Images Arizona: Anthem October 2016 Issue by Images Arizona Magazine

RAY VILLAFANE

Pumpcasso

Tramonto Anthem Desert Hills New River

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October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

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October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

Contents

PUBLISHER Shelly Spence

EDITOR/CONTRIBUTING WRITER Jenn Korducki Krenn

ART DIRECTOR/PUBLISHER’S ASSISTANT Jennifer Satterlee

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ana Petrovic

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Grace Hill Tom Scanlon Monica Longenbaker Stephanie Maher Palenque Paula Theotocatos Peni Long Shannon Severson Katherine Braden Lara Piu Rebecca Zaner

PHOTOGRAPHERS Bryan Black Loralei Lazurek Keri Meyers Michele Celentano Monica Longenbaker Brandon Tigrett

ADVERTISING SALES Loren Sheck

Images Arizona P.O. Box 1416 Carefree, AZ 85377 623-341-8221 imagesaz.com Submission of news for Community News section should be in to shelly@imagesaz.com by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Images Arizona is published by ImagesAZ Inc. Copyright © 2016 by ImagesAZ, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or part, without permission is prohibited.

Pumpcasso Ray Villafane pictured Writer Tom Scanlon Photo by Loralei Lazurek

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

P. 50

Local First A R I Z O NA 4

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FREE ADMISSION

~ TOWN OF CAREFREE's ~

Featuring World Renowned Artist Ray Villafane

October 17 - 31, 2016

Scarecrows new in 2016!

Picasso Pumpkin Arts and Crafts

Meet the artists up-close and personal 15-day pumpkin festival event even makes our pumpkins tired!

Amazed that it’s a pumpkin!

Ray demonstrates anyone can carve! PUMPKIN PATCH

~ JELLY BELLY BEANBOOZLED® CHALLENGE ~ PUMPKIN PIE EATING COMPETITION HAY RIDES ~ CRAFT BEER GARDEN ~ AUTUMNAL TREATS

Fun for everyone!

CarefreePumpkinGarden.com

Sponsors: October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

Welcome

If you’ve visited the Carefree Desert Gardens over the summer, chances are you’ve caught a glimpse of Chessie Trunkston engaged in a lively game of chess with Hershel Higginbottom. Names don’t ring a bell? You may know them better as those elephant and mouse sculptures made from tons upon tons of sand — impressive not only for their size, but also for their intricate attention to detail. You can examine every wrinkle on Chessie’s thick grey skin, and experience Hershel’s pride emanating from his upwardly curved mouth as he holds the winning game piece.

Cityscapes: Downtown Phoenix P. 28

The artist behind these extraordinary additions to the gardens is none other than Ray Villafane. If his name doesn’t sound familiar, you may know him better as “Pumpkin King.” And I think I speak for everyone in the community who is familiar with Ray’s work when I say how delighted I am he is bringing back Carefree’s Enchanted Pumpkin Garden this month, held October 17-31. As you’ll see in our interview with Ray in this issue (“Pumpcasso”), the artist world-renowned for his masterfully intricate pumpkin carvings has a few new tricks up his sleeve, as he plans to turn Carefree into “Scarefree.” Kids and adults of all ages can’t help but fall in love with the cleverness and creativity of Ray’s handiwork — I’m already planning my family’s return trip! Get ready to have some serious pumpkin-carving envy. The fall holiday season is officially here.

Wild West Days P. 36

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

Empty Bowls

Autumn Harvest Salad

P. 62

P. 66

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Meet the

Gieberfamily

Natasha, Amanda and Connor

Writer Grace Hill Photographer Loralei Lazurek

arenting is not always easy. Of course, there are days filled with giggles, snuggles and lots of happiness. But in all honesty, there are other days that make a parent want to scream. There are refusals to eat anything remotely healthy, meltdowns at the store with the whole world watching, and reports from the school that your oh-so-sweet child wasn’t so sweet. Those days test a parent’s patience. Those days are hard. Anthem teacher Natasha Gieber wants parents to remember something. Something they often don’t tell themselves during those difficult days: it’s OK to not have it all together. “As long as you take care of yourself and surround yourself with a strong community, your kids are going to be OK,” she says. “We just need to lay down that fear that we are going to totally mess them up, because every other parent is feeling the exact same thing. Stop judging each other. Stop judging yourself. And when you mess up, own it.” If anyone can speak those words of encouragement and direction, it’s Natasha. She has discovered during her 21 years of teaching that children can be more than OK in the end. They can be resilient,

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exceed all expectations and flourish into amazing individuals. Even the kids who can be most problematic to their parents have hope. For the past few years, Natasha has worked with some of the most challenging students: the highly gifted children. The children who should have life easy because they were blessed with an intelligence most could only dream of having. However, life is not always easy for them. “They are so highly intelligent that they often will have other issues, like social, emotional and basic executive function abilities that many of us take for granted,” explains the highly gifted first and second grade teacher at Canyon Springs STEM Academy. “They are the top 2 percent of your gifted kids, but with that it is important to remember these kids have things to overcome, too, and they want to be accepted and valued like any other child.” Because some have emotional and behavioral issues, they don’t always get recognized as being highly gifted, which means they can’t get the support they need to truly thrive. Support she can provide within her classroom. “Profoundly gifted learners have a huge appetite for knowing and discovering,” Natasha says. “They can get easily frustrated, need extra time to process and can act out when they are trying to work through a social, emotional or academic problem, which is why special classroom environments have to be provided for them. They also require accelerated, rigorous and advanced curriculum, which is a challenge. Thankfully, at a STEM school like Canyon Springs where the focus is on finding innovative ways to solve real-world problems, my job is made much easier, because it is already a part of our school-wide climate.” Natasha understands the importance of making sure these students get what they need in the classroom and in life.

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“They are such fun kids to work with,” says Natasha. “They’re the kids who may slip through the cracks. I know adults who were once these kids and who slipped through the cracks, and I see the struggles they have gone through, so my heart is really with those kids.” That attitude was most apparent during one school year when a new student arrived with many struggles. The child was failing to thrive at other schools and was becoming one of those students who could slip through the cracks because nobody knew what to do. Natasha saw that and fought for the child to get the support that a profoundly intelligent brain needed — and it paid off. By the end of the year, the child was excelling as a student and as an individual. Consequently, Natasha was dubbed by her principal as the “child whisperer.” That difficult year and hard work also paid off for Natasha. She was named the 2015 Deer Valley Unified School District Teacher of the Year, a recognition she received because she has given struggling students and all of her students an opportunity to succeed. But helping kids be successful is not just a part of her day job — it is also a part of her family life. As a single mom to two children, Amanda, 20, and Connor, 12, Natasha doesn’t always have as much energy as she’d like for her own children after a long day of teaching, but she always makes sure she is present in their lives. She is fully aware of the difficulties for children raised in a singleparent home. The key to dealing with those difficulties, according to Natasha, is teaching children how to let go of the pain of a divorce little by little. Oftentimes, children are rushed to heal, but true healing cannot be rushed. Parents also need to let them

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know that it is OK to feel whatever they are feeling. Because whatever issues they can’t talk about and process now, they will carry into adulthood. “For me, I am so focused on training my kids up to be a good man and woman,” says Natasha. “I feel like in today’s world, we think we are raising babies, and we’re not. We’re raising men and women.” And while training up children can be a 24/7 kind of job, it’s important for parents to find time to take care of themselves, especially after a divorce.

For Natasha, healing is possible because of her faith in God, a strong support system of friends and family, hiking trips to Sedona and early morning CrossFit workouts or runs. Another crucial element in her healing is being involved in groups specifically meant for single parents. “It’s good for people to know they are not alone,” Natasha says. “There are so many divorced families in our community, I know. I am so glad for the opportunity to be real and to say this is who we are. This is where we are at in life and yes, I am a single parent, but I’m not broken. We might not be the nuclear normal family, but in this day and age, what’s normal?” October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

Writer Tom Scanlon

Sports

FOUR!

QUARTET OF GOLFERS LEAD BC

f you spend time at golf courses, you hear the term “long game” used quite a bit. It is definitely in the air at Boulder Creek High School, where the ace golfer is riding a growth spurt to put distance on his drives. Simultaneously, the BC coach is developing a long game to strengthen the foundation of the Anthem youth program. Though just a sophomore, Mason Domecq is the rising star of the BC boys’ golf team. But he doesn’t have to worry about trying to carry the team; he regularly has three or four teammates nipping at his heels, helping the team score while battling him for the No. 1 spot. Senior Sean Poling, junior Cooper Frenak and sophomore Aidan Volmer are all golfing strong as the fall season heats up (in inverse proportion to the weather). “The top four have a nice rivalry,” says coach Chris Endres. “It’s a friendly competition to see who’s going to be top out of the four.” Endres is in his second season coaching the boys’ golfers. You may know him as the PGA teaching professional at Anthem Golf and Country Club, where he has been teaching golfers how to maximize their power and refine their technique for 15 years. Before coming to Anthem, he had quite a career as a golfer, winning the 1989 Colorado and Kansas Opens, the 1987 and 1995 Southwest Section PGA (SWSPGA) Assistants Championship and the 1995 and 1998 SWSPGA Match Play Championship. Endres also competed in the 1991 U.S. Open, 2001 Phoenix Open and the 2011 U.S. Senior Open, as well as qualified for the PGA of America’s Professional National Championship eight times.

