Images Arizona February 2020 by Images Arizona Magazine

f ebruary 2020

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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PHOENIX, AZ PERMIT NO. 3418

Tramonto Anthem Desert Hills New River

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f ebruary 2020

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REVEALING THE SUBLIME: THE ART OF DAVID ROTHERMEL Writer Shannon Severson

Photography Courtesy of Grace Renee Gallery

COMMUNITY EVENTS Writer Joseph J. Airdo

BUTTERFLY BURGER LETTING IT FLY WITH LISA DAHL Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Scott Yates

NATURAL ROMANCE Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Robert Elenbaas

RED TRUCK TRADING ROLLS INTO THE NEW WEST Writer Shannon Severson Photography by Bryan Black and Lance Headlee

ROASTED STRAWBERRY CHEESE DANISH Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

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PUBLISHER Shelly Spence

MANAGING EDITOR Amanda Christmann

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Meaghan Hanie

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joseph Airdo Amanda Christmann Sue Kern-Fleischer Kyndra Kelly Shoshana Leon Shannon Severson Fadi Sitto

PHOTOGRAPHERS Bryan Black Kyndra Kelly Loralei Lazurek Carl Schultz

ADVERTISING SALES Cooper Langston 480-544-8721 cooper@imagesaz.com

Images Arizona P.O. Box 1416 Carefree, AZ. 85377 623-341-8221 imagesarizona.com Submission of news for community section should be in to shelly@imagesaz.com by the 5th of the month prior to publication. Images Arizona is published by ImagesAZ Inc. Copyright © 2019 by ImagesAZ, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or part, without permission is prohibited.

It’s February in the desert, and for me, it’s one of the most meaningful times of the year. Though we can’t see the magic, it is during this month that the desert is transforming beneath our feet. We may not notice just yet, but every dark cloud and raindrop we’ve endured has been silently coaxing the beauty from our desert home, reinvigorating dormant roots, branches and spines. Soon, the brown earth will erupt in bouquets of brilliant color, all because of Nature’s will to endure. There is no more beautiful metaphor than the desert to remind us that February is a month of renewal. It’s a season of appreciation for the processes and struggles behind all things beautiful and worthwhile—not only in the natural world, but also in the world we are all creating for ourselves. This month, our writers and photographers have managed once again to capture stories of so many of our friends and neighbors who are working to share their gifts with us. From visual and performing artists to restaurateurs, these talented people are bringing color into our world in the most profound and fantastic ways, working hard and often overcoming adversity to do so. As you enjoy the magazine this month, I encourage you to reflect on the gifts we all have in our lives, and on the hard work and sacrifices that have gotten us to where we are. After all, it takes a few storms to make the desert bloom.

The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited material.

I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to be on this journey through clouds and sunshine with each of you.

Local First A R I Z O NA

Cheers! Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221

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INTERNATIONALLY

ACCLAIMED

AMERICAN ABSTRACT ARTIST

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

G R A C E R E N E E G A L L E RY P R E S E N T S

David Rothermel Come meet David and view his bold, colorful paintings on display in our gallery located in the Historic Spanish Village. Wind down from your week while enjoying wine and light appetizers with the artist.

Thursday, February 20 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

EMERALD LIGHT: 38”x 50”

Historic Spanish Village 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ 85377 480.575.8080

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GraceReneeGallery.com

ARTIST

DAVID

ROTHERMEL

FEBRUARY 20,

2020

FEATURED SELECTED COLLECTIONS:

Phoenix Children’s Hospital Revlon, Inc. General Motors Corporation Pennsylvania State Museum Joe Walsh/Eagles National 3M Corporation Hilton Hotels President George W. Bush Two Dolphin Hotel Union Pacific Railroad

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

JANUS #8: 30” x 56

f ebruary 2020

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Writer Shannon Severson Photography Courtesy of Grace Renee Gallery

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Standing before a piece of David Rothermel’s art is to view not just layers of color and texture, but also a process and vision honed by 45 years of inspiration and introspection—and maybe a touch of divine connection.

MAKING MEMORIES H WESTERN STYLE

OLD WEST SPIRIT NEW WEST TALENT

“I want [people] to bask in the glory of the color and get that quiet feeling,” Rothermel says. “When you look at high art, you don’t know exactly what you’re looking at, but your sensory perceptions are kicking in. Something is going on. It vibrates. They see there’s a lot more work in each piece than what might appear at first glance.” The Santa Fe-based painter, whose abstract works are on display at Carefree’s Grace Renee Gallery, takes color field style to a new level with his technique of layering acrylic paint in full- and halftones on panels of wood in varying widths. This style is a reflection of his early days as a billboard painter, at which time he first had the idea of painting individual panels to be experimented with and assembled later instead of confining himself to a single surface. “When the paint is wet and they’re nice and shiny and gooey, it’s a thrill,” he says. “Because I use acrylics, they dry to a middle value. The dark colors dry a little lighter and the lights dry a little darker. The color intensity is slightly muted and that is evident in the work I have hanging at Grace Renee Gallery.” When the paint dries, Rothermel uses a hand-sander and water to create depth and luminosity by stripping away layers. This process reveals the colors and the texture of the wood panel beneath and leaves a record of the under-color on the edges. The painter is coaxing life out of something twodimensional. The debris is wiped away and what Rothermel describes as “spatial continuity turned into the sublime” comes through, creating a “portal” for the beholder.

6130 East Cave Creek Road • Cave Creek, AZ

www.lastiendascavecreek.com f ebruary 2020

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SUNSHINE, Acrylic on Wood panel. 38 x 54 in

Some of the arrangements come by chance and many come from intuitive experience, trusting in the process that it will all turn out. There is a lot of flexibility built into his materials and methods. He can assemble and reassemble until the combination feels right. “When you over-paint and under-paint the panels, that’s when they come alive and you get the color field,” he says. “You have to work it until it works you.” Rothermel considers his larger pieces to be some of his most successful. “You’re ‘in’ the painting,” he explains. “You’re in the atmosphere. You notice the edges of colors that you didn’t see at first. The juxtaposition between one panel and the next is really important.” Rothermel’s approach takes the traditional building blocks of color and technique, the eternal truths of Fibonacci code, ratios and the golden means, and imbues them with the “breath and breadth of abstraction.” It is a spiritual exercise for him. Art has always been something that he has been compelled to do. Rothermel first picked up a paintbrush to help his mother—a teacher—paint the plank floors of her oneroom schoolhouse’s porch in Pennsylvania. He always had a love of the outdoors and would create penand-ink sketches of the scenes he saw while playing or hunting small game.

