymphedema, a lymph system swelling. To counter, MD Anderson Cancer Centers offer a lymphedema massage program addressing lymph fluid buildup, which can harbor bacterial growth in the neck and head area. These buildups can occur in the light of the surgical removal of lymph nodes or from radiation treatment. Successful lymphatic massage causes lymph drainage. Lymphatic massage is administered in two main ways – manual and electro-lymphatic drainage. In respect to cancer therapy, both massage techniques have helped to successfully enhance the immune system to help it fight rogue cancer cells. TRADITIONAL MASSAGE HEALTH BENEFITS According to Marlena Krieger, executive director of Body Beautiful Day and Med Spa, “All forms of massage release blocks in healing energy flow, and increase blood flow.” Massage helped Marlena recover from fibromyalgia symptoms years ago, inspiring her to share these healing processes through her spa; 70 percent of Marlena’s customers choose Swedish massage, and 30 percent request deep tissue massage. For both types, consistency is key. Marlena views massage as both therapeutic and preventative, and believes that with enhanced blood and energy flow, we are less likely to succumb to chronic ailments. Ric Coggins is a University of Arizona Master Gardener who grew up on a one-acre garden tended by his father, who was a regular contributor to Mother Earth News and Organic Gardening and Farming magazines. Ric continues his father’s “green” traditions on a one-acre organic garden urban homestead in Mesa he calls The Fool on the Hill Farm.
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SUSTAINING A WORLD TREASURE FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS
THE GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL BY DAVID M. BROWN
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Lightning adds a skyshow to the two-billion-year-old Earthshow of the Grand Canyon National Park, which comprises 1,904 square miles of the Colorado Plateau in northern Arizona. Photo courtesy of Xanterra Travel Collection
first embrace; spring rain at the break of winter; an aesthetic or religious experience; a revelation that illuminates your path into the future. Every visit to the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona equals the intensity of these moments: life-centering and challenging, terrifying but transformative. Backpack weary or spellbound from just a hop-out-of-the car overview, you are always changed after experiencing this grandest of Earth’s places. The side canyons, buttresses, temples and thrones, fluted rock and striations, eddies, waterfalls and rapids, sandstone and twobillion-year old schist reaffirm the conclusion of John Wesley Powell (1834–1902), the Civil War veteran, naturalist and explorer who first documented the canyon 150 years ago: “The wonders of the Grand Canyon cannot be adequately represented in symbols of speech, nor by speech itself. . . . Language and illustration combined must fail.” (Canyons of the Colorado). This February 26 and throughout 2019, we celebrate the centennial of the ineffably beautiful 280-mile-long Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP), offering all of us an opportunity to renew President Roosevelt’s guidance. Ensuring that we leave it as it is and do not mar this UNESCO World Heritage Site are many individuals and organizations, profitdriven and not. greenlivingaz.com
The Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC), the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park, was founded in 1932 by naturalist Edwin ‘Eddie’ McKee, a South Rim ranger who wanted to help preserve it. The group has an internal environmental task force whose mission is to control and reduce environmental impact, working with the National Park Service (NPS) to develop strategies and goals to continue to protect and enhance GCNP. “The goal of this committee is to reduce waste, reduce water consumption and develop and strengthen a culture of environmental protection,” says Alysa Ojeda, GCC marketing and public relations manager. “To date, our maintenance crew has updated appliances to energy- efficient models and is replacing light fixtures and bulbs throughout our buildings to LED.” At the 4,500-foot-high South Rim, Denver-based Xanterra manages the Grand Canyon National Park Lodges, including National Historic Landmark El Tovar Hotel and the Grand Canyon Railway. Xanterra recently completed a 38-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system on the roof of the purchasing warehouse supporting the lodging properties; it will generate 11 percent of the annual energy usage for the building. February 2019 | greenliving
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“We recognize and embrace the reality that we share the responsibility to make sure that future generations can visit and enjoy the Grand Canyon, its historic hotels and buildings, its rugged beauty and its spiritual and educational value,” says David Perkins, the company’s director of sustainability. About 1,200 feet higher is the Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim, managed by Scottsdale-based Forever Resorts. Its general manager, Mike Kidd, says, “Across all properties we operate, environmental stewardship has been a consistent and growing
that approximately $335 million of environmental infrastructure improvement projects are needed just to meet current visitor needs inside GCNP. To mitigate the environmental and social impacts from six million annual visitors, NPS implements a shuttle bus service to move visitors around the park, which minimizes auto use/ congestion/air quality impacts while improving access to overlooks and visitor services without requiring new roads and parking facilities, he explains.
“Leave it as it is. Man cannot improve on it; not a bit. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.”
–Teddy Roosevelt (Grand Canyon South Rim, May 9, 1903)
Designed by Charles Whittlesey, chief architect for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, the El Tovar hotel is a National Historic Landmark and is also on the National Register of Historic Places. Opened in 1905, the hotel was part of the famous Fred Harvey Company chain. Adjacent is Hopi House, designed by Mary Colter (1905), inspired by the centuries-old pueblo dwellings of the Hopi village in Old Oraibi. Photo courtesy of Xanterra Travel Collection
focus over the years. Whether it’s sustainably sourced ingredients for our restaurant or our comprehensive recycling program, we aim to ensure Grand Canyon’s enchanting North Rim remains viable for visitors permanently.” Arizona native, University of Arizona graduate, and Tucson resident David Schaller has been associated with the Grand Canyon National Park for more than 40 years. “The environmental legacy of the park is perhaps that it has thus far successfully endured a century plus of ongoing threats due to commercial exploitation, overcrowding and related infrastructure challenges without being indelibly scarred in some way,” says Schaller, who first worked as a National Park Service (NPS) seasonal laborer in the 1960s before his 30-year career as an environmental scientist for the EPA. “Many say our national parks, Grand Canyon included, are being loved to death,” he adds, citing a Cronkite News report
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Sustainability efforts are also ongoing by The Grand Canyon Resort Corporation at Grand Canyon West, outside the Grand Canyon National Park two hours south of Las Vegas. Founded in 1988 and owned by the Hualapai Tribe, Grand Canyon West attracts more than a million visitors to the remarkable Grand Canyon Skywalk and other attractions. “The Grand Canyon Resort Corporation and the Hualapai Tribe have worked for many years to balance bringing people to the Grand Canyon to experience nature’s beauty and preserving the canyon’s fragile environment and its cultural significance,” says Colin McBeath, CEO of the Peach Springs, Arizona-based company. Reducing helicopter noise from the Canyon rim is an example. “By setting the helicopter landing areas back away from Eagle Point and Guano Point, we have been able to preserve the sounds of nature and the peacefulness of the canyon,” he explains. greenlivingaz.com
Designed by Mary Colter in 1914, Lookout Studio is built on a precipice on the South Rim, its stone and log timbers echoing the rugged lines of the Grand Canyon. Here visitors observe and photograph and wonder. Photo courtesy of Xanterra Travel Collection
Water is a “looming environmental issue,” McBeath adds. “We have done everything in our power to conserve water, including limiting consumption and installing low-flow plumbing at considerable expense.” Other water challenges at the park include upgrading the 12-mile pipeline serving the South Rim facilities from the North Rim’s Roaring Springs, itself threatened by diminishing groundwater supplies because of climate change, Schaller explains. He adds that rising temperatures also intensify drought, wildfires and species loss. “In addition, recurring proposals and projects for mineral extraction, primarily uranium, across public lands just outside of park boundaries threaten the water supplies of the Havasupai Nation and the greater Grand Canyon ecosystem,” he says. The Indigenous Havasupai, “people of the blue-green waters,” have lived inside the canyon for at least 800 years. “The Grand Canyon will outlast humanity; that we know,” he concludes. “However, the enduring legacy of the Grand Canyon National Park, its life-sustaining water resources and the human amenities that now help define it, will be the extent to which we humans choose to protect it from ourselves.” Brown is an Arizona-based freelance writer (azwriter.com). Because of the federal government shut-down at the time of writing, no one from the NPS was available to offer comment, although the South Rim remains open, funded through recreation fees. The North Rim is closed in the winter. See nps.gov/grandcanyon for information about accessibility and available services.
greenlivingaz.com
Arizona Museum of Natural History
Featuring our newest exhibit, Native Cultures of Western North America
Nestled in downtown
480 644 2230
AzMNH.org
February 2019 | greenliving
15
NEW SUSTAINABLE BUILDING COMPANY MOVES TO SCOTTSDALE SIREWALL OFFERS AN ECO-FRIENDLY BUILDING ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL METHODS
Photo courtesy of SIREWALL.
BY TINA VIOLA
T
he sustainable building industry is rapidly growing and evolving, and sustainable building materials are at the forefront of the next evolution in home and commercial building. One builder of high-performing structural and sustainable wall systems, SIREWALL, Inc., recently entered the Arizona market and set up its headquarters in Scottsdale due to the area’s extreme weather conditions and high demand for sustainable solutions. “Currently SIREWALL is working on two projects in Scottsdale and we employ 16 people,” says SIREWALL owner Joss Krayenhoff. “We also only hire local vendors for our projects which both contribute to the Arizona economy.” Dubbed the “Tesla of the building world” within the industry, SIREWALL (Structural Insulated Rammed Earth Wall) is a 100 percent-sustainable (net zero), energy efficient and healthy alternative to less eco-friendly building methods. SIREWALL is a technologically enhanced version of the ancient rammed earth building method. Structures are made from the earth, consisting of about 90 to 95 percent rock, sand and water, and 5 to 10 percent cement. These ecologically responsible structures can stay structurally sound for more than 200 years with no deterioration, materials are locally available and non-flammable, they are water- and hurricane-speed wind- resistant, and they deliver a variety of health and financial benefits. They’re also aesthetically and acoustically pleasing. GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH A thick layer of rigid insulation ensures a comfortable climate in the summer and winter, eliminating the need for air conditioning or heat (HVAC systems) which can create toxins and air pollutants that contribute to asthma and other respiratory issues. SIREWALL is non-toxic and is also mold-resistant, termite-resistant, and free of toxic finishes, contributing to a healthier overall environment. SIREWALL owners Meror and Joss Krayenhoff were inspired by a desire to create a healthier planet and healthier people. A family friend, Randy Bachman (guitarist of The Guess Who
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and Bachman Turner Overdrive), has a daughter who suffers from asthma. They moved into a SIREWALL home and her symptoms subsided. Knowing their product contributed in some way to a solution for their friend, and all people dealing with certain health issues is very satisfying to them. GOOD FOR YOUR BUDGET The price of a rammed earth wall can be a bit higher than traditional methods, depending on where you live, but savings are realized quickly through the elimination of multiple trades, limited maintenance costs, and increased energy efficiency. Additionally, owners no longer need to pay for HVAC units, maintenance, replacement costs and bills, paint maintenance, termite treatment, or damage caused by water, mold or fire. There are also virtually no upkeep costs in since rammed earth does not decay or deteriorate. The resale value and tenant occupation for rammed earth construction may increase faster than other homes and businesses due to the value and benefits, and lenders are now offering better terms and other incentives for green, net-zero structures. There could also be a reduction in insurance premiums and tax credits. In 2010, SIREWALL was selected for the Living Building Challenge Award, the most prestigious international award for Green Energy Efficient Building, and the LEED Platinum Award, the highest award offered by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Having a new, eco-focused company in Arizona is good for the environment and for the state. “We are expecting a rapid increase this year which would be not only beneficial to Arizona but nationwide,” Krayenhoff said. “With projects around the world, our mission is to focus more on the USA with Arizona as a key part of our future.” For more information about SIREWALL, visit www.sirewall.com. Tina Viola is an independent business consultant and a representative of SIREWALL. Please feel free to contact her at 480-999-3244 or ibsolutionsintl@gmail.com for more SIREWALL information.