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Aidan Volmer

Cooper Frenak

The most dangerous two words in the English language may be “some” and “day,” when used in combination. That being said, someday Domecq just might follow in his coach’s footsteps as a professional golfer. “He’s just solid,” Endres says of Domecq. “A really good, solid player. For a kid who’s just a sophomore, he’s got a very solid swing.” Domecq’s long ball has really come around in the last year, thanks to a growth spurt. “For a time, he didn’t hit the ball as far as some of the other kids,” says Endres. “Now, he’s pretty much caught up. He’s more than caught up now.” Sounding like a team player who talks “we” rather than “me,” Domecq was enthusiastic on the front nine of the year: “Golf season has started off great. We placed third at our first 36-hole tournament out of 11 schools and tied for first at our first ninehole tournament against three other teams.” At the Aguila Invitational last month, the team finished third, led by Domecq’s two-day total of 153. Poling and Frenak were right

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Mason Domecq

Sean Poling

behind him, at 156. Endres was particularly proud of a strong finish, with BC coming in with a team low score on day two. Domecq stresses the team goals of qualifying for the state tournament and improving on last season’s 11th-place finish. Endres says the goal is always for the team to qualify for state. “What has changed over the years is the degree of difficulty,” he says. “It’s pretty challenging.” Domecq (the “q” is silent) had a big summer, winning a Dobson Ranch tournament that qualified him for the IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships in La Jolla, California. He plans to keep rolling in his school season. “My goals individually are to improve my nine-hole scoring average from last year and ultimately to win state, which will be challenging considering the competition in our league,” he says. Endres sees a path to a scholarship offer for his steady lead golfer. “There’s not a question if he stays on the track he’s on now and continues to improve the ways he’s improved over the last several years,” he says. “I don’t want to put too much pressure

on him, but I look for him to contend for a state title. And I don’t have any question he’ll go somewhere to play golf, for sure.” For Endres, just as important — if not more — as developing individual golfers at the high school level is developing the youth golf program around Anthem. That’s the real “long game” in Anthem golf. “Last spring, Diamond Canyon, Gavilan Peak and Anthem School added golf teams,” says Endres, who cited GP principal Chad Segersten as a key figure. Though the young golfers may end up going to other high schools, Endres says, “Wherever they go [to high school], they’ll be ready to play — or at least be more prepared, as ready as they can be to make the team. As freshmen, kids are coming in and competing against upperclassmen. That’s tough.” The coach was only able to keep 11 golfers on the varsity team, so there were several cuts. “If I have to cut a kid in his freshmen year, I’m afraid he’s going to quit golf completely,” Endres says. “So I reached out to some parents of the kids who didn’t make the team and said, ‘Let’s get them ready now for next season.’ I’m going to take an active role in their skill development.” As for the 11 who are golfing for BC, they sound like a coach’s dream: no problems, no drama, just dedicated to improving. “We’ve got good kids on the team,” Endres says. “I think that golf lends itself to kids who are pretty good, solid citizens; good students, very respectful kids. As far as coaching goes, it’s really easy for me. I just have to steer them in the right direction.” October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

COMMUNITY arts // announcements // culture Writer Grace Hill

Get Out!

OCT. 1-31

PINK DRINK AT SALTY SOW Salty Sow, an American gastropub serving contemporary farmhouse fare, will be offering a “pink drink” during the month of October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This specialty drink is their house blanche margarita, made with gold tequila, triple sec, margarita mix and blood orange puree, and will have a special price of $5. Salty Sow, 4801 E. Cactus Rd., 602795-9463, saltysow.com.

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OCT. 8-9

ARIZONA ULTIMATE WOMEN’S EXPO Located at the Phoenix Convention Center, the Arizona Ultimate Women’s Expo hopes to inspire and motivate women with this year’s celebrity speakers, Erin Brockovich and Christina Milian. In addition, there will be areas designated for beautifying women, do-it-herself workshops, cocktail instruction and recipes, the latest fashion trends, shopping boutiques and much more! Advance tickets are $5 when purchased online. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phoenix Convention Center South Building, 33 S. Third St., 866-618-3434, azwomensexpo.com.

OCT. 22

ANNUAL UNDY RUN/WALK Pull out those silly boxers, briefs or costumes and put them on for Colon Cancer Alliance’s annual Undy Run/Walk! Held in the state capitol district in Phoenix, this lighthearted event raises money for the Arizona Department of Health Services’ FIT at Fifty Health Check program. Advance registration is $35 for adults and $30 for kids. Race day registration is $40 for adults and $35 for kids. Run/walk begins at 9 a.m., undyrunwalk.org.

OCT. 23

BGCMP’S DISH IT OUT EVENT The Boys and Girls Club of Metro Phoenix is hosting its annual Dish It Out event to help end childhood hunger. This 21 and older event will include delicious food from top-rated restaurants like Ocean Prime, The Gladly and the Wild Thaiger.

Taste

OCT. 21

WINE EDUCATION AND TASTING

Live music and a culinary competition by local chefs desiring to be the Dish It Out champion will also be included in the night’s activities. Event tickets start at $75 per person and VIP tickets are $500. 5-8 p.m., dishitoutaz.org.

OCT. 29

CAVE CREEK WICKED Arizona’s only all-day, all-night

The mysteries of wine

Halloween event is back! The

enjoyment and appreciation

family-friendly part of the event

can be yours by attending

is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and

Holland Community Center’s

will include community-wide trick-

Enjoying Wine class. Sam

or-treating, a petting zoo, games

Pillsbury, owner of Pillsbury

for kids, a bounce house, face

Wine Company located

painting, live music and more.

in Cottonwood, will teach

The nighttime portion of the

participants where wine comes

event, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., will

from, why and how to handle

be a costume contest pub crawl.

it, and how to drink and enjoy

Participants in the pub crawl

it. $29.99. 3 p.m. Holland

will be transported by creepy

Community Center, 34250 N.

custom-designed and fabricated

60th St., Bldg. B, 480-488-1090,

tractors and trailers. 602-400-

azfcf.org.

3330, cavecreekwicked.com. Photo by Michele Celentano October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

Culture

OCT. 6

SIPS AND SOUNDS 2016 The SHOPS at Gainey Village are excited to bring back the Sips and Sounds concert series. This event will feature live music from the band Marmalade Skies, which will perform songs from the Beatles. Guests are encouraged to relax under the evening sky while enjoying food and drinks from the many restaurants located in the shopping center. Free. 6-8 p.m. The SHOPS at Gainey Village, 8777-8989 N. Scottsdale Rd., theshopsgaineyvillage.com.

OCT. 21 OCT. 1-27

ART IN PARTNERSHIP II EXHIBIT Come and see the amazing artwork at this year’s Art in pARTnership II event. This juried fine art exhibit and sale will be located at the Holland Gallery of Fine Art in North Scottsdale. Make sure to attend the artist reception and award presentation, which will be held on October 8 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Holland Gallery, 34250 N. 60th St., Bldg. B, 480-488-1090, azartalliance.com. Artwork Credit Clockwise: Diane Fiorucci, Tom Thomas, Jaxine Cummins, Phyllis Holle and Diane Brand.

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16TH ANNUAL FOOTHILLS EMPTY BOWLS PROJECT LUNCH In an effort to fight hunger and to support the Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center, participants can purchase one of the 2,000 beautifully handcrafted ceramic and glass bowls made for this event. Sponsored by the Sonoran Arts League and Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, the Empty Bowls Project Lunch will also include a silent auction and pasta lunch. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $15 requested donation will go toward artisan bowl and lunch. Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, 6895 E. Cave Creek Rd., 480-488-1145, sonoranartsleague.org.

OCT. 21-22

ETANIA GEMS AND JEWELRY TRUNK SHOW The first show in Etania’s monthly trunk show will feature Stagecoach Bags and Collectibles, which was founded by three Arizonan sisters from Sonoita. Each bag that is sold is an original, handcrafted, oneof-a-kind bag that is produced using a gently worn pair of cowboy boots. Etania Gems and Jewelry, 6140 E. Cave Creek Rd., Ste. 5, 602-429-0505,

INJURY SCREENING

etaniagems.com.

OCT. 22

NVSO’S THREE BS: BACH, BEETHOVEN AND BRAHMS North Valley Symphony Orchestra’s first concert of the season, “Three Bs: Bach, Beethoven and Brahms,” features Phoenix violists Craig and Jessica Triplett. $5 per ticket, $15 for a full season pass. North Canyon High School Auditorium, 1700 E. Union Hills Dr., 623-980-4628, northvalleysymphony.org.

OCT. 22-23

SEDONA RED ROCK ARTISTS OPEN STUDIO TOUR Twenty-seven professional artists in Sedona and Cornville will open their private studios to the public to showcase their artwork during the Sedona Red Rock Artists Open Studio Tour. This free, self-guided event will give visitors the opportunity to admire and purchase ceramics, paintings, jewelry, photography, digital art, mixed-media pieces and much more. Free. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., redrockartists.com.

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OCT. 1-9

MTA PRESENTS 13 THE MUSICAL Evan Goldman, a middle school student from New York, is trying to find his place at his new school in Indiana following his parents’ divorce. Will he fit in or will he end up an outcast? Come see “13 the Musical” presented by the Musical Theatre of Anthem and find out Evan’s fate. Adult tickets, $19; students, seniors and children 12 and younger, $16. See website for show times. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42323 N. Vision Way, 602-743-9892, musicaltheatreofanthem.org.