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Upcoming Community Events The following events are free and open to the public. Please join us! STAR PARTIES Feb. 20, 2020 Mar. 19, 2020 Apr. 16, 2020

*STEAMtastic Mar. 5, 2020

JAZZ CONCERT Apr. 16, 2020

*Our STEAMtastic Event is a celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathmatics & Music through hands on activities, followed by a Star Party. March 5th STEAMtastic: Activities 5:00p - 7:30p; Star Party 7:00p-10:00p

More Info:

paradisevalley.edu/blackmountain 34250 North 60th Street Scottsdale, AZ 85266 602.493.2600

“Systematically Supporting the Communities that Support our Team” Every service call that is booked through the organization’s provided phone number, ProSkill will donate 2% of the total revenue generated towards the organization. This month’s featured organization is Boulder Creek High School Girl’s Soccer.

f ebruary 2020

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“

JANUS #8, Acrylic on Wood panel. 30 x 56 in

You have to think with your eyes. When you’re in the studio, it’s a quiet process where you do one thing and another thing

“

happens and then something else is

revealed, so you try and hit on those special parts.

EXPERIENCE

The painter recalls being influenced by everything from the Paul Cézanne paintings in his elementary classroom to TV westerns like Zorro and Bonanza, which captured his young imagination. “I always had cowboy boots and a Western hat on,” Rothermel says. “It was always right there on the tip of my conscience that I wanted to go west one day. I’m still a cowboy—just a little older and a little wiser.” He began studying commercial art at York Academy of Art. After a field trip to New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art—where he discovered and was completely inspired by artist Hans Hofmann—and at the urging of an influential instructor, he decided to pursue fine art at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. Rothermel also spent a summer in Maine at Skowhegan, studying with well-known artists like Josef Albers and the prolific abstractionist Brice Marden,

while learning, absorbing and finetuning his own abstractionist style. “I came out of art school painting nonobjectively, very abstract pieces,” he says. “I tried to move to New York four times and it spit me out.” Rothermel has been sober for 30 years now but admits to partying during his youth. “It was hell with the lid off,” he explains. “I’d rather buy a six-pack than pay my electric bill. I didn’t have the maturity.” In the back of his head, Rothermel knew that being in the studio was the thing that was going to get him ahead—not the other way around. “You have to think with your eyes,” the painter says. “When you’re in the studio, it’s a quiet process where you do one thing and another thing happens and then something else is revealed, so you try and hit on those special parts.”

Y! A D TO

It was time to fulfill his dream of heading west. Rothermel moved to New Mexico in 1981. He was ready to paint whatever he saw and felt free to experiment without judgment. He painted landscapes and sunsets with oils, watercolors and acrylics. Painting billboards paid the bills until a strong gust of wind knocked him from his ladder and he broke both of his arms. “The accident was a godsend,” he says. “It prompted me to really pursue my art. I had to go out on my own and get back to the source. I quit my job, got a divorce and moved to Santa Fe in 1987. That’s when the market was hopping and everyone was moving here. It was great energy.” His Santa Fe gallery has been open for many years and Rothermel has mostly concentrated on creating and displaying his abstract work. As time and technology have changed the world and the way people consume art, Rothermel ponders how art— true, transcendent art––shapes our experiences as humans as well as the legacy of his own art. He believes that the human connection to the spiritual realm is strengthened by principles that exist outside of the immediate. “The eternal rules are what make things work,” he explains. “I want to reveal the sublime. If it doesn’t reveal the sublime, it’s not art because it won’t do anything.” drcontemporary.com gracereneegallery.com

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f ebruary 2020

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COMMUNITY

2020 FEBRUARY

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Feb. 1

MAYNARD DIXON: ART AND SPIRIT Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West will screen the feature-length documentary “Maynard Dixon: Art and Spirit,” which profiles the breathtaking art and complex life of artist Maynard Dixon. Narrated by Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton, the movie provides a revealing look at Dixon’s life through his paintings and drawings, family photographs and interviews. Free for members; included with $15 museum admission for guests. 2 p.m. Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 N Marshall Way, Scottsdale. 480686-9539; scottsdalemuseumwest.org

Feb. 3

ANCIENT GEOLOGY CREATES MODERN CAVE CREEK

Feb. 8

HEARTS AND HOWLS VALENTINE EVENT

vital role that insects play in our local ecology. During the lecture, Stuttard will introduce attendees to the wonderful and fascinating world

Join Chad Kwiatkowski—master’s

Experience a tour of mountain lions,

of insects, helping to distinguish

student in geology at Northern

coyotes and Mexican gray wolves as

between those that are garden allies

Arizona University—for this seminar

the Southwest Wildlife Conservation

and those that are garden enemies.

about the rocks and landscapes of

Center shares the true love stories of

The program will include a plant

the Desert Foothills region, which

its resident animals. Light refreshments

raffle. A $5 or more donation is

developed as a result of geologic

and gourmet desserts will be served

appreciated. 9:30 a.m.–Noon. Town

events in just the last 15 million

and each couple will receive a gift.

Council Chambers, 33 Easy St.,

years. The seminar, sponsored by the

$100 per couple. 6–7 p.m. RSVP.

Carefree. 480-488-3686.