greenlivingaz.com
You’re Invited
Tuesday, Feb 19th, 5-7 pm
Enterprise Bank & Trust
3900 E. Camelback Rd • Phoenix, AZ 85018 • FREE Event • Meet & mingle with like-minded people in the green industry • Enjoy appetizers & drinks from local vendors • Enter to win a raffle prize, $5 per entry • Our raffle drawing is benefiting the Homele Engagement LIFT Partnership Homeless
f l e S t s e B Your Uncensored #bestselfuncensored
February Special Two week Unlimited Classes New Students Only – $25
Join this unique wellness community with two studios and 40+ adult classes per week ranging from Cardio and Choreography Hip Hop to Yoga (heated and unheated) to muscle conditioning to ballet, tap and broadway dance fitness. Co-located with Eutopia Community Wellness Co-Op AZ Core Fitness - Stacey LaPlante: azcorefitness.com Karynelise Wellness- Karyn Hendricksen: karynelisewellness.com
Space available for kindred wellness professionals – Interested call Kristine at kristine@eutopiafitness.com.
greenlivingaz.com
10855 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. Suites 102 and 109 480-264-6488 • eutopiafitness.com
February 2019 | greenliving
17
THE SKINNY ON EMPLOYEE TURNOVER COSTS BY JOHN WAECHTER, MBA
O
rganizations with effective knowledge transfer systems and related processes are very difficult to find. Accordingly, when employees leave an organization for whatever reason, the result is usually a significant and expensive disruption that occurs on multiple layers within the organization. Although there are some exceptions, disruption generally creates chaos that leads to many types of unplanned cost increases. The acres of published research on the true cost of employee turnover usually references the cost problem as a percentage of annual salary. I have read about ranges from 50 percent to 300 percent of an employee’s annual salary. Most of the research agrees that the more complex or responsible the job, the greater the cost for replacement. Some of these expenses are very easy to identify but many of them are very subtle and as such, many CEOs and hiring managers do not even recognize them as problematic. Let’s take a look at the various categories of affected expenses.
EASILY IDENTIFIABLE EXPENSES FROM EMPLOYEE TURNOVER RECRUITING COSTS Regardless if you have an in-house HR team with full recruiting capabilities, or outsource recruiting activities, these costs are
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relatively easy to identify. The organization must announce to the world that it is looking to fill a vacancy. Outsourcing usually takes the form of a direct invoice from the agency; whereas, in-house teams engage in position-specific duties that chew up man-hours internally. These activities can vary depending on the organization, but some common duties include readdressing the job description, writing the job placement advertisement, placing the ad in newspapers, trade journals, third-party job boards, social media outlets or many other venues. Once resumes and applications start to arrive, there could be screening costs, interview costs, background and drug screening costs, travel expenses, and others. OVERTIME COSTS When positions are suddenly left vacant, the work itself does not just vanish. Other members of the team must step up and cover the duties of the recently vacated position, resulting in overtime costs required to perform their normal job functions plus the new, temporary duties. ON-BOARDING AND TRAINING COSTS Once an offer is made and accepted, the new employee must be properly on-boarded and trained in the new role. Additionally, there may be a realignment of duties within the organization greenlivingaz.com
resulting in multiple individuals being trained in some new duties in addition to the new hire. The importance of taking the extra time for this activity cannot be understated. This is where new employees get introduced to the all-important culture of the organization. Here they start to learn about the organization’s vision, mission, and goals and assess how they are going to fit in. They start to get an idea of the overall value system of the company and how their own personal values align. This process is extremely critical and costly if not done correctly.
LESS APPARENT EXPENSES FROM EMPLOYEE TURNOVER LACK OF PROPER KNOWLEDGE – TRANSFER SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES Many times, new hires will not have the benefit of effective training manuals, standard operating policies, desk procedures, and other workflow-related documentation. As a result, the new hire will need to learn who within the organization has enough subject matter expertise to help explain the many questions that will be asked in the coming weeks or months. In some instances, this will be made more difficult in larger organizations with multiple locations or departments. Learning how to interface with other factories, for example, may prove to be an expensive problem when efficient systems and processes are not in place. COLLABORATION DISCONNECT Whether it takes the form of internal departments, crossfunctional workgroups, or special projects teams, the departure of one or more team members disrupts the efficient flow of information and progress. Not unlike a sports team, each individual has a specific role that is crucial to the overall performance of the group. When a specific role is no longer part of the mix, leadership must assess how to fill that particular role or, if necessary, what a new playbook will need to look like.
greenlivingaz.com
MORALE AND THE DOMINO EFFECT Employee turnover can have a lasting effect on the morale of the remaining employees. Lowering morale can diminish the entire performance-related culture of the team. Not only that, but personnel departures may also lead to further erosion of the employee base. Employees that are left behind will usually know where the former employee is going, what they will be doing, and possibly how much more they will be making. This “enlightenment” may lead others into the greener pastures mindset creating a snowball effect of continued departures. VOLUNTARY TURNOVER TARGETS THE BEST PERFORMERS As the aforementioned snowball continues to build, the best performers in the organization are often the first ones to leave for a potentially better job or better work-life balance. This double-edged sword has the additional effect of leaving behind the mediocre and poor performers that contribute the least to the success of the organization. This situation can be expensive, as replacing high-performance employees tends to cost more than replacing low performers. Overall, there are certain circumstances when employee turnover is good and necessary. More often than not, however, turnover is very disruptive and expensive. Unfortunately, many turnover situations could be easily prevented if employers simply listened more to their employees’ value-laden concerns, and empowered them to make decisions to create a more productive and performance-enhancing culture. Because turnover costs flow straight out of the bottom line, investing in a few good preventative methods will easily result in an ROI that will exceed every other ROI your organization measures. John Waechter, MBA, is an independent business, media, and behavioral assessment consultant. Contact him at jwwaechter@comcast.net.
February 2019 | greenliving
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ACURA MDX HYBRID
FUN AND COMFORTABLE 400-MILE DRIVE BY C. HAIRE
D
riving a hybrid vehicle doesn’t have to be boring, and for consumers looking for a bit of excitement and luxury, the Acura MDX will provide both. But like most top brands, this SUV isn’t inexpensive. A base non-hybrid MDX starts about $46K, topping out at $57K loaded with all options. The hybrid version comes with all optional items standard, and then tacks on the hybrid technology for our test vehicle tab of $59,145. For this price, we get a classy ride loaded with smooth leather, stereo, navigation, wood trim, and other goodies too long to list here. Quality of materials and workmanship is first rate. Threerow seating allows for seven passengers and lots of cargo room. The climate system works great, but the lack of simple knobs was annoying, as functions are done on a computer screen that takes too long to do. The lack of a spare tire was a concern although there seems to be room for one under the frame to install later. Under the hood is a 3.0 liter V-6 connected to a hybrid system of batteries and electric motors producing 321 horsepower — 290 for the non-hybrid. Instead of the unnerving and potentially unreliable continuously variable transmission (CVT) found
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on other hybrids, the MDX has a sharp 7-speed dual clutch automatic with paddle shifters. This vehicle is plenty quick! Fuel economy is listed at 26 miles per gallon city and 27 mpg highway compared to the non-hybrid at 19/27 mpg. The computer showed an average of 23 mpg for 1,600 miles of previous driving. In 400 miles of driving, I got 27 highway, 26 in mixed slow commuting,18/21 in city traffic, and 23 overall. While these mpg figures are not up there with smaller hybrid cars, it is still nice to drive an SUV that has more passing power while using less fuel. Also keep in mind this MDX model is all-wheel drive for superior traction on wet roads. Overall, Acura did a good job on this design. The approximately $2K extra to add hybrid technology is a reasonable fee. Those who can afford the loaded version of the Acura MDX Hybrid will be especially pleased. C. Haire writes reviews of hybrid or gas-saving vehicles for Green Living magazine. He also reviews cars for Arizona magazines, newspapers, and local TV audiences.
greenlivingaz.com
SEPTEMBER 2018 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 9
DECEMBER 2018 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 12
NOVEMBER 2018 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 11
DRESS FOR SUCCESS + 10 QUESTIONS WITH DIANA YAZZIE DEVINE + ONE•N•TEN
OCTOBER 2018 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 10
COOL TO BE KIND
WHEN IT COMES TO CHARITY, THE ARIZONA COYOTES FOUNDATION HAS GOALS
THE BE KIND PEOPLE PROJECT
A MATTRESS Debbie Gaby is Beginning a New Chapter of Her Fairy-Tale Life
FIESTA BOWL CHARITIES + VETERANS MEDICAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL + ARIZONA SISTER CITIES
GOMPERS + 5 ARTS CIRCLE + GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK FAMILY PROMISE + LOCAL FIRST ARIZONA FOUNDATION + IMPACT ONE
Celebrating the people and groups who give generously and work to build the future of our community. FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE + THE KNOCK + FRONTDOORS TV WITH CAREY PEÑA frontdoorsmedia.com
XTREME TRAINING.