OCT. 7, 8, 9, 15, 16 THE MUSICAL ADVENTURES OF FLAT STANLEY, JR. Desert Foothills Theater presents “The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, Jr.,” based on the book “Flat Stanley” by Jeff Brown. On October 9, tea, finger sandwiches and dessert will be provided by the English Rose Tea Room during a special Hawaiian Happiness Tea Party with Flat Stanley. See website for prices and show times. Desert Foothills Theater at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center Black Box Theater,

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

33606 N. 60th St., 480-488-1981, dftheater.org.

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Lennon Hammond

OCT. 22, 23

CASTING CALL FOR MTA’S ELF THE MUSICAL JR. Auditions are now scheduled for Musical Theatre of Anthem’s “Elf the Musical, Jr.,” based on the fun holiday movie about Buddy the Elf. There will be no-cut auditions for youth ages 6-18. Those auditioning should prepare a musical theater song, 16-32 bars or one minute in length. Vocal auditions will be October 22 at 11 a.m. and the dance call will be October 23 at 9 a.m. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42323 N. Vision Way, 623-336-6001, musicaltheatreofanthem.org.

A WILD HAIR SALON REOPENS AFTER REMODELING A Wild Hair Salon has been proudly serving the Anthem area for nine years. In September, the salon closed for a short time to give the business a gorgeous remodel. It has now reopened and is better than ever. The salon not only creates beautiful cuts and color for hair, but also provides many services for skin and nails. For more information, visit awildhairaz.com.

PROMUSICA ARIZONA NAMES ASSISTANT ORCHESTRA CONDUCTOR

MTA WINS 14 NATIONAL YOUTH ARTS AWARDS

Arash Ertefai has been named the

announces their award recognitions

assistant orchestra conductor for

from the 11th annual National

ProMusica Arizona Chorale and

Youth Arts Awards. Competing with

Orchestra. The announcement comes

more than 400 other productions

after a regional search for the right

from more than 70 cities spanning

candidate. Ertefai has a long list

13 states, MTA took home

of qualifications, including earning

14 awards (with 52 additional

both a Master of Music in violin

nominations). Some of their wins

performance and Master of Music in

include Outstanding Production for

orchestral conducting from Northern

“Junie B. Jones” and Outstanding

Arizona University, and serving as

Ensemble for “Annie, Jr.” Also

assistant conductor of the NAU

receiving awards were MTA actors,

orchestras and the NAU Academy

Lily Castle, who received the Artist

orchestra. Congratulations, Arash, on

of the Year award, and Brody Wurr,

your many achievements!

who received Junior Artist of the

Musical Theatre of Anthem excitedly

Year. Congratulations to all the

ANTHEM YOUTH ACTOR CAST IN NATIONAL TOUR

talented members of MTA who were nominated and won!

Congratulations to Lennon Hammond for being selected to play John in the first national tour of “Fun Home,” the Tony Award-winning Best Musical based on Alison Bechdel’s bestselling graphic novel. The musical delighted fans during the 2015 Broadway season. Lennon’s parents, Jackie and Jeff, are excited their son will be participating in such a wonderful event.

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F I A L N G L for Autumnfest

Writer Rebecca Zaner

The leaves may not change color in Phoenix, but that doesn’t mean autumn has forgotten us. The Valley celebrates the beginning of a new season — not necessarily with cooler temperatures, but always with fun activities the whole family can enjoy. Each year, Anthem rings in the start of fall with Autumnfest. The event features arts and crafts, shopping, carnival rides and many other fall-themed festivities, all located at Anthem Community Park. “The special events staff works all year to gear up for the events, and we all look forward to them just like the

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Explore

Anthem Autumnfest

Anthem Community Park October 22 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 23

attendees do,” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. says Kristi Northcutt, director of public affairs for the Anthem Community Council. “They are so much fun for everyone involved. Autumnfest really gets people thinking about the holidays and cooler weather, which is different than our other events in the year.” Autumnfest is a free event, open to the public. Its popularity has grown over the years, and the event now not only caters to the Anthem community, but also to many visitors from across the Valley who travel to Anthem just to attend.

Parking is also free; however, spots at the event location fill up early. Most late arrivals should plan on parking farther from the event and walking to the park. Guests can enjoy a variety of fall-favorite activities, including a pumpkin patch where guests are welcome to choose their own pumpkins. Some guests purchase them to take home and carve, while others stay at the festival and decorate them. Pumpkins cost $5 each. “Watching all the kids walk around with their pumpkins is the best part,” says Northcutt. “Sometimes, the pumpkins are bigger than they are!” Pets are welcome to attend the event, but are not allowed in the pumpkin patch. There are plenty of open spaces and grassy areas for pets to enjoy. Also popular at the festival is the family photo booth. Families (and their pets) are invited to pose on haystacks and take pictures with pumpkins and scarecrows. This is a free activity, and all photos are uploaded to the Anthem Community Council’s Facebook page for guests to access later and download for free. They make wonderful holiday keepsakes. While partaking in the festivities, guests will listen to live music performed by area musicians. There is also a magician and balloon artist present at the festival each day to entertain the crowds. Children will love the kids’ zone, complete with bouncy inflatables, train rides and hayrides through the park. Inflatables and train rides are an additional cost, but the hayrides are free. Each year, the Council partners with the Daisy Mountain Fire Department and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office at the event. Smokey Bear will visit the festival to promote fire safety as part of Firewise Days. Kids can tour a fire truck and patrol vehicles, and visit the CERT trailer as part of this partnership. “Putting law enforcement out there in a positive and educational manner gives our community a nice reason to get to know them in person,” says Northcutt. “The kids especially love it. We aim to incorporate these partners at all of our events.” While children enjoy the many activities geared toward their age, adults can enjoy the shopping and viewing pleasures provided by the many vendors at the event. Autumnfest is arts-and-crafts-focused; therefore, the vendors include unique and creative displays for sale featuring jewelry, handOctober 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

carved wooden decor and furniture, children’s items, clothing, pet care and accessories, holiday-themed decor, photography, paintings, quilts, food items (olive oils, vinegars, home-baked goods, seasonings, sauces, etc.), body lotions, soaps, candles and much more. About half of the vendors are new this year, which ensures that there are always new products to enjoy. “There are, of course, favorites on-site, but there are also many new activities and vendors,” Northcutt says. “Those who come every year love the familiarity of the pumpkin patch, festival food and live music, staples that are engrained in the event.” One of the most popular events at Autumnfest is the carnival. Featuring many fairground-favorite rides such as a Ferris wheel, swings, carousel, fun house and thrill rides like Vertigo, there is something for every age and level of excitement. Prices and times of the carnival will be posted online. “We love being in the park and with the people,” says Northcutt of the entire Council staff and volunteers who help with the event. “It reminds us how special the community really is. It gets people excited to come here, and reminds people why they love to live here.” While the Council’s signature events (Anthem Days, Music in May, Independence Day and Autumnfest) were created for Anthem residents when the development was younger, they have grown so that people now come from across the Valley to enjoy them. “In fact,” Northcutt says, “some people move to this community simply because they fell in love with it while they were visiting our event. It is not hard to be drawn in.” The staff is amazed at how many people are now attending. Anthem’s Autumnfest has seen a large spike in popularity over the years. The event sees thousands of people each year and covers all 63 acres of the Anthem Community Park. “To come well-prepared, I would say to have cash on hand in case there are some vendors or activities that simply can’t be bypassed,” Northcutt shares of tips from past festivals. “But we will have an ATM on-site if needed. Bring sunscreen and water. The weather can be unpredictable, but we will be open rain or shine. I also recommend bringing lawn chairs or blankets. Parking can be a challenge, so once you’re in, sit and stay for awhile. Often, folks who do get a spot do not want to leave, so they’ll arrive early and make a whole day of it.” The festival is open October 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and October 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The carnival will have extended hours, which will be posted online and on the Council’s social media sites. onlineatanthem.com/autumnfest

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BE SEEN,

BE HEARD Writer Tom Scanlon

A go-getter named Nicole Sherwood, probably one of the most energized humans in the community of Anthem, has some advice for her high school peers: find something you’re passionate about. “I was lucky from a young age to identify something I was passionate about — cancer research,” she says. Please allow this idea to take root, for a moment. Nicole, who just turned 16, is talking about having already done cancer research. “I was 5 years old when my great aunt passed away from pancreatic cancer,” Nicole says, explaining what got her interested in the topic. “With pancreatic cancer, usually by the time you notice the symptoms, it’s stage 3 or 4, often times too late to stop it. So I’ve been focusing on trying to slow down the spread of the cancer.” Wendy Sherwood, Nicole’s mother, can only shrug knowingly at the advanced projects of this wunderkind with a zest for learning.

one of 51 Governor’s Youth Commission (GYC) members. The goal of the GYC: “We learn how to inspire, equip and mobilize other youth to take the lead in our communities as we help solve the greatest challenges facing teens in Arizona.” The GYC targets five areas: substance abuse, bullying, teen dating violence, distracted driving and civics education. Nicole says the GYC is all about forming teams: “We become part of the solution by partnering with teachers, parents, schools, community organizations and local businesses.” Nicole is a member of the teen dating violence committee. “Among other things, I’ll be attending different events, raising awareness of the issue,” she says.