Desert Awareness Committee of the

Southwest Wildlife Conservation,

Foothills Community Foundation,

27026 N. 156th St., Scottsdale. 480-

will take attendees on a tour through

471-3621; southwestwildlife.org

space and time to understand how the Desert Foothills region came to be. Free. 6:30–8 p.m. Holland Community Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. azfcf.org/aboutdesert-awareness

Stuttard for a discussion about the

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Feb. 8

GARDEN INSECTS: FRIENDS AND FOES

Feb. 8

MUSICAL THEATRE OF ANTHEM FUNDRAISER BENEFIT Join Musical Theatre of Anthem for

Carefree Desert Gardens will

an exciting evening of performances

welcome gardening educator Carol

by professional singers and the

organization’s very own outreach group. The event will also include dinner and gourmet desserts as well as a live auction and other fundraising activities. Adults $75; children $40. 6 p.m. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite B100, Anthem. 623-336-6001; musicaltheatreofanthem.org

Feb. 9

WE LOVE ARIZONA! As part of its monthly Kiwanis Family Sundays series, Cave Creek Museum will welcome a representative from the Rosson House Museum to discuss how the Territory of Arizona transitioned to become the Valentine State. Free. 2–4 p.m. Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E. Skyline Drive, Cave Creek. 480-488-2764; cavecreekmuseum.org

Feb. 20–March 8 THE WIZARD OF OZ

Follow the yellow brick road toward the Emerald City with an award-winning cast from Musical Theatre of Anthem for the organization’s presentation of “The Wizard of Oz.” $13–$19. See website for times. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Anthem. 623-336-6001; musicaltheatreofanthem.org

Feb. 21–March 15

TOP SHELF INVITATIONAL SMALL WORKS SHOW Sonoran Arts League will present its fourth annual juried fine art show, featuring more than 200 works by Arizona artists— including paintings, drawings, sculptures, jewelry, photography and mixed media. An opening reception and cocktail chic gala featuring live music, hors d’oeuvres and a beer and wine garden is scheduled for 5–8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21. Free. Mondays–Saturdays 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sundays 1–4 p.m. Sonoran Arts League’s Center

Furnace Tune-Up Includes: • • • • •

Safety Inspection Calibrate Gas Valve Clean Flame Sensor Electrical Component Test Check and Clean Gas Burner Membership Price:

for the Arts, 7100 E. Cave Creek Road, Suite 144, Cave Creek. 480-575-6624; sonoranartsleague.org

Feb. 22

ALL THAT JAZZ: A ROARING 20S GOLDEN GALA EVENT Dance and dine while supporting North Valley Symphony Orchestra during its annual gala fundraising event. The event

$79.00 Normally

Call or Text 623.552.2474 to Schedule your Appointment!

will feature live jazz and special entertainment by award-winning variety entertainer Brian Foley, several silent auctions and photo opportunities with Model-T Fords and Charlie Chaplin. Roaring 20s themed dress is highly encouraged. $100. 5:30 p.m. RSVP. Sheraton Crescent, 2620 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix. northvalleysymphony.org

AIR CONDITIONING • ELECTRICAL • PLUMBING • WATER TREATMENT

f ebruary 2020

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Feb. 20

THE ABSTRACT ART OF DAVID ROTHERMEL Grace Renee Gallery will showcase the abstract art of David Rothermel, a Santa Fe-based painter whose works take color field style to a new level. Rothermel layers acrylic paint in full- and halftones on panels of wood in varying widths. He then uses a hand-sander and water to create depth and luminosity, revealing the colors and the texture of the wood panel beneath and leaving a record of the under-color on the edges. Wine and appetizers will be offered. Free. 4–7 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., #7, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Feb. 22

CELEBRATING BEETHOVEN

Food for Good platform. The

Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-6636;

intimate dinner will feature a

cavecreekcraftbeerfestival.com

menu crafted by Kristen Kish and Christopher Gross. $225+. 6 p.m.

In recognition of Beethoven’s 250th

Wrigley Mansion, 2501 E. Telawa

Anniversary Celebration, virtuoso

Trail, Phoenix. jamesbeard.org

pianist Taek Gi Lee will present a piano recital featuring Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 32, Op. 111 as part of Christ the Lord Lutheran Church’s Living Music Performance Series. $25. 4 p.m. Christ the Lord Lutheran Church,

CAVE CREEK CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL

KOKOPELLI’S JOURNEY SET TO MUSIC Desert Hills Native American Flute Circle will perform “Kokopelli’s Journey Set to Music” as part of

The town of Cave Creek will host

9205 E. Cave Creek Road, Carefree.

Christ the Lord Lutheran Church’s

its first-ever craft beer festival,

480-488-2081; ctlcarefree.org

Living Music Performance Series.

showcasing beverages from the top

Free will offering. 4 p.m. Christ the

breweries across the country. In

Lord Lutheran Church, 9205 E. Cave

addition to craft beer, the event will

Creek Road, Carefree. 480-488-

also feature cider, kombucha and

2081; ctlcarefree.org

Feb. 26

TASTE AMERICA POP-UP DINNER

Feb. 29

meads. Entry includes a sampling mug and 20 drink tickets. Pub

Phoenix will welcome the James

food will be available for purchase

Beard Foundation’s Taste America

throughout the event, which will

for a pop-up dinner as part of a

also feature live music by Lindsey

national tour that celebrates diversity

Vogt. General admission $45; VIP

of American cooking and highlights

admission $60. 1–5 p.m. Stagecoach

the nonprofit organization’s Good

Village, 7100 E. Cave Creek

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March 6–8

TOUR D’ ARTISTES STUDIO TOUR AND SALE Fountain Hills Arts League will present its 9th Annual Tour d’ Artistes Studio

Tour and Sale, showcasing the work of more than 60 artists in 13 studios and galleries. Attendees can interact with local artists and observe them in the process of creating original works—including paintings, mixed media, glass, metal sculptures, digital photography, fiber art and jewelry, all of which will be available for purchase. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Fountain Hills. fountainhillsartleague.com

March 6–19

IT’S ART FOR LAND’S SAKE Desert Foothills Land Trust will host its sixth annual juried art exhibit and sale designed to promote conservation and wildlife protection through representational art. Artists of all ages and levels of experience are encouraged to submit their work by Friday, Feb. 7. Entry is $25 per piece. All works of art must be 2D and representational of a Desert Foothills Land Trust preserve. An opening reception is scheduled for 6–8 p.m. Thursday, March 5. Proceeds will benefit Desert Foothills Land Trust and Desert Foothills Library. Free. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-6131; dflt.org

