Images Arizona February 2022 by Images Arizona Magazine Carefee/Cave Creek Edition

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Arizona Musicfest

THE STARS RETURN TO MUSICFEST ON STAGE IN NORTH SCOTTSDALE

TONY BENNETT TRIBUTE 1/ 7

JOHN LLOYD YOUNG 1/ 10

SERGIO MENDES

STEVE TYRELL

A STAR IS BORN

MUSIC CITY HIT-MAKERS 2/14

FESTIVAL SINFONIA 2/20

SARAH CHANG 2/22

THE CONCERT 2/7

SIBLING RIVALRY IRON BARNATAN 2/24 THE CALLAWAY THE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA SISTERS 3/7

THE McCARTNEY YEARS 4/4

EMANUEL AX 4/21 IN RECITAL

1/ 31

2/ 4

THE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA

PAUL ANKA 3/14 & 16 50 YEARS OF ANKA SINGS SINATRA ROCK & ROLL 3/28

BERNADETTE PETERS 4/23

THE OFFICIAL BLUES BROTHERS REVUE 4/29

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What's Inside?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NATURALLY BEJEWELED THE ART AND JEWELRY OF PAULA CREVOSHAY

CLOSE QUARTERS

TO BE OR NOT TO BE... THAT IS THE EQUESTRIAN

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COMMUNITY

RECIPES FROM THE HEART

RECIPE

SANDERSON LINCOLN

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From the Publisher Publisher Shelly Spence

Managing Editor Joseph J. Airdo

Graphic Designer

Meaghan Mitchell

Contributing Writers

Joseph J. Airdo Amanda Christmann Francine Coles 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

Love is in the air this month throughout our community as people prepare for the Valentine’s Day holiday. Store shelves are filled with flowers, teddy bears and chocolates and restaurants are touting especially romantic menus for guests who are looking to create a magical evening for their significant other. Love can also be found throughout the pages of this month’s issue of Images Arizona, which celebrates not just romantic love but the many facets of it. With the stories in this month’s issue, we aspire to shine a light on the love that permeates and radiates throughout our incredible community in not just February but all year round. There exists such a remarkable exhibition of love for our neighbors, our local businesses, our hometown talent and our native landscape. Our community is comprised of caring, generous and actively involved individuals who are extremely passionate about what they do. We try to capture a small fraction of their unique and uplifting stories in this month’s issue. Even this month’s photo essay — in which photographer Peter Coskun shares with us some of the pictures of Arizona’s slot canyons he has taken — serves the dual purpose of bringing people closer together and showcasing our state’s natural beauty. Of course, this month’s issue of Images Arizona is also jam-packed with date night ideas. From enjoying a delicious dish in an elegant atmosphere to attending an exceptional concert of music designed to tug at your heartstrings, we have got you covered. As always, I encourage you to show your love to the local businesses, nonprofit organizations and artists that are found throughout this month’s issue. Together, they not only make this publication possible but also form the gorgeous tapestry that is our community.

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 © 2022 by ImagesAZ, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or part, without permission is prohibited. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited material.

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

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“A Meeting of Cultures” by Sue Krzyston, 30” x 15”

SU E

KRZYSTON

A MY

LAY

B RY CE T R EVOR

PETTIT

SWANSON

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“Promises to Keep” by Bryce Pettit, 68” x 40” x 20”

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WI LD LI FE B R O N Z E

L AN D S C A P E

WHITAKE R

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C E R A MI C

A R TI S T A R TI S T

S C U LP TO R

WI LD LI FE S C U LP TO R

A RT IS T

C AREFREE’S THIR D TH U R S D AY A R T N I GH T T H U R S D A Y, F E B R U A R Y 1 7 F R O M 4 T O 7 P M

Sip, Shop and Celebrate with Live Music by NuWrld Jazz Quartet

“Twin Hearts” by Amy Lay, mixed media on canvas, 48” x 36”

“Touched by Dusk” by Trevor Swanson, 48” x 24”

SUE BICKERDYKE 26 years in Carefree

INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES, HOME FURNISHINGS & FINE ART GALLERY 36889 N. Tom Darlington Dr. Suite B1, Carefree | 480-595-0171 | suebickerdyke.com Hours: Mon. thru Sat. 9am - 5pm Allied ASID imagesar izona.c om February 2022

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Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Crevoshay Jewels

Paula Crevoshay’s name is well-known among both jewelers and gemologists, and her work is displayed in impressive collections like the Smithsonian, Carnegie Museum and Gemological Institute of America.

It has been said that artists are not created so much as they are born. Inside their DNA is an intrinsic and compulsory need for creative expression. As real as eye color or curly hair, the animus of the artist permeates their thoughts and dreams and insists upon being heard. The artist has no choice but to listen. It is difficult to discern whether Paula Crevoshay’s passion drives her art, or whether art drives her passion. Like the light that shines through the vibrantly beautiful flora and fauna she creates, her art is a force that she cannot ignore. “It’s not about me at all,” she says. “I’m just supposed to do this. I see a stone and it tells me what it should be.” The result is some of the most breathtaking and renowned works of any modern artist, not only for their visual appeal but because every piece tells a story. Crevoshay uses some of the finest stones and precious metals on earth to tell romantic tales of nature, science and mythology. Crevoshay has chased visions and dreams, creating an oeuvre that inspires as much as it astounds. Her name is well-known among both jewelers and gemologists, and her work is displayed in impressive collections like the Smithsonian, Carnegie Museum and Gemological Institute of America. This award-winning judge, educator and designer takes a unique approach. “I am not a jeweler; I am a painter,” she says. “I paint with the light of the earth and I sculpt with her noble metals. “I hope to bring a greater understanding of the beauty of our world and how interdependent it is on everything else.” Unlike traditional jewelers, many of whom come from families who have honed their art for centuries, Crevoshay’s journey has taken a winding road. Her mother was an artist, poet, singer and writer; her father had earned two PhDs in chemical and mechanical engineering, developing multiple patents throughout his life. It was the perfect marriage between art and science, and Paula was the fortunate recipient of both skill sets. As a child, she played beneath a willow tree, watching light shine through its branches as they swayed

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The Northern Parula is a beautiful warbler that breeds in humid forests in the eastern portions of the United States and Canada. This Crevoshay portrait evokes all the charm of seeing one in the wild!

Northern Parula Warbler

TENOR

“ 18

PARROT FAN

I am not a jeweler; I am a painter. I paint with the light of the earth and I sculpt with her noble metals. Paula Crevoshay

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18K yellow gold fan pendant with Blue Zircon (82) = 4.70 cts., Blue Apatite (88) = 2.23 cts., Red Spinel (90) = 3.07 cts., Tsavorite (40) = 4.17 cts., Black Diamond (1) = 0.01 cts., Yellow Diamond (17) = 0.22 cts., Yellow Sapphire (43) = 0.47 cts.

and danced in the wind. She was fascinated by flowers, bugs and other creatures that crawled across the dirt carpet and up into its boughs. She watched with delight as bees pollinated flowers and as spiders spun their webs. These would later become her muses. Born with a rare genetic gift called tetrachromacy, Crevoshay sees approximately 100 times the number of colors that most people perceive. The world she lives in is vividly colorful, as is the art she creates. “I work with the light of the earth,” she explains. “It’s aesthetic, but it’s also scientific.”

INSPIRED BY LIFE Crevoshay earned her master’s degree in painting and sculpture from University of Wisconsin — Madison, then moved to New York to launch her career at the prestigious Mary Boone Gallery. However, as her later work would prove, she was not driven by aspirations so much as she was driven by inspiration. She fell in love with her late husband George, and together they left all they knew to spend four years at a Buddhist monastery. Crevoshay studied with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachers while George worked on his thesis. For 15 years, they worked, lived and loved in Southeast Asia — a time she playfully dubs their “Magical Mystery Tour.” Influenced by Asian ideals of the interwoven and inseparable nature of all beings, Crevoshay began her transition into jewelry design. Today, Crevoshay Jewels are among the most collectible gemstone artwork in the world. Informed by her curiosity imagesar izona.c om

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Because the Lotus has its roots in mud, grows through water and blooms in sunlight it has been adopted as a representation of mental and spiritual purity and enlightenment by diverse cultures ranging from the ancient Egyptians to modern Buddhists. The supreme grace of this beautiful bracelet shows the sensitivity that Crevoshay brings to the expression of another universal human symbol. This jewel is part of the 2013 one-woman exhibition titled Garden of Light at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

18K yellow gold bracelet with Amethyst (12) = 5.53 cts., Amethyst (8) = 1.29 cts., Tsavorite (1) = 1.36 cts., Tsavorite (4) = 0.92 cts., Tsavorite (229) = 27.02 cts.

THE LOTUS BRACELET

This jewel was part of the exhibition titled The Shape of Matter – Through an Artist’s Eye at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science from October 21st, 2021 through April 20th, 2022.

Experience 20

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APRIL

18K yellow gold Crevoshay ring with Red Zircon (1) = 27.50 cts., Cognac Diamond (40) = 1.42 cts., Red Garnet (26) = 1.10 cts.

18K yellow gold Crevoshay Giraffe pendant brooch with Cognac Diamond (59) = 3.14 cts., Cognac Diamond (15) = 0.89 cts., Black Diamond (133) = 1.65 cts., Emerald (2) = 0.52 cts., Part of Crevoshay's Endangered Species Treasury.

This jewel was part of the exhibition titled The Shape of Matter - Through an Artist’s Eye at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science from October 21st, 2021 through April 20th, 2022.

SUGAR AND SPICE

FLYING FISH OF MANDALAY 18K yellow gold, Diamond (64) = 1.83 cts., Apatite (174) = 10.57 cts., Black Diamond (58) = 4.71 cts., Pearl (4) = 0.75 cts., Opal (2)=5.85cts. With this fanciful flying fish Crevoshay takes us to visit a beautifully exotic realm in the far reaches of our own imaginations.

for the natural world, her use of noble metals and the finest gemstones is unmatched, both for its beauty and its ability to articulate that which must be felt and not spoken. For example, it was Rudyard Kipling’s 1890 poem “Mandalay,” a working-class British soldier’s pining for a beautiful woman he left behind in Burma, that inspired one of Crevoshay’s works: On the road to Mandalay, Where the old Flotilla lay, With our sick beneath the awnings when we went to Mandalay! On the road to Mandalay, Where the flyin'-fishes play, An' the dawn comes up like thunder outer China 'crost the Bay!

I am an artist. Money doesn’t drive me one bit.” In fact, she has turned down multiple opportunities to mass-produce her work, both because of her respect for the process and for her appreciation and adoration of the art itself. From pendants to earrings to rings, and everything in between, Crevoshay is a master painter, though it is jewels that are spread upon her palette. She’s so good at it that she has been dubbed the Queen of Color — one of the most significant compliments she could receive in an industry known for its chromatic brilliance. No one does color like Crevoshay.

From this verse, which inspired by Kipling’s own years in Southeast Asia, Crevoshay created a stunning brooch from beautifully textured gold and inlaid apatite, black and white diamonds, and four gorgeous pearls.

That color will be on vibrant display March 11 and 12 at Grace Renee Gallery in Carefree, during an event that offers the rare opportunity to meet Crevoshay and explore her incredible collection.

As light refracts through its fins and body, the depth of the details inspires more than admiration; one can almost feel the loving and longing that Kipling described.

Crevoshay’s work has been featured in exhibitions from Los Angeles to Paris. She has penned four books and has been asked to speak at some of the most esteemed institutions in the world. An apt gemologist, her command of all aspects of her art are truly astounding.

A spectrum of emotions is elicited from Crevoshay’s work. From sea creatures to pollinators to endangered species and more, Crevoshay presents a vision of nature that is calming and enchanting while stirring the feeling of connection that we all share with the natural world.

QUEEN OF COLOR Her “Flying Fish of Mandalay” is just one of hundreds of one-of-akind works of art that has earned her acclaim, and sometimes fame.

Perhaps most impressive of all, however, is her work itself. It is as if each piece has coaxed its way out of her mind, from deep within her where her artist’s heart beats in rhythm with all of nature. She influences culture by beautifully reminding us of who we are — and our interconnected place in a complex but exquisite world. gracereneegallery.com

“I only do one-of-a-kind everything,” she says. “I never duplicate because imagesar izona.c om

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G R A C E

R E N E E

G A L L E R Y

FEBRUARY

ARTIST

Loren Yagoda CONTEMPORARY ARTIST

Rare opportunity to meet acclaimed contemporary artist, Loren Yagoda. Loren is a painter whose artwork invites viewers into her world as she dances her emotions onto canvas.