“She does things on her own,” Wendy says. “Like at the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair last year, she came in second place in the senior division with something she was motivated to do since she was 5. She’s one of those kids who’s always been interested in different things.”

Isn’t it a bit surreal for the mother of a 16-year-old to know her daughter will be talking to her peers about dating violence?

One of the fascinating things about Nicole is how diverse she is. Far from a science geek, Nicole is also active in a batch of social activities in and outside Anthem Preparatory Academy, where she is a junior. In the spring, Nicole and her mother took part in Global Youth Service Day, helping to organize an Anthem walk that raised more than $10,000 to build a water well in Uganda.

“I don’t think it’s weird,” Wendy answers. “I think it’s brave and perfect timing for her to be involved in a group that’s involved in dating violence. It’s been one of those taboo topics. I think it’s really important for teens to be knowledgeable and have awareness to take action.”

Nicole’s latest endeavor was applying for and being accepted as

The timing is right, as October is Domestic Violence Awareness

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Month. It is also National Bullying Prevention Month. The GYC’s antibullying slogan is “Don’t be a bystander!” The group cites statistics that 60 percent of the time, bullying stops in less than 10 seconds when an outsider intervenes. According to the commission’s website, GYC members from Arizona’s 15 counties will unite youth across the state with a Twitter campaign beginning October 14, using hashtags #bullyfreeAZ and #stepupAZ (the GYC Twitter account is @ azgyc). Also this month, the GYC will be raising awareness about substance abuse. The GYC website cites disturbing stats that 90 percent of Americans with a substance abuse problem start smoking, drinking or using drugs before age 18. To counter that, the GYC is encouraging teens to participate in a social media campaign with messages promoting a drug-free Arizona that can be posted on a Be Seen Be Heard Facebook page. (Sample messages: “If I think, I don’t drink. If I drink, I don’t think!” and “The more you use, the more you lose.”) Nicole did not have to search far to find a shining role model. One of her best friends is the sister of Aidan McGirr, a recent Anthem Prep graduate and Flinn Scholarship recipient who was profiled in Images Arizona earlier this year. Now that she is blossoming as an upperclassman, Nicole wants to be more of a leader — in her own way — through groups like the GYC. “I think I’m going in open-minded, just looking to make a positive difference and be a positive model in the community,” she says. “I hope others can look at me like I’ve looked at Aidan and some other people.” At Nicole’s age, Wendy was on the student council, swimming team and doing dance. Even so, she says she wasn’t nearly as outgoing as her daughter. Not many are. Nicole has been an entrant in the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair

for the last three years. In 2014, she was awarded a junior division first place award for cellular and molecular biology. This year, she received a second place award in the senior division. She also has received a Naval Science Award and was a semifinalist for the Broadcomm MASTERS national science fair. Nicole does much of her pancreatic cancer drug research as an intern and volunteer researcher at Midwestern University College of Pharmacy in Glendale. She is also a member of the Anthem Prep student council and co-leader of Believe in Anthem AZ. Will it be tough for uber-joiner Nicole to pick and choose other activities? “We were just having that conversation!” Wendy says, with a laugh. “It’s always a challenge, because there are so many great opportunities. We always have to sit down and take a look at it, make hard decisions about what to do.” For all of her awards and honors, Nicole comes across as modest, soft-spoken and gracious. “I am incredibly lucky to have Dr. Mark Olsen from Midwestern University as a mentor — he’s also an Anthem resident,” Nicole says. “He took a chance on me and has been a patient and supportive teacher, and I would not be where I am without him. My friends and family members have given me so much support over the years, as well as the whole community. It’s really incredible to see the generosity from the community while supporting service projects and causes like Anthem Pets, Anthem Giving Circle, Daisy Mountain Veterans or Believe. “And it would be crazy of me not to mention my mom. She has been such an amazing support system for me over the last 16 years, and all of this is because I want to be as amazing as she is.” beseenbeheard.az.gov

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Everything’s Waiting for You:

DOWNTOWN PHOENIX Writer Grace Hill Photographers Brandon Gray, Brandon Tigrett

Cityscapes Photo Essay

If there is a time in Phoenix that is much anticipated, it is the beginning of fall. No longer do our bodies protest against the never-ending summer heat. No longer is our comfort found in air-condition-filled homes. And no longer are flip-flops and tank tops a wardrobe necessity. While our fall might not hold a candle to other areas of the country when it comes to a crispness in the air or beautiful colors found in autumn leaves, Phoenix’s change of seasons is still something to be envied. It’s the beginning of nine months (give or take) of amazing weather.

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Brandon Gray Hometown: Norwich, New York Current: Phoenix

Professional experience: “First and foremost, I sell fine art aluminum prints of my work for home and office decor. I've also been commissioned by the CEO of a local company to take and create images of the Luhrs Tower in downtown Phoenix, where his company's headquarters are located. I've also licensed images to local businesses for use in their ad campaigns and websites.”

It’s a season that isn’t meant to be spent at home — instead, make every minute of this wonderful time of year count. Get in the car, hop on the light rail or take a bus and explore the city. Especially a part of the city that is bursting with life: downtown Phoenix. One-of-a-kind restaurants, like the retrochic spot The Duce and 1940s-inspired Welcome Diner, make the downtown experience a travel back in time. At the same time, classy hangouts like The Arrogant Butcher and The Kettle Black Kitchen & Pub bring the present right back into style. Of course, a downtown trip wouldn’t be complete without an adult drink from Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour or Mother Bunch Brewing.

Best photography advice I was given: “The best advice I've received is quite simple, yet powerful in nature. This person told me to photograph what intrinsically appeals to me. The best creative results usually come when photographing something I care about. Also, on a more technical note, never overexpose. This seems like common sense, but it's a good piece of advice to always be aware of. Photography is about chasing light and capturing moments. It's always painful if a special moment escapes me because I've failed on the technical side.” Favorite part of living in Arizona: “Oh, gosh, there are lots of favorite parts about living here in Arizona. If I had to boil it down to just one thing, I guess it would be Arizona's special brand of diversity. I grew up in a small town of 8,000 people, so living in Phoenix provides me with experiences I've never had before. I really enjoy living amongst the large buildings and the feeling of movement in the city.” brandongrayphotography.com

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If dinner and drinks are too normal of an experience, there are plenty of ways to make the trip downtown a little more special. Live music in the intimate Crescent Ballroom should do the trick. If not, then schedule a movie (from new to classic to independent) at the FilmBar. Other not-so-average events include a tour of the Rosson House, an 1895 Queen Anne Victorian home, or watching a puppet show at the Great Arizona Puppet Theater. Perhaps some alone time is truly what’s needed. In that case, the downtown area’s numerous coffee shops are a perfect place to do some reflection, reading, writing or anything else that suits your needs. Cartel Coffee Lab, Jacquee’s Espresso, One Coffee Company, Royal Coffee Bar and Songbird Coffee & Tea House are just a few of the coffee shops located in downtown Phoenix. Or have some quiet time perusing the used books at Lawn Gnome Publishing or the unique Phoenix fashions found at the Bunky Boutique.

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The great thing about downtown Phoenix is that spontaneous trips are welcome — there’s no need to visit with any set plans. Just take a walk along one of the many streets of downtown and something of interest is guaranteed to catch your eye. Make this your year to explore our state’s largest city, and enjoy every minute of it.

Share your favorite downtown spots with our Images Arizona Facebook or Instagram pages using the hashtag, #iamAZproud. facebook.com/imagesaz instagram.com/imagesaz

Professional experience: Full-time photographer for three years.

Brandon Tigrett Hometown: born in Canton, Ohio; lived majority of life in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Current: Scottsdale

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Best photography advice I was given: “Go to business school. Basically, I don’t want to be a starving artist. You could be the best photographer in the world, but if you don’t know how to market yourself, run a business or how to get

clients, you will never make a career out of it. I have never done anything besides photography as a way of making a living, and I never plan on doing anything but be a photographer. So if you plan to have a career as a photographer, pay someone to teach you how to run a business, because the photography stuff will come with practice.”

Favorite part of living in Arizona: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The diversity of terrain across the state and the number of outdoor activities that can be done year-round. Being only five hours from San Diego doesn't hurt, either.â&#x20AC;? brandontigrett.com

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WEST

DAYS W

Where can you see cowboys in bathtubs flying down a street? Pig races and kids riding sheep? A festive parade in a town transported back to the late 1800s? Mark your calendar for the 13th annual Cave Creek Wild West Days event set for November 2-6 to experience all of the rousing fun. The popular event kicks off with a bull-riding event on November 2 at The Buffalo Chip Saloon, and also celebrates the newly re-opened restaurant and bar after a fire burned it down last year on Thanksgiving. On November 3, Harold’s Cave Creek Corral will host a fun bachelor/bachelorette auction. Proceeds benefit Cave Creek Merchants and Events Association (CCMEA) and are split evenly between Desert Foothills Land Trust, Cave Creek Rodeo

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Experience

WIL D

Writer Sue Kern-Fleischer Photographer Mike Pintar

and the town’s Fourth of July fireworks celebration. The bidding starts at 7 p.m. with live music at 9 p.m. Registration will be online at haroldscorral.com for the bachelor and bachelorette participants, along with information regarding bidding. Friday night, November 4 features a new event, the lively Battle of the Bars bull-riding competition at The Buffalo Chip Saloon and a Ms. Wild West Days contest. The friendly bullriding competition challenges local restaurants, bars and other merchants to put together a team comprised of up to five professional bull riders. “Other towns like Cottonwood and Wickenburg have had Battle of the Bars events, but we’re putting an edgy Cave Creek twist to it,” says Kristin Lewis, CCMEA vice president. “Local bars that will have teams include The Buffalo Chip, Harold’s Corral, Hideaway/Roadhouse, Frontier Town/Smokehouse, Peaks and

Valleys and possible others.” Lewis credits bull rider resident Evan McKee for bringing the idea to her and CCMEA secretary Denise Good.