March 22

ANDREA MARKOWITZ HAT SHOW Andrea Markowitz will host a hat show during which she will raffle and auction off more than 50 vintage hats from the 1950s through the 1980s that belonged to her late mother. Markowitz will also share stories about hats and their designers, offering attendees insight into a time at which women wore hats for every special occasion. Admission includes five raffle tickets as well as tea and cakes provided by English Rose Tea Room. Proceeds will benefit Desert Foothills Library. $35. 2–4 p.m. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

April 11

SPRING STRINGS FESTIVAL CONCERT North Valley Symphony Orchestra will host a concert as part of its second annual all-day Spring Strings Festival, which is open to all young strings musicians throughout the Valley. Registration for the festival is $25 and includes lunch and all rehearsals, which will begin at 8:30 a.m. During the concert, individual groups will perform before coming together on stage for a mass orchestra performance. Free. 3 p.m. North Canyon High School Performing Arts Auditorium, 1700 E. Union Hills Drive, Phoenix. 623-980-4628; northvalleysymphony.org

MUSICAL THEATRE OF ANTHEM RECEIVES GRANT Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust has awarded Musical Theatre of Anthem a $57,000 grant for the purchase of upgraded audio, lighting and microphone equipment. The funds will be used to purchase a more sophisticated and unified system thereby increasing the professionalism of the organization’s productions. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Anthem. 623-336-6001; musicaltheatreofanthem.org f ebruary 2020

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Writer Shannon Severson Photography Courtesy of American Society of Interior Designers, Phoenix Chapter

Americans have a love affair with home design. We are eager to “feather our nests” to fit our personalities and lifestyles. Across demographics, we watch HGTV in droves and dream of what could be—but where to start? Who wants to risk a costly mistake when something as simple as paint color can make or break the look of a room? The trained professionals at American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) have got your back with their Interior Designer for Hire program. Now in its 11th year, the program gives homeowners an affordable way to consult with a professional interior designer all while supporting local student scholarships, educational programs and Project Veteran’s Pride—a local nonprofit that helps homeless veterans get back on their feet. The Interior Designer for Hire program only happens once per year, running from Feb. 1 through April 30. Homeowners are matched with a local ASID designer for a one- or two-hour consultation at a cost of $99 or $175, respectively. Designer consultations are available Valley-wide and north to Sedona.

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“We are so excited to bring this service to homeowners each year,” says Susan Solliday, president of the Arizona North Chapter of ASID. “The program makes interior design accessible to anyone desiring help in their home or office projects. We have many repeat customers as well as firsttime clients who have never worked with a professional interior designer. “The program is ideal for a quick project like deciding on paint color or existing furniture placement, which can create better flow for how rooms are used.” Plenty of those who utilize the program use it as a jumping-off point and may decide to hire their designer for a larger project like a kitchen remodel or living room makeover. Since we are in Arizona, there are a lot of clients who are interested in sprucing up their outdoor living spaces as well. The consultation starts with a conversation. Designers listen to the client, learn about their lifestyle, colors, decorating styles and, of course, the budget. “An interior designer is good at helping the client maximize the budget,” Solliday says. “We have a lot of industry sources we can use. We are trained to

put it all together in a functional and pleasing way that might be difficult for a homeowner to complete given their own time and resources.” Last year, Interior Designer For Hire volunteers raised more than $13,000 to support two-year programs at Mesa, Phoenix and Scottsdale community colleges and four-year programs at Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University. Participants in the colleges’ ASID chapters will compete to have their design chosen for the remodeling of a community room and outdoor meeting space at Project Veterans Pride’s James Walton Home, a transitional housing and resource center in Phoenix. “Improving lives is ultimately what ASID strives to accomplish through community efforts and as professionals,” Solliday says. “Interior designers truly care about our clients. We care about how people live and want to help them have a great lifestyle and be surrounded by things they like at whatever level they can afford.” azn.asid.org

f ebruary 2020

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Expansive Mountain Vista Views Experience expansive mountain vista views and plenty of room to roam while living in unparalleled comfort and serenity. This 6 bedroom, 4.5 bath Anthem Parkside home offers a lot of space, incredible amenities and absolute beauty. Arrive home to the residence about which you have always dreamed and park in the spacious 4-car garage which also includes a bonus storage room. Never again wonder where to store all of your holiday decorations or seasonal clothing items and always have easy access to everything you need. Inside, make unforgettable memories in a family room that boasts an incredibly high ceiling and one of several fireplaces located throughout the home. Prepare delicious meals for your family in the gorgeous kitchen. All of your dream amenities are here, including a gas cooktop, a built-in microwave, wall ovens and a walk-in pantry. Outside, a heated pool and spa awaits for your pleasure, play and relaxation. Enjoy exquisite evenings with your family or entertain guests on a Travertine patio, which features a party table and a wok fire bowl that combine to create the perfect Arizona lifestyle. Extend your evenings into the wee hours and gaze up at the innumerable stars scattered across the gorgeous Arizona sky while sitting by the courtyard fireplace. You and your family have never before experienced luxury like this amazing home offers. When you are finally ready to call it a night, the heavenly bedrooms make falling and staying asleep at night an absolute breeze. And you will actually look forward to waking up the next morning to get ready for the day in the updated bathrooms which feature beautiful bowl sinks, a master-jetted tub and a walk-in shower. This amazing home is certain to impress! Call Linda today to schedule your viewing!

Please call Linda for your private showing. Linda Rehwalt RE/MAX Professionals 602-402-1136 lindarehwalt@azrealty.com

f ebruary 2020

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Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Scott Yates i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m fe b r uary 2 02 0

It has been said that life is about reinventing one’s self. When one of Arizona’s most renowned woman chefs, Lisa Dahl, first told me she was opening a burger restaurant in the then-less-than-swanky former Outlets at Oak Creek, I have to confess that my initial thought was that Dahl was morphing into something so out of character that I wasn’t entirely sure even this queen of couture could pull it off. After all, Dahl is responsible for some of the most iconic upscale restaurants in Sedona. Dahl & Diluca, Cucina Rustica and Mariposa have put the once-sleepy culinary scene of Sedona on the international map.