[

ARTIST RECEPTION Thursday, February 17 Wine & appetizers 4–7 p.m.

]

Grace Renee Gallery Historic Spanish Village | 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ 85377 Hours: Tue.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. By appointment Sun. and Mon. 480.575.8080 22

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CONTEMPORARY

ART

GALLERY

CAREFREE

ARIZONA

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COMMUNITY February 2022

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Through Feb. 13 GREASE

Fountain Hills Theater will present its production of “Grease,” based on the classic film about two lovers who, after a whirlwind summer romance, are unexpectedly reunited. See website for price and times. Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. 480-837-9661; fhtaz.org

Through Feb. 20 GYPSY

Arizona Broadway Theatre will present its production of “Gypsy,” a musical that tells the story of the dreams and efforts of one hungry, powerhouse of a woman to get her two daughters into show business. See website for price and times. Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria. 623-776-8400; azbroadway.org

Through Feb. 28

ANTHROBITES SERIES The Holland Center will welcome cultural anthropologist and artist Jan Downey for a virtual series that will examine the cultural lifeways of humans with whom we share the world. $175. 10 a.m. Mondays. hollandcenter.org

Through April 15 VITA TAX PROGRAM

IRS-certified volunteers will provide basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. Free. Tuesdays and Thursdays. By appointment only. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; mastersofcoin.org

Through May 2

WHAT MAKES ME ME

Scottsdale Arts Learning and Innovation hosts an exhibition that illustrates how making art helps individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities gain confidence in themselves, exercise empowerment in making aesthetic decisions and communicate who they are to you. The artists of What Makes Me Me are members at Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services and The Opportunity Tree. Free. Center Space Gallery at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. scottsdaleartslearning.org

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Feb. 3

GOLD PALETTE ARTWALK The Scottsdale Gallery Association will host a special Western Week-themed Gold Palette ArtWalk of participating studios and galleries throughout the Scottsdale Arts District, which resides along Main Street from Scottsdale Road to Goldwater Boulevard and north of Indian School on Marshall Way to Fifth Avenue. Free. 6:30–9 p.m. See website for locations. scottsdalegalleries.com

Feb. 4

STEVE TYRELL CONCERT Grammy Award-winning vocalist Steve Tyrell will take the stage as part of Arizona Musicfest for a concert of reinvented and repopularized classic standards for a modern audience. $49+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Feb. 4–13

BONNIE AND CLYDE Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre will present its teen production of “Bonnie and Clyde,” which tells the story of the iconic criminal couple. See website for price and times. Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre at Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 0586, Scottsdale. 480-4831664; desertstages.org

Feb. 4–13

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER Christian Youth Theater will perform its production of “Peter and the Starcatcher,” a prequel to “Peter Pan” featuring 34 children from around the Valley. $20. See website for times. Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, 33606 N. 60th St., Cave Creek. 480-310-0366; cytphoenix.org

Feb. 5

LUCY LOVES DESI Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will welcome L.A. Theatre Works for its unique radio-style production of “Lucy Loves Desi: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom,” which tells the tale of how the pioneering TV sitcom came to be with as much heart and humor as an episode of “I Love Lucy” itself. See website for price. 8 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org

Feb. 5

PARADA DEL SOL Scottsdale Charros will present the 68th annual Parada del Sol. The historic parade will be followed by the Trail’s End Festival — a big block party featuring live concerts, food and fun for community members of all ages. Free. 10 a.m. Old Town Scottsdale. scottsdaleparade.com

Feb. 6

FEEL THE LOVE Women’s Orchestra of Arizona will perform a concert of romantic music, including a medley of some of the greatest love songs of all time. Free; tickets available on Eventbrite. 3 p.m. Ascension Lutheran Church, 7100 N. Mockingbird Lane, Paradise Valley. womensorchestraarizona.com

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COMMUNITY February 2022

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Feb. 7

LITERATE FOODIE CLUB Literate Foodie Club will host a discussion of Jose Andres’ “Vegetables Unleashed.” The club’s volunteer cooks will serve a sampling of foods related to the book. $10. 12:30 p.m. RSVP. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

Feb. 7

A STAR IS BORN: THE CONCERT A trio of the best voices from Broadway and cabaret will take the stage as part of Arizona Musicfest to celebrate the music from all three film versions of “A Star is Born” while also paying tribute to other classic films about emerging stars. $35+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Feb. 8

GET LIT BOOK CLUB Desert Foothills Library will host a happy hour book club featuring Anne Gardiner Perkins’ “Yale Needs Women.” Free. 5 p.m. RSVP. Oregano’s Pizza Bistro, 37645 N. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

Feb. 8

THE HISTORY OF JOURNALISM IN AMERICA The Holland Center will welcome Jim Sherbert for a lecture that will examine the history and future of American journalism. $10. 4 p.m. The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Building B, Scottsdale. 480-488-1090; hollandcenter.org

Feb. 12

GOLDEN REEF STAMP MILL DEMONSTRATION Cave Creek Museum will offer demonstrations of Arizona’s only fully operational 10-stamp ore crushing mill. The museum will also showcase its new Arizona gold mining experience, which includes blacksmithing, a mine and gold panning. See website for price. 11 a.m.– 12:45 p.m.. Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E. Skyline Drive, Cave Creek. 480-488-2764; cavecreekmuseum.org

Feb. 10 and 22

LIBRARY BOOK CLUB Desert Foothills Library will host a virtual book club featuring Sy Montgomery’s “The Soul of an Octopus.” Free. 10 a.m. RSVP. dfla.org

Feb. 10–13

ROMEO AND JULIET Ballet Arizona will present its production of “Romeo and Juliet,” featuring a score masterfully performed by the Phoenix Symphony. See website for price and times. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. balletaz.org

Feb. 11–13 FAIR GAME 26

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Desert Foothills Theater will present its production of “Fair Game,” an original musical about fake news written by

local playwright Andrea Markowitz. $25; youth discounts available. See website for times. The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. 480-488-1981; dftheater.org

Feb. 12

LANDSCAPE DESIGN FOR REDUCED MAINTENANCE Carefree Desert Gardens will welcome horticulturist Noelle Johnson for a seminar during which she will highlight how to avoid and fix those areas in a garden that take a lot of work thereby resulting in a beautiful outdoor space with less maintenance. $5+. 9:30 a.m. Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion, 101 Easy St., Carefree. 480-488-3686.

Feb. 12–Sept. 4

BEVERLY MCIVER: FULL CIRCLE Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art will present a multi-gallery survey show that captures the career arc and continued ascent of contemporary artist Beverly McIver. The exhibition will provide viewers with a look at how McIver’s work has evolved since her emerging artist exhibition at the museum nearly 25 years ago. $10; student, senior and veteran discounts available. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-874-4666; smoca.org

Feb. 12 and 13

LOVE FROM SEA TO SEA Arizona Masterworks Chorale will perform a concert filled with romantic and dreamy selections to experience with your loved ones. $15+. Saturday 7:30 p.m. at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 6300 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Sunday 3 p.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church, 7100 N. Mockingbird Lane, Paradise Valley. arizonamasterworks.com

Feb. 13

SCOTTSDALE PHILHARMONIC CONCERT Scottsdale Philharmonic will perform a concert of classical music. $15. 4 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587, scottsdalephilharmonic.com

Feb. 13

TIM CULVER CONCERT Tenor Tim Culver will perform a concert of romantic music. See website for price. 3 p.m. Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, 9205 E. Cave Creek Road, Carefree. ctlcarefree.org

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COMMUNITY February 2022

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Feb. 14

MUSIC CITY HIT-MAKERS CONCERT Several Grammy and American Country Music awardwinning songwriters who have composed hit tunes for Nashville’s biggest stars will take the stage as part of Arizona Musicfest to perform a concert of classic and contemporary country favorites while telling entertaining, personal stories of the music-making and personalities of Nashville’s famed Music Row. $35+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Feb. 14

WATER WISDOM The Holland Center will welcome Heather Macre from the Central Arizona Project for a presentation about water conservation. Free. 6:30 p.m. The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Building B, Scottsdale. 480-488-1090; hollandcenter.org

Feb. 17

CAREFREE ART NIGHT Explore fine art in the breathtaking shadows of Black Mountain. Courtesy shuttles will be available to transport guests to participating art galleries around Carefree during an event that includes live music, refreshments and, of course, lots of fine art — including your next masterpiece. Free. 4–7 p.m. See website for participating galleries. visitcarefree.com

Feb. 17

GOSPEL CONCERT

Feb. 17

ARTIST RECEPTION WITH LOREN YAGODA Meet contemporary artist Loren Yagoda and discover her incredible collection of expressive works that stimulate and explore, and meditative works that unwind and clear the mind. Yagoda’s artwork invites viewers into her world as she dances her emotions onto canvas. Wine and appetizers will be served. Free. 4–7 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, Historic Spanish Village, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, #7, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

The Carolyn Eynon Singers will perform a concert of inspiring gospel music with the Arizona State University Philharmonia and the Arizona State University Gospel Choir. See website for price. 7:30 p.m. Arizona State University Gammage Auditorium, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe. carolyneynonsingers.com

Feb. 18

KENNY G Superstar saxophonist Kenny G will take the stage as part of Arizona Musicfest. $49+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Feb. 19–27

SEDONA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Sedona International Film Festival will present its 28th annual event during which 150 films will be screened.

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The lineup will include narrative features, documentary features, foreign films, shorts, animated films, student films and special programs as well as a diverse selection of workshops. See website for prices, schedule and locations. sedonafilmfestival.com

Feb. 20

FESTIVAL SINFONIA Maestro Robert Moody and the Festival Sinfonia will perform an intimate concert as part of Arizona Musicfest. $55+. 2 p.m. Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Feb. 22

DESERT FOOTHILLS LIBRARY HAPPY HOUR Desert Foothills Library will host a family-friendly event with refreshments. Free. 5 p.m. RSVP. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

Feb. 22

SARAH CHANG AND THE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA Maestro Robert Moody will lead the Festival Orchestra — comprised of players from the nation’s finest orchestras — in a concert featuring acclaimed violin virtuoso Sarah Chang as part of Arizona Musicfest. $25+. 7:30 p.m. La Casa de Cristo Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Feb. 24

INON BARNATAN AND THE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA Maestro Robert Moody will lead the Festival Orchestra — comprised

of players from the nation’s finest orchestras — in a concert featuring celebrated pianist Inon Barnatan as part of Arizona Musicfest. $25+. 7:30 p.m. La Casa de Cristo Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

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A SALUTE TO THE WILD WEST Maestro Robert Moody will lead the Festival Orchestra — comprised of players from the nation’s finest orchestras — in a concert honoring the proud Western and indigenous heritage of our state and region as part of Arizona Musicfest. $25+. 7:30 p.m. La Casa de Cristo Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Feb. 25–March 6 LITTLE WOMEN

Fountain Hills Youth Theater will present its production of “Little Women,” which revolves around the lives of four sisters growing up during and after the Civil War. $18; youth discounts available. See website for times. Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. 480837-9661; fhtaz.org

Feb. 26 and March 6 THE MANY FACES OF LOVE

Sonoran Desert Chorale will perform a concert that celebrates love of singing, love of God and love of humankind. $18+; student and senior discounts available. Saturday 7:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 15 E. First Ave., Mesa. Sunday 3 p.m. La Casa De Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. 480-3054538; sonorandesertchorale.org

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COMMUNITY February 2022

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Feb. 27

BEETHOVEN’S 9TH — ODE TO JOY Maestro Robert Moody will lead the Festival Orchestra — comprised of players from the nation’s finest orchestras — in a concert as part of Arizona Musicfest. $25+. 2 p.m. La Casa de Cristo Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Feb. 27

SCOTTSDALE CHORUS CONCERT Scottsdale Chorus will present a concert that blends four-part, barbershop-style harmony with innovative choreography and glittering costumes for a journey from the swing era to modern a cappella. See website for price. 3 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org

Feb. 27

UNITED WE SWING Salt River Brass will perform a concert of enthusiastic works from Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and the immortal Louis Armstrong. $18+; student and senior discounts available. 3 p.m. Mesa Arts Center, One East Main St., Mesa. saltriverbrass.org