Feel and Repeat A Perfect Golf Swing

“We wanted to bring a new, exciting event to Wild West Days, one that would foster friendly competition among merchants and be a big draw to the public,” she says. McKee, who renovates pools during the day, has competed in the Fiesta Days Rodeo and rides regularly at The Buffalo Chip. But he won’t know what team he’ll be on until about two weeks before the event, when the 15 to 18 riders do a draw to determine which bulls they’ll be riding. The jackpot and a prized buckle are an incentive for him to compete, but the 23-yearold Cave Creek resident just loves the intensity of bull riding.

13th Annual Cave Creek Wild West Days November 2-6 Parade November 5 9-11 a.m. “It’s like driving a car 60 miles per hour down the highway and throwing the steering wheel out the window,” he says, adding that the riders have to stay on the bull for eight seconds or they don’t make a score. The scoring is based on who had better control — the rider or the bull.

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“If the bull comes out of the gate and turns around quickly, it’s a lot harder to maintain control because of all the bucking and kicking,” McKee says. “Every bull has a rhythm to them. If they change quickly, you have to adjust; otherwise, you risk getting thrown off.” Fortunately, for all of the times McKee has been thrown from a bull, he has never been seriously injured. He credits the bullfighters for

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distracting the bulls so he could escape to safety. “Their job is to take the shot, so you don’t,” he says. “They take big risks, too.” Another new activity this year is a separate motorcycle run that will take riders out of town early Saturday morning. The event’s lively parade starts at 9 a.m. on November 5 on the west side of town by Cave Creek Town Hall and travels east to Harold’s Corral, ending at 11 a.m. After the parade, merchants will host a number of mini-events and activities, including bathtub races, a half-pie eating contest and special performances from award-winning reenactment group, The Prescott Regulators and Their Shady Ladies, at Frontier Town. Pig races, cow pie bingo and a cornhole tournament will be held at Harold’s Corral, while mutton bustin’ (kids riding sheep) and a special performance from Jan Marrou, “A Tribute to the American Cowboy,” will be on tap at The Buffalo Chip. The party also continues into Saturday night with a spectacular fireworks display at 8 p.m., hosted by Frontier Town. On November 6, a Poker Trail Ride will start at Harold’s Corral with a continental breakfast and take horseback riders along a trail to collect five cards making up a poker hand. The ride will end at The Buffalo Chip, where prizes will be given. The winners of a gun raffle sponsored by Cave Creek Armory will also be announced. Admission to Cave Creek Wild West Days is free. The town will close one lane of Cave Creek Road for the parade on Saturday, and a shuttle will provide service from the east to west side of town. 480-437-1110 wildwestdayscavecreek.com

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THE GREAT

Writer Rebecca Zaner Photo above by Adam Rodriguez

The Desert Botanical Garden is open to the community year-round, providing opportunities for nature lovers to experience the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Throughout the year, many events are held to showcase different seasons and holidays.

to keep. Families may of course purchase pumpkins, as well. There will also be a hay-bale maze and a tent where visitors can decorate pumpkins. Carnival games are also available, as well as special visits by some barnyard animal friends.

The garden is preparing for another season of warm and cozy favorites. Welcoming fall is an enjoyable time of year for families across the nation. Here in Phoenix, it can be a different experience than that of colder parts of the country. But the Desert Botanical Garden aims to please the Valley with the same beloved fall traditions â&#x20AC;&#x201D; no matter what the weather brings.

Unique to the Desert Botanical Garden, guests can visit the community garden to learn how pumpkins and vegetables are grown. Folk, country and bluegrass music will accompany the event, and guests are encouraged to dance along. Family-friendly live music will be provided by DJ Dana, Run Boy Run and the Arizona Bluegrass Association.

The Great Pumpkin Festival takes place this year from October 21-23. The event is open to members (who receive free admission) and to the public with the purchase of admission. At the festival, guests will find a hayride that leads to the pumpkin patch, where children 12 or younger are invited to choose their own pumpkin

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Admission includes activities and the hayride. One pumpkin is free to children 12 or younger and available for purchase to all others. Food and beverages, pony rides and Harvest Market items are available for an additional charge. All festival tickets also include complimentary entrance to the garden during the day.

This year, guests may purchase lunch items from Valley food trucks, drinks and snacks through Fabulous Food Fine Catering and Events, and kettle corn through Kettle Heroes. “We have many new additions this year,” says Amber Hahn, special events manager. “Every year, we try to change our hands-on activities. While this year’s new activities have not been announced yet, we do have many new crafts and yard games, such as checkerboards and tic-tac-toe boards.” The festival is a fun outdoor event that families can enjoy. Because it is all outdoors, it is important for guests planning to attend to come prepared for the weather. “We suggest that all of our guests bring water, sunscreen, hats and comfortable shoes,” says Hahn. “Remember the basics of outdoor festivals. Also, pets are not allowed at this event, even though it is outdoors. Other than service animals, those wishing to bring their pets to the garden can do so on our special Dogs’ Day coming later this year.” Guests should also note that the event takes place in two different locations of the garden. The hayride serves as the connecting component between both locations. The events plaza houses the carnival games and concession vendors. Then hop on a hayride over to the hay-bale maze, pumpkin patch and the adjoining community garden. “The Great Pumpkin Festival has been a seasonal favorite for more than a decade,” Hahn shares. “We have definitely seen an increase in attendance over the years and our popularity expands as our garden grows. This event used to be held in one small area of our event lot, but October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

The Great Pumpkin Festival Desert Botanical Gardens October 21 8:30 a.m. - noon October 22-23 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

after the expansion of our events plaza, we’ve had more space to support more festivities, including the addition of food trucks and more games and activities. With the addition of our community garden, we were able to then include that in our Pumpkin Festival.” It is definitely a long process to create the magic of the Great Pumpkin Festival. Staff members begin preparation in late June. It takes about

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four to five months for the festival to come together. Alongside staff members, the garden is run by mostly volunteers. It is the large number of volunteers who assist with each large event that make them so memorable and special. Those wishing to become a volunteer for the Desert Botanical Garden can apply and go through special volunteer training to keep up a professional business. “I’ve been on staff with the garden for over five years, two in my current position as special events manager,” says Hahn. “This is my second year assisting with the Great Pumpkin Festival. One of my favorite things about this event is taking time to stand in the middle of the events plaza and have a 360-degree look. This is when I truly experience kids having fun and families dancing — I can really take it all in and see everyone happy and having fun.”

The Desert Botanical Garden features many fun events throughout the year. Keep your calendars open for all the fun coming up this year: Dia de los Muertos Celebration (October 29-30), Dogs’ Day in the Garden (November 5), Chiles and Chocolate Festival (November 11-13) and Las Noches de Las Luminarias (November 25-December 31). Music in the Garden will also be available on certain days throughout the remainder of the year, featuring professional musicians amidst the garden’s natural glory. The Great Pumpkin Festival is open one weekend only, so don’t miss it! On October 21, the event is open from 8:30 a.m. to noon. On October 22-23, the event is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Don’t let the heat of a Phoenix summer keep you from enjoying the start of a new season. We may cool off a bit later than most, but a good celebration is still in order to get into the fall spirit. 480-941-1225 dbg.org

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decking; outdoor kitchen; gas fireplace and fire pit; ramada; and extensive flagstone in the front and back. Other features that make this home special are the 311.3 square-foot golf cart garage; a room that can be used as a media or workout room, nursery or second office; a six-zone HVAC system with a dedicated thermostat for each bedroom; a 2016-installed security system; and a nine-month-old water heater.