Welcome to 2020!

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Nanette McClelland-Miller, Agent nanettemiller.com Fry’s Shopping Center: Next to Verizon and Tru Burger

Even her more casual Pisa Lisa provided a new twist on an old theme that brought a heightened level of class and elegance—Dahl’s signature. But burgers? I wasn’t sure. If there is one thing I have learned about Lisa Dahl, however, it is that one should never underestimate her ability to breathe life into the most unlikely, yet most wonderful dreams. In Butterfly Burger, which opened Sept. 18 on National Cheeseburger Day, not only has she created what’s likely the most hip and splashy burger restaurant in the state (country?), she’s built a menu that turns the boring old burger into a gourmet meal built with layer upon layer of fabulous flavors. What’s more, with the low-light glamour of a speakeasy, intimate seating and Dahl’s trademark world-class servers, chef and staff, she’s infused her latest restaurant with a je ne sais quoi that goes well beyond great menu selections. Diners may come for the burgers, bourbon and boozy shakes, but what they get is an unmatched dining experience that brings them back time and again. “People come up to Sedona, and when they come to our restaurants they expect something different. This is not just about the burger, but the burger must speak. “Butterfly Burger is a burger place that catches everyone off guard. When they come here, they are prepared to have a fabulous burger, but they don't realize that they are walking into the Cartier of burger places.

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FAVORITE FIXTURE: “We have an extravagant round table with a fabulous granite top that’s wrapped in distressed bronze and a crocodile banquette. In every restaurant, I have a favorite thing I gravitate to, and that’s the thing at Butterfly Burger.”

FAVORITE STAND-OUT FEATURE “The thing that makes the burgers unique, and what makes them so decadent that you don’t forget them is that every burger has a flavor profile that makes you die over the combinations. It makes you want to come back because the first burger you choose is so drop-dead delicious that you want to try the others.”

FAVORITE DESCRIPTION “Whimsical ethnicity. We use flavor profiles found all over the planet to create burgers no one has ever thought of before. For example, our Italian Stallion is slow-roasted Campari tomatoes with Burrata mozzarella cheese and balsamic reduction finished with pesto and arugula—and incredibly gourmet. If you are very sophisticated, that burger is a must-have.”

FAVORITE INGREDIENT “Anybody who knows me knows that I am a self-professed mushroom maniac. Each restaurant has some mushroom thing. Of course, many of my burgers have them. My favorite is the Fungi Sublime. If you can eat that burger and ‘sublime’ isn’t part of your description, I don’t know what is! You’ll think about that burger for the next month.”

FAVORITE NON-BURGER BURGER “All of my veggie burgers are all delicious and, quite honestly, the Primo Portobello will stand up to any burger or steak sandwich anywhere. The marinade on the portobello alone, along with the incredible caramelized onions with the manchego and smoky chipotle on a grainy bun—ah! Killer!”

FAVORITE SURPRISE HIT “One of the things that I’d hoped would work out and has really worked out is the Mowee Wowee, which is my mahi-mahi flatgrilled fish burger. It’s beautiful! I created a very natural maple teriyaki, which is off the charts. People who love fish sandwiches tell me it’s the best fish sandwich they’ve ever had.”

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dahl Restaurants Sedona

dahlrestaurantgroup.com

2019 Food Pioneer Award Arizona Restaurant Assoc

2018 TOP CHEF Award Arizona Restaurant Assoc

SCOTTSDALE BURGER BATTLE CHAMPION 2016 - THE GRINGO 2018 - THE FUNGHI SUBLIME 2019 - THE WACO KID

PROJECT SOUP HOPE $40,000 DONATED (% OF SOUP SALES)

Chef Lisa Dahl

butterflyburger.com 982-862-4448

cucinarustica.com 982-284-3010

pisalisa.com 982-282-5472

CONTRIBUTED TO Chef Jose Andres World Central Kitchen for disaster relief

mariposasedona.com 982-862-4444

dahlanddiluca.com f ebruary 2020 982-282-5219

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“It’s all about the layering of every element, but it starts with the best quality of ingredients that we can find. We’ve pushed the envelope on all the elements that are needed to pull that off: fantastic meat, cheese, our selection of buns and the sauce combination that makes us extremely unique.”

A WINNING BEGINNING It was the Scottsdale Burger Battle that made Dahl’s wheels begin to turn. She first entered in 2016, not long after she opened the doors of Mariposa Latin-Inspired Grill. She’d never entered a burger battle; in fact, she’d never even seen one, yet the concept of a comfort zone does not seem to exist for Dahl. She threw her name in the hat and did what she does best. “The first burger battle was held at the Valley Ho,” she said. “I’d never been there and I’d never even seen one of those concepts. It sounded like fun, and I thought it would be a fun way to promote our lunch opening at Mariposa. “I’d created my very first burger for the menu at Mariposa called the Gringo Burger. I had no premeditation of what people were going to be cooking up, so I took what I thought was going to be one of the most spell-binding, delicious burgers I could make. “The Gringo is a Latin twist on an American classic. It’s not trendy or different, it’s just mastery of all the components being right.” Not only did she impress at the competition, she won. The following year, she was the runner up, and in 2017 and 2018, she again took the title. “I was the only woman chef, but I was also doing certain things that the others didn’t. When I won People’s Choice, I thought, ‘This ain’t so bad! Maybe we’ve got something!’ “It was the stepping stones that made me go, hey, people like these burgers,” she said.

