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Arizona Musicfest
THE STARS RETURN TO MUSICFEST Over 30 Concerts Between October and April • Pick Your Own Seats Online
ABBA THE CONCERT
LeANN RIMES
RAY ON MY MIND
CHRIS MANN 1/ 7
JOHN LLOYD YOUNG 1/ 10
BERNADETTE PETERS 1/28
SERGIO MENDES
STEVE TYRELL
KENNY G
SARAH CHANG
BEETHOVEN’s 9th PAUL ANKA 3/14 & 16 — ODE TO JOY! 2/27 ANKA SINGS SINATRA
10/ 3 1 & 11/ 1
2/ 19
11/ 13
2/22
PINK MARTINI 3/22 50 YEARS OF ROCK & ROLL 3/28 WITH CHINA FORBES
11/ 19
1/ 31
THE TEXAS TENORS 4/ 1
CELEBRATES THE TONY BENNETT SONGBOOK
2/4
EMANUEL AX 4/21 IN RECITAL
480.422.8449 • AZMUSICFEST.ORG All Concerts In North Scottsdale
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LEGACY + LUXURY Writer Shannon Severson Photography Courtesy of Grace Renee Gallery
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COMMUNITY EVENTS Writer Joseph J. Airdo
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THROUGH THE WOOD Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Tam Ryan
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FORTRESS OF FREEDOM Writer Joseph J. Airdo
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Photography Courtesy of Anthem Community Council
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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS 25 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Writer Susan Kern-Fleischer Photography Courtesy of Sonoran Arts League
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APPLE CROSTATAS Writer and Photographer Francine Coles
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THE TIME TO SELL YOUR VEHICLE
IS NOW
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13301 N AUTOSHOW AVE, SURPRISE, AZ 85388 • (833) 782-8468 • WWW.COULTERNISSAN.COM ^CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS APPLY. UPON VEHICLE INSPECTION FROM COULTER NISSAN STAFF. ALL VEHICLES SALE PRICE INCLUDES ALL MANUFACTURER REBATES. SALES PRICE AND PAYMENT DOES NOT INCLUDE; SALES TAX, LICENSE FEES, DEALER DOC FEE EQUAL TO $499.00 AND $1,977 DEALER ADDS ON NEW VEHICLES ONLY. $1,295 PREP FEE ON USED CARS ONLY. VEHICLE AVAILABILITY IS SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE. ALL PRICES, SPECIFICATIONS AND AVAILABILITY SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. CONTACT DEALER FOR MOST CURRENT INFORMATION. DEALER MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, TO ANY ACTUAL OR PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER OR OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AS TO THE EXISTENCE, OWNERSHIP, ACCURACY, DESCRIPTION OR CONDITION OF THE LISTED EQUI VEHICLE'S EQUIPMENT, ACCESSORIES, PRICE, SPECIALS OR ANY WARRANTIES. ANY AND ALL DIFFERENCES MUST BE ADDRESSED PRIOR TO THE SALE OF THIS VEHICLE. NOT AVAILABLE WITH SPECIAL FINANCE, LEASE AND SOME OTHER OFFERS.
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PUBLISHER Shelly Spence
MANAGING EDITOR Joseph J. Airdo
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Meaghan Mitchell
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joseph J. Airdo Amanda Christmann Francine Coles Susan Kern-Fleischer Shannon Severson
PHOTOGRAPHERS Bryan Black Francine Coles Loralei Lazurek Carl Schultz
ADVERTISING SALES Alex Orozco 602-524-4912 alex@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 © 2021 by ImagesAZ, Inc. All rights reserved.
F
Fall really is one of my favorite times of the year. In addition to all of the exciting events — like the Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour and the many shows and concerts produced as part of our community’s performing arts organizations’ new seasons — you need only take a single step outside and look around at the breathtaking orange, yellow and red foliage to be reminded of just how amazing and precious life is. Autumn’s leaves encourage each and every one of us to take time to appreciate the magical and miraculously showstopping production that Mother Nature puts on for us each year. We are fortunate to live so close to copious trails and wildlife areas that we can hike and really take in these presentations of beauty. It also reminds us to be grateful, to take advantage of every opportunity that we have to enjoy the world around us with our loved ones and to never take anyone or anything for granted. On that note, I was recently also reminded that life is short when a dear friend of mine, Paul Keeler, passed away. In addition to being a good friend and a genuinely caring person, Paul was also a beloved restauranteur with deep roots in the Cave Creek, Carefree and Scottsdale communities. As founder and CEO of Keeler Hospitality Group, he had a monumental impact on the community. I will miss him tremendously as I am sure many others will as well. I encourage you to use the gratitude that you gather from having seen the fantastic fall foliage to draw those you love closer to your heart. I also urge you to utilize it to honor our nation’s veterans and give back to others in the community. And, finally, I hope that you will bring it with you to the Thanksgiving dinner table, as you celebrate with your family. Thank you for being a part of ours.
Reproduction, in whole or part, without permission is prohibited. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited material.
Cheers! Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221
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Writer Shannon Severson // Photography Courtesy of Grace Renee Gallery
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R
Relationship is at the heart of Sloane Street Jewelry, a luxury brand with the mother and daughter team of Frances and Charlotte Gadbois at the helm. The pair feels strongly about cultivating personal relationships with their customers — many of whom have supported them from the launch of their very first offerings more than seven years ago. “Jewelry is such a personal experience and we love being a part of the joy jewelry can bring to people’s lives,” Charlotte says. “We are blessed to also have a few big collectors who have been such champions of the brand.” Sloane Street Jewelry’s line makes its exclusive Arizona debut at Grace Renee Gallery in Carefree’s Historic Spanish Village during a special event November 11 and 12, at which the talented designers will be in attendance. Extra inventory will be on-hand, including special oneof-a-kind pieces — each of which goes beyond the tangible expression of style by embodying the timeless elegance of every woman. “We are excited to begin this partnership with Shelly [Spence] and Grace Renee Gallery and to get to know her wonderful client base,” Charlotte says. “We are proud to have a new home for Sloane Street in Arizona and are very much looking forward to what the future holds. We are certain it will be bright!” Frances and Charlotte’s elegant pieces display attention to detail, express the wearer’s personality and are equally comfortable as standalone pieces or casually mixed with other favorites. Colorful, classic, playful and wearable are the terms that many use to describe the unique pieces this model-gorgeous duo designs.
THE BEGINNINGS OF BLING
Frances and Charlotte began Sloane Street Jewelry during a poignant time. After the passing of Frances’ mother, Diana Frances Margaret Hutchinson, they found themselves discussing the future and what might be next for the two of them. Unexpectedly, their next step would be together.
Charlotte was studying for a career in broadcast sports journalism. Meanwhile, Frances was considering retirement after selling her previous jewelry business to her partner. “We talked about the possibility of working together and what that would look like and, more importantly, what we would do,” Frances recalls. “We cycled through a few business ideas in the fashion space and ultimately landed back at the idea of starting a new jewelry brand.” The two knew the industry and felt pulled in the direction to start something together. “We started scribbling a business plan on a train napkin and then realized we needed a name,” Frances says. “As we were discussing names, ‘Sloane’ came up and I reminded Charlotte that when I was little, my mother would take me to Sloane Street in London and we had so many memories there together as a family. The name really resonated with both of us and we both thought it would be a beautiful homage to my mother, seeing as we had come together because of her.” Sloane Street Jewelry benefits from the multigenerational sensibilities of its founders. It was important to both Frances and Charlotte to have classic, timeless pieces that would appeal to a broad age demographic and be immediately identifiable. “Something that was really important to us when we started designing the debut collection was having a recognizable product with a certain DNA that ran through every piece,” Frances explains. “My background is in interior design and there is a paint finish called ‘strié’ where you use a tool to comb the paint while it is still wet and it creates this beautiful ribbed texture, so we decided to recreate that in our collection. This finish created a richness in the gold that surpassed all of our expectations! The ‘strié’ has become our signature and you’ll see it throughout the entire collection.”
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Charlotte adds that Sloane Street is designed to be beautiful and meaningful; pieces that will become part of a family legacy, just like she and her mother.
“
Jewelry is such a personal experience and we love being a part of the joy jewelry can bring to people’s lives. Charlotte Gadbois
“We wanted to design a product that appealed to both my mom and myself,” she says. “Something that would be able to be passed down through generations and still be timeless. We always say we are ‘on-trend, but not trendy’ and that speaks to the concept we try to bring forward in every design, of being fashionable and relevant while staying true to our traditional roots.”
PROCESS OF REFINEMENT
The pair’s design process begins a year before each seasonal collection’s debut. They take the opportunity to go into “lockdown” and completely immerse themselves in creativity, collaborating on ideas and each of their visions. Frances explains that they begin by throwing all of their ideas onto their kitchen table and roughly scribbling a few of them down on paper. “Then we grow on the concepts from there,” she says. “Being English, we are very inspired by European architecture and pull a lot of inspiration from our travel experiences, which obviously was very difficult with the COVID restrictions. It has been hard to feel creative when we can’t be out and seeing what is going on in the fashion world.” Every piece is carefully sketched with exacting precision and direction for the production team. Frances and Charlotte are involved in every step — from concept to the final, sparkling product. Charlotte notes that new ideas often occur to them at the oddest of times, when they are the most exhausted.
“We will be walking through a hotel lobby or running to catch a plane and Frances will stop dead in her tracks and whip out her sketchbook and scribble down a pattern in a carpet, tile or even ironwork in a banister,” she explains. Frances’ strong relationship with Sloane Street Jewelry’s Bangkok-based manufacturing team dates back 20 years. Each stone is handcut to the Gadbois’ specifications. For the Caviar One-of-a-Kind collection, the pair travels extensively to source special stones. The collection isn’t what they would consider seasonal, but it does vary because every piece is designed around the stone itself. When an especially striking stone is discovered, it ignites the creative process. “We are loving big, heavy gold right now — specifically chunky gold necklaces and how those pieces are layering with our fall collection colors,” Frances says. “We came out with black and white for fall and we love how rich it is in contrast with the big textured gold.”
BENEFICIAL BAUBLES
While gemstones and precious metals are the most obvious components of Sloane Street Jewelry, beneath the shimmer lies two hearts of gold. Since Frances lost her mother to Alzheimer’s disease, it made sense to use their platform to make a difference in the fight to eradicate the disease and support families in their own struggles, partnering with Alzheimer’s OC based near their hometown in Southern California to create pieces that specifically support the cause. Charlotte says that philanthropy has always been a major pillar in their family so it was only natural that those values carry over into their business.