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Good Food,

Good Times

Taste of Cave Creek

Writer Grace Hill

Celebrating its 25th year, the Taste of Cave Creek returns to Stagecoach Village, with even more guests expected to attend and experience its culinary delights. Marshal Adam Stein, who is heading up the event again this year, has no doubt attendees will enjoy the festivities. “Our plans are to have a safe and fun event for people to get together, enjoy some great food, drink and relax, while listening to some great music under the night sky,” he says. With more than 25 restaurants showcasing their delicious and diverse menus, food lovers will be in paradise. Some of the restaurants that are sure to make guests salivate include Brugo’s Award-Winning Gourmet Pizza, Bryan’s Black Mountain BBQ, Buffalo Chip Saloon & Steakhouse, Café Bink, Cartwright’s Sonoran Ranch House, Chef Sara’s Vegan Academy, Desirable Desserts, El Encanto Mexican Food, Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, Hibachibot Food Truck, Indigo Crow, It’s a Divine Bakery, J Chen Restaurant & Treatery, Le Sans Souci, Local Jonny’s, My Sweet Blessings Bakery, Silver Spur, The Grotto Café, The Horny Toad, Tonto Bar & Grill and Z’s Asian Fusion. Attendees will also be able to choose from a wide selection of drinks that will pair nicely with their food samplings, including more than 10 types of craft beers, enjoyable wines and tequila tastings. But that’s not all. Setting the mood for the evening are the live bands scheduled to perform from 6 to 10 p.m. each night. “We will have some amazing acoustical guitar music performed by a local artist who will have you singing along in our beer garden,” says Stein. “A local band called Behind the Badge, made up of local public safety

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Taste

Taste of Cave Creek Stagecoach Village 7100 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek October 19-20 from 5-10 p.m. Admission, $10 Free for children 12 and under Food tickets, $1 Food tastings, $2-5 each

professionals, will play in our center gazebo Wednesday night. Thursday night’s band will be a surprise, as we are not going to release their name yet.” The outdoor event is scheduled for October 1920. Make sure to take advantage of the parking that will be made available at Cave Creek and School House roads, including a free shuttle ride each night starting at 4:30 p.m. that will transport you to and from Stagecoach Village. It truly takes a village for the Taste of Cave Creek to happen, and Stein wants to give credit to all those involved. “The event is chaired by Robert Weddigen and myself, with Patty Pollnow and Teresa Riza providing a ton of logistical support,” he says. “The entire Town of Cave Creek team comes together and works hard to make this event a success. The support of the town manager, as well as the mayor and town council, ensures that this is our Cave Creek signature event. It would not be possible without the support of our amazing sponsors, including Nationwide Insurance, Toll Brothers and APS. Without all our sponsors, this event would not be possible.” Don’t miss out on the many flavors of Cave Creek! tasteofcavecreek.com

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Writer Lara Piu

FARMING WITH FLOURISH:

Blooming Ranch

This month marks the official grand opening of Blooming Ranch, a new local farm and market located on the county island by Happy Valley Road and Seventh Avenue. Owners Laura and Rob Ungvary started quietly with a soft launch in May, after relocating to the area late last year.

“Everything is naturally fed with soy-free, corn-free, non-GMO feed,” says Rob. “We don’t use herbicides or sprays, which actually is allowed within certified-organic guidelines. If we see something wrong we just yank it, so everything you’re eating is as pure as pure.”

“We were so excited to find this place,” says Rob. “It’s such a country feel, yet we’re five minutes from the Shops at Norterra.”

Laura, who is pregnant as this is written, recently left her job at an organic farm to manage the new ranch, as well as their children. They have a 3-year-old daughter named Marin, and a newborn son due in September.

The ranch offers seasonal items such as watermelon, cantaloupe, okra, peaches and turkeys, as well as year-round honey and eggs, including green, blue and dark chocolate-brown eggs from their rare chickens. An isbar is among the unique chickens on their ranch, the only single-comb, green-egg-laying chicken breed in the world. There isn’t a nutritional bonus to its rare eggs; the farmers simply appreciate rare breeds. However, Rob says farm eggs in general are superior. “Farm eggs are far more nutritional and fresh compared to what you can get at the store,” he advises. “Commercial eggs also get washed, which washes off their natural coating and limits how long you can keep them.” Laura and Rob are passionate about their farming methods, which they say are stricter than organic certification standards.

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“We have a little farmer on the way,” says Laura. “We’re excited.” Laura has a master’s degree in agribusiness and a bachelor’s degree in urban horticulture, both of which she earned at Arizona State University. Her role at the farm is to do things like plan what to

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Mon - Fri 8:00am - 6:00pm Sat 10:00am - 2:00pm 3655 W Anthem Way, Ste A109 Anthem, AZ 85086-2599 grow and when, and watch for pests and disease. “She’s the brains and I’m the brawn,” says Rob. “We both work hard.”

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Their produce is sold as it becomes available on their Facebook page and nextdoor.com, under Union Foothills Estates. A dozen eggs, for example, typically sell for $6 — that is, if you can get your hands on them, as their eggs are sold out nearly always. And if you want one of their turkeys for Thanksgiving, better luck next time. “We’ve been getting a great response, so that’s really encouraging, too,” says Rob. “It definitely helps motivate us.” Next steps for the ranch include keeping up with demand and identifying ways to expand the farm that compliment, rather than compete with, the community. For example, they have a neighbor who milks goats and another who makes bread. They plan to invite vendors like them over to Blooming Ranch to sell their wares on market days. At the heart of it all is their passion for quality. “We’re keeping this a truly local market,” says Rob. “We’re determined to do it right and do it well.” October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

Pumpcasso Writer Tom Scanlon Photographer Loralei Lazurek

In a certain “Peanuts” cartoon that runs this time of year, a boy named Linus explains what the last night of October is really about: “This is the time of the year to write to the Great Pumpkin. On Halloween night, the Great Pumpkin rises out of his pumpkin patch and flies through the air with his bag of toys for all the children.” Poor Linus shivers away in the pumpkin patch, waiting for his hero who never arrives. Forget about that disappointing, Godot-esque Great Pumpkin, Linus — we’ve got the “Pumpkin King.” OK, so Ray Villafane doesn’t fly through the air handing out toys. But you should see him magically turn pumpkins into art. This guy delivers, every Halloween. And he’ll be back for the Town of

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Carefree’s Enchanted Pumpkin Garden, held October 17-31. This year, the Pumpkin King has a few new tricks up his sleeve. Namely, scarecrows. “I love doing things that haven’t been done before,” says Villafane. “I like pushing the limits. I like to change things up and add another dimension. I like to find novel and new approaches to whatever I’m doing, so if I’m doing pumpkins, I try every year or two to play with a different concept. This year, it’s scarecrows. I’ve got a scarecrow cowboy on a scarecrow horse.” He is planning to turn Carefree into “Scarefree.”

While the scarecrows sound — and look, if you take a peek at the Villafane Studios website or Facebook page — whimsically delightful, the orange art pieces are what have the Pumpkin King flying from Arizona to New York, Germany, Minnesota and back this month. If you’re saying “carved pumpkins, yawn,” then you surely haven’t seen what Villafane does to the big round squash. His artistry is a cross between Tim Burton and mid-century Walt Disney. With his distortion of reality, perhaps we should dub him Pumpcasso. As eclectix.com puts it, “Ray’s mad carving skills have been October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

Experience

Ray Villafane will be showcasing his creations in the Town of Carefree's Enchanted Pumpkin Garden Oct 17-31.

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wowing us for years, and today is the perfect time to have a (another) look at his masterful pumpkin creations. His detailed textures are over the top — carving sagging wrinkles, protruding grossities, rotten teeth and even tiny little pores in the skin of his victims.”

now, as opposed to growing up with a foundation.”

While he is excited about unveiling the scarecrows (“something I’ve had on the to-do list for a few years,” he says), Villafane pretty much lives in a squishy, orange world.

While Villafane is surrounded by pumpkins at his home and studio in Surprise, he is hoping to move to the other side of town. He says he feels at home north of Phoenix, so if he splits his time between Carefree and Surprise, the names of those two towns will pretty much describe his life’s work.

“I don’t see a day where I don’t do pumpkins,” says the artist, who now manages a stable of sculptors. “I see days where I personally will do less. Over the years, as we’ve grown, I’ve got other sculptors if I ever get burned out. I enjoy carving pumpkins each year. I don’t think I’ll ever stop — there’s too many things to play with.”

These days, his biggest October fright is the smell of rotting pumpkins. The secret to extending their lives: pickling pumpkins in vinegar.

Indeed, he plans to keep startling audiences with his euphoric creations: “My vision for what we’re doing I think goes far beyond what we’re currently doing.”

Villafane, who is 47 years old, started carving pumpkins as an art teacher on Long Island.

For you, a pumpkin is probably just a big orange thing you put on the porch for a few weeks.

“They were very rudimentary back then,” he says. “As I continued to sculpt, they improved because I was sculpting so much.” He left teaching to pursue commercial sculpting, living in New York, Ohio and Michigan before saying goodbye to winters and moving to Arizona four years ago. He and his wife, Tammi, have a combined “Brady Bunch” family of six kids, ages 10-25.

For Ray Villafane, a pumpkin is a canvas.

He’s a bit sheepish about his reputation, this reluctant Pumpkin King. “It’s almost embarrassing,” he says with a laugh. “I don’t know much about haunted movies or Halloween things. I just like what I’m doing. I almost feel guilty doing such fun stuff. A lot of people geek about the subject matter. I’m geeking about it in the here and

“Pumpkin material is really fun,” he says. “There’s a flesh-like material to carving it; you can mimic a nice meatiness to it to get that fleshy look. “When you put a face on a pumpkin, it has a light-hearted feel to it. It’s very magical.” So, if you want to see some real Great Pumpkins, Linus van Pelt, head to Carefree. carefreepumpkingarden.com

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Happily LEAGUE

Ever After

Being a mom is a challenge in itself, one that requires dedication, energy and a caring attitude. Being a mom with cancer creates an even bigger challenge, as treatments and their after-effects take their toll. The Happily Ever After League (HEAL) was founded expressly to ease those effects and assist mothers recovering from any type of cancer with at least one dependent child living at home.