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Comfort At

EMERGING FROM A CHRYSALIS Those who have followed Dahl know how deeply personal her attachments to her restaurants are. Lisa’s son, Justin Wesley Jones, was senselessly murdered at the age of 23 when he tried to break up a robbery in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district. The two of them had been inseparable, and making great food together was often at the center of their love. They talked about opening a restaurant someday to share the recipes they’d come to love through the years. When Justin died, Dahl packed up her belongings and moved to Sedona, where she felt embraced by the energy of the red rocks. She opened up the restaurant of her dreams, then another, then another. Her fourth restaurant, Mariposa, which means butterfly in Spanish, is a monument to the beauty and depth of their relationship. Those who have had the pleasure of tasting some of the most indulgently satisfying flavors imaginable while taking in the restaurant’s breathtaking views and dramatically fantastic décor know just how special Mariposa is. Many thought four restaurants would be the entirety of her work. After all, each has become wildly successful in its own right, and Dahl herself has earned one award and recognition after another, including hosting two James Beard house performances in New York City. As it happened, however, Dahl’s story has not yet ended, nor has her ability to express each chapter in a new iteration of culinary accomplishment.

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Once again, death has solidified itself as a metaphor in one of Dahl’s restaurants—not as a tragedy, but as a celebration.

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In November, Lisa’s mother Dorothy, whose fashionable flair and kind yet determined presence were clearly influential to her daughter, passed away just a few days shy of her 95th birthday. Though her death was not unexpected, it did elicit a tremendous sense of loss— and, like a butterfly, of rebirth. “Through the whole thing was an amazing closeness,” Dahl said. “In many respects, it was as perfect as

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anything so sad can be. You know your parents are eventually going to die of old age, but there were many, many blessings that were so stunning during the process. “Mom was a huge force. Everyone around here knew her because of her persona. My mother represented her love of fashion and décor in her own incredibly sweet, humble, non-ego-driven way for over a decade here.” As she spoke, I smiled at my own memory of Dorothy. Though she was a tiny woman—much like her daughter—she entered a room with quiet elegance. Her outfits were always perfectly coordinated with her hats, and she never seemed to wear the same combination twice. Not one for fanfare or pomposity, Dorothy likely wouldn’t have wanted much to-do to be made over her life, but because she’d managed to touch an impressive number of lives, quite a few people showed up to pay their respects, and to hear Frank Sinatra sing “Come Fly with Me” one last time in Dorothy’s honor. “We all felt that we did what she would have wanted. We were lucky to have her for 95 years,” Dahl said. And so, once again, food is a source for love, sustenance and comfort, and it represents love, loss and all of the delicious beauty of life itself.

SETTING IT FREE As I’ve watched her vision unfold, I’ve realized that, for Dahl, life is not so much about reinventing herself; it’s about peeling away layers to expose and embrace beautiful parts of herself that were previously hidden. Butterfly Burger isn’t shy about its smooth, sultry vibe. Seating is intimate and decidedly grown-up. Cell phones are discouraged, and there is a dress code (no tank tops, flip flops or provocative clothing allowed). Also, parents are discouraged

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Lisa Dahl is responsible for some of the most iconic upscale restaurants in Sedona.

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from bringing small children because, frankly, it’s just not that kind of place. What Butterfly Burger does so well is envelope its guests in rich warmth. It invites them to sit down, enjoy a killer cocktail, spend quality time with friends and loved ones and reimagine all they knew about burgers. “I think it’s a great concept,” said Dahl. “I like the fact that the unique envelope or canvas that it sits in is also an equal part of that experience. “We want you to hang out feel its arms around you. I want you to love it!” Though she’s poured no less of herself into the creation of Butterfly Burger than she has building the rest of her small restaurant empire, this particular concept is different. Unlike Dahl & Diluca, Mariposa, Cucina Rustica and Pisa Lisa, which she built to be constantly nurtured and groomed, Butterfly Burger was built to fly. Each of her restaurants is like one of her children, and Butterfly Burger is the first restaurant she’s developed that can soar without her. “It’s huge for me to say this for the first time,” she said. “It was designed to be a prototype for future restaurants that would not require me to be their mother hen for the rest of their life. It’s a very different thing because the other four restaurants were meant to be little worlds of constant nurturing that were literally like my kids. “It’s not that I don’t feel a strong sense of love for this restaurant, because I really do. I also feel like I kind of want something that would have its own wings and could start to fly out into the world in a bigger way.” Butterfly burger represents the new paradigm for Dahl. “It is the only restaurant that I ever felt this way about. I love it, I adore it, but I don’t feel like I have to live in it. I want one in all kinds of hip cities. This is part of that metamorphosis that is coming. “There is a healthy attachment. There was a different feeling I had when I was dreaming it up, and seeing it manifest, I know that it is a transitional new way of looking at myself as a restaurateur.” butterflyburger.com f ebruary 2020

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Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Robert Elenbaas

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One of the things that I enjoy most about photography is the opportunity to be out by myself. Most people are warm in bed asleep at the hours that I am usually out photographing. I very much enjoy being able to appreciate whatever the setting is without a bazillion people around. Robert Elenbaas

Experiencing the beauty of nature first-hand has an unparalleled positive impact on cognitive functioning, emotional wellbeing and other dimensions of mental health. A scholarly article published last summer by the American Association for the Advancement of Science provided points of consensus across the natural, social and health sciences on the inherent value of experiences with nature. The article is just one of countless studies performed over the years that have concluded that the beautiful sights and sounds that can only be found out in nature elicit feelings of peace, joy and serenity—emotions that are closely tethered to the state of being in love. Although many people may enjoy dinner at a fancy restaurant and a showing of one of this season’s most buzzed-about movies this Valentine’s Day, Arizona has much more to offer those seeking a romantic date night. Instead of sitting indoors with several strangers in situations that limit conversation, why not opt for an intimate evening picnic with your significant other against the backdrop of one of our state’s stunningly gorgeous sunsets? Afterward, allow Arizona’s birds and insects to provide the heavenly soundtrack to a night of dancing underneath a sky scattered with glimmering stars. The natural romance of that date will provide you and your Valentine not only with a purely Arizona experience that cannot be replicated in more urban environments but also a feeling of fantastic euphoria. Anthem resident Robert Elenbaas has enjoyed the benefits of the Valley’s landscapes for the past decade. Although he admits to occasionally venturing out into nature by himself, he never passes up the opportunity to bring his wife Julia along as he captures our state’s remarkably romantic skies with his camera. It brings Images Arizona great pleasure to share some of his phenomenal photography with our readers this month. It is our hope that they encourage you to think outside of the box this Valentine’s Day and make a reservation in the most romantic setting imaginable—beneath Arizona’s amorous skies.