Feb. 27

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Feb. 26–Oct. 9

BRAD KAHLHAMER: SWAP MEET Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art will present an exhibition of works by artist Brad Kahlhamer. The exhibition will include a central installation composed of a mobile home trailer studio with a built-out proscenium for performances and several new series of sculptures in addition to paintings and drawings. $10; student, senior and veteran discounts available. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-874-4666; smoca.org

English Rose Tea Room will host a fundraiser — to benefit Desert Foothills Library —featuring tea, cakes and a chance to take home one or more of 50 vintage hats donated by Andrea Markowitz. $35. 3 p.m. RSVP. English Rose Tea Room, 201 Easy St. Suite 103, Carefree. 480488-4812; carefreetea.com

March 4 and 5 M3F

A stellar lineup of musicians will take the stage as part of M3F. All proceeds from the event will benefit local charities such as Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Habitat for Humanity and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. See website for prices and schedule. Margaret T. Hance Park, 1200 N. First St., Phoenix. m3ffest.com

March 4–20

CHESS: THE MUSICAL Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre will present its production of “Chess: The Musical,” written as a metaphor for the

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Cold War by the men of the super-group ABBA. See website for price and times. Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre at Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 0586, Scottsdale. 480-483-1664; desertstages.org

March 5

ARCHAEOLOGY EXPO The Desert Awareness Committee at Spur Cross Recreational Area and the Foothills Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society will host an event featuring hikes to ruins and petroglyphs, seminars about tools that our ancestors used and a wealth of information about desert foods and medicines. Free. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Building B, Scottsdale. 480-488-1090; hollandcenter.org

March 7

SIBLING REVELRY Tony-nominated sisters Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway will take the stage as part of Arizona Musicfest for a concert of great songs and witty banter. $35+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

March 12

REMARKABLE TREES: A GLOBAL JOURNEY Carefree Desert Gardens will welcome master gardener and faculty emeritus of Mesa Community College Linda Larson for an inspiring and life-affirming story of the importance of nature in our lives. $5+. 9:30 a.m. Carefree Town Council Chambers, 33 Easy St., Carefree. 480-488-3686.

March 14

OUR DESERT SCRUB The Holland Center will welcome Glenn Fahringer from Earth Care Landscapers for a presentation about what you can do to help keep our desert land beautiful and protected from catastrophic fire. Free. 6:30 p.m. The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Building B, Scottsdale. 480-488-1090; hollandcenter.org

March 14 and 16 PAUL ANKA

Legendary singer-songwriter Paul Anka will take the stage as part of Arizona Musicfest. $49+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

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February

2022

Marching on Four Hooves Courtesy of the Evans Family Collection and the Scottsdale Public Library

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

New York City has got Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; Pasadena has got the Rose Bowl Parade; and Scottsdale has got Parada del Sol — a prestigious and treasured tradition that is as old as the city itself. The annual parade attracts more than 30,000 people and provides the community an opportunity to showcase and celebrate its rich history that is steeped in Western roots. “We are a farming and ranching community,” says Dennis Robbins, executive director of Scottsdale Charros — an all-volunteer, nonprofit group of business and civic leaders that supports youth sports, education and charitable causes and is now tasked with overseeing the parade each year. “Our history is that. So one of

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Parada del Sol’s goals is certainly to promote the Western heritage of Scottsdale.” The story of Scottdale’s Western heritage stretches way back to 1888, when U.S. Army Chaplain Winfield Scott visited the Salt River Valley and, impressed with its potential, made a down payment on 640 acres of land to start a farming operation. Parada del Sol’s seeds were planted 59 years later when, in 1947, a group of merchants led by Malcolm White — a man who, in 1951, became Scottsdale’s very first mayor — aspired to capitalize on the city’s potential as a tourism destination.

ProSkill Now Offers White and the then-new Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce began referring to Scottsdale as “The West’s Most Western Town” and integrating elements of that image, such as hitching posts and horse troughs, throughout the area. The Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce partnered with a local riding club in 1951 to host the Sunshine Festival, which featured an entirely horse-drawn parade. It was a rousing success and cemented Scottsdale’s “West’s Most Western Town” moniker. In 1953, the event was renamed Parada del Sol and its management was assumed by the Scottsdale Jaycees. Around the same time, a small group of Arabian horse owners founded the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona and hosted the first All Arabian Horse Show, further fossilizing the area’s uniquely equestrian lifestyle. “The horse aspect is very unique to our parade,” says Robbins, noting that, although the Rose Bowl Parade also has an equestrian element, you do not see many horses in other parades. A rodeo was added to the Parada del Sol festivities in 1956 and originally took place in the lot that is now home to Scottsdale Fashion Square. “The parade would always be the same weekend as the rodeo,” says Robbins, who grew up in Scottsdale. “We used to have a half-day of school that Friday. The buses would pick us up at school and take us directly to the rodeo. Then we would go to the parade that Saturday.”

In 1959, more than two dozen horseback riders carrying U.S. mail — Holbrook’s Hashknife Pony Express — began traveling 200 miles from Holbrook to Scottsdale, where they would convene at the parade. The Howdy Dudettes — local high school girls who acted as ambassadors for the city, greeting visiting dignitaries and tourists — were also added to the roster, as were parade queens.

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Dogs, ducks, geese, cattle and buffalo have all marched in the parade, which, at one point, even had a printed program. Several high-profile celebrities have ridden in Parada del Sol over the years, including Amanda Blake — Miss Kitty from the 1950s television series “Gunsmoke” — in 1957 and country singer Buck Owens in 1987. The parade has also made celebrities of the many local students who have marched in it as part of their middle or high school band. After all, promoting the western heritage of Scottsdale is only one of the parade’s goals. “Another is to just bring the community together to enjoy the beautiful weather in February in Scottsdale,” Robbins says. The weather this time of the year in Scottsdale does tend to be quite beautiful and, for many years, Parada del Sol organizers boasted that it had never rained on their parade. However, Arizona's official state historian Marshall Trimble — who served as Parada del Sol’s grand marshall on four separate occasions — recalls the year during which it finally did.

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Courtesy of the Scottsdale Historical Society and Scottsdale Public Library

Courtesy of the Scottsdale Public Library

“

We are a farming and ranching community. Our history is that. So one of Parada del Sol’s goals is certainly to promote the Western heritage of Scottsdale. Dennis Robbins

“In 1986, John McCain and I were up at the front of the parade when off to the west I saw this huge cloud coming in — and it was moving fast,” Trimble says. “There was an equestrian group right behind us. The band started playing, John and I turned the corner on Indian School Road and, as we headed down Scottsdale Road, we had not even gotten all the way around the corner when that storm hit. And that rain was a cloudburst. Being a Navy man and a Marine, John and I just soldiered on.” As has the parade itself over the past seven decades, thanks primarily to a community that recognizes its historical value and cultural significance. When the

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Scottsdale Jaycees disbanded in 2008, people who loved Parada del Sol formed two separate committees — one that oversaw the parade and another that oversaw the rodeo. The two events became separate entities, despite still sharing the same name. The rodeo — which moved closer to downtown Scottsdale in 1959 before pivoting to North Scottsdale’s Rawhide in 1985 — now takes place in March at WestWorld of Scottsdale. The parade still takes place in February but has seen its route change slightly over the years as the city itself has changed. When Scottsdale Road was widened and medians were added, Parada del Sol participants could

Parada del Sol Saturday,20Feb. 5 | 10 a.m. | Old Town Scottsdale | Free | scottsdaleparade.com February 22

no longer interact with and engage onlookers who were suddenly far from the action. Robbins says that, in recent years, organizers have taken care to create a much more intimate experience featuring a route around Old Town Scottsdale that resembles that of Parada del Sol’s humble beginnings. This year’s 68th annual parade — which takes place on Saturday, Feb. 5 — embarks from Drinkwater Boulevard south down Scottsdale Road, turns right on First Street, then left on Marshall Way, turns east on Second Street and concludes heading north on Brown Avenue to Indian School Road. The Trail’s End Festival — a big block party — begins immediately after the parade, featuring live concerts, food and fun for community members of all ages. Robbins says that Scottsdale Charros is honored to have taken over the responsibility of making sure the parade marches on year after year. “The city of Scottsdale really loves to have the parade and wants to continue to the tradition,” he says. “It is the longest continuous running event in our city. Scottsdale Charros has been riding in the parade as a group for more than 50 years. Part of our mission is to promote the Western heritage of Scottsdale and to promote Scottsdale in general, so it fits perfectly within what we are trying to accomplish as an organization.” Robbins adds that it takes six or seven months to plan each year’s parade and that more than 100 volunteers work the day of the event to make sure Parada del Sol is pulled off without a hitch. “It is lot of work for a lot of people,” he says. “But they love it and they are passionate about it. We canceled it last year [due to the COVID-19 pandemic], which was really unfortunate. So we are really excited to actually be having a parade again this year. We just want to make sure that we have the best and the safest parade possible. Just having it is a win for us this year.” scottsdaleparade.com

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Catching Stars Eighteen-year-old Jacob Currie is one of the stars on- and off-stage at Christian Youth Theater. He was nominated for an AriZoni Award for his portrayal of Tarzan in the production of the same name last spring.

Writer Shannon Severson // Photography by Larissa Johnson

A theatrical production is much like a tapestry. From their seats, the audience sees a beautifully cohesive creation that stirs and delights the soul. But upon closer inspection, the threads of many hues and textures woven together are revealed. Scottsdale’s award-winning Christian Youth Theater is an educational nonprofit performing arts organization that welcomes children from all backgrounds and has been training and guiding the talents of young actors and singers for 15 years. There’s so much more to the program beyond the spotlight. “Our mission is to provide very family-friendly material for the kids to be doing as well as for our audience to enjoy,” explains Stephanie Carpenter, CYT’s artistic

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director. “My own kids have grown up in the program and the families involved trust us to provide the type of environment where all kids feel welcomed.” CYT’s production of “Peter and the Starcatcher” will run Feb. 4–13 at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center with 34 cast members ranging in age from 8 to 18. It’s a rollickingly silly prequel to “Peter Pan” and will be performed in the round — which is both a challenge and delight for director Elise Palma. “It’s such a magical experience to have the audience so close and to have the kids learn to stay in character when the audience is just three feet away from them,” says Palma, who has a master’s degree in acting. “They’ve had

the opportunity to focus on acting and comedic timing. It’s definitely a challenge because it’s a whole different directional style and skill set of acting for the kids. And it’s a company show, so there aren’t really leads or ensembles. The point is storytelling and glorifying God with the gifts he gave us. It’s a really minimalistic set so even the set pieces are the kids’ bodies. They’re learning a lot of things they haven’t had to do in other musical theater shows.” The theater offers classes for children as young as 4 years old and registration is open now for the next season, which will begin Feb. 21. They are taught by an array of talented instructors with backgrounds in dance, voice and acting. CYT also relies on the talents of parents — some of whom have extensive experience in lighting design, costuming and sets. “There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes that you don’t see from the audience,” Carpenter says. “We have been blessed with some amazingly talented parents who have come in to help. One of our set designers was nominated for an AriZoni Award and another has a degree in lighting design; they are incredibly talented.” To develop leadership and organizational skills as well as give young actors an active voice in the program, CYT has established H.Y.P.E. — an acronym for High School Youth Pursuing Excellence. The group meets for Bible study, plans social events that give the

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Elise Palma, director of Christian Youth Theater’s production of “Peter and the Starcatcher”

Christian Youth Theater artistic director Stephanie Carpenter

“

Ours is a very layered community that is looking for how to build everybody up. Stephanie Carpenter

theater community a chance to bond, hosts a fall festival and a Christmas celebration and provides mentoring sessions for younger or new participants. “Ours is a very layered community that is looking for how to build everybody up,” Carpenter says. “The fun is the reason they attend, but we do so much more as a community. The older kids spend time with the younger cast members. It’s a very nurturing, mentoring type of environment.” Eighteen-year-old Jacob Currie is one of the stars onand off-stage at CYT. He joined the program at age 12. “Peter and the Starcatcher,” in which he plays Black Stache — Captain Hook before he had the hook — is his 14th show in the CYT limelight. It’s actually Currie’s second time playing a version of the character. He won an AriZoni Award for his role as Captain Hook in CYT’s 2020 production of “Peter Pan.”