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While gemstones and precious metals are the most obvious components of Sloane Street Jewelry, beneath the shimmer lies two hearts of gold in designers Frances and Charlotte Gadbois.
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“It was a very natural partnership with Alzheimer’s, considering we had made lemonade out of lemons and found a silver lining to a not-so-positive situation,” she explains. “Our main goal is to aid the efforts to find a cure for this devastating disease that affects far too many. Since partnering, we have been overwhelmed with the number of individuals we have met along the way who have had loved ones taken by the ravages of Alzheimer’s. It has been such a powerful source of connection and comfort.” Sloane Street Jewelry has also created collections for CASA OC, which aids abused and neglected youth, as well as Laura’s House, an emergency shelter and comprehensive domestic violence agency in Orange County where Charlotte serves on the board of directors. The causes are deeply personal to the entire Gadbois family. “Giving back, for us, is more than just building collections for financial gifts to organizations,” Charlotte says. “As a family, we have been involved in charities throughout the community for many years — specifically CASA OC. “My dad, Richard, has been an active member of the board of directors for CASA for more than 25 years. He instilled in us at a young age to be generous, not only with finances but with your time and heart; and to not just be a part of organizations on the surface but to dig in and connect; and hope that through the work that you do, you can improve lives — even if it is just a few. That becomes a domino effect. “So when I was asked to become a member of the board of Laura’s House, it was a natural transition from CASA. There is always more that can be done. But for now, I am so fulfilled that not only are we able to aid in fundraising for these organizations, but that we are able to make a difference — even if it is just a small one — in hopes that we can leave this world a little better than we found it, in the words of the great Ralph Waldo Emerson.” gracereneegallery.com
EXPERIENCE
Sloane Street Jewelry Debut Nov. 11 and 12 Thursday 10 a.m.–7 p.m. with wine and appetizers 4–7 p.m. Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery | Historic Spanish Village 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, #7, Carefree | Free 480-575-8080 | gracereneegallery.com
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COMMUNITY
2021 NOVEMBER
Writer Joseph J. Airdo
Nov. 4
CHRISTMAS TREE ARRIVAL Outlets at Anthem will welcome the arrival of Arizona’s tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree. Santa Claus will lead a flatbed truck carrying the 70-foot white fir, which will then be lifted into place via an industrial crane and decorated ahead of the shopping center’s 20th annual tree lighting event on Nov. 20. Free. 6:30 a.m. 4250 W. Anthem Way, Anthem. outletsatanthem.com
Through Nov. 7
Nov. 1
Black Theatre Troupe presents its
ABBA: The Concert will take the
appetizers will be offered. Free. 4–7
production of “Sunset Baby,” a play
stage as part of Arizona Musicfest.
p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, Historic
about a former Black Revolutionary
$49+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church,
Spanish Village, 7212 E. Ho Hum
and political prisoner who is desperate
9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road,
Road, #7, Carefree. 480-575-8080;
to reconnect with his estranged
Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org
gracereneegallery.com
Nov. 4
Nov. 4–14
SUNSET BABY
ABBA: THE CONCERT
clay — to create unique pieces that, inspired by nature, resonate across cultures and styles. Wine and
daughter. See website for price and times. Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center, 1333 E. Washington St., Phoenix. blacktheatretroupe.org
Through Dec. 5
Grace Renee Gallery will welcome
URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL Arizona Broadway Theatre
Kathleen Hope and Jodi Walsh for
will present its production of
an event that showcases the artists’
“Urinetown: The Musical,” in which
incredible collections. Hope mixes
a terrible water shortage caused
The Phoenix Theatre Company
cements from an array of materials
by a 20-year drought has led to a
presents its production of “The
— including dried pigments, paper,
government-enforced ban on private
Rocky Horror Show.” See website
plaster and marble dust — to create
toilets. See website for price and
for price and times. The Phoenix
pieces with textured layers and
schedule. Arizona Broadway Theatre,
Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central
unexpected details. Meanwhile,
7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria. 623-
Ave., Phoenix. 602-254-2151;
Walsh utilizes a process called
776-8400; azbroadway.org
phoenixtheatre.com
oritatami nendo — or folding
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
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CONCRETE AND CLAY
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Nov. 5 and 6
FOPE ITALIAN FINE JEWELRY Explore a vast collection of elegant jewelry from this Italian designer. Extra inventory will be on-hand, including special one-of-akind pieces, each of which boasts incredible attention to detail and high quality, representing an ever-evolving interpretation of Italian style. Free. Friday 10 a.m.–7 p.m. with wine and appetizers 4–7 p.m; Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, Historic Spanish Village, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, #7, Carefree. 480-5758080; gracereneegallery.com
Nov. 5–7
CAREFREE FINE ART AND WINE FESTIVAL Thunderbird Artists will host an event boasting 160 juried artists, live music, local food vendors and a wide array of vintage wines. $3; $13 includes eight wine-tasting tickets and a souvenir glass). 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Downtown Carefree, 101 Easy St., Carefree. 480-837-5637; thuderbirdartists.com
Nov. 5–7
REBELS AND REDCOATS Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum will bring history to life with exciting battles and educational demonstrations. $10; youth, senior and military discounts available. See website for times. Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum, 3901 W. Pioneer Road, Phoenix. pioneeraz.org
Nov. 5–14
CANAL CONVERGENCE Scottsdale Arts will host its annual 10-day event that features light-based artworks, a wide variety of creative workshops, exciting performances, introspective artist talks, captivating augmented reality experiences, educational tours and more. See website for prices, schedule and locations. canalconvergence.com
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Nov. 11 and 12
SLOANE STREET Meet the mother and daughter team behind this elegant jewelry collection. Extra inventory will be on-hand, including special one-of-a-kind pieces, each of which goes beyond the tangible expression of style by embodying the timeless elegance of every woman. Free. Thursday 10 a.m.–7 p.m. with wine and appetizers 4–7 p.m. Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, Historic Spanish Village, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, #7, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com
Nov. 6
Nov. 6 and 7
Nov. 7–March 6
Daisy Mountain Veterans will host
The Arizona Masterworks Chorale
Phoenix Art Museum will host an
its annual parade, which will run
will perform a concert of music
exhibition that examines the history,
from the area near Christ’s Church of
designed to inspire memories,
impact and art of mining in the
the Valley and Boulder Creek High
nostalgia and the feeling of coming
western United States, featuring
School past Anthem Community
home. $15+. Saturday 7:30 p.m. St.
more than 65 works created from
Park to Anthem Way then onto
Mary’s Episcopal Church, 6533 N.
the 1910s through today that depict
Gavilan Peak Parkway, ending at
39th Ave., Phoenix. Sunday 3 p.m.
regional landscapes of enterprise and
Anthem Community Center. Free. 10
Ascension Lutheran Church, 7100 N.
illustrate how mining has altered the
a.m. daisymtnvets.org
Mockingbird Lane, Paradise Valley.
natural environment on a spectacular
arizonamasterworks.com
scale. $23; youth, student and senior
ANTHEM VETERANS PARADE
Nov. 6
NIGHT OF PAWSABILITIES
LANDSCAPES OF EXTRACTION
discounts available. Phoenix Art
Nov. 7–Dec. 24
Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-257-1880; phxart.org
Gabriel’s Angels will host a magical
RUDOLPH THE REDNOSED REINDEER
evening under the stars, featuring a
Childsplay will present its production
signature cocktail reception, dinner,
of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,”
live entertainment, auctions and
a musical adaptation of the beloved
ANTHEM VETERANS DAY CEREMONY
raffles. $300. 6 p.m. Paradise Garden
television holiday special. $13+.
Anthem Community Council
at the Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E.
Herberger Theater Center, 222 E.
will host its annual Veterans Day
Missouri Ave., Phoenix. 602-266-
Monroe St., Phoenix. childsplayaz.org
Ceremony, featuring several speakers,
0875; gabrielsangels.org
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FROM THE HEARTLAND
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Nov. 11
a Luke Air Force Base flyover and
the solar spotlight onto the Great Seal of the United States. Free. 10 a.m. Anthem Veterans Memorial, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Anthem. onlineatanthem.com
Nov. 12
TREASURES: LEGENDARY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Musical Instrument Museum will debut a new special exhibition that, spanning 6,000 years of history, features standout instruments remarkable in beauty, craftsmanship and cultural significance. $10; youth discounts available. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. Phoenix. 480478-6000; mim.org
Nov. 12 and 13
ARIZONA PINNERS CONFERENCE The Pinners Conference and Expo will host a two-day event featuring more than 100 hands-on classes and more than 250 vendor shopping booths, providing attendees with the opportunity to develop new skills, shop the latest trends while supporting small businesses and create finished projects of their own. $10. Friday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Westworld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. az.pinnersconference.com
Nov. 13
LEANN RIMES CONCERT Singer-songwriter LeAnn Rimes will take the stage as part of Arizona Musicfest. $49+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org
Nov. 14
CHARITY CLASSIC GOLF AND PAR-TEE/DINNER Anthem Golf and Country Club will host its 15th annual charity golfing event, which will benefit Smiles 4 Sick Children and the Clubcorp Employee Partner Care Program. In addition to the game itself, the event will feature a four-course dinner, silent and live auctions and a live helicopter ball drop. Email for sponsorship opportunities and registration information. Anthem Golf and Country Club, 2708 W. Anthem Club Drive, Anthem. jennifer.moore@clubcorp.com
Nov. 15
BRIA SKONBERG CONCERT Jazz trumpeter and vocalist Bria Skonberg will take the stage as part of Arizona Musicfest. $39+. 7:30 p.m. Gathering Place at La Casa de Cristo Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org
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Nov. 14
SLIDER THROWDOWN The Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation will host its annual culinary battle, featuring samplings of delicious slider burger creations made by local food trucks and vendors. The event — which benefits the nonprofit organization’s mission to create positive childhood experiences for youth in foster care and prepare them for successful adulthoods through programming and scholarships — will also include live entertainment, shopping and a silent auction. $40. Noon–3 p.m. High Street, 5415 E. High St., Phoenix. affcf.org/sliderthrowdown
Nov. 16
Nov. 19
Nov. 19–Dec. 19
Musical Instrument Museum will
Master pianist and vocalist
Desert Stages Theatre will present its
welcome Steve Adelson, William
Kenny Brawner will take the
production of “The Sound of Music,”
Eaton and Bill Dutcher for a concert
stage portraying the music and
based on the 1949 memoir of Maria
featuring several string instruments.
life story of Ray Charles as part
von Trapp — “The Story of the
$28.50. 7 p.m. Musical Instrument
of Arizona Musicfest. $35+. 7:30
Trapp Family Singers.” See website
Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd.
p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E.
for price and times. Scottsdale Desert
Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org
Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale.