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Achieve your health and fitness goals and reach your peak performance at Bauman’s. We specialize in intense fitness and strength training that increases tone and strength without extreme heavy lifting. We offer one-on-one training or unique group classes that never repeat the same class and include cardio, self-defense, boxing and martial arts. And help your kids develop lifelong nutrition and exercise habits with martial arts, sports training and more fitness classes designed just for them. We also offer a world class nutritional program and counseling. Come to Bauman’s and take your fitness to a new Xtreme.
NW corner of Scottsdale Rd. & Lincoln (602) 418-1792 | baumansxtremetraining.com greenlivingaz.com
Summer Arts & Crafts Camp
ALL ABOUT SPACE Ages 5-8 years old | June 3-7 | 9am-12 noon $175/week | Sign up by Feb 28th for $50 OFF for more details Craftnights.com/summercamp February 2019 | greenliving
21
SUSTAINABLE BANKING: KEEPING COMMUNITY FIRST BIG BANKING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES BY RODRIC HURDLE-BRADFORD
W
hat is sustainable banking? More than just an industry catchphrase, sustainable banking is the allegiance of a financial organization to become an ongoing resource to its local business community members. These companies are usually small businesses not on the radar of major national banks and financial institutions that dominate the landscape. “Small businesses are the backbone of every community, not just in Arizona but across the United States,” says Robin Duncan, spokesperson for the Arizona Small Business
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greenliving | February 2019
Association. “Any bank or financial institution that is willing to make a commitment to serve its local business community is beneficial three ways—for the bank itself, the business and all of the residents who feel the positive economic ripple effect of that relationship.” These relationships can be seen across Arizona, particularly in Phoenix where many banks have built relationships with their local communities due to the city’s continuous rapid growth throughout the 21st Century. This is when bank competition is a positive benefit for the individual and community. greenlivingaz.com
GETTING A DIFFERENT KIND OF GREEN WITH BANKS Along with lending to local businesses, the other half of sustainable banking comes from implementing operational best practices to preserve the environment. Because of their high brick-and-mortar footprints and tendency to be dependent on paper documents, the banking industry has been more proactive than others in publicizing their concern on how their business affects the environment. How are local Arizona banks ‘getting green?’ See for yourself:
ALLIANCE BANK
Employs several sustainable practices, including recycling bins in every office and embracing technology that lowers paper use and the need for customers to physically come to the office.
Alliance Bank of Arizona has funded over $200 million in community development loans, and more than 30 percent of their small business activity goes into low- and moderate-income areas. Like many Phoenix banks, Alliance Bank is a preferred Small Business Association lender, allowing Phoenicians from all industries to live their dream by becoming business owners. Not to be outdone, Enterprise Bank & Trust in Phoenix has extended over $200 million in loans to small and mid-sized businesses across Phoenix. Metro Phoenix bank has also hit the $200 million mark in small business lending and also made a long-term commitment to lending through its Small Business Association lending program. “We have seen a reverse in the trend of embracing large national chain businesses to patronizing small, local businesses where you actually may know the owner,” says Duncan. “It has been a great trend to watch the development and I hope it continues well into the next decade and beyond.” Rodric J. Bradford is a Scottsdale-based writer who covers finances, tourism, sports and entertainment for a media outlets in Phoenix, Las Vegas and southern California. He can be contacted at rodric@lasvegasluxuryvip.com.
ENTERPRISE BANK & TRUST
Internal best practices include regularly scheduled paper shredding and recycling, using energyefficient LED lights in branch lobbies, occupancy sensors to manage electricity usage and efficient energy management of air conditioning during non-use periods. For customers, sustainability is encouraged through paperless banking and mobile deposits.
METRO PHOENIX BANK
Established bank-wide procedures for recycling since inception. Employs a locally-owned and operated paper shredding service that securely destroys data then routes it to a local Arizona paper mill where it is transformed into everyday consumer products such as paper towels, napkins and packaging. The bank has also lent to sustainable industries such as waste disposal and green builders, plus offers clients the option of receiving online statements instead of traditional paper copies.
GATEWAY BANK
Program thermostats to operate at comfortable temperatures only during working hours and implementing a bank-wide recycling program. Light is used minimally due to the constant Arizona sun, and landscaping utilizes sustainable best practices.
greenlivingaz.com
February 2019 | greenliving
23
CLOSED FOR BUSINESS
THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN’S EFFECT ON ARIZONA BY MELISSA GOODWIN
I
t’s the lead story on every news outlet, the topic of conversation in the lunchroom, and the trending topic on social media: the government shutdown. We can all agree that the sooner our government reopens, the better. Everyone sympathizes with the federal employees who are working without pay or who have been furloughed because of the inability of Congress and the White House to come to an agreement on how to handle border security. It’s human nature to gauge just how bad things are by how they affect us personally. The tricky part about this subject is that although you may not feel the pinch of the shutdown unless you’re a federal employee who is directly affected, the consequences are mounting every day in ways that you may not have considered. And those consequences are becoming increasingly alarming for all Arizonans. According to a recent report by the personal finance website WalletHub, Arizona ranks number 10 on their list of states most affected by the shutdown. The website based its rankings on five different metrics: federal employment compared to total employment, federal contract dollars per capita, the number of families receiving food stamps, real estate as a percentage of gross state product, and access to national parks. According to WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez, Arizona’s abundance of national parks played a large role in Arizona’s high ranking. NATIONAL PARKS Some of Arizona’s national parks are closed during the shutdown, including Montezuma’s Castle and Well, Walnut Canyon, the Petrified Forest National Park, and the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. Others remain accessible, but without normal services. Even Arizona’s National Park Services website is showing the effects. The website is not being updated and does not reflect current conditions. National parks around the country are suffering dire consequences from being kept open with a skeleton crew. Overflowing toilets, trash strewn everywhere, and trespassing have been reported at many parks. Aside from the obvious issues, more sinister consequences are also being felt. According to the National Parks Conservation Association, staff shortages could lead to search-and-rescue delays. Far fewer rangers are available in parks to educate visitors and monitor behavior, increasing the likelihood that people will be exposed to dangerous situations. Seven people have already died in parks since the shutdown began, according to Mike Litterst, National Park Service acting chief spokesperson and chief of public affairs. Wildlife is being affected, too. Exposure to sewage is a huge risk to humans and animals alike. Leaving trash out in the open could also upset the delicate balance parks must maintain between visitors and wildlife. The park service has worked hard to wean animals off human food. Now, with overflowing trash cans, animals may begin associating food with humans, causing
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the possibility of animal attacks and ensuing euthanasias. National parks also contribute to science, as well. Many experiments are underway in the parks, requiring daily or weekly data collection by park employees. All that progress has halted now, leaving wide gaps in the data. Fortunately for Arizona’s most beloved national park, the Grand Canyon, the shutdown will have little effect. Last year, under the spectre of another government shutdown, Governor Doug Ducey issued an executive order for the state’s tourism and parks offices to pay for day-to-day operations to keep the park open and operating with full services. The plan allows for public access to trails, shuttle service, trash pickup, snow removal and public safety, costing $64,383.76 a week according to a governor’s office spokesman. ECONOMIC IMPACT The shutdown is having a huge economic impact on Arizona as well. The pinch on government workers trickles down to the private sector, affecting consumer confidence. The government shutting down affects the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Housing Administration, and the Social Security Administration, to name a few. That’s impacting Arizona’s real estate market, as the federal government has its hands all over the home buying process. The IRS, Social Security Administration, FHA, and even the U.S. Department of Agriculture provide documentation to borrowers. Home buyers seeking Federal Housing Administration loans will have to wait, causing frustration along with the economic impact. The fallout impacts Arizona’s most vulnerable residents. The U.S. Department of Agriculture office, which oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has seen its staff cut by 95 percent. This means that a prolonged shutdown could “lead to significant health consequences if babies and young children lose access to nutritious foods and vital breastfeeding support,” according to Rev. Douglas Greenaway, president and CEO of the National WIC Association. While some of us may feel removed from the shutdown, it is clear that Arizonans will feel the repercussions of the shutdown, if they haven’t already. Even if the government reopens soon, the damage that the shutdown has caused will linger. Based on all of the economic, environmental, social, and scientific setbacks, we could be in recovery mode for quite some time. Melissa Goodwin is the owner of Wave Health and Pain Therapy where she offers low-frequency acoustic wave pressure therapy, a drug-free, non-invasive approach to total body health and pain relief. Learn more at www.wavehealthaz.com.