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“There are characteristics I’ve taken from my former portrayal but there are new aspects, as well,” Currie explains. “It’s a cool challenge for an actor to play the same character but in a different way. He’s always comedic, but this is a very fun, over-the-top dramatic portrayal, which is so fun for me to do. “And performing it in the round is a whole other fun experience. It’s a very audience-facing show and it’s kind of freeing to be able to walk the stage where you feel like you’re involving the audience. They're at level or a little above you. You’re right there with them. There’s no separation. There’s nothing more energizing than a reacting audience.” Engaging audiences and his fellow actors, Currie is also the president of H.Y.P.E. and teaches acting and dance to children ages 4–7. The experience has been life-changing for him.

“I’ve always had a hard time fitting in,” Currie says. “Being interested in theater but not in sports, it was difficult to make friends and I experienced a lot of bullying in school. I was getting to a dark place and it wasn’t a good situation. I felt safe and accepted at CYT. My family and I say that CYT saved me. It helped me get to the point where other people’s judgments didn’t affect me anymore and I no longer felt that need to be loved by everyone.” Currie has grown in confidence, leadership and stage talent. He also won an AriZoni Award for his portrayal of Lumiere in “Beauty and the Beast” in 2019 and was nominated for an AriZoni for his portrayal of Tarzan in the production of the same name last spring. Currie plans to pursue musical theater professionally and says he cherishes the time he has spent as a teacher and mentor. “Most of my friendships — especially my strongest friendships — have been from CYT,” Currie says. “I think so much of that comes from the fact that you’re creating something together. That automatically creates a strong relationship. I have super strong bonds with my friends from CYT. I still have great friendships with those who have graduated. You really build lifelong [bonds].” Those bonds are some of the many intangible benefits of being part of a youth community theater program like CYT. Carpenter points out that, beyond the curriculum of acting, singing, dancing and even stage combat, students involved in the arts tend to have a 15% higher GPA, a 34% higher graduation rate and higher SAT scores, along with better memory and focus, time management, social skills and better problem-solving and coping skills. “The performing arts impact kids holistically — intellectually, socially and creatively,” Carpenter says. “We welcome students who have never been on stage and those with a theater background. Our staff and teaching artists are consistently building programming that builds kids up and hopefully prepares them for a great future.” cytphoenix.org Instagram: @cytphoenix

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On the Wings of Love

More than 30 years ago, Bob and Sam Fox founded the Cave Creek-based nonprofit raptor rescue Wild at Heart on the wings of love. “It really all starts with care and understanding,” Bob says. That is a statement that can be applied to life itself as well as everything beneath the umbrella of it, but it is especially true of the work that is done at Wild at Heart. The nonprofit organization got its name in part because barn owls — the first creatures for which it provided care — have a heart-shaped facial disc. However, it is also a nod to the fact that we are all essentially “wild at heart.”

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Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Lorenz Crespo

“We all enjoy being out in the wild,” Bob explains. “We all enjoy seeing nature.” But then there is also the fact that a lot of love, passion and heart goes into the rescue, rehabilitation and release of the more than 800 wild birds the nonprofit organization takes in each year. It all stems from a desire to make life better — which may as well be the definition of love.

A PLACE FOR OWLS “We had been volunteering at the [Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center] and saw a need for something that extended beyond

normal working hours,” Bob says. That was in early 1990. It was also at that time Bob’s wife Sam read “A Place for Owls” by Kay McKeever, a well-known owl rehabilitator in Ontario, Canada who encouraged the use of non-releasable owls as surrogate parents for displaced owlets. Inspired by the author’s success, Sam requested permission to initiate a foster parenting program at the wildlife center as soon as a “suitable” bird was found. The arrival of a severely ill, six-week-old barn owl with permanent wing and leg injuries provided Sam with just such an opportunity. After a long and arduous journey back to health, Bob built an aviary for the owl — which the couple named Chia — in the backyard of their former residence. In 1991, Chia raised his first group of 14 displaced nestlings, thereby becoming the avian forerunner of foster parenting in Arizona. Of course, owls and most other wild birds cannot legally be kept as pets so, in order for Chia to remain with Bob and Sam, they needed to obtain special permits from the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The couple did just that and officially founded Wild at Heart, incorporating their rehabilitation facility as a nonprofit organization and dedicating their lives to caring for the incredible creatures. “We got immediately immersed,” Bob says. “The first year we took in about 150 birds.” Thirty years later, Wild at Heart has expanded its care from exclusively barn owls to all other owls as well as hawks, falcons and eagles — most of which are brought in by its many dedicated volunteers. Moreover, its quantitative intake has increased exponentially. “Last year, we took in 812 — one shy of our annual record,” says Bob, noting redtail hawks, Harris’ hawks and burrowing owls are among the many birds the facility sees. “Great horned owls have probably become the most common [birds] that come in. They are the most prolific of the raptors.”

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE The word “raptor” is derived from the Latin word “rapere” — which means “to seize.” Raptors are birds of prey that feed on live captured prey or on carrion.

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“

It is an honor to be able to do this work and to be able to treat these animals. The ability to heal them and get them back out into the wild is a great feeling. Bob Fox

Although Wild at Heart’s volunteers only pick up raptors, the facility temporarily cares for songbirds, quail, baby rabbits and other critters that are brought in by local residents until they can be transferred to other rehabilitators that specialize in those species.

each individual species is about, why they are valuable and what their role in the ecology is,” Bob explains. “It is just about understanding our role in the circle of life and the importance of each component. Everything has a need and a niche and is really valuable.”

Wild at Heart rescues, rehabilitates and releases raptors that have been injured or orphaned; relocates displaced burrowing owls; manages species recovery programs and habitat enhancement projects; and provides educational presentations to the community.

Bob says that among the many things that Wild at Heart tries to impart with its educational presentations is the dangers that careless humans pose to not just raptors but other birds and animals — both wild and domestic.

“We try to give the community an understanding of what

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“People tend to go for the easiest solution and put out poison when they have a rodent problem or something,”

he explains.”That is just really not effective. It poisons such a small percentage of rodents but many of them are then consumed by other animals and they also get poisoned. Sticky traps are another thing. They are just so inhumane.” Bob has seen it all. Wild at Heart treats poisonings, infections, electrocutions and injuries sustained by a bird being hit by a car or having flown into a window. After three decades, Bob has also seen his fair share of raptors whose injuries are so traumatic that there is nothing Wild at Heart — or anyone else for that matter — can do to save them. “Many of them that come in do not survive but we are at least able to provide them with a safe and comfortable environment to pass away,” Bob says. “A lot of people go to great lengths to rescue an injured animal only to have it come in and have to be euthanized. We try to make people feel positive about that experience, even though the end result is something that is negative.”

THE BIRDS COME FIRST It is perhaps that experience and insight that prepared Bob for his own tragic loss last year when Sam passed away at age 73. It has obviously been tremendously difficult, as Sam was the heart and soul of the nonprofit organization, but her husband says that he and the entire Wild at Heart team have remained focused on following her guidelines and philosophy: Do what is in the best interest of these magnificent birds.

“The birds come first,” Bob explains. “It is an honor to be able to do this work and to be able to treat these animals. The ability to heal them and get them back out into the wild is a great feeling. But it is also a feeling of responsibility to do the best that we can for them because they are an integral part of the ecosystem. There is a great need for them to be out there.”

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Bob encourages the community to call Wild at Heart at 480-595-5047 for assistance with injured raptors. He also encourages donations to the nonprofit organization. “It costs a little more than $600 per day just to feed the animals in our care,” he says. “We would not be here without the support of the community — the donors and the volunteers.” Among the many gifts that Bob has received from his work with Wild at Heart is seeing first-hand just how caring wild creatures are. "The fact that so many species will immediately and without question take on the care and feeding of orphans is an amazing thing,” he says. “That is really one of the main reasons that Wild at Heart got started. Such a simple thought was not that easy to accomplish but now we see that it happens so readily.” That takeaway and the testament of love exhibited by feathered foster parents is just one more reason why Wild at Heart could not possibly have a more appropriate name than the one that Bob and Sam conceived more than three decades ago. wildatheartraptors.org

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Romeo and Juliet (Photo Courtesy of Ballet Arizona)

There are some stories that have touched each and every one of us in some way, shape or form. William Shakespeare’s classic cautionary tale of young love, intense passion and enduring tragedy — “Romeo and Juliet” — is one of them. Be it in the form of literature, cinema, play or SparkNotes, it is a story that is as imperishable as it is powerful and just as far-reaching. Its societal prominence and importance is perhaps due, in part, to the emotional weight of its themes. Love, passion and tragedy are three things that are at the very core of the human experience. They are inherently tied to events that each and every one of us encounters from a very early age. They are also sensations that will follow us throughout our entire lives. Many argue that Valentine’s Day is nothing more than a commercial holiday. However, something so significant to and deeply rooted in our lives as love is worthy of celebration — especially if viewed through a much wider lens, which is precisely what several of the Valley’s performing arts organizations have done with their programming this month. They have taken a cue from Shakespeare, imbuing their productions with themes, material and methods that reflect a more comprehensive and all-encompassing interpretation of love. In fact, Ballet Arizona has taken a page straight out of Shakespeare’s book and will bring “Romeo and Juliet” to the stage Feb. 10–13 at Symphony Hall, albeit in a way that enhances the story’s already robust emotions even further. “A lot of people have read it in high school or saw the movie but seeing it performed live on stage in the form of dance is different because you are interpreting the story without words,” says Leslie Marquez, director of marketing for Ballet Arizona. “You are taking in the music and the movements and interpreting the love, passion and tragedy for yourself. “You are getting a little bit of everything — all facets of human emotion played out right there on stage. As the ballet progresses, you can almost feel the energy of the dancers. Having that live human experience played out in front of you is unlike anything else.” Marquez says that “Romeo and Juliet” provides Ballet Arizona’s dancers with the perfect opportunity to showcase their

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

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Romeo and Juliet (Photo Courtesy of Ballet Arizona)

virtuosity and strength. And because it is accompanied by a score that is masterfully performed live by the Phoenix Symphony, the production pulls all senses into the experience. “The Sergei Prokofiev score that is played while our dancers perform is extremely emotive,” she explains. “Just hearing the music really tugs at the heartstrings. There are often tears coming down people’s faces as they are leaving the theater because it is very emotional.”

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Marquez adds that while “Romeo and Juliet” ultimately ends in tragedy, the romance represented within it is just as affecting. “There is the remembrance of young love and what that feels like,” she says. “That is always fun to experience with a significant other. It is also great for a girlfriends’ night out. It is really just a special night out for anybody.”

Women’s Orchestra of Arizona (Photo Courtesy of Women's Orchestra of Arizona)

FEEL THE LOVE The Women’s Orchestra of Arizona aspires to offer the same with its Sunday, Feb. 6 concert at Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley. Affectionately titled “Feel the Love,” the concert will include Franz Lehár’s “Merry Widow Overture,” Ethel Smyth’s “Serenade in D” and Georges Bizet’s “Intermezzo” from “Carmen Suite No. 1,” as well as a medley of some of the greatest love songs of all time. Noting that the concert is free to attend with a ticket from Eventbrite and will be followed by a reception that includes refreshments, Women’s Orchestra of Arizona conductor Cindy Petty acknowledges that love is a very complex subject. “There is, of course, romance but there is also comedy and tragedy,” Petty says. “That is kind of where we came up with our theme of ‘Feel the Love’ because our selections will take you through everything that is involved in that kind of an event.”

Petty says that while “Merry Widow Overture” represents the humor in love, “Serenade in D” displays tenderness, warmth, comfort, power, strength and compassion — all of which are characteristics that, together, comprise a relationship.

simply cannot. Therefore, concerts like “Feel the Love” provide people with an opportunity to not only sit close to someone they care about but also experience powerful, conversation-provoking feelings in a shared environment.

Similar to “Romeo and Juliet,” Bizet's 1875 opera “Carmen” is filled with tragedy but the selection chosen for the Women’s Orchestra of Arizona concert represents romance.

“Relationships are tough,” the conductor acknowledges. “Whether they have happy endings or do not, there is always still that powerful love component that people just cannot get away from. It really humanizes us because everybody wants to be cared for. But they also want to be independent.

“The hero Don José falls in love with a woman who is nothing but trouble for him,” Petty explains. “He gets his heart broken. But in this piece, she is showing him compassion and caring — even though she knows that they will never be together. They have a moment when their relationship seems really stable and they feel very good about the love that they are sharing. It is a very romantic piece.” Petty says that music expresses all of the different feelings involved in relationships in a way that words

“Music speaks words to your heart. And, when played well in a beautiful environment, it lends itself toward bringing people together. Then it gives reason for discussion afterward. You can talk about how you felt. Feelings are hard to discuss but music will bring that out to where it opens conversations, opens viewpoints and gives you a level playing field to be able to discuss them.”