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Sunset among the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, can be a truly magical time. For a few, brief moments on this particular evening a wonderous pink hue being reflected from the clouds cast a gentle glow over the entire scene. Robert Elenbaas

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In early summer it is possible to appreciate the Milky Way as a low arc across the eastern night sky, with the galactic center in the southeast. Being more sensitive to light than the human eye, the camera is able to capture the color and beauty of the billions of stars and nebulae as one looks toward the center of our spiral galaxy. Robert Elenbaas

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SEEING WHAT IS IN FRONT OF US Fine art, landscape and nature photographer Robert Elenbaas has made it his mission to record and capture images that allow people to see things in the natural world that they would not normally see. “Our natural world amazes me, be it grand vistas or intimate details one sees only on close inspection,” Elenbaas says. “Through the expressive art form of photography, I seek to communicate aspects of our world people may not normally appreciate—either because of the limitations of human vision or because we just don’t take the time to really see what is in front of us.” Seeing what is in front of us is critically important. Elenbaas hopes the people who view his photography gain an improved and enhanced appreciation of the natural world. He also wants people to understand that our continued appreciation of it is dependant on us taking care of and protecting it for future generations. Be it our national parks, which Elenbaas believes are overused and underfunded, or wilderness areas that most people may never visit because getting to them involves either riding a horse or walking a great distance, he hopes his photography encourages wildlife preservation. However, he also hopes that it relays something that may never be able to be put into words. “It has been said that photography has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them,” Elenbaas says. “My goal is that my images serve as visual metaphors for the emotions I felt when the shutter clicked.”

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Robert Elenbaas first began dabbling in photography while he was in college in San Francisco. However, at the time, it was merely a hobby since he was studying to become an emergency medicine clinical pharmacist. “The San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department had a really cool photography center,” Elenbaas says. “It was basically a big darkroom. You could just go there and play around. I did not have a lot of time to do so, but that is when I first developed an interest in photography.” That interest in photography never faded over the years as Elenbaas paired it with another hobby—wilderness backpacking. “That takes you to some really amazing places,” he says. “I very much enjoy the outdoors and I like to be able to share with people what I see. My treks would take me to unique places whose wonder I was not skilled enough to relate verbally. In this case, a picture truly did tell the story better than a thousand words.” The advent of digital photography made accurately relaying those stories significantly easier, especially since Elenbass has had very little darkroom experience. Therefore, upon retirement, he leaned into his interests, moving to Anthem with his wife Julia in 2011.

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER 40

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“This allows ready access to many varied and beautiful sites in Arizona, Utah, California and other western states—whose marvels comprise the bulk of my current portfolio,” Elenbaas says. “If I am not playing golf, I am doing something related to photography.” Much of Elenbaas’s portfolio may be seen and purchased at The Gallery at el Pedregal, 34505 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. relenbaasphoto.com

M I C H A E L

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Celebration of Fine Art Studio #157

I strive to create dynamic landscapes of the southwest featuring distinctive, joyful color. Come and see me at ‘Celebration of Fine Art’. Jan 16 - March 29 (Hayden and the 101) We can also schedule a personal visit if you would rather see my work in your home. Together, we’ll try to find a beautiful piece that brings joy to your life. Your friend in Art - Michael

m i c h a e l m c k e e g a l l e r y. c o m Call for a home visit; 630-779-3793 f ebruary 2020

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Since 2009, an eye-catching vintage red truck has enticed Cave Creek’s visitors and locals to turn in and browse Red Truck Trading Company’s broad selection of new and consignment home furnishings and decor. In 2011, the charming Grotto Café was added to bring even more to the table at this family-owned and operated endeavor. “Consignment is always fun,” says Louann Robertson, owner of Red Truck Trading Company. “You can always find new pieces. We really try to be different and work hard to create vignettes so people can visualize how the items will look in their homes. We only take things in excellent condition. Both our buyers and sellers are high-end clientele.” Robertson prides herself on presenting all of her products in organized and attractive ways. There are always new items coming in. At the time of this writing, there were Zapotec wool rugs, a carved mesquite dining table, a one-of-a-kind midcentury Norwegian desk of solid walnut and a pale gray linen couch that appeared brand new. Many pieces are from vacation homes and are only lightly used. Red Truck Trading Company’s general manager Antonio Peirce is always accepting new deliveries and re-arranging the store’s treasures. “We have a lot of international items because of corporate relocations,” Peirce says. “I’ve had teak from Thailand, Antique Persian rugs from Iran. We have options for every room in the house.” While the business’s 10,000 square feet has always featured about 90% consignment items, Robertson and her son, Curtis Arny, are in escrow to purchase the entire complex, which is also home to Tame Studio Salon and Boutique and Sergio Ladron Art Gallery. At the center of it all, Robertson and Arny are adding an exciting new element: New West Gallery.

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Louann Robertson, right, features the art of Lance Headlee, left, at New West Gallery.