greenlivingaz.com
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Investment and Insurance Products: u NOT FDIC Insured u NO Bank Guarantee u MAY Lose Value Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank ailiate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2016 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. All rights reserved. 0816-03253
SCOTTSDALE ARABIAN HORSE SHOW OFFERS GREEN OPPORTUNITIES A HORSE IS A HORSE OF COURSE, OF COURSE BY BARBARA AUGSDORFER
Y
ou may or may not be an expert about horses. Maybe you know the difference between a canter and a lope; or want to take the kids to see a horse up close, and maybe their first pony ride; or shop until you drop? You have the chance at the 2019 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show at Westworld of Scottsdale, Feb. 14-24. The 2019 event marks the 64th year for the show, which has grown from just a few horses in 1955, to more than 2,400 entrants in 2019. While the competitors will be focused on their dressage routines and other requirements to win trophies, ribbons, and a portion of the $2.5 million in prize money, there is much more going on to entertain and educate the whole family. Attendees will have ample opportunities to “meet at Arabian”, (great chance to see a horse up close!) take a barn tour or shop – more than 350 vendors will be on hand to make a “shopper’s paradise.” Jewelry, clothing, boots, artwork, and of course saddles and other horse-related items will be for sale. Children will have opportunities to paint a ceramic horse (first 400 per day). Supplies and expert help will be provided. Pony rides and a petting zoo will be available during weekends. The show’s growth and success can be attributed to its extensive use of volunteers – people who help just because of their love for horses. “We couldn’t do it without them. We have more than 400 volunteers altogether, staffing many of our services and activities,” Arabian Horse Association of Arizona Director Sharon Chauncey-Siar told Arizona Foothills magazine recently. “This allows us to reduce expenses in a number of areas. Most of our prices — entries, for instance — are the same as they were 20 years ago.” For 2019, the show is incorporating some green and sustainable practices. Lighting is now solar powered rather than diesel. Horse bedding is recycled and manure will be composted. Attendees can do their part by carpooling to the event, bringing their own water containers and refilling them, and bringing cloth shopping bags to carry all their purchases and kids’ art projects. The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show supports many local and national charities: March of Dimes, Healing Hearts (based in Cave Creek); Hearts for Youth, Scottsdale Community College Equine Science Program and Arizona Humane Society. The Waggin’ Wheels Mobile Adoption Vehicle will be at the show on weekends with pets available for adoption. Tickets for the show are available from Ticketmaster and at the gate. Note that Tuesday, Feb. 19 is Military Appreciation Day with free admission for veterans and their families with
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appropriate credentials. The evening performance on Friday, Feb. 22 is free for “Family Fun Night.” Children under 12 are free all days. General admission all other days is $10 for adults and $7 for seniors and military. For more information, a schedule of events, and reserved ticket prices, see the show’s website at www.scottsdaleshow.com/showsevents/scottsdale-arabian-horse-show. Westworld of Scottsdale is located at 16601 N. Pima Rd., just off the Loop 101 and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard. Barbara Augsdorfer earned a BA in communication arts from California Lutheran University in 1983 and an MBA from University of Phoenix in 2017. She has many years of experience writing and editing for a variety of magazines and newspapers and currently resides in Providence Forge, Virginia, with her husband, son, and a spoiled 13-year-old Rottweiler/black lab mix named Lucky.
greenlivingaz.com
COOLOUTRAGEOUSSTUFF BIODEGRADABLE SPONGE
Unlike ordinary sponges, each Sqwishful pack contains three sponges which are packed together, compressed like cardboard. After being exposed to water, the sponge expands and can be used like other washing sponges. A noticeable difference with Sqwishful is the trapezium shape rather than a rectangle, making it easier to grasp. The sponges are made in the USA from natural, renewable plant-based materials, and are 100 percent biodegradable. Buy from www.sqwishful.com.
GREEN SRIRACHA FROM PITA JUNGLE
Green Sriracha sauce is a variant of Pita Jungle’s signature sriracha sauce. Made from jalapeño puree consisting of green jalapeño peppers, salt, and acetic acid, this Sriracha’s kick of garlic and lime juice concentrate gives it a unique sensation. Medium in spice level, Green sriracha is delicious with pita sandwiches, hummus, or burgers. You can also try Pita Jungle’s Red and Ghost sriracha flavors, which are also non-dairy, vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free. Available at all Pita Jungle restaurants in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. For locations and more information, visit www.pitajungle.com.
FLANNEL HANDKERCHIEFS
Wipe your messy table with a paper towel? There’s a greener way. Conscious Fibres flannel handkerchiefs are a great alternative to disposable tissues. Made Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) certified organic, unbleached flannel fabric is super soft, and the handkerchiefs are easy to wash. Hand-stitched and built to last, just pop them in the laundry with your usual clothes and dry flat. Conscious Fibres flannel handkerchiefs are shipped with no-plastic packaging. Great for yourself and as a thoughtful gift! Buy at www.etsy.com/listing/614695585/organic-cotton-zero-waste-plastic-free.
ORGANIC MAYAN RAINFOREST CHEWING GUM
Did you know that discarded chewed gum and its many synthetic ingredients can lead to serious environmental damage? Keep chewing but go green with Chicza — the only 100 percent certified organic, biodegradable chewing gum. Chicza gum is made from chicle, the milky sap sustainably harvested from living Chicozapote trees. Chicza realigns with ancient Mayan traditions and natural roots to make a chewing gum that’s better for you and the environment. Chicza is available in mint, cinnamon, and mixed berry flavors. Find at www.chiczausa.com.
BROWN PAPER REUSABLE LUNCH BAG
What do you use as a lunch container? A stainless-steel or plastic lunch box? If you’re looking for a greener alternative, bring your lunch in a Brown Paper Reusable Lunch Bag. As its name suggests, this product looks like a brown paper bag but is made with insulated Tyvek material that can be used again and again – and you write on the bag to personalize it! The material is waterproof, leak-proof, and tear-proof, making it tough and durable. Insulated and padded, this brown bag ensures your food will arrive at work or school hot or cold and un-squished. Buy via www.pressloft.com/app/product/pressimage/brown-paper-reusable-lunch-bag/1992203. greenlivingaz.com
February 2019 | greenliving
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HISTORIC HOTEL CONGRESS
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS BY EMBRACING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE BY JILL BERNSTEIN
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rizona attracts millions of visitors every year and Tucson, Arizona’s second largest city, is an increasingly popular destination. Drawn by the lush Sonoran desert, the starkly beautiful mountains, and the rich history of the area, visitors to Tucson can enjoy a unique experience of the area’s authentic Southwestern past and its equally vibrant present. The historic Hotel Congress, in the heart of downtown Tucson, is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. On the face of things, the Congress hasn’t changed much in its 100-year history, but look closer and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the many ways in which this historic hotel has embraced an environmentally sustainable present. For more than a decade, under the ownership of Richard and Shana Oseran, Hotel Congress has been making conscious changes that have reduced energy use, eliminated waste, and provided their visitors with a uniquely Tucson experience. The halls are decorated with elaborate, western motif designs and the rooms are small but cozy, with high iron beds and an assortment of locally produced items ranging from lotions to snacks to whiskey. On the ground floor, the Cup Café is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and is popular with locals as well as visitors. Just a short walk across the street is Maynard’s, a fine dining restaurant open in the evenings. Much of the food in both establishments is locally sourced, and some of the produce is grown on site.
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Photos Courtesy of Hotel Congress
The hotel’s capital improvement efforts began in 2007 when they replaced old-style urinals with water-efficient EcoBlue urinals, which have saved close to two million gallons of water since they were installed. Next, they sought to reduce their energy usage. Previously, the entire hotel was on one thermostat. This meant that all the rooms were heated and cooled at the same time, regardless of occupancy. In 2010, the single thermostat was taken out and mini-splits were installed in each room. This enables guests to adjust the heat to their own specifications and reduces unnecessary energy use when rooms are not occupied. In 2012, the hotel replaced aging, inconsistent water heaters with solar powered models that provided both consistent flow and consistent hot water. The new heaters also reduced their energy costs by 35 to 40 percent. Hotel Congress also does an outstanding job of recycling and reducing food waste. The City of Tucson provides recycling services and the hotel brings its food waste to a nearby location run by the University of Arizona Compost Cats. The Compost Cats collect food scraps from around the Tucson area and turn these scraps into usable compost that enriches local foodgrowing soils to help conserve water and grow more food. Through this program, Hotel As part of One Less Straw, Hotel Congress offers reusable glass straws for sale.
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Congress diverts approximately 500 lbs. of food waste from the landfill every week. Recently, the hotel launched their One Less Straw campaign to raise awareness of the problems caused by single-use plastics. The hotel has reduced their straw usage by 10,000 straws per week. If a visitor asks for a straw, they offer plant-based straws that can go into their compost collection every week. For those visitors who want a reusable straw, the hotel offers glass straws for sale. And there’s more. Bottles from the hotel bar are repurposed into glasses that are used in the hotel restaurants and offered for sale to the public. They are experimenting with using indestructible paper menus made from #7 plastic. The plastic is made from a type of polyester used in the creation of PET bottles, which reduces the amount of printing done, and saves paper. Bed pillows are made from recycled water bottle caps. Shampoo and conditioner containers have been installed in room showers to reduce waste and eliminate the need for mini plastic bottles. The shampoo and conditioners used are locally sourced and feature no plastic packaging.
“What makes our sustainability efforts work is our dedication to educating the staff,” says Rita Dorsey Boutwell, Director of Operations, “and we are always striving to improve.” The hotel has a ‘green team’ made up of line-level staff, managers and directors who meet once a month and are tasked with educating their peers. “The green team makes sure everyone who works for the hotel understands our sustainability goals and how to reach them,” adds Boutwell. The group also volunteers and participates in fundraisers for local nonprofits. In addition, Gina Murphy-Darling (founder of Mrs. Green’s World), hosts quarterly pre-shift meetings with staff to learn about their latest challenges and to help them continue to make a difference. There are more changes to come. In 2019, the hotel will replace 40 toilets with low-flow units and will begin harvesting rainwater. The success of their efforts over the last ten years is good for the hotel, good for its visitors, and good for Tucson. Hotel Congress is providing a model for the hospitality industry throughout the state, creating a comfortable, unique historic venue that is simultaneously celebrating its past and leading the way into a more sustainable future. Jill Bernstein is the Executive Director of Keep Arizona Beautiful, a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering communities to take care of their environment through litter abatement, recycling and beautification.