Stages Theatre at Fashion Square,
azmusicfest.org
7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite
EXTREME STRINGS
Nov. 17–Jan. 2
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET CHRISTMAS
RAY ON MY MIND
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
0586, Scottsdale. 480-483-1664;
Nov. 19–28
desertstages.org
The Phoenix Theatre Company will
HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST STUDIO TOUR
present its production of “Million
The Sonoran Arts League will
CIVIL WAR IN THE WEST
Dollar Quartet Christmas,” featuring
present the 25th anniversary of
Pioneer Arizona Living History
holiday hits through the lens of
its free, self-guided tour, featuring
Museum will host a weekend full
Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl
191 artists at 45 studio locations
of exciting battle reenactments and
Perkins and Elvis Presley. See website
throughout Cave Creek, Carefree
educational demonstrations. $10;
for price and times. The Phoenix
and North Scottsdale. Free. Fridays,
youth, senior and military discounts
Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central
Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m.–5
available. See website for times.
Ave., Phoenix. 602-254-2151;
p.m. See website for locations. 480-
Pioneer Arizona Living History
phoenixtheatre.com
575-6624; hiddeninthehills.org
Museum, 3901 W. Pioneer Road,
Nov. 19–21
Phoenix. pioneeraz.org
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Air Conditioning • Plumbing • Water Treatment
Nov. 19–21
Nov. 26–Dec. 19
Explore a vast collection of elegant
Ballet Etudes will present the 35th
jewelry from Italian designers such
anniversary of its production of
as Roberto Coin, Mattia Cielo,
“The Nutcracker.” See website for
Alessandra Done, Nanis, FOPE and
price and times. Nov. 26–Dec. 5 at
Marco Dal Maso during this exclusive
Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N.
weekend-long event. Extra inventory
Arizona Ave., Chandler. Dec. 11–19
will be on-hand, including special
at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St.,
one-of-a-kind pieces. Free. Friday 10
Mesa. balletetudes.net
ITALIAN DESIGNER JEWELRY WEEKEND
BALLET ETUDES’ THE NUTCRACKER
It’s time for your
Heating
System
Safety Inspection!
a.m.–7 p.m. with wine and appetizers 4–7 p.m; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery,
Nov. 26–Dec. 30
Historic Spanish Village, 7212 E. Ho
ELF: THE MUSICAL
Hum Road, #7, Carefree. 480-575-
Arizona Broadway Theatre presents
8080; gracereneegallery.com
its production of “Elf: The Musical,” based on the 2003 film in which a
Nov. 21
YOUNG MUSICIANS FALL CONCERT
baby mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole where he is raised as an elf. As a grown man, he embarks
Arizona Musicfest will present its
on a journey to New York City to
fall concert featuring some of the
find his father and discover his true
best young classical talent in the
identity. See website for price and
state. $20. 2 p.m. Musical Instrument
schedule. Arizona Broadway Theatre,
Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd.
7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria. 623-
Phoenix. azmusicfest.org
776-8400; azbroadway.org
Nov. 26
Nov. 26–Dec. 31
Arts will welcome ukulele virtuoso
MCCORMICKSTILLMAN RAILROAD PARK HOLIDAY LIGHTS
Jake Shimabukuro for a special
McCormick-Stillman Railroad
holiday concert. See website for
Park will host a winter
price. 8 p.m. Scottsdale Center for
wonderland of holiday lights
the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second
and displays. $15. 6–9:30 p.m.
St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587;
McCormick-Stillman Railroad
scottsdaleperformingarts.org
Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road,
CHRISTMAS IN HAWAII Scottsdale Center for the Performing
Scottsdale. therailroadpark.com
Includes: • • • • • • •
Cleaning of Combustion Section Testing of all Furnace Safety Controls Furnace Control Board Operation Inspection of Gas Valve & combustion cycle Inspection of Blower motor operation Inspection of Draft Inducer operation Inspection of combustion gas venting
Call or Text
623.552.2474 to Schedule your Appointment!
november 2021
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Dec. 2–5
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, JR. Photo by Michele Celentano Musical Theatre of Anthem presents its production of “Once on This Island, Jr.,” a highly original theatrical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid.” $25. See website for times. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Anthem. 623-336-6001; musicaltheatreofanthem.org
Nov. 27
THE MIRACLES HOLIDAY CONCERT Musical Instrument Museum will welcome The Miracles for a concert
service as well as a traditional
E Camelback Road, Scottsdale.
buffet dinner. $33; youth discounts
scottsdazzle.com
available. 5 p.m. RSVP by Nov. 22. Ironwood Grille Room at Anthem
Nov. 27
Country Club. 623-322-0957; fkesselman@cox.net
Motown lens. $64.50+. 2:30 p.m.
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
and 7:30 p.m. Musical Instrument
Images Arizona encourages its
Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd.
readers to shop for holiday gifts
Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org
and more at the community’s
IRISH CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA
many locally owned and operated
Musical Instrument Museum will
boutiques, galleries and retailers
welcome Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac
— many of which will be offering
Diarmada and numerous special
special deals and promotions.
guests for a show featuring top Irish
onlineatanthem.com
music, song and dance through
of holiday music through the
Nov. 27
SCOTTSDAZZLE SING-ALONG AND TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY The city of Scottsdale will kick off
Nov. 29
with beautifully lit holiday décor and classic Christmas tunes performed
The North Valley Jewish Community
by MusicaNova Orchestra. Hot
Association will celebrate Hanukkah
coffee, cocoa and light bites inspired
with an event that includes cocktails,
by the season will be provided. Free.
a candle-lighting ceremony and
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Nov. 29 and 30
a holiday lens. $33.50+. 7 p.m.
HANUKKAH CELEBRATION
its signature seasonal celebration
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7 p.m. Scottsdale Waterfront, 7135
Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. Phoenix. 480-4786000; mim.org
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SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA NAMES CONCERTMASTER North Valley Symphony Orchestra recently named Ellen Hansbury as its concertmaster for the 2021–2022 season. Hansbury, who began studying the violin at the age of 4 and went on to perform at the University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music before earning a master's in business administration and pursuing a career in marketing, joined the nonprofit performing arts organization in 2015. northvalleysymphony.org
Dec. 3
THE CHRISTMAS SERENAD3
Dec. 10 and 11
JACQUELINE EARLE: PLAYFUL DIAMONDS
to people who lack transportation. The center is also planning a number of permanent micro-pantries for
Powerhouse vocal trio The Serenad3
Meet the designer behind this nearly
organizations that can provide
will take the stage as part of Arizona
magical jewelry collection. Extra
access to food in secure locations
Musicfest. $49+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands
inventory will be on-hand, including
such as schools, churches and
Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road,
special one-of-a-kind pieces, each
libraries. Additionally, the center
Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org
of which features diamonds that
has developed a market day during
are strung rather than set, allowing
which seniors receive individually
each stone to capture light in a fun
packaged frozen meals, produce,
and playful manner. Free. Friday 10
bakery goods and deli items.
a.m.–7 p.m. with wine and appetizers
foothillsfoodbank.com
Dec. 3 and 4
AARON HENRY JEWELRY
4–7 p.m; Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Meet the father and son team behind
Grace Renee Gallery, Historic
this luxury jewelry collection. Extra
Spanish Village, 7212 E. Ho Hum
inventory will be on-hand, including
Road, #7, Carefree. 480-575-8080;
special one-of-a-kind pieces, each
gracereneegallery.com
of which is hand-crafted, bringing
RESOURCE CENTER SEEKS HOLIDAY DONORS Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center is seeking donations of
modern design. Free. Friday 10
FOOD BANK EXPANDS SERVICES
a.m.–7 p.m. with wine and appetizers
Foothills Food Bank and Resource
4–7 p.m; Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
for children, families and seniors
Center has created numerous
Grace Renee Gallery, Historic
throughout the community as part
sharing programs to better partner
Spanish Village, 7212 E. Ho Hum
of its 19th annual Adopt-a-Family
with citizens. Through mobile
Road, #7, Carefree. 480-575-8080;
program. The center will host festive
distributions to Coolwater Church
gracereneegallery.com
drive-through client parties in early
and a senior center in New River, the
December. foothillsfoodbank.com
classical Old World quality to
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center now provides more outreach
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family games, gift cards and more to brighten the holiday season
Mark Your Calendars!
DVUSD Fall Kindergarten Preview Nights Nov. 1-4 • Fall 2022 Registration Opens Nov. 1 Thinking about Kindergarten options for next year?
Find out why DVUSD is an #Extraordinary place to learn! For a Full List of Deer Valley’s Kindergarten Preview Nights Dates & Times:
www.dvusd.org/kinderevents november 2021
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Writer Joseph J. Airdo
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Arizona may be best known for the stunning saguaros and other statuesque cacti that adorn our landscape year-round, but the colors that decorate our diverse species of trees and line our many venturous pathways during the autumn season are proof that fall really is our state’s time to shine. A mere two-hour drive in any direction — north, east, south or west — will transport you to any number of hiking trails and wilderness areas that allow you to experience the very best that Arizona has to offer this time of the year. The autumnal adventures that await inspire awe as Mother Nature truly is the most gifted artist in existence. However, while our state’s hiking trails exhibit beauty 12 months out of the year, it is important to note that the season’s splendor is fleeting. So put on a pair of your favorite hiking shoes and make your way to any of the following trails that flaunt Arizona’s fall fantasy. And while you are at it, snap a few photos then send them to images@imagesaz.com for possible publication in an upcoming issue of Images Arizona.