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Arizona Masterworks Chorale (Photo by Chris Loomis)

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Music speaks words to your heart. And, when played well in a beautiful environment, it lends itself toward bringing people together. Cindy Petty

LOVE FROM SEA TO SEA Arizona Masterworks Chorale music director Scott Youngs agrees with Petty’s assessment of music’s power and ability to accurately translate the difficult to define or describe experience that is love. “Romantic love does not always give you the total picture,” Youngs says. “If you have been married for any length of time, you know that love changes. It grows and morphs into something unexpected. You do not always get the love that you planned on. You do not always get the love that you expected. Sometimes it is a complete surprise that you are even in love at all. Everyone has that experience of not a simple love, but a complex love — a surprise, a disappointment, a hope, a dream, a fulfillment. It changes over your lifetime.” That is something that he aspires to capture through Arizona Masterworks Chorale’s “Love from Sea to Sea”

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concert, which will be performed Saturday, Feb. 12 at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Phoenix and Sunday, Feb. 13 at Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley. Youngs says that, like all of Arizona Masterworks Chorale’s concerts this season, “Love from Sea to Sea” will feature music by American composers. The program will open with “Send in the Clowns” by Stephen Sondheim before moving through “A Red, Red Rose” and “When We Two Parted” by James Mulholland, “A Boy and a Girl” and “The Moon is Hiding in Her Hair” by Eric Whitacre, “Shoshone Love Song” by Roger Emerson, “Let My Love Be Heard” and “Good Night My Love” by Jake Runestad, “If Music be the Food of Love” by David Dickau, “Forever Gone” by Susan LaBarr and “I Am Not Yours” by David N. Childs.

“As we often discover, love finds us not in the ways or the timing that we might have planned,” Youngs says. “So in this program, we cover wistful love, the yearning for it, the love that did not come when we wanted it, the most romantic kinds of love, the tragic love, love lost and love found. There are so many touchstones in the texts and the music. That makes it perfect for Valentine's week.” Youngs adds that his goal with not just “Love from Sea to Sea” but all of Arizona Masterworks Chorale’s concerts is to present a simple, elegant choral sound in a beautiful setting with texts that will actually touch your heart. “I think that everybody will find something that is emotionally touching,” the music director says. “When you present a broad spectrum of these texts that talk about love — love from different portions of your life, love amongst different people, love from a variety of different contexts — everybody finds some kind of an emotional touchstone. I think that it is a beautiful way to celebrate not just simple Valentine's love but the greater picture.”

THE MANY FACES OF LOVE The greater picture is also something that Sonoran Desert Chorale hopes to capture through its spring concert. Sonoran Desert Chorale artistic director Carric Smolnik says that “The Many Faces of Love” — which will be performed Saturday, Feb. 26 at First United Methodist Church in Mesa and Sunday, March 6 at La Casa De Cristo Lutheran Church in Scottsdale — features songs that reflect themes of love and rebirth but in a way that extends beyond just romance. “There are so many other aspects and areas of love,” Smolnik explains. “So, for this program, I collected songs and divided them into little subsets from which we could get different perspectives about different parts of life that deal with love. Each of the subsets gives a little bit of something to which I think almost any audience member can really relate.” “The Many Faces of Love” will, of course, include selections that represent youthful love and the sense of excitement that comes with it but the concert will also reach into love of the Divine, celebrating the idea of a higher power and God, as well as love of music. It will also represent love of country.

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Sonoran Desert Chorale (Photo Courtesy of Sonoran Desert Chorale)

“We will sing the national anthem but I also wanted to include the sense of patriotism that people from other countries and cultures who are here and might be attending feel for their own country,” Smolnik says. “So I selected Z. Randall Stroope’s ‘Homeland.’” For romantic love, Smolnik selected Eric Whitacre’s “Five Hebrew Love Songs,” which features very reflective, intimate and contemplative text about the care that one person takes of another. The final selections will represent love of humankind. “I felt this pull to have some pieces talking about helping and supporting humanity because, as everyone is acutely aware, we are still in the throes of a pandemic,” Smolnik says. “We have had our lives flipped upside down and we have polarizing things happening left and right as well as hardship and heartache.” One of the pieces Smolnik selected to represent love of humankind is Alf Houkom’s “Rune of Hospitality,”

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which reminds us that, no matter our circumstances, we have within us the ability to reach out and touch someone else who might be struggling. The artistic director adds that the dualism between the youthful love and the romantic love subsets is especially potent — particularly on date night. “Someone who is just starting out in their relationship will be able to identify with some of the fun and colorful songs in the youthful love subset,” he explains. “But for someone who is in a longer-term, more mature relationship, that is going to be nostalgia for them as they remember the beginning days of their relationship. “Then the romantic subset — especially Eric Whitacre’s ‘Five Hebrew Love Songs,’ which features words that speak to so many people on a very deep, connective level — will remind them of one another and the reasons that they are together.”

Experience Romeo and Juliet Feb. 10–13 | See website for times Symphony Hall 75 N. Second St., Phoenix See website for price | balletaz.org

Women’s Orchestra of Arizona: Feel the Love Sunday, Feb. 6 | 3 p.m. Ascension Lutheran Church 7100 N. Mockingbird Lane, Paradise Valley Free | womensorchestraarizona.com

Arizona Masterworks Chorale: Love from Sea to Sea

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Saturday, Feb. 12 | 7:30 p.m. All Saints’ Episcopal Church 6300 N. Central Ave., Phoenix Sunday, Feb 13 | 3 p.m. Ascension Lutheran Church 7100 N. Mockingbird Lane, Paradise Valley $15+ | arizonamasterworks.com

Sonoran Desert Chorale: The Many Faces of Love Saturday, Feb. 26 | 7:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church 15 E. First Ave., Mesa Sunday, March 6 | 3 p.m. La Casa De Cristo Lutheran Church 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale $18+ | sonorandesertchorale.org 480-305-4538

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Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography by Peter Coskun

Whether it is winter chill or love that is in the air, you are likely cuddled up a bit closer to someone special this month. Being physically close to those we love is an exceptionally important part of the human experience. It keeps us warm, helps us to feel valued, signals safety and trust, calms cardiovascular stress and increases compassionate response. In fact, a single, simple touch from another person can trigger the release of oxytocin — commonly referred to as the love hormone. We often look for places that facilitate that physical propinquity. Intimate restaurants, movie theaters and even our own living room sofas all offer the closeness for which we long. There is a natural phenomenon in Arizona that not only provides proximity but also spectacular beauty. It is impossible to navigate our state’s slot canyons — which are aesthetically gorgeous — without having to huddle up with whoever accompanies you. Even if you visit them alone, you are surrounded by a sense of intimacy. All of those aforementioned benefits of being physically close with those we love wash over us as a simple result of being hugged by the incredibly abstract canyon walls. It is just one of the many reasons that photographer Peter Coskun loves Arizona’s slot canyons. “You are essentially going within some of the earth's veins that have been molded for millions of years by chaotic events to create some of the most beautiful spaces,” Coskun says. “Various contours within the canyon can feel human at times. In the tighter, confined spaces, you really begin to feel that intimacy within the canyon.”

Hypnotized

Coskun skillfully captures on camera what it feels like to be deep in the heart of Arizona’s slot canyons, showcasing not only one of our state’s most beautifully abstract elements but also the incomparable intimacy that they naturally supply. May these images invigorate your imagination and make you feel more connected to the love that Mother Nature used to create the world around us.

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I think by nature these very canyons are abstract as you can look up, down, side to side and still see something magical. When I look at my own slot canyon images, I see patterns, shapes, textures and light and how they all play together like an orchestra to create one masterpiece of sandstone. Peter Coskun

Fire Wave

Brimstone

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Your senses become heightened a bit as your eyes adjust to the darkness to reveal the rich colors of the sandstone and each sound is amplified by the rich acoustics within the canyon. The canyons are also significantly cooler as sometimes sunlight doesn't even reach the bottom of the canyon which can be felt against the sandstone walls. Peter Coskun

The Opera Singer

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It is hard to go wrong with the canyons around Page, Arizona. There is a reason why the Lower and Upper Antelope canyons are as popular as they are. Lower Antelope Canyon may be the most photogenic canyon I have been in throughout the southwest. Peter Coskun

Compressed by Stone

Upper Antelope Canyon Arch

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About the Photographer Prior to moving from Philidelphia to Phoenix at age 13, Peter Coskun assumed that Arizona was pretty much a flat, sandy, cactus-filled landscape. “It quickly became apparent that this was not true,” he says. “In my junior year of high school, I took a photography class that had still used film. I learned how to develop my own photographs as well as the very basics of how to make a photograph — or so I thought.” A few years later, Coskun purchased his own digital camera. Although he would take photos of just about everything, he was especially drawn to photographing nature and the landscapes that surrounded him. “I began searching the web and reading photography books and finding photographers and artists who could inspire me,” he says. “The desire to travel and be outside with the camera became stronger and stronger. Eventually, I began going on a few short trips with friends to explore new places and it started to become a regular occurrence to be outside looking for something to photograph.” During his first solo trip to the Eastern Sierra area of California in 2012, he discovered that photography was what he wanted to do in life and began embracing the journey on which it was taking him. Coskun refers to each and every one of his photographs as a labor of love and passion into which he put his blood, sweat and tears. They represent experiences and moments in nature that he wishes to share with the world. He takes pride in the fact that many of his compositions are new or unique takes on either often photographed locations or new locations altogether. “My camera has taken me to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the western United States, and I expect it will take me to every corner of the world to further my exploration,” Coskun says. “I am eager and excited to see where this journey in life will take me.” pjcphotography.com Instagram: @petercoskunnaturephotography

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Ready for Duty Cave Creek Fire Station No. 1

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Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Carl Schultz

Although we are still currently in the throes of winter, the weather will slowly but surely become warmer over the next few months. We will soon find ourselves trading in our sweaters, coats and boots for swimsuits, shorts and sandals.

neighboring jurisdictions to increase fire protection and services, the town of Cave Creek now has a new resource at its disposal to decrease both response times and the potential negative impact of emergencies.

However, our dreams of pool parties and outdoor barbecues are almost sure to be suppressed by nightmares involving the many downsides of the spring and summer seasons — the re-emergence of rattlesnakes, the scorching sunburns and, of course, the increased risk of wildfires.

Council members voted late last summer to obtain a property to be used as the town’s first fire station and, in December, entered into a long-term agreement with Daisy Mountain Fire and Medical to provide emergency services at the location.

Having two back-to-back major wildfire events in our memory from May 2020, it is impossible to enter into the warmer seasons without some concern and trepidation. However, at the encouragement of

Daisy Mountain Fire and Medical’s public information officer Brent Fenton says Cave Creek Fire Station No. 1 — which is located on the same site at which Rural Metro Fire used to operate — is staffed 24 hours a day,

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365 days a year, with personnel who can respond to everything from fire emergencies and heart attacks to automobile accidents and nosebleeds. “The value that is added to the town of Cave Creek is immense with this fire station because Daisy Mountain Fire and Medical is part of the Regional Automatic Aid System,” says Fenton, noting that the system is a consortium of governmental fire departments/districts joined by an inter-governmental agreement wherein the participants agree to operationally act as one entity for the purpose of improved fire, rescue and emergency medical services. Fenton says that the system essentially erases jurisdictional boundaries and allows the closest unit to address an emergency without delay. “Sometimes there are coincidental multiple incidents going on at the same time within the same area,” he explains. “So if that [area’s] fire truck is on a call, you are going to get the next closest fire truck — and that does not matter whether it is a Daisy Mountain Fire and Medical unit, a Phoenix unit or a Scottsdale unit. They are going to be called automatically.” Fenton says that in addition to decreasing response times, the system also provides access to a technical rescue team, which can do everything from high-angle rescue, swift water rescue, helicopter rescue and more.

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“We also have a hazmat team for any kind of natural gas leak or hazardous materials issue,” he adds. Originally a carwash before being utilized by Rural Metro Fire, the building that is now home to Cave Creek Fire Station No. 1 was renovated to meet Daisy Mountain Fire and Medical’s standards. “With that update comes a state-of-the-art dispatch system,” Fenton says.