PRESCOTT, AZ www.friendlypines.com (928) 445-2128 info@friendlypines.com
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February 2019 | greenliving
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THE DESERT DWELLERS GUIDE TO REAL WINTER PLAN YOUR OWN SNOW DAY BY AIMEE WELCH
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ere in the Valley of the Sun, “winter activities” means something a little different than in most of the country. When winter finally arrives, we’re digging out our hiking boots and soccer balls instead of ski boots and sleds. Don’t get me wrong, Phoenicians love our shovel-and-freezing-pipesfree version of winter, but we love to play in the snow as much as the next guy. That’s what makes Arizona so great. We can enjoy the sunny, warm days in the Valley all winter long, but “real winter” in all its snowy glory is just a short drive away! NORTHERN ARIZONA Located at an elevation of approximately 7,000 feet, Flagstaff is one of the most popular and closest places Phoenicians go to play in the snow. Mount Humphreys towers above the city at an elevation of 12,633 feet and is home to Arizona Snowbowl, the state’s largest ski resort with eight chairs, three terrain parks, and 55 trails spread across 777 skiable acres. There are runs suited for beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders, so everyone in the family can enjoy themselves. For adaptive lesson facilitation or for those who prefer a sturdier ride, ski bikes are one of the newer options on the mountain. If you love the snow, but tearing down a steep mountain while standing up isn’t your idea of fun, there are plenty of other great options. Mormon Lake Lodge is a short drive from town and allows backcountry sledding, snowmobiling, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Flagstaff Snow Park is a great place to go snow tubing (eight runs), build a snowman, and spend the day enjoying the scenery. Then you can grab some marshmallows and warm up around the outdoor fireplaces. Dogs are allowed to play in the snow on a leash, but no tube riding for your furry pal. Just up the road, 15 miles northwest of Flagstaff in the Coconino National Forest, Arizona Nordic Village (formerly The Flagstaff Nordic Center) offers groomed trails for cross country skiing, multi-use trails for snowshoeing and snow biking, yurts and cabins for glamping, ski lessons, and more. Flagstaff is approximately 150 miles from Phoenix, making it a great destination for a day trip or weekend getaway. We’re all green here, but just a reminder that Flagstaff has a “leave no
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trace” policy meaning you need to take everything you bring back with you (including sleds that have crashed and burned!). EASTERN ARIZONA Greer, Arizona, around 226 miles east of Phoenix, is home to Sunrise Park Resort. With 65 trails, eight lifts across 800 acres, there’s plenty of mountain to explore on skis, snowboards or a snow tube. Private and group lessons are available, and there are a variety of lodging options within a short drive of the resort. It’s a little further of a drive than Flagstaff, but the runs are long and definitely worth the drive when the conditions are good. SOUTHERN ARIZONA Believe or not, you can head south of Phoenix and find ski resorts too! Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley is located in the Coronado National Forest, just above Tucson. With 22 runs, three lifts, ski school, restaurants and shopping, Ski Valley is a great place to spend your snow day. COLORADO If you don’t mind a longer drive or a quick flight, our neighbor to the north is teeming with incredible places to play in the snow! Purgatory Resort in Durango, Colorado is the closest — about an eight-hour drive from Phoenix but worth every mile. With 1,605 skiable acres, 101 trails and seven terrain parks, as well as plentiful lodging and dining options, kids’ lessons and activities, it’s a great place to take the whole family. No matter where you decide to go out and play in the snow, be sure to call or visit the website in advance to check weather conditions and hours of operation. Just because some of us dig out our most wintry heavy jackets and wool hats when the temperature drops below 60 degrees (if the snowshoe fits…), many desert dwellers miss the all-bundled-up, runny nose, freezing toes days of “real winter.” Snow day, anyone? Aimee Welch is a writer and editor from Ohio, where she gained a lot of experience in “real winter.” She loves to snowboard, visit snow, hike in the snow, and take pictures of snow as often as possible. She now lives with her family in Chandler, AZ so she settles for rain.
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SUSTAINABLE ART COMBINES BEAUTY AND AWARENESS ECO-POTTERY ARTIST GIVES OLD GLASS AND CRYSTALS NEW LIFE BY JORDAN DIAB
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Photos courtesy of Jill Roig
hen you think of sustainability, what comes to mind? Recycling? Turning off the faucet? Purchasing a reusable water bottle? While these are all helpful (and super easy to do!) for our Mother Earth, one could also consider art as a means to support and practice sustainability says Jill Roig, a local artist based in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Our homes should have art in them that makes daily life joyful,” Roig says. “Sustainable art is art that thinks not only about the intent of the artist, but also its social, economic, and environmental impact – think art in a greater sense.” Roig’s eco-pottery has been selected for 17 exhibitions including Art Intersection, Urban Southwest, and IceHouse. While she has been dabbling in pottery since the late ’90s, she has honed in on a specific technique in the past seven years. This technique, which she coins “eco-pottery” involves melting glass and crystals into clay. “I use recycled objects and things that I find when I’m out walking in nature,” notes Roig, who says she likes to explore the relationship between the clay and the crystals. One of her favorite pieces that she created is titled “Desert Awakening” which was recently displayed in a showcase at the Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix. “Most people would agree that nature is one of the most beautiful things in our world, and it’s not perfect,” says Roig. She believes that if we become more conscious of where we buy our art, we will feel a stronger connection to not only the piece itself but to our surroundings. “Most of the art in your home should not be mass-produced,” says Roig. “We should all strive to be better consumers of local art.” She explains that there is so much natural beauty around us that we are able to reclaim if we buy locally. When asked what tips she has for people who may be new to sustainable living and are wondering how to incorporate green living into their daily lives she says, “Start small. Pick one or two things to do each week and continue to add to that. Green living is a work in progress.” The concept of sustainable art has been around for a long time, but the expression of that concept continues to evolve. “I think the cornerstone of sustainability is the evolution from the old to the new and the new to the old. We are all works in progress and eco-pottery reflects that,” says Roig. You can visit Jill Roig’s website at www.eco-pottery.com or follow her at www.instagram.com/eco_pottery. She is always looking to collaborate with others who share a passion for sustainable beauty in Arizona. Jordan Diab is a Phoenix native who is currently studying Psychology at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.
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February 2019 | greenliving
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EACH MONTH WE FEATURE A GREEN CHAMPION WHO IS MAKING STRIDES IN THE GREEN COMMUNITY
JASON WYRICK
A LIFE-CHANGING CULINARY JOURNEY BY HAILEY COLBRUNN
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s a world-renowned vegan chef, Jason Wyrick has led a career based in education; first, teaching himself how to cook vegan meals for his own health and then spreading that knowledge to people around the globe. Wyrick’s health was the initial motivation for becoming vegan. In his mid-20s, he was diagnosed with diabetes. “I wanted to make a transition with my life, and that also coincided with me reversing my diabetes and getting healthy,” said Wyrick. Healthy lifestyle changes helped him successfully meet his health goals. In eight months he reversed his diabetes, and lost 100+ pounds over the course of two years. After learning how to cook vegan meals for himself, Wyrick began teaching classes. From these classes, Wyrick saw his career as a chef bloom. “I love to teach classes. That’s actually my favorite part about doing this,” said Wyrick. “I’m looking forward to, at some point, being able to go out and teach again.” FINDING INSPIRATION AND SHARING HIS PASSION His love for learning and teaching has taken Wyrick to various parts of the world, sharing his knowledge of vegan cuisine with others and acquiring inspiration for the creation of new and different vegan meals. The diversity of his vegan creations are showcased in a venture he began in 2006; Wyrick is the executive chef, owner, and operator of the world’s first fully vegan nationwide meal delivery service, The Vegan Taste. All meals provided by The Vegan Taste are wholly plant-based and are handdelivered to clients across the country. Recently, Wyrick’s culinary passion led him in a new direction. This month he’s opening Arizona’s first fine dining vegan restaurant, Casa Terra. The restaurant is located in downtown Glendale and presents unique vegan dishes from Mexico and the Mediterranean. For Wyrick, featuring food from other parts of the world comes from a strong sense of exploration. “I grew up here in Phoenix and Southwestern cuisine is part of the culinary language,” said Wyrick. “I think when you start exploring food and Photo by Tylon Blas you start seeing what other cultures have
Tapas Tacos will be featured on the menu of Wyrick’s new fine-dining vegan restaurant in Glendale, Casa Terra. Photo by Tylon Blas.
to offer, you can see some real beauty in that.” In addition to giving Arizonans a place to experience incredible vegan dishes, through Casa Terra Wyrick also hopes to enlighten others about the potential and endless possibilities vegan cuisine offers. “I want to go out and show people that plant-forward cuisine can be really exciting and intriguing. I want to show people how to do that in a way that some of the other really great vegan restaurants around the country aren’t doing right now,” said Wyrick. As a chef, Wyrick has established his presence, successfully blending his upbringing, his love for vegan cuisine, and his exploration of food from different cultures to create something very special. “Everyone has their own unique voice. I just want to add mine, and bring that to Phoenix...and try to change the food culture; make it healthy, compassionate, and vibrant all at the same time,” said Wyrick. To learn more about Wyrick and his voice in the culinary world, check out his NY Times Bestseller, 21 Day Weight Loss Kickstart, co-authored with Neal Barnard, M.D. or his two other books, Vegan Tacos and Vegan Mexico. Hailey Colbrunn moved to Arizona from Minnesota two years ago and finds continuous inspiration from the eclectic landscape and the opportunities for exploration.