WEST FORK OF OAK CREEK TRAIL
No list of trails worth hiking in any season is complete without including at least one located in one of the most picturesque places in our state — Sedona. Therefore, we may as well begin our journey there with one of the most popular trails in the Coconino National Forest. West Fork of Oak Creek Trail provides a pleasant stroll beside a little stream that ripples along the canyon floor. The autumn season brings with it plenty of yellow, orange and red leaves, which have fallen off trees and landed in the stream, where they float along with you on your travels.
be hiked from the Schnebly Hill trailhead. After a brief level hike, the trail steeply descends, crosses Bear Wallow Wash and ascends moderately until topping out on a ridge that overlooks Oak Creek and uptown Sedona. Continue along the trail to experience exquisite views of the creek and floodplain before enjoying the partial shade of riparian trees that look absolutely lovely this time of the year. The trail eventually crosses a branch of the creek, which requires a couple of instances of wading or boulder hopping. If you plan ahead and park a vehicle at either end, you can continue on, pass beneath Midgley Bridge and arrive at the parking area at the north end of the bridge. Because there is little shade along the trail, which overlooks Sedona’s stunning colors from afar, this hike is best completed during the autumn months.
KACHINA TRAIL
The first — and most popular — of several Flagstaff hikes on this list is Kachina Trail. Bright gold colors light the way through surrounding aspen groves on this trail, which skirts the south face of the San Francisco Peaks. The rolling hike takes you through high forest and broad, sloping meadows, all of which afford panoramic views over the area. Kachina Trail crosses several canyons before descending a high lava cliff, which features dramatic, cave-like recesses that mark where a bed of looser volcanic debris eroded away from denser flow layers above. Many hikers have spotted a variety of wildlife — from black bears and cougars to elk and mule deer.
It is a relatively easy hike, which is why it is among the most popular, but it does require you to negotiate a few strategically placed stepping stones or take a couple of steps in shallow water as you cross the stream several times along the trail.
But the trees that show off their beautiful foliage are the main attraction along the hike this time of the year. Ancient limber pine and massive Douglasfir dominate the higher elevations while waist-high meadows of bracken fern punctuate the slopes and scattered ponderosa groves populate the descent toward Weatherford Canyon.
HUCKABY TRAIL
INNER BASIN TRAIL
If you want a slightly different view of Sedona’s autumn splendor, look no further than Huckaby Trail, which can
Another favorite among Flagstaff’s many amazing fall hikes is Inner Basin Trail, which leads into the heart
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Inner Basin and Lockett Meadow Photographer Michael Wilson
Kachina Trail Photographer Michael Wilson
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of the San Francisco Peaks. Beginning at Lockett Meadow, this trail progresses from an island of emerald, ringed with aspens and high peaks, through a shady forest before following a service road into the mountain's beautiful basin. Once there, you will view extensive stands of aspens that cover the steep slopes of the old caldera, coloring them solid gold. Take a moment to study the spectacular landscape because, if you look carefully, you can still see avalanche tracks and remnants of old lava flows that remind you that the mountain is actually an extinct volcano. Like Kachina Trail, Inner Basin Trail often provides glimpses of Flagstaff’s wildlife — including black bears, elk and porcupine. The hike requires a moderate but steady climb, but the reward of the autumnal allure that it offers is unparalleled and therefore well worth the effort.
ABINEAU-BEAR JAW LOOP
The Abineau and Bear Jaw trails on the north slope of the San Francisco Peaks combine to create a scenic loop through forested canyons. A hike of the AbineauBear Jaw Loop requires a steep but steady climb through stands of mixed conifer and aspen. Where the two trails meet to form the loop, you get a view of the Grand Canyon — 70 miles away — that is unlike any other. The hike also passes through an area that, while colorful year-round, is especially jaw-dropping in the fall as the surrounding slopes are painting crimson and gold with groves of aspen. Because of the expansive views that the Abineau-Bear Jaw Loop provides, it is not uncommon to spot black bears, elk and mule deer somewhere in the distance. The hike is also popular among birders, who frequent the trail to catch a glimpse of or a song from juncos, Steller's jays and Clark's nutcrackers.
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Midgley Bridge on Huckaby Trail
ASPEN NATURE LOOP
RIM LAKE VISTA TRAIL
Begin your hike at the Humphreys Trailhead and branch west through micro-habitats where wildflowers and grasses alternate with shade plants and ferns. A winding, 300foot elevation change takes you high enough to experience incredible views of Arizona Snowbowl, which likely has at least a dusting of snow — if not more — as its staff prepares to greet eager skiers and snowboarders.
In addition to plenty of aspen trees boasting bright yellow foliage, the Rim Lake Vista Trail also affords glimpses of interesting rock outcroppings as well as sprawling views of some of the vast mountain ranges that surround our state.
The last of the Flagstaff-area trails on this list is the Aspen Nature Loop, a 2.5-mile hike that, situated on sloping meadows and open glades high on the western slope of the San Francisco Peaks, affords unhindered views of the volcanic field to the west and the Grand Canyon to the north.
Like the Abineau-Bear Jaw Loop, the Aspen Nature Loop is a popular spot for birders in search of flickers, jays, juncos and warblers. However, for the average hiker, the fall foliage that is so decadently on display by the aspen, spruce and pine that stand along the trail is more than enough encouragement to take the trek.
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Moving east, the Rim Lake Vista Trail near Payson, which meanders along the Mogollon Rim, provides stunning views of more than 200 miles of Arizona’s forests — which look their absolute best this time of the year. The 3.5-mile hike is among the easiest on this list but the rewards are just as outstanding.
Awe-inspiring 100-mile views of Mogollon Rim are the real draw, though, as this hike offers you an expansive view that gives you a new appreciation for Arizona’s beauty — especially in autumn.
ASPEN AND MARSHALL GULCH LOOP
Farther south, the loop formed by the Aspen and Marshall Gulch trails is one of the most popular upper-elevation routes into the Pusch Ridge Wilderness near Tucson. The moderate
hike leads through an area of diverse habitats that include Canadian Zone riparian areas and ponderosa pine forests. Perhaps one of the reasons that the Aspen and Marshall Gulch Loop is so popular is the sheer number of different trees hikers experience along the way. Species include aspens, Douglas-fir, white fir, Gambel oak, silverleaf oak and madrone — all of which provide some of the most colorful fall scenes in Arizona. There is much more to see along this hike, though, with bare granite walls of the uppermost reaches of Sabino Canyon and pathways that sparkle with flakes of mica and quartz being among the many spectacular sights. A cool, shady canyon stocked with wonderful wildflowers and pretty pools of water complete the experience.
ARAVAIPA CANYON WILDERNESS
Rounding out our list of favorite fall hikes is the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness, located near Safford. Although it does not have official trails, the area is widely considered to be one of the most spectacular spots to experience all of the beauty that autumn has to offer. The Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness features towering cliffs, a rich diversity of flora and fauna and a perpetually flowing creek that nurtures the surrounding ecosystem of sycamore, ash, cottonwood and willow trees. A kaleidoscope of yellow, orange and red leaves provides a poetically dramatic contrast with the surrounding Sonoran Desert landscape this time of the year. Permits are required to hike here and, as there is so much to see and experience, it may behoove you to make a weekend of it and spend the night at one of the many campsites along the creek — which is home to deer, javelina and coatimundi. As with all locations on this list, properly research all requirements and recommendations before embarking on your autumn adventure.
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Nanette McClelland-Miller, Agent
623-742-6866
nanettemiller.com Fry’s Shopping Center: Next to Verizon and Tru Burger november 2021
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41207 N. PRESTANCIA DRIVE, ANTHEM Offered at $499,000
RE/MAX Pro fe s s i o n al s | L i n da Re h w a lt | 6 0 2 -4 0 2 -1 1 3 6 | l in d a r e h w a l t @ a z r e a l t y. c o m
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Move-In Ready and Easily Customizable to Any Lifestyle This well-maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home is conveniently located on a corner lot and within walking distance of Anthem Country Club’s Ironwood Clubhouse and its two remarkable restaurants — Persimmon Bar and Grille and Barrel House. Active individuals will also appreciate living so close to the country club’s fitness center and pool. A majority of this incredible home has seen a fresh carpet install and professional interior paint earlier this year. Granite counters and plantation shutters are just two of the innumerable eye-catching features sprinkled throughout the home, which is guaranteed to impress upon entry and walkthrough. Move-in ready with a washer and dryer and several stainless appliances, including a refrigerator, oven and microwave, this pleasantly light and neutral home provides the foundation around which you can easily build a living experience that is unique to you and your family. Customizable to any lifestyle, you can quickly make it your own and seamlessly settle into the very epitome of “home sweet home.” The well-lit eat-in kitchen boasts a beautiful breakfast bar and island that opens up the area while encouraging conversation over cooking and mealtime. The spacious living room offers plenty of opportunities for relaxation — be it over movie night, board games or any other leisure activity your family enjoys. Each bedroom and bathroom is beautiful, but the master bedroom — which comes complete with a custom walk-in closet and a master bathroom with a separate shower and tub as well as double sinks and a private toilet room — is certain to convince you that this house is your new home. Visit this home located in the award-winning Anthem Country Club; see its awesome amenities, spacious design and convenient floorplan for yourself; and begin imagining all of the amazing things that it can offer you and your family.