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We are encouraging folks toward the end of February and the beginning of March to really get out there and start creating defensible space on their properties. Get on top of those weeds while they are green. Do not wait until they turn brown to start clearing them. Brent Fenton

The dispatch system not only allows individual crew members to control notifications in their room — a necessity should an ambulance at some point be added to the current fire engine, water tender and brush truck — but also features a gradual volume to prevent any heart attacks or other medical issues that one may experience from being jolted out of their sleep in the middle of the night. Moreover, Cave Creek Fire Station No. 1 is staffed with seasoned firefighters who are very familiar with the area. “The bulk of the Daisy Mountain Fire District is very similar to what you will see in Cave Creek as far as the wildland urban interface and it being a more rural community with homes placed throughout the desert,” Fenton says. “So we are very familiar with running calls there, fighting fires there and having to utilize water tenders because water supplies can be sparse in those

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areas. We are specifically trained to run calls and fight fires in those areas.” In other words, Daisy Mountain Fire and Medical is plenty prepared to meet the needs of the Cave Creek community. However, it is counting on the Cave Creek community to do its part to minimize the potential for that need — especially in the way of wildfires. “We are in the middle of a dry winter but we did have some rain that will create new growth,” Fenton says. “And there is still a lot of growth that is there that has not burned. Plus, we still have the issue with globe chamomile — which is a very invasive species. “We are encouraging folks toward the end of February and the beginning of March to really get out there and start creating defensible space on their properties. Get

on top of those weeds while they are green. Do not wait until they turn brown to start clearing them.” Fenton says that he has seen property owners far too often wait too long to begin their yardwork and inadvertently start a fire with their string trimmer or lawnmower. “All it takes is one spark from a rock or something from the motors of those pieces of equipment to start a wildfire,” Fenton explains. “So do yourself a favor and get out there when the weather is nice.” Property owners should clear debris a minimum of 30 feet away from all structures. Fenton says that 100 feet is ideal but acknowledges that that is not always possible — especially considering Arizona’s unique landscape and terrain. Property owners should also trim any trees that may be near their structures, particularly those with branches above or touching the roof. This reduces the possibility of fire that is coming across the ground to be carried up into the canopy of the tree and spread to the roof of a structure. And, as always, have a plan should an evacuation of the area be necessary. Fenton says that the location of every fire station takes population density and call volume into consideration. He adds that Daisy Mountain Fire and Medical strives to respond to emergencies as quickly as possible. “Less than 10 minutes is the goal but the average is between three and five minutes from calling 911 to some kind of fire apparatus showing up at your front door,” says Fenton, noting that another fire station is currently projected to open in 2024 on the west side of the town of Cave Creek near 24th Street and Cloud Road that will further decrease response times as the community continues to grow. “We are very excited to be a part of the town of Cave Creek and to provide service to them. We are so appreciative to the town council and to the members of the community for all of their support. We received a very warm welcome from the community at the [Jan. 3] grand opening [of Cave Creek Station No. 1]. We feel very humbled and are very appreciative of everything that everyone has provided for us and all of the support that they have shown us.” Cave Creek Fire Station No. 1 37042 N. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek daisymountainfire.org Facebook: @daisymtnfire Instagram: @daisymtnfire Twitter: @daisymtnfire imagesar izona.c om

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Hats Off to a Worthy Cause Photo by Patrick O'Brien

Women’s hats have played a starring role in high fashion for centuries. There’s nothing that completes an outfit or exudes confidence and personality more than a beautifully crafted chapeaux, many of which are works of art in themselves. This month, hats will also be synonymous with goodwill and the importance of supporting the local library. Cave Creek resident Andrea Markowitz has collaborated with fellow library supporters Dianne Olson and Jo Gemmill and Desert Foothills Library adult program coordinator Ashley Ware to create a charity event worthy of a hat tip. The English Rose Tea Room on Feb. 27 will host the elegant fundraiser — to benefit Desert Foothills Library

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Writer Shannon Severson

— during which attendees may enjoy tea, cakes and a chance to take home one or more of 50 vintage hats. “I am excited to share my [English Rose] Team Room with other guests who love their local library, love hats and of course love drinking tea,” Gemmill says. “I think it will be the perfect combination and a delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.” Markowitz is generously donating a selection of designer and one-of-a-kind hats from her late mother Florence’s extensive collection that spans several fashion eras from the 1950s to the early 2000s. “My mother always wanted to look fashionable,”

Markowitz says. “Getting dressed, for her, was an expression of her artistic nature. I do believe that if she’d had the opportunity to pursue a career, it would’ve been fashion design or interior design. “I remember she used to go shopping in New York and have her hats sent back to New Jersey. My brother and I would get so excited when she had on a new hat, new shoes, a new dress and a pocketbook. She loved to make people smile. If she made someone smile by looking nice, she was doing something good.” Markowitz adds that reading was very important to her mother. “My mom would be delighted to learn that her hats will benefit the library,” she says. The fundraiser was initially set to take place back in March 2020 but organizers decided to postpone it as a precaution due to the pandemic. The delay has only created even more anticipation for the event, which Olson says was conceived out of Markowitz’s love for the library and desire for her mother’s hats to continue to be cherished.

Markowitz says the unexpected blessing of the delay was that it inspired the idea of using Gemmill’s

Photo by Carl Schultz

“It was heartbreaking to have to postpone the event because it took Andrea a long time to ready herself to part with these symbols of her mother’s grace and beauty,” Olson adds. “What a shame it would have been to see these designer nuggets vanish without a legacy.”

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Photo by Carl Schultz

From left, Andrea Markowitz, Jo Gemmill and Dianne Olson prepare for an elegant fundraiser — to benefit Desert Foothills Library — during which attendees may enjoy tea, cakes and a chance to take home one or more of 50 vintage hats. Photo by Patrick O'Brien

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A delightful spot of tea while browsing through bonnets is a tangible joy while all the proceeds benefit our dear friend — our library. Dianne Olson

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Vintage Hats Fundraiser

February Feb. 27 |20 3 22 p.m. | English Rose Tea Room | 201 Easy St. Suite 103, Carefree | $35 | 480-488-4812 | carefreetea.com

English Rose Tea Room as the venue, the interior and patio of which were recently remodeled. “We used the additional time to create an event that will be even more elegant and exciting than the original one we planned,” Markowitz says. “We realized this time around that the lovely ambiance of The English Rose Tea Room would be the perfect complement to the lovely hats.” Since tea and hats make a perfect pair, Gemmill expects to see many of the hats again as they crown the heads of her teatime guests in the future. Olson has a fondness for hats herself and vividly recalls her own mother’s trips to Dottie’s Chapeaux, the local hat shop in her hometown, to purchase hats that paired stylishly with her business suits. Mr. John, a designer her mother favored — and whose clients included Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall and Vivien Leigh — is among the designers whose hats will be featured at the benefit. Another featured designer is Christine A. Moore, a milliner of the Kentucky Derby, Breeders’ Cup and many other prestigious races. “Dressing was a sign of respect to the people around you,” Olson says. “I recall a tale of the Queen Mother during the war years in England, answering a question about why she dressed so elegantly when moving among the war-weary populace, stating that she would dress the same way for a visiting dignitary and that the citizens of the kingdom deserved just as much respect. Our moms never left the house without wearing their ‘respect.’” For organizers and attendees, the connecting thread of support for Desert Foothills Library is the bow that ties it all together. “Desert Foothills Library is so grounded in its significance to the community,” Olson says. “Who could not recognize its importance and sense of duty? Everyone is welcome to a free library card without the onus of taxation. “To a child, that card represents admission to the future. To adults, it is the promise of hours of relationship with real and imaginary situations or a nostalgic return to the wonders of one’s learning years. “A delightful spot of tea while browsing through bonnets is a tangible joy while all the proceeds benefit our dear friend — our library.”

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Writer Shannon Severson

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Tucking into a warm, steamy bowl of pasta is an exercise in comfort for many. James Beard Award-winning celebrity chef Scott Conant took that feeling and first made it a career with his incredible culinary skills and now delivers recipes, stories and inspiration in his newest cookbook — “Peace, Love, and Pasta: Simple and Elegant Recipes from a Chef’s Home Kitchen.” While Conant is not new to the cookbook scene, “Peace, Love, and Pasta” is more personal. It is filled with stories from his Connecticut childhood, summers with his grandfather in Maine, his first job in a seafood restaurant kitchen, his work and travels throughout Europe, his success in the Big Apple and now the memories that he’s making with the two daughters he and his wife, Mel, are raising here in Arizona. “My first three cookbooks focused on restaurant-quality recipes and what I usually cook in a professional kitchen,” says Conant, who operates three restaurants in the United States — Mora Italian in Phoenix, The Americano in North Scottsdale and Cellaio Steak in New York. “Over the years, people often asked what I make at home; so this was the perfect opportunity to showcase some of the foods that I love cooking for my family. These dishes are staples at our house and have shaped the palates of my young daughters.” Alongside the vibrant photography, the recipes are accompanied by personal anecdotes and tips. For instance, in Conant’s most famous and most requested dish — pasta pomodoro — sauce is finished with a touch of butter for depth of flavor. It’s a restaurant hack that any home cook can incorporate to make a pasta dish memorably delicious. He also gives variations and multiple uses for recipes, encouraging readers to experiment and make substitutions where necessary. “The key to good cooking is the ability to adjust,” he says. “There is no such thing as everything just working out perfectly, whether it be at home or in a commercial kitchen at the restaurants. My advice is to identify the ingredients that you want then adapt to the ingredients that are readily available to you.” A big batch of tomato sauce, for example, can be kept in the freezer and pulled out as needed for repurposing in different recipes. Conant keeps short ribs, lamb, pork ribs and oxtail on hand for braising.

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With much of the world’s hustle and bustle being put on hold in 2020, Scott Conant relished cooking at home more often with his daughters, Ayla and Karya.

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Over the years, people often asked what I make at home; so this was the perfect opportunity to showcase some of the foods that I love cooking for my family. These dishes are staples at our house and have shaped the palates of my young daughters. Scott Conant

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“There is always an opportunity to adapt and apply the technique, which is the most important aspect,” he says. “You don’t necessarily have to follow a recipe exactly and that’s one of the things I wanted to get across with this book.”

NOSTALGIC MEALS AND COMFORT FOODS The ability to improvise is definitely one of the most important tools in an arsenal of culinary skill. Conant learned that principle early on. He describes his mother’s own resourcefulness when asked which recipe can take him right back to his childhood home with just one bite. “My mother’s Sunday tomato sauce with meatballs brings all the nostalgia,” he reveals. “She would sometimes add lamb shank, beef short ribs or even chicken feet to the sauce. You never knew what was going to be in there depending on what she picked up at the market. “But one thing was constant — she would put it on the stove every Saturday and let it cook overnight into Sunday. That sauce became a part of my childhood. I can still remember walking by that pot, grabbing a piece of bread and dunking it inside the sauce as it cooked with all that meat. This dish always brings me back to those happy moments of connectivity and memories of growing up.” With much of the world’s hustle and bustle being put on hold in 2020, Conant relished cooking at home more often with his daughters, Ayla and Karya. For him, Arizona has been a grounding experience compared to the fast-paced lifestyle of urban Manhattan.

With more time at home, it is only natural to wonder which recipe Conant cooks most often when he’s in charge of putting dinner on the table. The chef and cookbook author says that honor belongs to his chicken cutlets with burrata and melted baby tomato sauce. “It’s just so craveable and simple to make,” he adds. “Every culture seems to have a version of this and I think it’s comfort food at its best. I’ve never met a chicken cutlet that I don’t love.”

ROMANTIC DISHES AND TURKISH DELIGHTS “Peace, Love, and Pasta” has plenty of recipes that are perfect for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner for two. Among them, Conant recommends sigara börek — a Turkish dough stuffed with feta cheese and fresh herbs then fried until crispy — as something to snack on while cooking the rest of the meal. “For the main course, make the short rib risotto with caramelized onions,” he says. “It delivers the promise of soulfulness yet is refined with robust flavors. You can also opt for some vegetarian or lighter dishes from the cookbook, but I think these two are no-brainers for a special occasion.” The Turkish appetizer is part of an unexpected twist in “Peace, Love, and Pasta” that was inspired by his wife’s heritage — a chapter devoted exclusively to Turkish cooking. In it, Conant details his travels to Mel’s hometown of Bodrum and recounts, with both humor and a spirit of eager discovery, his favorite dishes and the people who introduced him to them.