If you want to nominate a Green Champion, please email editor@greenlivingaz.com
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PLANT-BASED LIFESTYLE NUMBERS ARE GROWING
FOOD FESTIVALS BRING MORE THAN JUST SOMETHING TO EAT BY TYLER HURST
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egan and vegetarian numbers are on the rise. Since July 2017, the plant-based foods industry as a whole has seen dollar sales growth exceeding 20 percent, and sales topping $3.3 billion. The 2018 Plant-Based Foods Association (PBFA) showed a 24 percent increase in plant-based meat sales in 12 months — nearly $670 million in total. Beyond Meat, a plant-based burger and sausage company, is even outselling beef in some outlets. The locally-produced PHX Vegan Food Festival (PVFF), in its fourth year, has expanded to two days – February 23-24, at Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix. With nearly 100 vegan and vegan-friendly vendors, PVFF includes food trucks, packaged food and non-food products, along with a Sunday brunch and no-host bars all weekend. “Since our inaugural event, attendees have been asking us to host the Phoenix Vegan Food Festival for two days,” said Daniel Davisson, Davisson Entertainment founder and PVFF producer. “The timing was right for adding a second day in 2019, and we’re really excited about doing something a little different by creating a brunch theme.” With that growth comes an increase in waste. PVFF organizers have again partnered with Recycled City and are asking vendors to use biodegradable utensils and plates while working on a price break with supplier Eco Products. The ongoing goal is to make the festival even more eco-friendly. Third-time PVFF vendor Mandi Barstow, owner of Positively Frosted, has watched the festival increase in size since bursting at the seams at the 2016 festival at the Phoenix Theatre. “I ended up selling out by 1 PM at that first event, so you could say it went pretty well!” Barstow said. “It blew my mind how many people had been wanting and looking for vegan cake and cupcake options.” Barstow is most excited for the Sunday brunch, as Positively Frosted has mimosa, banana-bourbon, and earl gray tea flavor cupcakes in the works. PVFF provides an opportunity to recognize more than just greenlivingaz.com
incredible food. Sasha Raj, general manager of 24 Carrots, a natural café and urban juicery, enjoys the people and companies she meets at the festival. “It’s a wonderful celebration of eats, treats, planet and community,” Raj said. “I have found so many earthconscious, mindful local companies through Phoenix VegFest!” Second-year vendor Nathan Coury of Freak Brothers Pizza is planning to showcase their La MiaBella pizza, with an olive oil base, organic kale, vegan shredded mozzarella, grape tomatoes, kalamata olives, then topped off with sliced almonds and a drizzle of MiaBella, a high-quality traditional balsamic from Italy. “The people who attend love that they can get great vegan pizza... something that is still more of a rarity here in Phoenix,” Coury said. “We love supporting the growing movement of vegan festivals, as both of our founders live the lifestyle. It’s an easy and big way we can help to create a positive impact on the planet, the health of humans, and the well-being of animals and all sentient beings.” The family-friendly event is expected to draw over 6,000 attendees. There will be three music stages, a kids’ activity area, and cooking demonstrations and presentations by local favorite chefs including Jason Wyrick and Madelyn Pryor of The Vegan Taste and Casa Terra, Glendale’s new vegan finedining restaurant. Pre-sale ticket prices are $25 for one day or $40 for both – an additional $5 at the door. Kids under 12 are free. VIP admission, available via advance purchase only, is $60 for one day, $90 for both, and includes early entry. See www.fb.com/ positivelyfrosted for cupcake previews, www.24carrotscafe.com for juices, www.freakbros.pizza for their menu, and www.phxveganfest.com for tickets. Tyler Hurst is a freelance writer, yoga instructor, & podcast host living in Phoenix, AZ. His work has appeared in Willamette Week and the Burning Bush podcast, as well as kontakt, CIDERCRAFT, and DOPE magazines. Find him at www.tdhurst.com or via @tdhurst.
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ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY’S OPEN DOOR 2019 HANDS-ON, INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES IN SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY BY COREY HAWK
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ne of the signature events of the annual Arizona SciTech Festival is Arizona State University’s (ASU) Night of the Open Door. Once a year, ASU invites the local community into each of its four campuses to explore science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and the arts through the university’s unique laboratories, living collections, museums, and classrooms. ASU shifted to a matinee time slot this year, with all events taking place from 1 PM to 5 PM. This change means that ASU’s world-class educational activities will be available at a time more suitable for all ages to enjoy, with no pesky bedtimes getting in the way. Kids and adults can learn about algae on the Polytechnic campus (Feb. 2), black widow spiders on the West campus (Feb. 16), how to deliver a weather update at the downtown campus (Feb. 9), or take a guided tourwith-a-view of a desert green roof in full bloom at the Tempe campus (Feb. 23). Those are just a few among hundreds of interactive, hands-on activities visitors can enjoy! Each campus will also include a “Sustainability Central” area where people “from Kindergarten to life-long learning seniors” can learn about our ecosystem and its future, says Jason Franz, manager of strategic marketing and communications for Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service. The sustainability booth is just one part of ASU’s February-long Sustainability Solutions Festival. Be sure to check out the following activities to discover more about eco-conscious living:
FUTURE BUILDER Ever wondered what a city planner does? In this game, the players are tasked with tough decisions as they build a sustainable city of the future. Participants will need to weigh the value of sustainability against cost, housing, and other important factors. “It’s really putting players in the position where they have to think and make decisions about the tradeoffs of sustainability and making a vibrant and resilient future city,” Franz said. WATER ROLL Everybody knows water is a precious resource in the desert, but where does it all go? In this learning activity, participants get a bunch of marbles that represent all of the water in Arizona. They then have to partition it out to residential neighborhoods, agriculture, and industry, represented by different pipes. In the end, the folks at Sustainability Central reveal how much water actually goes to these different areas. Games and activities like these have been especially appealing to kids, but also for families. “It’s become a great family conversation starter,” Franz said. MEETING RESCUE ANIMALS WITH LIBERTY WILDLIFE Liberty Wildlife nurses sick animals — mostly birds of prey — back to health. Volunteers from Liberty Wildlife may be at Sustainability Central to introduce visitors to the animals they rehabilitate, pending the animals’ temperament each day! The burrowing owl is being featured for its “adaptive reuse” of other animals’ burrows, Franz says. But adaptive reuse isn’t just for the birds! To be guaranteed a visit with these majestic creatures, check out ASU’s Wild about Sustainability Day at Liberty Wildlife on Feb. 10. For a complete list of all sustainable events being featured at ASU Open Door 2019 and the Sustainability Solutions Festival throughout February, visit www.sustainability.asu.edu/ sustainabilitysolutions/programs/ solutionsfestival. Events and activities for all ASU Open Door locations can be found at www. opendoor.asu.edu.
Photo courtesy of ASU Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service
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Corey Hawk is a student of Journalism at Arizona State University.
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EXPERIENCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WONDERS IN ARIZONA
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RECIPES
Stay cozy and warm with comfort food that’s good for you. VEGAN BROCCOLI SALAD WITH POPPY SEED DRESSING Recipe courtesy of One Lovely Life @onelovelylife1
SERVES 8 PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES SALAD INGREDIENTS: 12-16oz (6-8 cups) broccoli florets 1 cup grapes, halved 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup smoked almonds, chopped 1/4 cup red onions, finely minced
JUNIPER ROSE COCKTAIL Recipe courtesy of True Food Kitchen
INGREDIENTS: 0.5 oz Lime Juice 0.5 oz Simple Syrup 0.5 oz Grapefruit Juice 0.5 oz Giffard Pamplemousse liqueur 1.5 oz Rose-infused New Amsterdam Gin 1 Thyme Sprig 5-6 Dried Rose Petals
DRESSING INGREDIENTS: 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup 1/2-1 tsp Dijon mustard 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 1 Tbsp poppy seeds DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, grapes, raisins, and onions. If serving immediately, add almonds. If serving later, set almonds aside until time to serve. Drizzle on enough dressing to coat. (You likely won’t need quite all of the dressing). Stir to combine. Add almonds right before serving. In a jar or liquid measuring cup, whisk together oil, vinegar, syrup, mustard, salt and pepper until well blended. Stir in poppy seeds. Store in the refrigerator up to one week.
ROSE-INFUSED GIN: 20 g Rose Petal 1L New Amsterdam Gin DIRECTIONS:
First, you’ll want to make the rose-infused gin. Combine 20g rose petal with 1L of New Amsterdam Gin, and let rest for 24 hours. Next, combine 0.5 oz lime juice, 0.5 oz simple syrup, 0.5 oz grapefruit juice, 0.5 Giffard Pamplemousse liqueur, and 1.5 oz rose infused gin with ice. Shake vigorously and double strain into a glass. Garnish with thyme sprig and dried rose petals. Finally, enjoy this Valentine’s cocktail that promotes health benefits and tastes delicious.
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MINI QUICHE LORRAINE Recipe courtesy of Jean-Christophe Gros, executive chef at Voila French Bistro
SERVES: 4 PREP TIME: 40 MINUTES INGREDIENTS: Puff pastry (store bought for ease) Cut into 4 rounds, 4.5 inches in diameter 5 oz fresh spinach 4 oz sliced mushrooms 8 oz half & half 2 eggs 1 Tbsp corn starch 1/2 onion, diced Salt and pepper to taste 1 cup grated swiss cheese DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350°. Place the puff pastry rounds in the cups of a muffin pan. Heat a sauté pan to medium. Add the mushrooms. Cook until the mushrooms are browned (around 5 minutes). Add in the spinach and cook until wilted, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat. In a bowl, whisk eggs with half & half, corn starch, salt and pepper. Divide the spinach and mushroom mixture into the base of the puff pastries, evenly distributing it among the four. Add a layer of Swiss cheese. Pour on the egg mixture, filling almost to the top. Bake in the oven about 25 minutes.
QUICK AND EASY CAULIFLOWER SOUP
Recipe courtesy of Heidi Phillips, Healthy Heidi LLC
SERVES: 4-6 PREP TIME: 20 MINUTES INGREDIENTS: 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 whole sweet or white onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic 1 large head cauliflower 4 cups veggie or chicken broth Salt and white pepper to taste DIRECTIONS:
Sauté onion in olive oil with garlic until soft. Add cauliflower chunks and 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth. Cook 10-15 minutes until cauliflower is soft. Use an immersion blender to blend to a creamy soup (or put into blender in smaller portions). Salt to taste and add 1-2 tsp. white pepper (to taste). Add fresh chives as garnish and enjoy!