Please call Linda for your private showing. Linda Rehwalt RE/MAX Professionals 602-402-1136 lindarehwalt@azrealty.com
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Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography by Tam Ryan
O
Originally published in 1844 as “The NewEngland Boy's Song about Thanksgiving Day,” Lydia Maria Child’s poem has become the quintessential celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday, evoking childhood memories of traveling through an autumn dreamscape on the way to a Norman Rockwell-esque dinner with relatives. The poem includes references to “the white and drifted snow” because, in the early 19th century, New England was enduring the Little Ice Age — a colder era with earlier winters. In 1949, with a few modifications, Danny Kaye and the Andrews Sisters turned Child’s poem into a Christmas carol called “A Merry Christmas at Grandmother's House,” re-associating the classic lyrics with a different season and holiday. However, with references to blowing wind that “stings the toes and bites the nose” as well as “hurrahs” for pudding and pumpkin pie, the poem-turned-song, for many, will always elicit fall imagery and all of the intense emotions that come with the Thanksgiving holiday. The very visceral notion of being surrounded by brown tree trunks, green pine needles and leaves of yellow, orange and red produces both nostalgia for Thanksgivings past and anticipation for the festive family celebrations that are right around the corner. These thoughts and feelings are among the best representations of just how much sentimental significance a single image can contain. As such, photography truly is a form of visual poetry. Photographer Tam Ryan, whose mother was a writer and poet, gains inspiration for capturing nature in its many forms from a poem by Robert Frost called “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” That is perhaps one of the reasons her work is so astonishing. Images Arizona is honored to share some of Ryan’s alluring autumn scenes in this month’s photo essay. Arizona may be a bit warmer than New England but its beauty this time of the year is just as breathtaking. It is our hope that these scenes elicit the thoughts, feelings and maybe even memories of traveling over the river and through the wood to a wonderful fall holiday with family. november 2021
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Hiking through Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior has easy to moderate trails. I especially like the trail through the Eucalyptus Forest. It is the trail that leads you to the Herb Garden. Just a short distance past that is where I have seen the most vibrant fall color. Tam Ryan
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My mother was a writer and poet. I remember my introduction to poetry through some of my mother's books. One of my favorites was by Robert Frost, ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.’ The last stanza of the poem speaks to my continuing inspiration for photographing nature in many forms — such as forests, lakes, streams, wildlife and birds. Tam Ryan
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The other inspiring locations that I have photographed are along the West Fork Trail at Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona. The trails lead to stream crossings which are easy enough to cross. For some, walking sticks are recommended. Every new corner you turn is as beautiful as the last. Tam Ryan
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ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER Photo by Ron Ricci Tam Ryan received her first 35mm camera at age 10 from her father, who learned darkroom photography from prominent New York photojournalist W. Eugene Smith. “That starter camera sparked my interest in photography,” Ryan says. “Everywhere I went, I had my camera.” Raised on the East Coast, Ryan was introduced to the American West via visits to family on the Western Slope of Colorado. She quickly became fascinated with the region's unique attributes and vast landscapes. During a visit to Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert with a photography group in 2012, she developed a particular interest in photographing birds. “I had lived in Mesa since 1997 but had never known about that birding area,” says Ryan, noting that, since then, the preserve has become one of her favorite places to photograph. “I have met many photographers [there] who have become personal friends or who have helped me identify some of the birds.” Ryan is especially drawn toward snowy egrets, great egrets and great blue herons but, as the artist has had the privilege to call the Desert Southwest home for more than 40 years, her photographic interests now also include abstracts in nature, desert flora, desert wildlife, macro and landscapes. Ryan, whose photography has won numerous awards and been featured in several calendars and publications over the years, believes that one of the greatest assets to her work is her zoom lens as it allows her to get close enough to capture incredible images of birds and other wildlife. “Giving them some distance is the best way to capture images that do not disturb their natural habitat,” she explains. tamryan.com tamryan.smugmug.com november 2021
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i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m nov e m b e r 2 02 1 Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography Courtesy of Anthem Community Council
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Retired Navy Admiral Tom Fargo has had the distinct pleasure of being in close association with three generations of veterans. “My father and stepfather both served in World War II in the Pacific and my mother was a Navy nurse, including time on Guadalcanal in the latter stages,” Fargo says. “My generation spanned both Vietnam and the Cold War. And, of course, this current generation has been at war for essentially the last 20 years — and their sacrifice is clearly evident to us all.” Fargo adds that the dedication of those three generations and their willingness to give their lives for their country has provided all Americans with safety, security and prosperity. “So it is especially important on Veterans Day that we pause to recognize not only our veterans but their families for all they have done to protect our freedom and our way of life,” he says. Fargo will serve as the keynote speaker during this year’s Anthem Veterans Day Ceremony, which will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11 at Anthem Community Park. Hosted by Anthem Community Council, this year’s ceremony arrives with added fanfare as the event marks a significant milestone for one of the community’s most honored landmarks. The Anthem Veterans Memorial — which was dedicated on Veterans Day in 2011 and received Arizona Historic Landmark status the following year — will be celebrating its 10th anniversary. Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Mark Clifford, who will present the Veteran’s perspective during the Anthem Veterans Day Ceremony, says that taking time out of our day to remember those who fought for our freedoms — and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice — is just one way that we can honor those who have put their country before themselves.
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY
NOVEMBER 11, 2021
•
10 a.m.
Anthem Veterans Memorial 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway Anthem, Arizona • Exit 229 off I-17
OnlineAtAnthem.com/AVM november 2021
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“
The Anthem Veterans Memorial is part of a fortress that the rest of the world looks up to and depends upon. We are the keepers of that fortress. John Sandoz
“The significance of honoring our nation’s veterans is a reminder to all of our vets that they are not forgotten, that the sacrifices made by them and their families is deeply appreciated and that we are grateful for all that they have done,” Clifford says. “We cannot thank them enough for protecting this country and our freedom.” Fargo and Clifford are just two of several special guests who will be in attendance at this year’s Anthem Veterans Day Ceremony. For example, speakers from the 2011 dedication and the 2016 fifth anniversary will return to honor their service branches as they rededicate the pillars to the community. Meanwhile, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Amber Cargile will serve as the mistress of ceremonies and Pastor Mac McElroy will provide the invocation. Both participated in Anthem Veterans Memorial’s 2011 dedication. Dr. Timothy Swindle, director of the University of Arizona Space Institute and the Arizona Space Grant Consortium, will also dedicate the Space Force flag during the event, which will include special musical performances by Musical Theatre of Anthem and ProMusica Arizona. John Sandoz, who performs many of ProMusica Arizona’s production and logistics responsibilities and is an integral part of the ceremony, has
a long family history of service to our nation. His grandfather served in the Army in France in World War II while both his father and his uncle served in the South Pacific — in the Marines and the Army Air Corps, respectively. “So I expected to be called on to serve when I took the oath to defend our Constitution in 1968,” says Sandoz, who is a Vietnam veteran. “My fellow troops came from states that spanned the U.S. I gained insight into and appreciation for life in other parts of our country. Our common link was our loyalty to the Constitution. By honoring our nation’s veterans, our fellow Americans recognize, attest to and reaffirm that common link that is vital to our democracy.”
Mark Clifford
Tim Swindle
Sandoz is therefore proud to live in a community that honors our nation’s heroes. “The Anthem Veterans Memorial and the events surrounding it are a tangible expression of the gratitude of our fellow citizens for the courage and sacrifices of our veterans ‘to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,’” he says. “The memorial is not just words. It is a monument to the determination and resilience of our veterans and the support of their families to defend our democracy.” Tom Fargo november 2021
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Sandoz relays the story of a moment in history when a diplomat from the formerly communist country of Poland defected to the U.S. back in the 1980s. “A reporter asked him why he chose to defect to the U.S. instead of to a neighboring European country like Germany,” Sandoz says. “The diplomat replied that he wanted to live in the U.S. because it is the fortress of freedom. The Anthem Veterans Memorial is part of a fortress that the rest of the world looks up to and depends upon. We are the keepers of that fortress.” The Anthem Veterans Day Ceremony will conclude with a Luke Air Force Base flyover and the solar spotlight onto the Great Seal of the United States at precisely 11:11 a.m. In addition to the ceremony itself, Daisy Mountain Veterans will once again host its annual parade 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. The parade route will run from the area near Christ’s Church of the Valley and Boulder Creek High School past
EXPERIENCE
Anthem Community Park to Anthem Way then onto Gavilan Peak Parkway, ending at Anthem Community Center. Clifford says that those who attend Anthem’s Veterans Day ceremony demonstrate to our nation’s heroes that the community supports them and their families. “Small-town feel is full of small-town love,” he explains. “Showing our veterans they are loved and appreciated is an overwhelming feeling for most [of them]. It is a sign of gratitude when the community celebrates our veterans and it is just another example of showing our vets that they are not forgotten and that we are thankful. “Coming to a community event to honor veterans, you will see the pride among our vets and the camaraderie that they share. It is a wonderful tribute to [them].” onlineatanthem.com
Anthem Veterans Day Ceremony i m a g eNov. s a r i z o11 n a |. c10 o ma.m. nov| eAnthem m b e r 2 02 1 Veterans Memorial | 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Anthem | Free | onlineatanthem.com 44Thursday,
• • • •
PROFESSIONALS
Each office independently owned and operated.
MIKE HIGGINS
623.640.7502 | MikeSellsAnthem.com
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Writer Susan Kern-Fleischer i mCourtesy a g e s a r i zof o nSonoran a . c o m Arts novLeague e m b e r 2 02 1 Photography
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Jon Linton’s “Barrio Viejo” photograph of the front entrance of a colorful adobe home was chosen to grace the cover of this year's highly collectible Hidden in the Hills artist directory.
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Longtime Desert Foothills art enthusiasts may recall how Hidden in the Hills co-founder Judy Darbyshire hand-drew maps during the first two years of what has since become an iconic studio tour. Those photocopied maps were then personally distributed by each of the artists as well as posted throughout the Cave Creek and Carefree communities. As the event grew, the Sonoran Arts League invested in publishing a comprehensive four-color artist directory, with each one having become quite collectible. Each year, artists and art collectors alike wait in anticipation to see which talented artist’s work will grace the directory cover.
HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE
Horseshoe bend
This year, which mark’s the event’s silver anniversary, the Hidden in the Hills committee chose Jon Linton’s “Barrio Viejo” photograph of the front entrance of a colorful adobe home to be the featured cover artwork. Hidden in the Hills co-chair and gourd artist Jane Boggs says that the photograph beautifully captures the sentiment of Hidden in the Hills’ 25th annual event, which has grown to become Arizona’s largest and longestrunning artist studio tour. “After a challenging year, we are eager to welcome collectors and art enthusiasts to our studios for what is sure to be a memorable artist studio tour,” Boggs explains.
White House
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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE
SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN
The free, self-guided tour returns the last two weekends of November, featuring 191 artists at 45 studio locations throughout Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale. Some studios are off the beaten path while others can be found near familiar roads. Part of the fun is the chance to discover a diverse mix of talented artists — many of whom will demonstrate during the event.
SEEKING TRUTH AND NEW HORIZONS
An acclaimed photographer and activist who advocates for the homeless and other underserved populations, Linton is best known for his “I Have a Name” street photography series as well as his serene and stunning black and white landscape photography. Hidden in the Hills co-chair and mixed media sculptor Joanie Wolter says that this year’s cover art selection is especially significant because it is the first time that a photographer’s work has been featured on the artist directory cover.