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James Beard Award-winning celebrity chef Scott Conant delivers recipes, stories and inspiration in his newest cookbook — “Peace, Love, and Pasta: Simple and Elegant Recipes from a Chef’s Home Kitchen.”

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“I have to say the manti recipe is just spectacular,” he says. “When we were shooting the photography for the book, that was the big winner of all the things that we had tested and tried over the course of a week. Everyone was most impressed with that Turkish ravioli served with yogurt, mint and a little spiced butter. It’s truly special.” Conant acknowledges that even he still has more to learn — a sentiment with which his mother-in-law might agree. “As we were testing some of the Turkish breads, my mother-in-law hovered over our shoulders, making sure we were doing everything right” he recalls. “And at a certain point, she just kind of moved us out of the way and took over like, ‘This is how you do it.’ It was a great learning lesson. I love those moments because there’s no better way to learn than from someone who’s been doing this for decades.”

QUICK CUISINE AND ENJOYABLE EATS Of course, with 35 years of restaurant experience under his belt, Conant has certainly mastered more dishes than could possibly fit into a single volume. But even celebrated chefs have busy nights when hungry tummies are growling and whipping something up quick is crucial. A vegetarian main that he makes when time is of the essence is rosemary lentils. They’re described as satisfying and healthy, whether at the center of the plate or alongside meat and seafood. While these green lentils stewed with olive oil, tomatoes and

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caramelized shallots may be simple, they’re so well-loved that they have found their way onto the menu of nearly every one of his restaurants. “Another go-to is breakfast for dinner, right?” he posits. “Eggs in purgatory can be made on the fly with pantry staples and you could utilize the same tomato sauce from the pasta pomodoro recipe. [There is] nothing wrong with adding some crispy, warm, crunchy garlic bread. It’s good eating!” In the dream scenario of having all day to cook with no limits on time or ingredients, Conant would make things that his daughters enjoy most — such as truffle tajarin. “The tajarin pasta is made from scratch with a white truffle shaved over the top,” he says. “It’s delicious and makes [Ayla] super happy. I would also make the scialatielli pasta with stewed octopus. It’s one of my absolute favorites. Since I’ve written this book, Karya’s palate has developed a bit more, which makes me overjoyed. She loves the roasted pork shoulder, so I’d make that, too.” Perhaps amateur chefs can credit Conant’s move to the Grand Canyon state for giving him the breathing room to compile this collection of fresh, flavorful Italian — and Turkish — recipes from the heart. “Living here has allowed me to be more present and, most importantly, spend more time with my family,” he says. “I cherish the moments watching my daughters grow up and it’s all going by too fast.” scottconant.com Instagram: @conantnyc imagesar izona.c om

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Leila’s Empanadas Handheld Happiness

When Leila Beltrame moved from her hometown in Brazil to Arizona in 2015, she encountered a completely different culture and a seemingly insurmountable mountain of challenges. As if learning an entirely new language did not produce enough headaches for her, Beltrame needed to essentially rebuild her business from scratch.

Having grown up part of a poor, farming family in southern Brazil, Beltrame witnessed first-hand the devastation of losing crops to frosts on multiple occasions.

However, overcoming obstacles and starting over were far from unfamiliar concepts for the chef, who recently launched a line of authentic, artisan empanadas in Anthem, Cave Creek and Scottsdale.

Therefore, knowing what crops grow quickly and good practices of preserving and preparing food were of the utmost importance. Fortunately, her mother and grandmother were both experts and not only helped Beltrame’s family survive the destruction and rebuild but also instilled within her the perseverance and knowledge that she would need to succeed in her own endeavors.

“Every time you have some challenges, you become stronger than you were,” Beltrame says.

Having moved from Brazil to Anthem in 2015, Leila Beltrame recently launched a line of authentic, artisan empanadas in Anthem, Cave Creek and Scottsdale. Photo by Tawn Smith Photography

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

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“Sometimes the ice comes and destroys everything,” says Beltrame, noting that the process of re-planting to harvesting takes a long time.

They also instilled within her a love for cooking. “I love to work with food,” Beltrame says. “It is my passion.” Although Beltrame tried her hand at a few other things earlier in life, she always knew that cooking was her calling. She eventually dove headfirst into the food industry. When Honeywell transferred her husband, Ricardo Bortolini, to Arizona, she sold her business and accompanied him on a new adventure here in the United States. Beltrame took a few college courses and spent some time learning English before deciding that it was time for her to re-enter the food industry. She started with something simple — chocolate, because it does not require any machines and is relatively easy to make. But her family’s empanada recipes called out to her and she shortly realized that she needed to share them with her new neighbors. “I think that it is a nice product to have here — especially nowadays,” says Beltrame, noting that her empanadas are healthy, delicious and convenient. For those who are unfamiliar with them, empanadas are essentially handheld pastries that are filled with either sweet or savory ingredients. Beltrame currently offers three varieties — chicken and olive, beef and apple creme brulee — all of which are baked instead of fried, which give them a lower calorie count than many other foods. Gluten-free Brazilian cheese rolls — which boast a light, crispy outer layer

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Leila Beltrame (center) and her husband, Ricardo Bortolini, celebrate Leila’s Empanadas’ Homeless Engagement Lift Partnership collaboration with the nonprofit organization’s founder Dawn Marie Rapaport. Photo by Tawn Smith Photography

Brazilian Cheese Rolls (Photo by Ricardo Bortolini)

Apple Creme Brulee Empanadas (Photo by Ricardo Bortolini)

and a scrumptious Parmesean cheese filling — are also among Beltrame’s offerings, which are available to order via her website. Beltrame’s Leila’s Empanadas line is also available at Sam’s Frozen Yogurt in Anthem, Lil Miss Butcher in Cave Creek and BUTI MVMNT Studio in Scottsdale.

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“All of my recipes are from my mother and my grandmother,” Beltrame says. “I do some adjustments to some recipes but the main thing comes from them.” Beltrame is grateful to her parents, her grandparents and her upbringing as they gifted her with so much more than just recipes.

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Chicken Empanads (Photo by Ricardo Bortolini)

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Every time you have some challenges, you become stronger than you were. Leila Beltrame

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“I had really good parents and grandparents but we were very poor,” Beltrame says. “I can remember very well in my childhood a lot of times I came home from school and we had nothing to eat. I know very well how that hurts.” It is that knowledge and experience that encouraged Beltrame to collaborate with North Valley-based nonprofit Homeless Engagement Lift Partnership to benefit the organization’s H.E.L.P. Snackz Program that fills the hunger gap by providing meals to local students through daily afternoon nutritional snack bags. “I know how hard it is to try to learn with an empty stomach,” Beltrame says. “Kids cannot learn anything or concentrate at school if they are not well-fed. How can you learn anything with an empty belly? I know what they feel when they come home and do not have anything to eat. I believe in feeding and treating kids well so that they will be able to create a better future for themselves and others.” Therefore, a portion of proceeds from every order via Beltrame’s website goes to battle child hunger locally, proving that the Anthem resident has fully embraced her community and is committed to making it a healthier, happier and more delicious place. leilasempanadas.com Instagram: @leilasempanadasaz

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To Be or Not to Be... That is the Equestrian In 2014, Chelsea Harden founded The H.E.A.R.T. Center, a nonprofit organization that provides alternative and intentional therapeutic learning opportunities to children with social learning challenges and related disorders.

Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Jasmine McAreavy

Chelsea Harden has always viewed horses as a lens to authentically view the world and to see what is directly in front of her. “With so much around us, especially today, that is highlight reels, it is so hard to differentiate what is real and what is not real,” Harden explains. “Being with horses has always grounded me and allowed me to see and work with others from a space that is authentic, is real and is accessible.” That is why in 2014 Harden founded The H.E.A.R.T. Center, a nonprofit organization that provides alternative and intentional therapeutic learning opportunities to children with social learning challenges and related disorders.

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Comprised of a micro-school, an equine therapy program and a recreational therapy program, The H.E.A.R.T. Center strives to empower individuals with special needs to build confidence and develop life skills through recreation- and activity-integrated educational programs. Harden acknowledges that Arizona is rich with equine therapy programs — which is of great benefit to the people who call our state home. “We have a variety of programs out here that clients have access to,” Harden says. “Each one targets a different group. We primarily focus on students with special needs — mostly being students on the autism spectrum or with related disorders. The thing that sets us apart is

that my vision has always been to take what we do with equine therapy and adaptive recreation camps and turn it into a school for kids with special needs.”

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LOVE AT FIRST RIDE “I have always been drawn to horses,” Harden says. “I came across a therapeutic riding program when I was growing up as a teenager in California. When I was in high school, that is where I spent most of my time on the weekends. While volunteering, making friends and getting to know the students and staff, I fell in love with it. I knew that it would be a part of my life forever. I just did not know how.” While attending Arizona State University, Harden began learning about recreation therapy. As she grew as a professional, she was introduced through another local program to adaptive recreation camps — therapeutic programs and leisure activities for those with disabilities.

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“We were seeing such great progress in terms of not only attainment of goals but also the engagement of the students,” Harden says. “Parents were always happy to be able to have their kids in camp because they knew that their kids were really targeting a lot of their therapeutic goals in ways that were fun for them and ways that the students were interested in learning.” Having always recognized the potential of weaving such a program into education, she worked to make her dream a reality when the environment began to shift to private schools and micro-schools. “Here in Arizona, we have a wonderful community for school choice and for people to take their children’s education into their own hands,” Harden says. “We knew that infusing learning goals into recreation — especially working with horses — was a model that really fit for the students that we serve. So we were able to take our therapeutic riding program and grow it into a micro-school for students with special needs.” The H.E.A.R.T. Center works with parents to build alternative education programs that best suit their child’s individual learning needs, thereby providing a unique high school experience and equine vocational program that, together, prepare them for post-graduation employment and volunteering opportunities.

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Led by founder and executive director Chelsea Harden (left) and program director Regan Mays (right), The H.E.A.R.T. Center strives to empower individuals with special needs to build confidence and develop life skills through recreation- and activity-integrated educational programs.

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Being with horses has always grounded me and allowed me to see and work with others from a space that is authentic, is real and is accessible. Chelsea Harden

“I have worked really closely with the families that I have serviced for a long time,” Harden says. “I have had some clients that have been with me since they were five or six years old. Now they are in high school and getting ready to graduate and start that transition into adulthood. Being able to work with these families and build a program based on the needs of these students has been such a privilege.”

MAGIC MAKERS The H.E.A.R.T. Center program director Regan Mays says the mico-school is just one of three overarching programs offered by the nonprofit organization. “Within each program, we offer an array of services to choose from and we have specialized staff for each one so families are supported in creating individualized treatment plans that can truly fit their needs,” she explains. “Most of our students participate in two or more programs so we can blend their academic, therapeutic and life-skill goals seamlessly together.” The H.E.A.R.T. Center’s micro-school is essentially a blend of homeschooling and traditional school. “It revolves around the horses and has two academic pathways — traditional high school or postgraduation, focusing on essential life and vocational skills needed for employment,” Mays says. “The best part of this program is how our students love coming to school. Their parents cannot share enough how thrilled it makes them to see their kids excited to wake up on a school day.” Meanwhile, The H.E.A.R.T. Center’s equine therapy program involves therapeutic riding, horsemanship and equine-assisted learning.