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February 2019 | greenliving
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GO GREEN ON VALENTINE’S DAY SHOW THE ENVIRONMENT SOME LOVE WITH ECO-FRIENDLY GIFT ALTERNATIVES BY ABDURAAFI ANDRIAN
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ow many people do you love in this world? Parents, spouses, children, friends – just to name a few. On Valentine’s Day, people commonly express their love with bars of chocolates, greeting cards, and flower bouquets. But imagine if everyone in the U.S. (or Arizona, for that matter!) gave Valentine’s presents to the people they love. Well, there are more than 7 million people in Arizona alone — that’s a lot of stuff. But have you ever stopped to think about how all that stuff affects the environment? Some people save their greeting cards for sentimental reasons, but the majority will read and throw them away. Fresh flowers will wither and find their way to the trash, followed by those
adorable heart-shaped boxes and all the wrappings. While those gifts are thoughtful on Valentine’s Day, they later will contribute to an already overwhelming volume of waste and will negatively impact the environment. Not to mention the potential for pesticide exposure from imported flowers, and the deforestation and habitat destruction often associated with cocoa farming. According to the Greeting Card Association, 6.5 billion greeting cards are purchased by Americans each year. Valentine’s Day is the second most popular seasonal card sold in retail stores, reaching 145 million per year, behind Christmas card sales which come in around 1.6 billion cards a year! The good news is that most greeting cards are recyclable (once everything not made of paper is removed). The bad news is, many make it to the landfill instead of the recycle bin, which causes a lot of extra waste. There are lots of eco-friendly ways to express yourself to loved
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ones on Valentine’s Day. You could make your own card or reuse an old one. Instead of chocolates and flowers, give meaningful items to your loved ones like the first edition of your favorite book. Or, if you want to hold onto your book, look for a gently used copy in bookstores like Bookmans that carry used books. Other used items that you buy, re-gift or repurpose can make unique and sentimental gifts that show your loved ones you care. Or, rather than buying something, why not give something better – your time? Make a favorite meal for your loved ones and serve it on Valentine’s Eve. Or, invite them to your favorite restaurant or place to visit, and spend some quality time together. Gifts are not only about things. Sometimes moments that are made with the people we love are the best gifts of all. One restaurant in Phoenix, Pomegranate Café, provides the perfect setting for a Valentine’s celebration. How do live music, a relaxed, romantic setting, and made-from-scratch healthy food and drinks sound? Owner Cassie Tolman says, “We will serve organic, vegan Valentine’s Day specials created by our wonderful chef, and a dessert that includes homemade vegan ice cream.” Tolman says the restaurant’s ingredients come from local farmers and artisans who share a commitment to ecologically responsible methods. Other sustainable practices include using stainless steel reusable straws, composting their waste with Rhibafarms, and using green cleaning products from the local company TRUCE. They also regularly donate to local animal-based charities and Tolman works with a local Montessori School to help them with their organic lunch and edible garden program, and kid-run café. For more great, green Valentine’s destinations, try Fair Trade Café, Cha Cha’s Tea House, and Breadfruit and Rum Bar. If you really want to go green this Valentine’s Day, skip the gifts altogether and show some love to Mother Earth. Volunteer with a local nonprofit to clean up a highway or park, help build a home, volunteer at an animal shelter, or plant a public garden. If you’re the traditional type and really want to stick with the card and flowers on Valentine’s Day, make your own and find an ecofriendly florist. Valentine’s Day is all about love; not about stuff. There are many ways to make your special day a little greener and show your sweeties and the environment some love. Abduraafi Andrian is an international student from Indonesia studying journalism and literature at Scottsdale Community College.
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special advertising section
BUY LOCAL
HOLIDAY GIFT BUYING BOOSTS LOCAL ECONOMY BY KIMBER LANNING, FOUNDER OF LOCAL FIRST ARIZONA
F
ebruary is the perfect time to celebrate our loved ones and our state’s birthday. Each year, we partner with Green Living Magazine to bring ideas for gifts and celebrations that make long-lasting memories. This month, it’s all about finding ways that we can show our communities “the love” by keeping our dollars and support centered locally. With thousands of options for locally owned businesses on our Local First Arizona directory, we are proudly declaring we want
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greenliving | February 2019
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GREEN SCENES
FEBRUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS CENTRAL ARIZONA
Every Sunday
THE FARMERS MARKET ON HIGH STREET
High Street in Phoenix will welcome back its Farmers Market. With close to 100 vendors selling food, arts and more, this outdoor event will bring shoppers from across the Valley together EVERY WEEK to buy some unique local products while enjoying the beautiful Arizona weather on High Street. Admission is free. From 10 AM to 1 PM every Sunday, the farmers market is located at 5415 E High Street, Phoenix, AZ 85054. For more information about the farmers market, please visit www. arizonacommunityfarmersmarkets.com/ FM_HighStreet.html.
February 2-3
AZ VEGETARIAN FOOD FESTIVAL
Come join a celebration of vegetarian and vegan foods for its fifth year running! This festival is hosting a multitude of chefs who have dedicated their craft to create delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes. There will be tastings, live music, and you can even learn some yoga in between tasting the yummy dishes. General admission tickets are $20 per day. From 10 AM to 5 PM, the festival is held at the Scottsdale Civic Center Amphitheatre, 7380 E 2nd Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. For more information about the festival, please visit www.azvegfoodfest.com.
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February 2-10
SCOTTSDALE WESTERN WEEK
During Western Week, Old Town Scottsdale transforms into an authentic Old West experience. Enjoy a fun ride for the entire family. Connect with Old Town’s western history, up-close and in person, through western and Native American festivals, art walks, the Hashknife Pony Express, Parada del Sol, and the newest event, Arizona Indian Festival. There will be different events each day during the week throughout Old Town Scottsdale. To get more information, please visit www. scottsdalewesternweek.com.
February 7, 14
WATER HARVESTING 101 CLASSES IN GILBERT
Continuing on from the first session in the Water Harvesting 101 classes, the February 7 sessions will focus on the native plants that will flourish in your rain gardens. The third and final class will discuss the importance of creating a water-retaining yard by promoting healthy soils. Classes take place from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Southeast Regional Library, 775 E Greenfield Road, Gilbert, AZ 85234. Visit www.gilbertaz.gov/how-do-i/view/ calendar/-curm-2/-cury-2019 to register and find out more information about these classes.
February 9-10
BUCKEYE AIR FAIR FEATURING THE COPPERSTATE FLY-IN
This year’s event will include a fly-in and expo for general aviation pilots and is open to the public on February 9 and 10. Featured activities include the air show, helicopter candy drop, aviation vendors, static military and aviation displays, simulators, kids’ zone, Arizona SciTech Festival, helicopter plane rides, and more! Entry free; some activities will have a nominal fee. The event will take place from 9 AM to 4 PM daily at Buckeye Airport, 3000 S Palo Verde Rd, Buckeye, AZ 85326. For more information, please visit www. visitphoenix.com/event/buckeye-air-fairfeaturing-the-copperstate-fly-in/119140.
February 9-10 CORKS & CACTUS
Sample, sip and savor your way through the splendor of the Desert Botanical Garden at Corks & Cactus, where boutique wines and desert beauty blend into a delightful event. Sample from 40 different wines each day, enjoy talented musical entertainment and purchase delicious fare from Fabulous Food Fine Catering and Events. Visit with representatives from a variety of wineries and purchase by the bottle or case at the Garden’s Wine Retail Store. All wine purchased will directly benefit the Garden. Tickets are $40 for Desert Botanical Garden members and $45 for the general public. The event will be held from 1 PM to 4:30 PM at the Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008. For more information about the event, please visit www.dbg.org/events/corks-cactus.
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GREEN SCENES
FEBRUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS CENTRAL ARIZONA
BUSINESS
February 25
GRI REPORTERS’ SUMMIT: NORTH AMERICA 2019
February 14-24 SCOTTSDALE ARABIAN HORSE SHOW
The 64th annual Arabian Horse Show will be held at Westworld in Scottsdale. It has grown from 50 to nearly 2400 horses — bringing top owners, trainers, and breeders from around the world competing for a chance to win coveted prizes. A win at Scottsdale can mean big money in the breeding barns. The 2019 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show benefits the following charities: Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund, ASU Western Equestrian Team, SCC Equine Sciences Scholarships and March of Dimes. General admission is $10 a day and will be located at Westworld, 16601 N Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. For more information about events and ticketing, please visit www.scottsdaleshow. com/shows-events/scottsdale-arabianhorse-show.
February 17-24 DEVOUR WEEK
The most anticipated culinary event in the region, Devour Culinary Classic brings together the culinary and beverage leaders who are establishing Arizona as a soughtafter destination. The Devour Culinary Classic will be held again at the Desert Botanical Garden. Enjoy Arizona’s best food and beverage amidst the beautiful backdrop of the largest botanical garden in the southwest. In addition to tastings, the event will offer multiple opportunities for all attendees to learn skills and tips
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from some of their favorite local chefs and food producers. Tickets range from $105 to $205 and sell out fast. The event takes place from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM at the Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N Galvin Parkway, Phoenix AZ 85008. For more information about the event, please visit www.classic.devourphoenix.com
February 23
CLIMB TO CONQUER CANCER PHOENIX
The Climb to Conquer Cancer is an opportunity to partner with people and businesses all around Phoenix to stand up to cancer and save lives. The hike will be 5.5 miles up Summit Road at South Mountain Park, with an elevation change of about 1,100 feet. The official start time of the climb is 7 AM. There is a non-refundable $40 charge per climber, with all proceeds going directly to fighting cancer. It is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. South Mountain Park is located at 10919 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042. For more information about registering to make the climb or donating money to a good cause, please visit www.main.acsevents.org/ site/TR/CommunityFundraisingPages/ CFPCY19SOR?pg=entry&fr_id=92932
This one-day symposium offers solutions, support, and networking for new and experienced sustainability reporting professionals. There is a 2.5 hour Master Class Back to Basics exclusively for new reporters, along with deeper dives into advanced topics like Report Design. Workshops are available on topics such as the Sustainable Development Goals. Takes place from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM at ASU Memorial Union, 301 E Orange Street, Tempe, AZ 85281, see www.eventbrite. com/e/gri-reporters-summit-northamerica-2019-tickets-49847063910 for tickets.
February 26-28
GREENBIZ 2019: THE PREMIER ANNUAL EVENT FOR SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS LEADERS Join more than 1,200 of the world’s brightest thinkers and most influential sustainability leaders for an unparalleled look into the pressing challenges, emerging trends, and biggest opportunities in sustainable business today. The convention will take place at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge, 5350 E Marriott Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85054. For more information about the event, please visit www.greenbiz.com/events/greenbizforum/phoenix/2019.
February 28
USGBC ARIZONA GREENSCENE
USGBC Arizona’s first GreenScene of 2019 is an evening of networking located at Sundt Construction, Inc, a leading construction company with LEED Gold headquarters in Tempe, many prestigious LEED projects, and around 102 LEED Accredited Professionals. Discuss the future of sustainability with light appetizers, beer, and wine — USGBC Arizona members attend free of charge. Located at 2620 S 55th Street, Tempe, AZ 85282 from 5 PM to 7 PM, visit www.usgbc.org/event/usgbcarizona-greenscene to register.
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GREEN SCENES
FEBRUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS SOUTHERN ARIZONA
NORTHERN ARIZONA
February 2
February 16-24
February 9
The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance, Local First Arizona, and the Tucson Botanical Gardens partner to present Southern Arizona’s most revered celebration of the culinary arts. Featured will be over 65 of the region’s finest chefs, wineries, breweries, local foods and restaurants highlighting exceptional menu tastings. This foodie festival will showcase the diversity of the heritage foods and ingredients throughout the Southwest region. Tickets are $79 each. Starting at 11 AM at Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712. Visit www.saaca.thundertix.org/events to book tickets and for more details.