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Laughing Glass Studio
Functional and Sculptural Glass Art
480-488-6070
4944 E. Sawmill Circle, Cave Creek Open by appointment year round! Carole@LaughingGlass.com
#23 JULIE GILBERT JEWELRY
Living The Dream Arts 6711 E. Highland Rd. Cave Creek
HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST STUDIO TOUR AND SALE
CAROLE PERRY & DON CARROLL
juliegilbertjewelry.com juliegilbertjewelry@gmail.com
Title: Turquoise Sunflower Story: The Sunflower is said to bring the recipient good fortune and lasting happiness. Medium: Argentium Silver, Sterling Silver and Turquoise
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BARBARA GOLDBERG Acrylic
602-538-1811
7831 East Carefree Estates Carefree BarbGoldbergArt.com Barb@BarbGoldbergArt.com
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By virtue of being selected as the Hidden in the Hills cover artist, I am already changing the trajectory of my career. I’m now inspired to expand my body of work to include additional imagery in color, and I’m looking forward to unveiling my new work during the artist studio tour. Jon Linton
“We had many strong entries,” Wolter says. “But ‘Barrio Viejo’ really stood out. It conveys a warm, welcoming message that resonated with us — and we’re thrilled that Jon will exhibit his new work during the tour this year.” Although the Phoenix resident has been immersed in the art world for more than two decades, this is Linton’s first year participating in Hidden in the Hills. He will exhibit and sell his work at painter Stuart Yankell’s Studio No. 24 in Cave Creek. “Barrio Viejo” is atypical for the talented artist, who primarily exhibits black and white photography. “I was reluctant to move away from black and white imagery,” Linton says. “I’ve always felt that in the absence of color, you see a certain truth that is left behind. But ‘Barrio Viejo’ did not feel honest absent color — and its truth provides new horizons.” After graduating from Eastern Illinois University with a liberal arts degree in 1987, Linton went on to work for
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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST STUDIO TOUR AND SALE
"Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" 30" x 30" x 2.5"
NANCY BREIMAN FINE ART Oil Painter
480-262-5698 29682 N 67th St. Scottsdale, AZ
nbreiman@gmail.com nancybreiman.com
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DC
DC
HIGH
A Whole L
HIGH DESERT CREATIONS A Whole Lot of Country – A Whole Lot of Rock & Rustic
A Whole Lot of Country — A Whole Lot of Rock & Rustic
Ralph Lauren in New York City. A displaced Chicagoan, the former art magazine and book publisher says that he was surprised and humbled to be chosen as the cover artist for this year’s milestone Hidden in the Hills event. “I’m honored and also moved by having my work highlighted in such a prominent way,” he says. “By virtue of being selected as the Hidden in the Hills cover artist, I am already changing the trajectory of my career. I’m now inspired to expand my body of work to include additional imagery in color, and I’m looking forward to unveiling my new work during the artist studio tour.”
Hidden In The Hills Studio Tour & Sale
Studio #14 31616 N. 70th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85266
"Where The Wild Things Are"
IN SEARCH OF PEACEFUL RESOLUTIONS
In honor of Hidden in the Hills’ silver anniversary, this year’s artist directory will also feature diverse art from three talented artists on the back cover for the very first time in the event’s 25-year history. Cynthia Downs-Apodaca is a talented contemporary jeweler who incorporates precious stones into her pieces to create stunning designs. While her creative process is spontaneous, she is meticulous with her constructive techniques.
"Unbridled"
Kathi Turner Mixed Media Jewelry Designer
highdesertcreations.com @HighDesertCreations kathi89445@yahoo.com | 775-304-6756
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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE
A Boston native, Downs-Apodaca worked in the corporate world for 30 years before discovering her passion for metalsmithing. “I took a class at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design to learn how to bezel a stone and my eyes opened to all types of possibilities,” she says. “I felt like a kid in a candy shop.” That pivotal experience led to a move to Tucson in 1995, where her metalsmithing career took off. An award-winning artist, she designs her jewelry to engage the wearer with movement and light. While she appreciates the beauty of diamonds and rubies, Downs-Apodaca prefers to work with unusual stones and fossils, including jasper, azurite, tourmaline and other rare minerals and gemstones. “Sometimes when I pick up a stone, I immediately see what I will do with it or I just know I will work with it at some point in the future,” she says. To create her Lapis Royalty Cuff, which is featured on the back cover of this year’s Hidden in the Hills artist directory, Downs-Apodaca manipulated delicate silver wires together to form a strong, durable cuff that features the deep blue, semi-precious stone prominently in the center, surrounded in 22-karat gold. This is Downs-Apodaca’s 22nd year participating in Hidden in the Hills. Tour guests can find her at Jane Boggs’ Studio No. 30 in Cave Creek, where she will exhibit a new selection of woven cuffs alongside many other designs in silver and gold. In addition, she will showcase a new line of pendants called “Precarious.”
<From left, contemporary jeweler Cynthia Downs-Apodaca, ceramicist Sylvia Fugmann Brongo and surrealistmagic realism painter Linda StoreyLondon will have their art featured on the back cover of this year’s Hidden in the Hills artist directory.
JUDY BRUCE Mixed Media
480-437-9995 7162 E. Stevens Rd. Cave Creek judybruceart.com
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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE Cynthia Downs-Apodaca - Lapis Royalty Cuff
Artist Cynthia Downs-Apodaca
“Each piece creates a preciously-balanced design, which finds its center in spite of itself,” Downs-Apodaca explains. “The idea really springs from how unpredictable our nation’s situation has been. The designs are meant to be hopeful in that all issues can find their center and be peacefully resolved.”
APPRECIATING FORGIVENESS AND BOUNDARIES
Host of Studio No. 38 in Cave Creek, ceramic artist Sylvia Fugmann Brongo finds inspiration for her vessels, bowls and wall art from Mother Nature. Each clay piece is slab-formed and she often uses natural elements — like fossils or cholla cactus skeletons — to create texture. Fugmann Brongo grew up in upstate New York, near Rochester. Throughout high school and college, she experimented with painting, sculpture and fiber art, but she always came back to clay. “Clay is so forgiving,” she says. “And yet, I enjoy the challenges of knowing its boundaries, whether I’m waiting to remove it from a mold or I’m firing it in the kiln. If it’s too stiff, it will break apart. If it’s too soft, it can collapse.” In 2006, she moved to Cave Creek, where she found new inspiration for her art as she explored the Southwest. A true adventurer, she purchased a Winnebago Travato RV in 2018. Since then, she has traveled to more than 31 states, covering more than 40,000 miles.
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HITH Studio 22
Nicolette’s Contemporary Studio New Location - Same Great Art 6314 E. Morning Vista Lane, Cave Creek, AZ 85331
North
Scottsdale Rd
Morning Vista
64th Street
Dixileta
Dynamite
Tracy Paul
Nicolette Maguire Bonnstetter
Lynn Ballinger
Studio 22 Exhibits Every Other Year. Join Us This Year to See What We Have Been Creating! November 19,20,21 November 26,27,28 HIlary Wells
Allison Shock
Larry Brecker
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SARAH FOSTER StoneCreekJewelry.com
SARAH FOSTER StoneCreekJewelry.com ROBIN RAY RobinRayArt.com
Six artists represented with demonstrations daily at 2 p.m. november 2021
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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE Sylvia Fugmann Brongo - Blaze
Artist Sylvia Fugmann Brongo
“Blaze,” her breathtaking vessel featured on the back cover of this year’s Hidden in the Hills artist directory, is the largest piece that fits in her kiln. Using gravity as a tool, she created “Blaze” upside-down over a form to create a swirling effect. The one-of-a-kind vessel features soft-carved layers on the outside with subtle negative spaces that give viewers a glimpse at the bold, colorful, shiny glaze inside. Like “Blaze,” many of Fugmann Brongo’s pieces have a 3D effect that captures a sense of movement. She enhances each piece with many layers of airbrushed colors to elicit thrilling or soothing emotional responses. She fires each piece in a kiln for 8–10 hours before giving it 24 hours to cool. Sometimes she needs to go back and add more color. “The kiln gods can take control,” says Fugmann Brongo, noting that those pieces have to be fired for a second or third time. During Hidden in the Hills, Fugmann Brongo will exhibit a new series of bold, contemporary vessels, bowls and wall pieces along with whimsical, colorful garden sculptures.
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Meet the artists & discover new art! Pick up your artist’s directory or go online to plan your free self-guided artist studio tour. Visit 45 studios featuring 191 artists in diverse mediums. Nov. 19, 20, 21 + Nov. 26, 27, 28, 2021 Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 10am–5pm
Cave Creek • Carefree • North Scottsdale 480.575.6624 • Hidden In The Hills.org
Credits: (Left) ©2021 Jon Linton, Barrio Viejo, Photography (Right column) ©2021 Sylvia Fugmann Brongo, Blaze, Clay ©2021 Cynthia Downs-Apodaca, Lapis Royalty Cuff, Jewelry ©2021 Linda Storey-London, Barely Able to Contain It, Oil
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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE Linda Storey-London - Barely Able to Contain It
LETTING ACCIDENTS HAPPEN
A surrealist-magic realism painter who loves to explore the mystery of the natural world, Linda Storey-London strives to convey the sense of awe and wonder that she sees in animals, landscapes, biology, astronomy and geology. She also likes to include humor in her work. Because her father was in the military, Storey-London spent much of her childhood moving around the country. She credits her mother for igniting her passion for art. “My mom was an amazing artist, but she was also very shy and she never exhibited her work,” says StoreyLondon, noting that, an elective art class at Washington State University completely turned her head around. “I learned how all things are related and I became fascinated with exploring the natural world through art. After that class, I switched my major from science to fine art.” A teacher for more than 37 years, Storey-London enjoys painting with oil, which allows her to easily change direction or paint over any mistakes. She also loves that it is sensuous, rich and transparent.
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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE Artist Linda Storey-London
“I am a spontaneous painter, and the outcome is always better when I let my muse be in control,” says StoreyLondon, adding that some of her paintings have up to 20 paintings underneath. “I always tell my students that they may start out with an idea for the painting, but it’s important to let the accidents happen. It will always be better in the end.” The back cover of this year’s Hidden in the Hills artist directory features her oil painting, “Barely Able to Contain It.” “It started out as a collection of old painters’ jars and pots on a bench in a studio,” Storey-London explains. “I began playing with different textures, which turned into the various flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert. Then the bench disappeared and the pots began to levitate. The painting had its own ideas and life — and it was a delight for me to play and participate in its evolution.” During her first year participating in Hidden in the Hills, Storey-London will exhibit a variety of paintings at Michael D’Ambrosi’s Studio No. 39 in Cave Creek that she describes as “crazy and fun.” “My paintings are thought-provoking and uplifting,” she says. “But most importantly, I hope people will be inspired to look at the world differently.” hiddeninthehills.org
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im a g e s a19–21 r i z o n a and . c o mNov. nov26–28 e m b e r | 210 02a.m.–5 1 Nov.