Writer Shannon Severson Photography Bryan Black and f ebruary 2020 by imagesar iz ona .cLance om Headlee

New West Gallery showroom

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“New West is our high-end, contemporary Western look,” Robertson says. “It’s a custom line of furniture and will feature the art of Lance Headlee. It’s going to be a great fit for people who want new furniture and then they can add in items from our consignment collection. The furniture is high quality, the manufacturer’s customer service is first class and the price point is good. You don’t want to be married to a couch.” Step inside New West Gallery to black walls, copper industrial accents and a 16-foot-wide glass wall that opens up to the outdoors where a paved patio will connect to the restaurant’s outdoor eating area. The American-made furniture at New West Gallery features contemporary shapes with traditional Western-style accents. For example, track armed sofas are covered in ochre leather with nailhead trim. A pair of Zebraupholstered swivel chairs are arranged in front of a Headlee painting entitled, “Animal Protection,” with a boldly depicted Bonnie and Clyde pair in a safari setting. The vibe is fun and unexpected. “Hopefully it will go over well,” Robertson says. “Lance Headlee’s art is a fresh take on Western. His paintings look great in the gallery space. I love how his version of ‘Bonnie’ is a girl wearing chaps and a hat but holding an iPhone and a vintage Louis Vuitton bag. My own home’s style is straight out of Italy, but his pieces fit right in, as they do with any decor.” Robertson envisions utilizing the space for special events. With the new connected outdoor space and a planned bar area, it will also expand

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the event capabilities of the popular Grotto Café, which is operated by and co-owned with Arny. The cafe is part of a pair of buildings originally constructed by the hands of a ceramicist. Its cement building blocks are inset with sea glass, quartz and accent rocks. The lower consignment area, which once held kilns, has a ceiling of wood batten and columns lined with sculpted ceramic forms. In the cafe itself, windows light the rooms and afford views of the beautifully maintained desert gardens that flow throughout the property. It feels like a storybook discovery—one that just happens to have really delicious food, drinks, and fun rock-and-roll decor. Robertson’s husband, Mike Seitts is an avid music fan who created the fun vibe that has become the café’s trademark. “We have developed our menu over time, but I’ve always been passionate about consistency and guest service,” says Arny, whose extensive background with a prominent Southern California restaurant group got him his start in the business.

Red Truck Trading Company showroom

“We make our own pastries, bake our scones and muffins from scratch and we have a dedicated customer base. I’m really proud of our great reviews and it’s exciting to see how much we have grown over the years.” The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days per week. While it is a popular spot for visiting snowbirds who are known to enjoy a mid-morning Bloody Mary or Mimosa—yes, they have a liquor license—the endearingly mismatched tables and chairs fill up quickly in the hottest days of summer, too. The rough-hewn stone walls just feel cool and refreshing when the day is blisteringly hot outside. Arny strives to continue the feeling of family with his staff of 23. He has been able to take his background in large restaurant operating systems and successfully apply it on a smaller scale at Grotto Café. He has hosted some very special events, including the 90th birthday of famed Hollywood and

The Grotto Café

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Broadway choreographer Dee Dee Wood—whose credits include “The Sound of Music,” “Mary Poppins” and Michael Jackson’s Super Bowl halftime show. “Dee Dee was even on the cover of Time Magazine,” Arny says. “She comes in often. Being a part of her celebration was really an honor for us.” Robertson has a track record of positive community relationships and running successful businesses. She has always landed on her feet, even if it means taking a few calculated risks. She owned her own software development company for 12 years and worked with major corporations all over the country. When Robertson decided to sell the business and stay closer to home in the Cave Creek/Carefree area, she obtained her real estate license and routinely remodeled, staged and sold homes. “2009 came and it wasn’t a good time to be a real estate agent,” she says. “I needed to re-invent myself once again. I’m kind of the queen of doing that. Everyone except my dad thought I was crazy to open Red Truck Trading, but I did it anyway.” Taking that chance has led to great success. The iconic red truck that Robertson bought as a birthday present for Seitts continues to bring in customers new and old, and the future remains bright for this industrious hometown family business. Red Truck Trading Company and The Grotto Café 6501 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek redtrucktrading.com thegrottocafe.com

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Roasted Strawberry Cheese Danish This sweet breakfast is the perfect way to wake up your special someone this Valentine’s Day! Makes: 4–6 pastries

Ingredients: 2 sheets frozen puff pastry (thawed) 8-10 medium strawberries (sliced) 4 ounces cream cheese (room temperature) 1 egg yolk 1-2 tablespoon sugar (depending on your preference) ½ teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon lemon zest ½ cup seedless raspberry jam

Directions: Combine softened cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar, vanilla and lemon zest in small bowl. Beat with hand mixer until smooth. Set aside. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment and lay puff pastry on top. Cut into heart shape using a cookie cutter or freehand. Peel away the puff pastry, leaving the cutouts on the baking sheet. Reuse the pastry as desired. Spoon a small amount (about 1 tablespoon) of the cream cheese mixture on each heart, leaving a small border around the edge. Top each heart with sliced strawberries. Warm the raspberry jam until smooth and brush onto fruit. Brush the edges of the puff pastry with an egg wash or a tiny bit of cream and sprinkle with additional sugar. If your dough is quite soft, refrigerate for 20-30 minutes. Bake until puffed and golden, about 20 minutes.

Chef's Notes: Any combination of berries will work. Use your favorite or what you have on hand. I didn’t have a cookie cutter the size I wanted, so I cut out the hearts with a knife. You could do these in any shape you desire, but make sure it is big enough to accommodate the cheese filling and fruit. Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

kyndraclaire.com

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You can use any flavor of jam that you wish. It works better if it is smooth.

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Herbed Cauliflower Mash This creamy side dish is a great and yummy alternative to regular mashed potatoes! Serves: 6

Ingredients: 1 large head cauliflower (trimmed and cut into florets) 3 tablespoons butter 1-2 cloves garlic (minced) Âź cup sour cream Âź cup grated parmesan 2 tablespoons fresh dill (chopped) 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped) Salt and pepper

Directions: Steam cauliflower until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and return to pot, covering with lid. Allow to sit for a few minutes or longer. When ready to proceed, add steamed cauliflower to food processor and pulse until smooth. Add butter to pot along with garlic and cook until garlic is fragrant. Add the pureed cauliflower to pot with butter/garlic mixture and stir in sour cream, parmesan, dill, parsley, and salt & pepper to taste. Stiruntil combined, adjust seasoning to taste and serve.

Chef's Notes: Use cream cheese, plain yogurt or heavy cream in place of the sour cream. Use any combination of fresh herbs that you have on hand. Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

kyndraclaire.com

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Feel free to use any cheese you like. Make it your own and tailored to what you are serving it with.

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