Tucson’s annual celebration of the cowboys, since 1925, has been heralded as Southern Arizona’s oldest and most celebrated heritage event. Centered around the Tucson Rodeo, it’s top 25 on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo calendar, where the sport’s best compete in six-rodeo performances. The fun includes the Tucson Rodeo Parade, billed as the longest non-motorized (horse-drawn) parade in the world. An estimated 150,000 spectators see over 150 western-theme floats and buggies, Mexican folk dancers, and marching musical groups. Ticket prices range from $16 to $33. Located at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85714, more information is at visit www.tucsonrodeo.com.
This month at the Museum, USGS Fish Biologist Dave Ward, will be discussing native fish of the Colorado River and Northern Arizona. Live examples of some of these endangered species will be included, as well as plenty of fish activities and crafts for the whole family. General admission tickets are $12. It will be located at the Museum of Northern Arizona, 3101 N Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86002. For more information please visit, www.eventbrite.com/e/go-fishtickets-52413830177.
SAVOR SOUTHERN ARIZONA FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
February 6-10
60TH TUBAC FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
The longest running outdoor arts festival returns for its 60th year, this February 6th-10th, with 200+ participating artists alongside the more than 100 art galleries – many of which will have special guest artists and events. The village is the perfect setting for the festival with its uncrowded, meandering streets and the unique merchants who call Tubac home. Enjoy a beer or two at the signature beer garden along with lunch or a snack from one of the unique vendors at the food court. Located in Tubac, AZ, the event will be held from 10 AM to 5 PM daily. For more information about this event, please visit www. tubacfestivals.com.
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LA FIESTA DE LOS VAQUEROS TUCSON RODEO
NORTHERN ARIZONA
February 8-10
2019 ANNUAL VALENTINE’S ARTIST SHOW
Exposures International presents the artwork of six master artists to celebrate love and romance at the gallery’s annual Valentine’s Artist Show. The gallery invites you to explore an abundance of new creations showcased across 20,000-square-feet of art display. Collectors worldwide have recognized Exposures as “one of the largest and most unique galleries in the world.” Admission is free. The show is held at 561 State Route 179, Sedona, AZ 86336. For more information, please visit www.visitsedona. com/events-calendar/2019-annualvalentines-artist-show.
GO FISH! AT THE MUSEUM OF NORTHERN ARIZONA
February 26
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK’S 100TH BIRTHDAY AND FOUNDERS DAY CELEBRATION
The Grand Canyon’s Founders Day celebration will kick off with cake and a concert by the Flagstaff and Grand Canyon school choirs, cultural demonstrators, and cake on February 26 at the Historic Village, Visitor Center, and Desert View. Stop by the visitor center to sign the park’s birthday card, share your favorite Grand Canyon memories at the oral history booth, and enjoy some cake. Following the park’s birthday, special evening program speakers will talk about the important relationship between the Grand Canyon and the park’s 11 traditionally associated tribes. The event starts at 9 AM at the South Rim Village and Desert View. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information about this celebration, please visit www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/eventdetails.htm?id=A26A0E7C-B0C4-84CD4173A0EC5F820C5F.
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SHE’S GREEN JOHN BURKHART
HE’S GREEN
VALENTINE’S DAY
Product reviews from our eco-conscious couple John & Jennifer Burkhart
JENNIFER BURKHART
We can appreciate any event that encourages thinking of others. Regardless of who you celebrate this month – your sweetheart, your family, your friend, Mother Earth, or yourself – there are many ways to make them feel special. If you need a little inspiration, take a peek at this month’s sampling of giftable goodies.
SOOTHING TOUCH
LAVENDER HERBAL SALT SCRUB HE SAID: This salt scrub smelled great and had a really nice
fine grit for exfoliation. There are probably tons of people out there that love this product (my wife included), but it was totally lost on me. I really don’t like oil- or wax-based shower products. I want to get out of a bath feeling clean. I don’t want to get out of a bath feeling like I’ve just been marinated.
SHE SAID: Does this scrub leave your skin glistening and silky
smooth? Yep. Does it smell like lovely lavender? Mmmhmm. Do the rich oils leave you greased up to the point of risking life and limb just stepping out of the shower? You bet! Handy tip: rinse THOROUGHLY before attempting to move.
GIGI
PROSECCO HE SAID: A wise man once said, “There’s a party going on
right here, a celebration to last throughout the years.” Nothing says let’s celebrate better than a little bit of the bubbly, and this Gigi prosecco had plenty of those. It had a tart green apple and pear flavor with a hint of melon in the finish. This will help you celebrate each other this Valentine’s day, no matter what’s your pleasure.
SHE SAID: I’ve never been a fan of champagne, so the
discovery of prosecco has been exciting! I can celebrate with something that actually tastes good! This affordable sparkling wine is made with organic grapes (yeah!) and was perfectly balanced between sweet and dry. The peach, pear and apple notes were so tasty. Perfect with dinner with your sweetheart. Cheers!
BODYCEUTICALS
CALENDULA RASPBERRY LIP BALM HE SAID: A good lip balm is a must-have in the desert.
Especially in the dry winter months... and the dry summer months too. This Bodyceuticals (I’m not too keen on the name) lip balm tasted like raspberry candy and left my lips feeling nice and refreshed. Remember to smile; it’s the second best thing you can do with your lips.
SHE SAID: If you’re in the mood for a little romance, don’t
get caught with dry lips!! This organic lip balm should do the trick. It was smooth, with a light raspberry scent. Yum. I wouldn’t say it cured my wintry-dry lips, but definitely made them soft and hydrated for a while. I love the simple recipe – just five ingredients.
FLAX4LIFE
GLUTEN-FREE FLAX MINI MUFFINS, CHOCOLATE BROWNIE HE SAID: Gluten schmuten! We don’t need no gluten to have
yummy brownies. These little guys were delicious, chocolatey and fluffy – everything I require from my brownies. Is it just me or does Flax4Life sound like something you’d shout out at a party? “We’re gonna do a round of flax milk shots... Flax4Life!”
SHE SAID: I haven’t perfected my gluten-free/dairy-free
baking skills, so these worked perfectly for our son’s birthday party. I topped them with frosting and sprinkles, and nestled them in a pretty paper cupcake liner. They’d be perfect for Valentine’s treats too! They had a texture like a firm brownie, with a very rich, delicious chocolate flavor. SO good!!
LUNA & LARRY’S
ORGANIC COCONUT BLISS, GINGER COOKIE CARAMEL HE SAID: I could tell this wasn’t the best ice cream before I
tasted it. How, you ask? Because it had been in our freezer for about 5 days and the tub was still mostly full. Normally ice cream doesn’t last that long around here. I didn’t find anything bad with this ice cream, but I didn’t find anything good either. Ginger cookie batter and coconut ice cream just really don’t go together.
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greenliving | February 2019
SHE SAID: Impressively creamy for a non-dairy ice cream.
BUT, this flavor is just....no. The intensely sweet ribbons of spicy, grainy sludge were enough to send me into a prediabetic coma, while reaching for a glass of water to cleanse my palate.
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MONEY MANAGEMENT FOR KIDS SAVE NOW, GET WHAT YOU WANT LATER BY JACK WELCH, AGE 12
M
oney management is a very important thing that can help you in later life. Saving your money at a young age can help you do things like pay for gas, phone bills, taxes, and many other things when you get older. You will have to buy groceries, pay for college, and do everyday things like shop for clothes and other things eventually, and if you don’t have any money, you’ll have a problem. Saving money can start as something simple like not buying that toy you think you really want at the store. And sometimes it can be something big, like skipping that family trip you have been looking forward to for a while. Eventually, that money adds up and helps you when things that you really need come up. If every time that you want a toy at the store you buy it, eventually you’re going to be asking questions like, “Why can’t we go to Disneyland for my birthday?”, “Why can’t I play in a competitive soccer league?”, etc. All of the little things that you think you really want add up and take away from things that could make great memories and maybe even affect your future life. I’m not saying that you can’t spend any money at all. I’m just trying to say that we could all be a little wiser about where our money is going. Instead of spending all of your money every time you get some, save a little, spend a little, and you can even give a little to a good cause. Some things that would be a good choice to spend your money on are things like a computer you are going to use for years and years to come; an item that is required for the sport that you play; clothes like jackets that can be used for a long time, and other things that will affect you in the grand scheme of things. A good way to save your money is to ask your parents to open a savings account. When you put your money into a savings account, after a certain period of time interest builds up and you greenlivingaz.com
gain more money than you originally had. Your savings account can last you throughout your life. When you are responsible about where your money goes you will end up being rewarded later in life with achievements like paying off student loan debt, bills and many other things. In conclusion, save your money. When you find things that you want just think about it and ask yourself, “Am I going to pick this up in one week, two weeks, one month, three months… a year?” If the answer is no, be responsible and don’t get it. Also, remember to be wise about where your money is going. My name is Jack Welch. I am 12 years old and I play hockey in Gilbert, Arizona. I go to school in Chandler, Arizona at Arizona College Preparatory Oakland Campus with hopes of becoming a doctor. I enjoy playing video games with my friends and playing sports. I am writing this to help my mom out.
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A-Team Accounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Arizona Center For Advanced Medicine . . . . . . 12 Arizona Center For Nature Conservation . . . . . . 35 Arizona Museum of Natural History . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Arizona SciTech Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Arizona Pool Water Recycling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Bauman’s Xtreme Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 CGH Earth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Connecting Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Copper City Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Courtesy Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Craft Nights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Devour Culinary Classic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Don Zavis Sales Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Enterprise Bank & Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC Eutopia Fitness & Dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Events By Danielle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Friendly Pines Camp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Foot Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Front Doors Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Garden Goddess . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Going Greenhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Green Bin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC Hippie Hobby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Independent Talk 1100 KFNX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Laura Tanzer Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Maricopa County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BC Oakcraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Organic Hair Lab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 PurMaid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Reimagine Phoenix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC Sarah Ley Realtor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 South Mountain Environmental Education Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Tryst Café . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Wells Fargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Witnessing Nature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Xposed Capture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
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Moving?
DON’T
BAG RECYCLABLES Visit phoenix.gov/recycle