EXPERIENCE
p.m. | See website for locations | Free | 480-575-6624 | hiddeninthehills.org
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Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Brian Morrison
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It may seem like a Hollywood cliché: U.S. Marine veteran returns home from combat to face hidden battles within his own mind. He drinks too much, gets in trouble with the law and finds salvation after experiencing his own dark night of the soul. Except this isn’t Hollywood. Jonathan Hancock’s story is much more real; and he’s still writing the ending. Six years ago, Hancock began a 5,800-mile journey that would not only begin to heal his own wounds but that continues to help other veterans to understand and adapt to life after combat. Hancock’s journey began in 2004 when, as a young Marine, he was deployed to Iraq as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment — nicknamed The Magnificent Bastards. His unit fought in the first Battle of Ramadi and suffered more casualties than any other infantry battalion. Two hundred men in his 1,000-man unit were killed or wounded. For those who survived, the battle didn’t end when they finally flew home. Hancock’s story could have ended badly — very badly. In fact, it almost did. He returned from the horrors of combat and tried to slide back into his old life. He resumed college and did well for a short time before alcohol consumed him and trouble found him. After a suicide attempt, he became desperate. “I had to lay myself naked on the altar of humility,” Hancock says. And so he went for a walk. September 11, 2015, with 70 pounds of gear on his back, Hancock left his Maryland home in the middle of the night to find the men he served with and Gold Star families of those he’d lost. He didn’t know what he expected to find, but along the way, he not only found himself; he found a sense of purpose and direction that he thought had been destroyed by bullets and bombs. His journey would take him on a meandering trail across the country, down dirt roads and solitary paved highways. He camped where he could — sometimes stealthily — and only occasionally checked into a motel for a warm shower.
Jonathan Hancock’s journey began in 2004 when, as a young Marine, he was deployed to Iraq as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment — nicknamed The Magnificent Bastards. His unit fought in the first Battle of Ramadi and suffered more casualties than any other infantry battalion.
In Slidell, Louisiana, he met Brian Morrison, who graduated from the same high school. Morrison began to film Hancock’s trek and put together an award-winning documentary called “Bastard’s Road.” In his hard-hitting film, Morrison was able to capture the complex emotions that Hancock, his fellow Marines and their loved ones experienced. From behind his lens, he also documented a remarkable change in Hancock.
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Six years ago, Jonathan Hancock began a 5,800-mile journey that would not only begin to heal his own wounds but that continues to help other veterans to understand and adapt to life after combat.
As Hancock’s beard and hair grew wilder and his body underwent a healthy metamorphosis, his eyes became brighter and his smile became wider as, pound by pound, an invisible weight disappeared from his shoulders. “Ultimately, I learned that I am absolutely stronger than I actually know,” Hancock says. “I have a massive amount of courage I can rely on that I previously thought wasn’t there. It was cathartic for me, but it also helps others. Fortunately, we’ve also got this film to continue to reach veterans who need this message.” It wasn’t only physical pain he endured. “When I started to process everything, it was a roller coaster,” he explains. “It’s basically cognitive therapy with movement, 20–30 miles a day.” In total, he knocked on the doors of 75 people, including 11 Gold Star families, before completing his journey in an emotional homecoming of sorts — yet better this time — at Camp Pendleton. He was met by fellow Marines and Gold Star families who were not only moved by his walk, but who understood what it was like to return to civilian life after combat.
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PTSD — Redefined Jonathan Hancock estimates that 25– 30% of the surviving 2/4 Marines are living with post-traumatic stress. He intentionally leaves the word “disorder” out of that term. “I don’t say ‘PTSD,’” he notes. “I don’t like the word disorder. It’s not a disorder to have trauma. It’s about challenges caused by the experience of trauma. “I think we need to change the conversation about mental health when it comes to PTS. We’re not broken; we’re strong. We need to change the way we look at brain health and ways in which our memories process. It’s all about learning to build a toolbox and understanding how to cope.”
Shortly after Jonathan Hancock returned from the horrors of combat, alcohol consumed him and trouble found him.
Missing were those who fell in combat, as well as seven members of his unit who died from suicide upon returning home. Though not there in person, their lost lives became part of Hancock’s greater purpose: to provide resources and support to stop the alarming number of suicides among veterans. Today, Hancock is a new man, thanks in part to nearly 6,000 miles of introspection. Now a Phoenix resident, he heads his own nonprofit organization, called “Bastard’s Road Project,” taking other veterans on life-changing excursions to encourage them to talk about their experiences and to let those they love inside. “You have to call each other and continue to seek out connections,” he says. “We don’t get through anything alone in combat, so why do we think we have to get through it alone on the civilian side? “It doesn’t matter if it has been two weeks or 10 years. No time has passed as soon as you get on that phone.” november 2021
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The award-winning documentary “Bastard’s Road” captures the complex emotions that Jonathan Hancock, his fellow Marines and their loved ones experienced.
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Please Don’t Thank Me for My Service How many times has each of us heard or said the words, “Thank you for your service?” It may seem kind to say them to men and women in uniform, but Jonathan Hancock proposes an alternative. “We don’t know how to respond,” he says. “If we were in combat, it’s like, ‘What are you thanking me for? Being in prolonged gunfights, killing a kid or watching my buddy die and not being able to do anything about it? “We’d do better as a nation if we left ‘thank you for your service’ behind and changed it to, ‘Welcome home.’”
Bastard’s Road Project’s mission, in his words, is: “Walk long distances, figure some sh!t out.” And it seems he has done just that. Hancock came to Arizona in 2017 to attend Thunderbird School of Global Management, where he earned his degree in 2019. Earlier this year, he married his wife, Tiffany. His son, whose touching love for his dad is evident in the documentary, will be 11 years old next month. He lives in North Carolina with his mother, but visits Phoenix regularly. With any luck, he says with a gleam, his family will soon grow. Hancock’s newfound purpose is to spread the message he learned on his own — the message that saved his life. “It’s time to start understanding veterans instead of allowing yourself to be force-fed the false narrative by
Hollywood and the news,” he says. “If you truly care, you must start providing veterans with opportunities and start volunteering with veterans’ nonprofits to experience how veterans are really helping each other. “For veterans, it’s imperative that we begin to open up. We don’t exist in the age of Vietnam. We don’t exist in a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ society. We don’t exist in a country that restricts what we can say. It is incumbent upon vets to take the first step and reach out to each other. “There aren’t many ways we can be hurt doing that, but there are many ways that it can help.” And for Hancock, the journey toward healing, hope and purpose will continue … one step at a time. bastardsroad.com bastardsroadproject.org
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Singer-songwriter Lee Perreira’s 16 X 16 nonprofit organization’s mission is to assist children and families, help people in need and improve the quality of life in our community — all while inspiring others. Photo courtesy of Musical Instrument Museum
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Writer Joseph J. Airdo
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Singer-songwriter Lee Perreira believes that the most significant turning point in his entire life occurred when he began incorporating benevolence into each and every thing that he does.
went to a guitar lesson and my arms were not long enough. At some point, my grandparents bought me some cheap little mail-order guitar from a catalog and I kind of messed around with that.”
“We may think to ourselves, ‘What can I do to make a difference?’” Perreira says. “Sometimes that may seem like a daunting thing to even think about. I also felt weird and almost insecure about it.
Perreira spent much of his free time as a teenager learning and playing the guitar. At age 17, he linked up with a group of guys who had a band. That path led him to another band called Isle of Essence, with which he stayed and put all of his efforts into for about nine years.
“I have some friends who would always bring their mom out to see me play and, one day, they came out to my show and their mom was not with them. They said that they had to put her in a home. I did not even have to think about it; I brought the show to her. That was the seed. Once I did that, I really started to see and feel how I could make a difference.” Drawing from personal experience, Perreira determinedly set aside that aforementioned insecurity and connected with three Arizona-based charities. Having seen his mother abused, he reached out to Chrysalis; Having lost his grandfather to dementia, he reached out to the Arizona Healthcare Foundation; And having an aunt who had lost a child to cancer, he reached out to the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children. “Not only did that give me a purpose, but it also made me present my best self,” Perreira says. “When I walk into a hospital and I play for children with cancer or walk into a shelter for women and children who have been abused or walk into an Alzheimer’s or dementia home, I have to present my best self. “I smile at everybody. I feel like I have no choice but to present the best version of myself. Seeing how I can make a difference and seeing instances where my best self was required was truly the turning point in my life.” But performing his inspirational music for the individuals at these facilities was only the beginning of what has become a much bigger and more profound humanitarian effort.
WHISKEY LULLABY
“Even younger than 12, I wanted to play guitar and sing,” Perreira says. “Back then, they only had full-sized guitars. I
“At a certain point, the lives of the people in the band were no longer parallel,” Perreira says. “I ended up going back to school at the age of 26 for music at Phoenix Community College. I studied music there for two years and that was really the launch of me becoming a full-time musician.” By the time he graduated, Perreira had already begun teaching guitar lessons and gigging a few times a week. In fact, for a period of about five years, he was performing on stage nearly six or seven nights out of every week — sometimes even two or three times in a single day. After all, his father always taught him that if there was work available, he should work. And work he did, averaging more than 300 events per year throughout the United States. “I have found that real confidence comes from the work,” Perriera explains. “I have found that doing the work sharpens your skills and really breeds confidence. When you get to another level, you know that you have earned it.” Today, Perreira can be a bit more selective about when, where and how often he performs — a sign that he has gotten to that other level and has earned it. Acknowledging that it is hard to place him into any particular genre, the singer-songwriter describes his music as blues-infused rock ‘n’ roll. “I grew up with the blues,” he explains. “I grew up with improv. I play a song and it is not the same way every time. I kind of put my own spin on things. I come from that bluesy, funky rock ‘n’ roll background.”
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Scan this QR code with your phone or visit anchor.fm/imagesaz to listen to the podcast version of this story, featuring samples of Lee Perreira’s music.