“Although I felt very lucky to have a wonderful support system of family and friends to help me, I realized that although cancer is never welcome at any age, being a mom with cancer and children to care for comes with a whole different set of obstacles,” Lauren says.

Since its inception in 2004, HEAL has helped more than 1,000 moms, never turning away a qualifying mom in need. Every year, 70 or more new clients find HEAL’s support and hope for happily-ever-after endings to their stories.

“I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, and my experience with cancer as a mom inspired me to start HEAL,” she says. She decided to start the Happily Ever After League just six months after her cancer diagnosis, and continues to be inspired every day by the mothers who come for help and healing.

HEAL was founded in 2004 by Lauren Daniels after she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 35. Lauren had a bilateral mastectomy, reconstruction surgery and a hysterectomy. At the time of her surgery, her children ranged in age from 1 to 11.

Writer Peni Long

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Lauren’s breast cancer diagnosis brought her to her life’s work.

Referrals to HEAL come from a network of sources, including social workers and medical establishments throughout the Phoenix area. No mom is ever turned away. There is no financial

hardship bar to cross, and no limit to the help provided. Lauren and her colleagues know first-hand that medical debt from cancer treatments can last for years. So far, the average gift card to a mom in need is $500 — an amount that can help a mom in so many ways, if only to lessen worry for a time, pay rent, buy groceries or provide something special for her children. Amounts gifted vary depending on the success of fundraising efforts. As Lauren knows from her personal experience, “The entire family unit is directly affected by cancer. A cancer diagnosis can financially devastate some families, and it can become difficult to keep up with the everyday living expenses. We do whatever we can to relieve some of that burden.” One comment that sums up the impact of a helping hand is posted on the HEAL website: “I received the gift cards in the mail and I cannot tell you what an answer to prayers you are. This is huge for us and we will not forget. Keep doing what you do for others.” Lauren is committed to doing just that. In addition to monetary assistance, another way that HEAL helps is through activities at the HEALing House. Opened in 2007, this house now welcomes moms and their families for regular monthly events ranging from pampering the mom with spa days, to hosting pantry days for those who might need extra goods, to having family-oriented events, especially around the holidays. For those attending, these times away can be an important part of renewal and interaction with others undergoing the same experience. “The goal of the HEALing House is to improve the quality of life for mothers and their families while dealing with the challenges of a cancer diagnosis,” says Lauren. “We provide programs for moms, dads, teens and children, and our monthly social and educational events offer a safe, warm environment for all participants.” One very special member of the house is Lord Hamilton, a pampered pig sure to scamper into the hearts of house visitors. As the official director of emotional support, Hamilton definitely does lord it over Lauren, volunteers, moms and families. He is just one more of the ways HEAL can help put a smile on someone’s face and perhaps, just for a moment, erase the worry that cancer can bring. If you would like to help HEAL, you can send gift cards in any denomination, especially needed during the holidays to pass along to moms to give as gifts to their children. Gift cards can be sent to HEAL at 11445 E. Via Linda, Ste. 2-493, Scottsdale, 85259. Mark your calendars for the organization’s first New Year’s Eve Ball on December 31 at the Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains. And if you really want to plan ahead, set aside April 9, 2017 for the Fairytale Tea at the Camby Hotel. Lauren treasures this fundraiser as the signature event for HEAL. “It is a magical day with hosted tables in various fairytale and storybook themes,” she says. “It is a day that simply cannot be explained, but must be experienced.” 480-275-0613 happilyeverafterleague.org October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

Pumpkin Daze Writer Rebecca Zaner Photographer Rebecca Kaye Photography

T 56

There’s nothing quite like the joy of family traditions. We all have them — they keep life sane amidst all the changes that the years bring. For many, traditions are passed down from generations before. It is a special keepsake from those we love or a memory of those we may have never met.

for generations, starting with Bill’s grandparents, then on to Bill’s parents. Out of seven children, Bill was the only child of the third generation to keep the farm going. Now starting the fifth generation, Bill and Gracie’s grandchildren are next in line for the farm.

Bill and Gracie Tolmachoff share their family tradition with the community to liven up the fall season. The Tolmachoffs own a farm in Glendale that has been run by their family

“We have four children and two small grandchildren,” Gracie shares. “Our oldest son is a fireman and our oldest daughter is a dental hygienist. Between jobs, they will

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come to the farm with their spouses and help. Our two younger children still live with us. They are 16 and 14. They have no choice but to help out.” Many family friends are also recruited to help around the farm. Bill and Gracie always love the company on their “city” farm. “We’re in the middle of the city and can even see the Cardinals stadium from here,” says Gracie. “It seems like the city just grows around the farm. Our family started with just produce in the fields. Bill’s parents grew crops expanding many acres. His grandparents were from Russia before they came here. They would constantly purchase land to farm.” Over the years, the family sold off many pieces of their farm as it split through the generations. Bill and Gracie acquired the farm 25 years ago, and began their sales with a produce stand. In 1999, the Tolmachoffs started the annual Pumpkin Days and Corn Maze. They began by selling pumpkins and after much success, decided to add a corn maze to the festivities. “Our corn maze is different than most,” says Gracie. “We have ours set up like a treasure hunt in the field. Guests go through the maze to hunt down pieces of a map. We also include farm trivia questions.” Tolmachoff Farm has partnered with Culver’s restaurant, who will be serving delicious food throughout the season at the farm.

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Pumpkin Days and Corn Maze grows in popularity and activities every year. Schools now visit the farm, bringing several hundred children throughout the season for field trips. “The farm is family-friendly,” says Gracie. “Kids can get dirty without getting hurt and there are tons of fun activities that all ages can enjoy.” This year, guests can experience four different mazes: a family maze, featuring a large treasure hunt; a mini maze for younger guests; a haunted corn maze, featuring torched corn on the road leading to the haunted entrance; and the school maze, with four classrooms cut into the maze where children on educational field trips learn about farming and produce.

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Farmers act as tour guides to teach these groups about corn while in a corn classroom. “We love our schools, but when they are here, it is always an organized chaos,” Gracie jokes. “We started accepting field trips in 2001, when there were only a couple schools that paid us visits. Now we see about five to 10 schools a day during our fall season. These visits can include anywhere from 20 to 200 students.” Alongside the maze fun, guests can also pick produce and take pumpkins home. There is a train ride specially designed and painted for children to enjoy. There are also many play areas throughout the farm, including a jumping

pillow, a large, soft jumping pad in the ground under a shaded area. There will be farm-themed bounce houses, as well as a petting zoo and pony rides. The pony rides only occur during weekends (and only when the animals are in a good mood for company). Pony rides and train rides are not included with admission, so it is advised that guests bring extra cash for activities. Pumpkins and produce are also available for purchase. Those who have purchased pumpkins may choose to paint them for no additional charge. Another unique feature of the Tolmachoff Farm pumpkin event is the tomato cannon. Guests are invited to shoot tomatoes from a special cannon, and those who hit the target will win a t-shirt or a pumpkin. “There are all kinds of activities,” says Gracie. “I’m a kid at heart. It’s like I’m in Neverland and won’t grow up. I like to play like a kid, so I get excited when I come up with new ideas for the farm.” Preparations begin in July for Pumpkin Days and Corn Maze, which is open to the public October 1 through November 6. Parties and events can also be purchased at the farm. After the fall festivities, the farm spends the month of December selling Christmas trees and pictures with Santa Claus. “It’s crazy to see all the changes over the last 30 years,” Gracie exclaims. “It’s amazing to compare how the farm used to be and how it is now. When we started the produce stand, it was because our two older children would sit in the house playing Nintendo games. We started growing produce with sweet corn and tomatoes, and each year we added more variety. It got the kids off the couch, so it was certainly successful. “We see a lot of return families nowadays. It’s amazing to see how the families change and grow each year. I love seeing when parents try to leave at the end of the day, but the kids are crying because they want to stay on the farm and play. That’s my favorite part. I also love that my kids now bring their babies to the farm.” In good old-fashioned spirit, the Tolmachoffs keep their family tradition alive and cannot wait to share another season with the community. tolmachoff-farms.com

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Writer Lara Piu Photography National Taco Association

The tables are set for more than 100,000 tacos to be served this month at the seventh annual Arizona Taco Festival. Nearly 50 teams will compete for $10,000 in cash and the prestige of being named top taco in their category. More than 30,000 attendees will come to select from the 100-plus taco varieties on the menu that weekend. Among them will be Dave Bernstein, food expert, celebrity chef, National Taco Association judge and Arizona Taco Festival judge. “My love for tacos and comfort food is what initially attracted me to the festival, so when I found out they were having a festival dedicated to tacos, I was thrilled and couldn’t wait to be a part of it,” Dave says. “They always do an amazing job at having things there for the kids and the entire family, and I’m blessed to be a part of something so special.” This will be the sixth time Dave will serve among the event’s 50 sequestered judges. Restaurants, caterers, amateurs, nightclubs and food spots compete on an even playing field to win. Judges like Dave determine winners in double-blind tests, in a closed tent with anonymous scoring. Points are awarded and weighted for presentation, taste and texture. Cumulatively, scores lead to an overall grand champion as well as $1,000 prize checks presented both days. The judges score on a scale of one to seven, with seven being the highest. “I’m a real tough seven,” says Dave. His judging team name is Tequila Mockingbird. “There are prizes and accolades involved here, so we take it very seriously,” he adds, noting the variety of tacos that

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Taste

Arizona Taco Festival Salt River Field Oct. 15-16

have been entered in the past. “I’ve tasted it all … from adobo pulled pork tacos to tongue tacos and squid tacos. One time we judged a truffle taco, and it was sublime.”