“Students work with certified Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International [instructors] and have the opportunity to participate in local horse shows,” Mays says. “It involves working closely with the horses — which are magical beings. They provide companionship and a safe space for our students to feel free and be understood.” The H.E.A.R.T. Center’s recreational therapy program is the nonprofit organization’s most diverse program. “It rotates through activities based on the season and what the students like to do,” Mays explains. “All students work with a certified recreational therapist and participate in activities like yoga, soccer and swimming.” The skills, self-confidence and empowerment people gain while participating in sports and recreation activities transfer into their daily lives and help them to become healthier, happier and more productive students and individuals. The program introduces people with disabilities to new ways of being healthy and active. Having seen first-hand how all three programs benefit students and their families, Mays — who has a brother who is disabled — firmly believes that her role at The H.E.A.R.T. Center is her heart’s passion and her soul’s purpose. “Everyone walks away from a riding lesson with a smile on their face and a bounce in their step,” says Mays, noting that she has enjoyed working with children and horses since she was just a child herself. “I started volunteering in high school with an equine therapy program and gradually turned it into a career. The truth is that the horses are the magic makers. I just create the safe space for it to happen.” imagesar izona.c om

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A MOVING TRANSITION Harden says that although The H.E.A.R.T. Center is located in North Phoenix, it serves students throughout the Valley — from Anthem and Deer Valley to Carefree and Scottsdale. “We even have students that travel as far as from the East Valley to be part of our services because what we do is so niche and specialized,” she explains. There is no doubt that the services that The H.E.A.R.T. Center offers are of great value to Valley families. Therefore, Harden is committed to being able to continue to serve them. “We have been at this location in North Phoenix for seven years now and it has been wonderful for us,” she says. “However, our program has outgrown the space. The property is also being sold. It was too large for us to purchase so we found another space within 10 minutes of our current location that is a perfect fit and the perfect size for everything that we need to and want to be running with our students.” Harden is grateful that the situation has worked out

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as well as it has and feels blessed that The H.E.A.R.T. Center has such a wonderful community of families rallying around it to facilitate the transition — which, by the way, has to happen quickly. “We closed on the new property at the end of January and are going to be moving there at the end of February,” Harden says. “So it really is all hands on deck throughout February for anybody who can help us build the new space.” Among the many renovation projects at the new site is an old house that needs new flooring, new paint and a couple of cosmetic shifts to make it more accessible for The H.E.A.R.T. Center’s students. “We also have quite a bit of landscaping needs in terms of leveling some spaces to create parking lots and more flat walkways,” Harden adds. “And we need to build the horse accommodations from the ground up. The barn that is there is not going to quite serve our needs. We are building a new arena, we are building turnouts, we are building all of the things that our students will need to be successful within the equine program.”

Fortunately, the nonprofit organization is no stranger to renovating spaces as its current schoolhouse was at one time just a simple dirt stall. “This is just taking that on at a bigger level,” Harden says. Nonetheless, The H.E.A.R.T. Center founder and executive director acknowledges that she and her staff have got a very busy February ahead of them and a lot on their plate. Therefore, they are grateful for any and all help that they can get. “We will have volunteer workdays on the weekends,” says Harden, noting that community members — especially those with renovation experience or resources — can contact the nonprofit organization to offer their help and support with projects. “Any sort of financial assistance and support is also greatly appreciated.” Echoing the age-old adage that it takes a village to raise a child, Harden says that it will take every bit of the community’s support to ensure The H.E.A.R.T. Center is able to build up its new property to be its very best version for students. “But in terms of making it over there, making it happen and providing a safe and easy transition for our students and our horses, we are getting set up for success so that it works out well — even though it is on a short timeframe,” she adds.

PEACE, CALM AND UNDERSTANDING Harden is grateful that she has found a way to not only continue to use horses as that lens with which she can authentically view the world and see what is directly in front of her but also bring students into that space — which she believes fosters an environment of peace and calm where learning is safe. “Being able to create that space and to share that with others is my favorite part about working with students,” Harden says. “It allows me to be a better version of myself, it allows me to be a better parent and it allows me to teach others to understand students with special needs in a way that people maybe do not think about all the time.” theheart-center.com Instagram: @theheart.center

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Writer Joseph J. Airdo

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The past two years have taught us many things but M3F festival event producer Heather Rogers believes that among the most significant lessons is that there is great need that exists in the world. “Over the last two years, I feel that there has been even more need,” says Rogers, noting the areas of physical and mental health are at the top of the list. “And it just keeps going. People sometimes need that reminder that it does not ever go away. It does not ever stop.” It certainly did not stop last year when the world was still in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic and M3F had to cancel its annual music festival, which for one weekend each March takes over Margaret T. Hance Park in Phoenix with a unique blend of live art, food, crafts and music concerts. Built on the idea of giving back, M3F donates 100% of its proceeds each year to local, family-based, nonprofit organizations. Since the event’s inception in 2014, the festival has donated more than $3.2 million to various causes — with more than $1.1 million in donations in 2019 and 2020 alone. When the chips were down in 2021 and M3F made the difficult decision to cancel the event during a year in which that aforementioned need was greater than ever, the festival was still able to make an impact. “We contacted all of the people who had donated and asked them if they wanted their money back,” Rogers says. “Almost all of them said, ‘Keep the money and donate it.’ It was close to $650,000 that we raised last year without even having an event.” Originally spawned as a team-building exercise for its producers, WESPAC Construction, M3F acts as a philanthropic flagship for the city of Phoenix and a national invite for fans looking for a feel-good edition to their yearly music calendar. The festival reaches beyond the music into its focus on sustainability with more than 80% of its waste being recycled, onwards to food and beverage curation, art installations and much more.

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Photo by Silky Shots

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Even if you can do a little bit for someone, it helps tremendously. Heather Rogers

“WESPAC is based on relationships,” says Rogers, noting that the construction company’s 30 years in business have helped it collect a strong list of community and national partners who believe in M3F’s mission and vision. “We have a great set of sponsors that help us put on the event. They really understand what we are trying to do.”

influence of music, art, food and immersive experiences are used for the betterment of society at large.

And what M3F is trying to do is make difference; stand as a guiding beacon for what can happen when the cultural

“John is a visionary,” says Rogers, noting that the culture at WESPAC is steeped in working together,

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Rogers recalls walking out onto the field at WestWorld of Scottsdale, where M3F held its first festival 18 years ago, and listening to WESPAC Construction CEO John Largay describe his vision.

building relationships and thinking outside of the box. “He believes in giving back and he enjoys impacting the culture and the community that is Arizona and Phoenix. You can see that through his business, through the buildings that we build and the extra things that we do. So I could envision it with him. It just grabbed me and I said, ‘Wow! This could really be something!’” Almost two decades later, Rogers has seen first-hand and countless times over that it really is something. “This is making a difference,” she says. “This is leaving an impact on people.” That impact can be felt by the individuals who are served by M3F’s nearly 50 beneficiaries — nonprofit organizations like the Music Therapy Program at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, the Northern Arizona Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Teach for America. M3F’s staggering list of beneficiaries includes nonprofit organizations in the areas of health, family, nature, mental health and addiction, arts, animal rescue, population, artist support, wildlife, renewable recourse, child and youth support and science. “We try to hit all of the different categories and not just focus on one,” Rogers says. “It is quite the undertaking. We do a lot of research, we tour facilities, we meet the people, we ask them questions and they learn about the festival. Sometimes we are able to connect with different organizations they have within their charity. We try to talk to each of their board members. We are just looking

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Photo by Jason Siegel Photography

Photo Courtesy of M3F

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to add another resource for them; to be another avenue for them; to help them by giving back.” And giving back is something that Rogers believes is our responsibility to do. “Even if you can do a little bit for someone, it helps tremendously,” Rogers says. “Sometimes with some of the smaller organizations, just giving them a small donation can make their year. They are so excited because they know what they can do with that money and how they can affect the people that they are trying to help.” M3F is eager to continue making a difference with this year’s event, which — set for March 4 and 5 — will welcome artists from a diverse range of genres in addition to yoga classes, a drum circle, food and beverage trucks, a kids’ zone and more. “Tickets are available and they are selling very well,” Rogers says. “It seems that people are very excited to see us come back. We will have three stages with great acts and quite a few new art activations. Come, walk around, find your friends and meet new friends. It is all about that experience the minute you walk through the gate. You are having a good time while helping people.” m3ffest.com Facebook: @m3ffest Instagram: @m3ffest Twitter: @m3ffest

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DINING GUIDE Confluence

Writer Alex Orozco

Confluence: flowing together. In a literal sense, it's about rivers. But it's often used to talk about the coming together of factors, ideas or cultures; a coming together of people and a merging of their ideas. The husband-and-wife team and owners of Confluence — chefs Brandon and Victoria Gauthier — come from different paths but share a common passion in food. Brandon is from Traverse City, Michigan, known for its four-season attractions, delightful cuisine, wine and charming culture. Nearly 2,000 miles away, Victoria grew up in Safford, Arizona. Located in a region rich with copper and Hispanic culture, it is a quaint, agricultural community in Southeast Arizona. They both trained under James Beard Award-nominated chef Kevin Binkley.

flavors together from across the globe, boldly trotting from France to Spain to Asia to Italy, often mixing in a single dish.” Featuring poultry sourced locally from Two Wash Ranch in New River, the roasted chicken sandwich boasts chicken brined for 24 hours, roasted, pulled, topped with caramelized onions, prosciutto and married with fontina cheese, all between a warm toasted buttermilk bun and served with a side of house-made barbecue chips. Nestled in the foothills of Carefree, Confluence is a quaint and charming restaurant that is a beautiful mix of exquisite cuisine and relaxed ambiance, where Brandon and Victoria have successfully merged.

Brandon defines his menu as Modern American. Confluence serves up a collection of complex flavors and constantly changing, specially curated dishes. A great description of his plates: “harmoniously joining

Confluence 36889 N. Tom Darlington Drive, Carefree 480-488-9796

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Nestled in the foothills of Carefree, Confluence is a quaint and charming restaurant that is a beautiful mix of exquisite cuisine and relaxed ambiance, where Brandon and Victoria have successfully merged.

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DINING GUIDE Corrado's Cucina Italiana

Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Alex Orozco

Chef Corrado La Macchia was born and raised on his family’s vineyard and olive grove in the southeast coastal region of Puglia, Italy — an area that specializes in fish. “The town that I am from, Taranto, used to be the major supplier of oysters and mussels for the Roman Empire more than 2,000 years ago,” Corrado explains. Therefore, it is only natural that the celebrated chef’s menu at Corrado’s Cucina Italiana in Carefree boasts scrumptious seafood recipes like spaghetti neri ai frutti di mare, featuring al dente black spaghetti with perfectly cooked shrimp, oysters and mussels. But that is just the beginning of his restaurant’s elegant and exciting offerings, each of which is made to order using fresh ingredients and traditional Italian recipes and techniques. From tagliatelle capricciose, a divine pasta dish that is bursting with flavor from black olives, capers,

mushrooms and cherry tomatoes, to scottadite alla griglia, exquisitely grilled lamb chops over sauteed spinach and a balsamic glaze, each and every one of Corrado’s dishes sends an affectionately written love letter to the guest about how people eat in Italy. Corrado’s Cucina Italiana is about so much more than just delicious food, though. A recent remodel has created a comfortable and spacious atmosphere that is reminiscent of an exclusive and old-fashioned Italian fine dining experience. It is Corrado’s intention for each customer to feel as though they are a guest in his home. “Come over and have dinner with me,” Corrado says. “When you come to Corrado’s, I want you to be relaxed; sit with your family, friends and colleagues and take your time to experience the true essence of enjoyable dining through exceptional service and the tastes of Italy.”

Corrado’s Cucina Italiana 100 Easy St., Carefree 480-306-7506

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Corrado’s Cucina Italiana in Carefree boasts scrumptious seafood recipes like spaghetti neri ai frutti di mare, featuring al dente black spaghetti with perfectly cooked shrimp, oysters and mussels.

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RECIPE

Whipped Goat Cheese with Bacon and Dates Serves: 8

Ingredients: 6 ounces raw bacon slices 12 ounces crumbled goat cheese, at room temperature 1/2 cup greek yogurt 4 tablespoons honey, divided 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling 1 tablespoon water 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt Freshly cracked black pepper 2 sprigs fresh rosemary 2 large shallots, thinly sliced 12 Medjool dates, pitted and roughly chopped 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar Toasted bread or crackers, for dipping

Directions: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Lay the bacon in one, even layer in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Bake until crisp, 18–20 minutes. Writer and Photographer Francine Coles thefancypantskitchen.com

Appetizers should be easy, delicious and absolutely gorgeous. This whipped goat cheese with bacon and dates is all three and should be your go-to appetizer. I cannot envision any cocktail party without it!

Meanwhile, combine goat cheese, greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of honey, olive oil, water, salt and a few cracks of black pepper in a food processor. Process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Spoon the whipped goat cheese out onto a large plate or into a shallow bowl. Set aside. Transfer the cooked bacon onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Place the skillet — with all of the bacon drippings — over medium heat. Add rosemary sprigs and allow to fry on both sides until crisp. Transfer to the plate of bacon to drain. Add shallots to the skillet and cook for a few minutes until caramelized and tender. Stir in dates, apple cider vinegar and remaining 2 tablespoons of honey. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for just about a minute until reduced and sticky. Spoon the date mixture over the goat cheese. Crumble the bacon and rosemary leaves over top. Drizzle with a little more olive oil and a few more cracks of black pepper. Serve with toasted bread or crackers alongside for dipping.

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