Lee Perreira is invigorated by his 16 X 16 performance this year, noting that he felt as though he was at his absolute best — physically, mentally and spiritually Photo Courtesy of Lee Perreira
Acknowledging that it is hard to place him into any particular genre, singer-songwriter Lee Perreira describes his music as blues-infused rock ‘n’ roll. Photo Courtesy of Lee Perreira
Although two of his most played and requested songs are “Whiskey Lullaby” and “Like a Train Off Track,” Perreira says that the song that provides the most insight about him is the title track off his album “What’s That Got to Do with My Dreams?”
‘Listen to yourself. You wrote some really cool stuff here that maybe you should apply right now.’”
“The point of that song is that life is going to throw curveballs at you,” Perreira says. “We have to stay focused on our dreams. I think that is an important thing to remember. The day can sometimes take us a little sideways. That is just life. The day is not always going to go the way that we think and expect. But if we constantly work on the things that will improve our future life, I feel like that is the most important thing. And that is what that song is about.”
LIKE A TRAIN OFF TRACK
Perreira adds that at least 90% of the songs that he writes come from personal experience. “You would think that it is the songwriting process or the creation of the song that is the most therapeutic but, for me, I have found that it is the reminder of the song,” Perreira says. “I will play a song that is several years old and think,
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It is that very perceptive insight that led to his success as not only a musical artist but also a philanthropist.
Running has always been an extremely significant part of Perreira’s life. At a very young age, he would watch his grandfather run 4–6 miles every other day — regardless of weather conditions or any other factors. His grandfather often spoke of how the activity benefitted both his physical and mental health. As a child, Perreira hated running. However, by his late teens, he began mirroring his grandfather — a man to whom he says he owes a great deal — by working regular 4- to 6-mile runs into his routine. As with all musicians, Perreira was constantly on the lookout for his big break. Seeing all of the good that Ellen DeGeneres put out into the world, he contacted the talk show host to
share with her everything that he had been doing with the hope of receiving an invitation to appear as a guest on her show. He even submitted videos to the talk show host’s EllenTube website — one of which includes the nucleus of what would eventually become known as 16 X 16, Perreira’s nonprofit organization. “I ain’t going to stop till I get there, baby,” Perreira says in the video, recorded during one of his 4- to 6-mile runs. “I’ll run all the way to LA if I need to. Maybe that’s an idea.” So he did. In 2019, Perreira ran from Phoenix to Burbank, California via a series of 16 marathons in 16 days. More importantly, though, he did so in the name of the three Arizona-based charities with which he had been involved — Chrysalis, the Arizona Healthcare Foundation, the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children — as well as the Ellen Fund. It was so successful that Perreira not only vowed to do it again in 2020 but also turn it into a nonprofit organization. Its mission is to assist children and families, help people in need and improve the quality of life in our community — all while inspiring others. Through a number of individual contributions, fundraising events, business sponsorships, ticket sales, donations and more, Perreira raises money for local charities in need. Of course, true to the significance of his song “What’s That Got to Do with My Dreams?” the world had other plans as the COVID-19 pandemic reared its ugly head as he
was preparing for his sophomore sprint.
Tankless
“But the bottom line was kids with cancer, victims of abuse and the elderly do not stop needing our help,” Perreira says. “So we pivoted. We did 16 marathons in 16 days in 16 different Arizona cities. And the response was amazing. So many people now had an opportunity to physically support me, to be on the side of the road with signs and cheer me on. It was just a really amazing thing.”
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He embarked on his third 16 X 16 run this year, opting to up the ante by doing it during Arizona’s scorching summer season. “On the last day this year, I attempted to do 100 miles in one day and I also wanted to try to hit the four main mountains,” Perreira says. “I got dropped off at South Mountain and hiked South Mountain. I ran to Camelback Mountain and hiked Camelback Mountain. I ran to Squaw Peak and hiked Squaw Peak.” With hiking North Mountain still ahead of him, Perreira acknowledged that it was starting to get a bit late in the day. In an attempt to beat nightfall, he pivoted his plans and instead ran to State Farm Stadium where he completed several laps before beginning his trek to North Mountain, which would serve as his finish line. “I started running to Glendale Stadium from Squaw Peak and that was the night of a crazy storm,” Perreira says. “The last hour that I ran, I was in a complete torrential downpour with thunder and lightning. I was soaked.”
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In 2019, Lee Perreira ran from Phoenix to Burbank, California via a series of 16 marathons in 16 days. More importantly, though, he did so in the name of three Arizona-based charities. He organized similar events in 2020 and 2021. Photo Courtesy of Lee Perreira
He ultimately came up short of his 100-mile goal but was lovingly reassured by his fiancé, Serenity Risvik, that he had accomplished more than enough and that he could attempt his century run another time — ideally one that does not coincide with the monsoon.
WHAT’S THAT GOT TO DO WITH MY DREAMS?
Perreira acknowledges that running 16 marathons in 16 days is incredibly challenging — even for someone who, like his grandfather, runs 4–6 miles every other day. “Each day is different,” he explains. “It really forces me to go into the day without expectations. I have a goal in mind — 26.2 miles. Some days that takes me five hours and 20 minutes. Other days that takes me seven and a half to eight hours. Some days I feel amazing. Other days I feel physically beat up and maybe mentally depleted.” Nonetheless, Perreira is invigorated by his 16 X 16 performance this year, noting that he felt as though he was at his absolute best — physically, mentally and spiritually. It is a feeling that could not be more polar opposite from the
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one that engulfed him just eight years ago. “We all have gone through our trials and tribulations,” Perreira says. “Late 2013 to early 2014 was a real trying time for me and for my family. I have one brother and he passed away Dec. 19, 2013 from heroin abuse. During that time, I was not handling my life well either. I got three DUIs in six months. I fought my case for three years and, in 2017, the final ruling came down. I lost my case and I had to go to prison.” Cue yet another instance of the significance behind Perreira’s song “What’s That Got to Do with My Dreams?” as that is where the singer-songwriter ran his very first marathon. “There is not a lot to do in there,” Perreira says. “I ran, I read and I kept to myself. I was not necessarily surrounded by inspiring people so I just kind of did my own thing. I was looking for ways to make the time go by and, as I was increasing my running while I was there, I thought to myself, ‘I wonder how many laps it would be around the yard to equal a marathon.’
“
Have you been delaying the inevitable?
There is so much growth that has occurred in me as a person — not just from me running 48 marathons for charity in the last two and a half years and raising more than $40,000 for these charities.
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Lee Perreira
“It turned out to be a little more than 102 laps. I literally created my own 9- to 10-week plan to ramp up to run a marathon. It was the Sunday before Father’s Day in 2017 when I ran a marathon in Florence West and it took me a little more than five hours.
“This, to me, is the most beautiful thing,” Perreira says. “I would not change anything about it because, honestly, if she answered the door yearone, this probably would have never turned into a nonprofit and I probably would never have done this again.
“Something did not necessarily go my way but look what has come out of it. I would never want to go back there but I do not regret it. It has strengthened my relationship with my fiancé and it has made me a better person. I had a lot of time to think, reflect, read uplifting books and run a marathon.”
“I also would not have become the person that I am today. There is so much growth that has occurred in me as a person — not just from me running 48 marathons for charity in the last two and a half years and raising more than $40,000 for these charities.”
One year later, Perreira released “What’s That Got to Do with My Dreams?” He celebrated by running the full Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon in about four hours and 15 minutes. Less than one hour later, he was performing on-stage immediately after Everclear finished its set. As for “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” the daytime program’s producers initially reached out to Perreira and discussed inviting him onto the show but nothing ever materialized. The singer-songwriter does not mind, though.
Perreira says that the response from the community has also led to a positive change within himself. “So many people were inspired,” he explains. “I had a woman come to a show six or nine months after I completed year-one and give me a book that she had spent years just sitting on. After hearing my story, she finished her book. That is the kind of stuff that has encouraged me to continue down this path.”
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Writer and Photographer Francine Coles
thefancypantskitchen.com
Apple Crostatas
There is no better way to celebrate autumn in Arizona than with apple crostatas. Unlike a pie, these are meant to look rustic — which means the crust is basically foolproof and any little imperfections look perfect! This recipe celebrates the very best of the season! Serves: 6
Ingredients:
FOR THE DOUGH: 2-1/2 cups bread flour 1/3 cup whole wheat flour 4-1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar 1 teaspoon fine sea salt 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small chunks 1/2 cup ice water 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Directions:
To make the dough, pour bread flour, whole wheat flour, sugar and salt into the bowl of a food processor and mix to combine. Drop in chunks of butter then process in 8–10 long pulses, scraping the bowl often, until the ingredients look like coarse crumbs and hold together when pressed. Stir together ice water and vinegar in a measuring cup, then pour the liquid over the dough as you pulse the machine. Scrape the moist dough onto a work surface, shape into a log and divide into thirds. Press each piece into a disk, wrap tightly and refrigerate overnight. The next day, working between sheets of parchment, roll each disk of dough into an 8-inch circle. Cut each piece into a 7-inch circle, cover with parchment and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to two days. To make the filling, stir sugar, flour and lemon zest together in a large bowl, then stir in butter and lemon juice. Quarter and core apples, leaving peels on, and slice very thinly. Place apples
FOR THE DOUGH: 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 5 teaspoons bread flour 1 lemon, zested and juiced 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 4 medium sweet apples (such as Golden Delicious, Fuji or Gala) FOR ASSEMBLY: 1 egg, for finishing Coarse sugar, for finishing
into the bowl and use your hands to toss until completely coated with the sugar mixture. To assemble, working with one circle of dough at a time, peel away the top sheet of parchment then pile apples in the middle of the dough, leaving a 1-inch border all the way around. Press apples to make a compact mound then fold the edges of the dough over the filling and press together, allowing apples to peek through the center. Repeat with remaining circles of dough and apples. Refrigerate for up to one day. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and transfer crostatas to the sheet. Stir a splash of water into egg and brush the sides of each crostata with the mixture, avoiding the top rim of the dough. Sprinkle the sides with coarse sugar then bake until crust is beautifully golden and a knife inserted into the apples meets little resistance, about 45 minutes. Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Scan this QR code with your phone or visit anchor.fm/imagesaz to listen to Season’s Eatings, Images Arizona’s exclusive podcast featuring Francine Coles’ holiday cooking tips.
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