11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Arizona Diamondbacks spring training facility, Salt River Fields, has $15 at the gate its game face on for the event. Site improvements were recently completed Kids 12 and under free on the west side of the complex, and Free parking; $2 tacos more than 15 acres of lush, green grass were added. Restrooms, fencing and other amenities were upgraded, as well.

Admission: $12 online;

“Once again, Salt River Fields is proud to host the Arizona Taco Festival,” says Salt River Fields general manager, David Dunne. “We’re always enthusiastic about it because it’s a major crowd-pleaser, and the largest taco event in the country.” Highlights of the event include the Tequila Expo on October 15, during which you can sample from more than 100 tequilas. And on October 16, watch more than 15 Chihuahuas strut their four-legged stuff during the Ay, Chihuahua! Beauty Pageant. Plus, enjoy live music, kids’ activities and lucha libre wrestling all weekend long. aztacofestival.com October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

EMPTY BOWLS,

FULL OF HEART

It’s an international effort to fight hunger, but locally, it has been one of the largest fundraisers for the Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center, raising thousands of dollars over the past 15 years. This year, the 16th annual Foothills Empty Bowls Project Lunch will take place at a new venue, Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, 6895 E. Cave Creek Rd., in Cave Creek, on October 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. As in previous years, a large and diverse selection of hand-crafted ceramic and glass bowls will be available for a requested donation of $15. Patrons can choose an original, artist-crafted bowl, dine on pasta provided by Harold’s Corral and bid on the artwork offered by members of the Sonoran Arts League in the silent auction. Credit cards are accepted. Also new this year, ice water will be available in giant coolers. Guests are encouraged to bring their own sports bottles to eliminate plastic water bottle waste in the local landfill. The Foothills Empty Bowls Project began 16 years ago with only 850 bowls. Today, thanks to the efforts of local artists and students, more than 2,000 bowls will be available to generate much needed funds for the Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center, which assists families who reside in Anthem, New River, Desert Hills, Carefree, Cave Creek and other North Valley areas. Pam DiPietro, the food bank’s executive director, says the need for services has increased nearly 10 percent since a year ago. And, looking back eight years, the demand has increased significantly. “In the month of January 2008, the Foothills Food Bank served 74 families with 3,862 pounds of food,” she says. “By comparison, this past June, we gave 625 families 74,231 pounds

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Writer Sue Kern-Fleischer

of food. We also are in need of monetary donations, which we use to pay people’s rent, utility, medical, car repair and other bills.” Glass artist and Empty Bowls chair Carole Perry is credited with bringing the popular event to the Desert Foothills. The Empty Bowls Project, an international effort to fight hunger, was started in the fall of 1990 by two potters in Michigan to help raise money for a Thanksgiving fund drive for a local food bank. Since then, the idea has spread around the world. Throughout the year, Perry invites groups to her Laughing Glass Studio in Cave Creek to make glass bowls. “Kathi Price and Sandy Frederiksen are fabulous new contributors to our selection of glass bowls during the event,” Perry says. “More than 300 glass bowls will be available at this year’s Empty Bowls lunch.” Sonoran Arts League potters Pat and Mike Markham made bowls, as well as provided several other League potters with glazes and kiln space. Additional artists who created bowls include Daphne Azzi, David Bradley, Sylvia Fugmann-Brongo, Vickie Morrow, Robin Ray, Genie Swanstrom, Paula Weiss, Mishy Katz and friends at Desert Dragon Pottery. This is the first year that longtime League member, Jim Bruce, is contributing ceramic bowls to the event. Bruce, a former attorney and Cave Creek councilman, and his wife, acclaimed painter Judy Bruce, have been Empty Bowls event volunteers for many years. “Judy got me a hobby so I wouldn’t keep interrupting her painting,” Bruce jokes.

Experience

16th Annual Foothills Empty Bowls Project Lunch Harold’s Cave Creek Corral 6895 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, October 21 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

With no art training — not even in high school — Bruce began making cement animal figures eight years ago. Judy had been a longtime Hidden in the Hills studio tour host, and so many people who visited their home commented on his work, he decided to join Hidden in the Hills the following year. The couple will exhibit their original pieces of work during this year’s tour at studio 44. Working with cement was “fun and strange,” but lugging around 80-pound bags soon took its toll on his back. When he learned that an artist wanted to sell all of the contents of her ceramic studio, he seized the opportunity to expand his skills. A few months ago, he enlisted the help of Don Asakawa, who Bruce described as an excellent teacher with a lot of patience. “He’s very methodical and process-oriented,” Bruce says. “He never wastes a piece of clay.” One of the first things Asakawa taught him was how to center the clay on the wheel to make the perfect round pot. “With cement, you can be as rough as you want and force the shape, so it took me some time to get used to throwing and lifting the pot up,” Bruce says. “Once you get it to a perfect round pot, you can make it into any shape — the clay will follow your direction.” Like any new artist, Bruce has learned from his mistakes. “When I fired my first load, I overfired the first batch,” he says. But the challenge has been worth it, especially since he knows he is contributing to a good cause. Bruce is planning to contribute 50 bowls of different sizes and shapes to this year’s Empty Bowls event. “Some of that is deliberate, and some of that is pure darn error,” he says, laughing. 480-488-1145 sonoranartsleague.org October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

P R E S E N T S

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Comfort is at its finest with Beef Bourguignon, the elegant French stew that requires little introduction. Savory pieces of beef braise for hours in a bath of red wine that thickens to a rich, gorgeous glaze. Meanwhile, tender carrots, pearl onions and caramelized mushrooms deepen the complex flavors of the stew. Whether prepared for a fancy, sit-down dinner or served straight from the pot, this classic, crowd-pleasing dish always manages to impress.

Beef Bourguignon Writer and photographer Monica Longenbaker

Yield: 6 servings Beef Bourguignon Ingredients: 6 ounces bacon, sliced into lardoons 2½ pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes 2 tablespoons butter 1 medium onion, small dice 1 cup carrots, peeled and cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces 1 tablespoon garlic, minced 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons tomato paste 3 cups dry red wine 2 cups beef stock 2 bay leaves 3 sprigs parsley 3 sprigs thyme 10 ounces pearl onions, peeled 2 tablespoons cooking oil 1 pound cremini mushrooms, cleaned and quartered salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Preheat the oven to 300 F. Place a large, ovenproof pot (preferably a Dutch oven) over medium heat. Add the bacon lardoons and sauté until the bacon is browned and most of the fat has rendered out. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve. Remove all but about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease from the pot. Set aside. Using a paper towel, pat the beef chuck pieces until dry, then season with salt and pepper. Place the pot with the bacon grease back over medium-high heat and sear the beef pieces. Avoid overcrowding the pot to ensure the beef develops some color. The beef should not be fully cooked at this point. If necessary, add more oil between batches. Remove the beef to a separate plate as it finishes searing. Once all the beef has been removed, place the pot back over medium heat and add the butter, diced onions, carrots, garlic, salt and pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened.

Writer and photographer Monica Longenbaker

Add the flour to the vegetables and stir for 1-2 minutes until well coated. Then add the tomato paste. Deglaze the pan with the red wine. Add the beef stock, bay leaves, parsley and thyme (tip: tie the herbs together with kitchen twine to make them easier to remove later on). Bring the stew to a boil, then cover and place into the oven for 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the stew is thick. During the last hour of cooking, stir in the pearl onions. While the stew is in the oven, heat cooking oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté until caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Once the stew has finished cooking, remove the herbs and stir in the sautéed mushrooms. If necessary, add salt and pepper. Serve the Beef Bourguignon with crusty bread, buttered noodles or rice. October 2016 IMAGESAZ .C OM

Autumn Harvest Salad

The warmth and bounty of fall are epitomized in this beautiful Autumn Harvest Salad. Crisp apples, sweet pears, crunchy walnuts, tangy cranberries, smoky bacon and sharp blue cheese are tossed with apple cider vinaigrette

Yield: 6-8 servings Autumn Harvest Salad

for a dazzling combination of textures and flavors.

Ingredients: 6 ounces mixed greens 6 ounces baby arugula 1 cup blue cheese, crumbled 1 apple, sliced 1 semi-ripe pear, sliced 2/3 cup dried cranberries 1 cup candied walnuts ½ cup bacon, cooked and crumbled apple cider vinaigrette to taste (see recipe below) Directions: Combine the mixed greens and baby arugula in a large salad bowl. Top the greens with the blue cheese, apple slices, pear slices, dried cranberries, candied walnuts and bacon. Right before serving, toss the salad with the apple cider vinaigrette. Apple Cider Vinaigrette Ingredients: 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons maple syrup ¼ cup cider vinegar ½ cup olive oil salt and pepper to taste Directions: Place the Dijon mustard, maple syrup and cider vinegar into a mixing bowl or food processor. Whisk or mix to combine. While whisking or mixing, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Writer and photographer Monica Longenbaker

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