Images Arizona (February 2023)

Fabio Almeida M.D. ABOIM, ABNM,

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From left to right: 5.28 carat cushion pink sapphire with 1.04 carat diamonds

11.29 carat vivid blue sapphire with two cushion brilliant 1.03 carat diamonds

15.20 carat oval yellow sapphire with two elongated tappered baguette diamonds

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

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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

Rebecca L. Rhoades

Shannon Severson

Photographers

Francine Coles

Loralei Lazurek

Carl Schultz

Advertising Sales

Cindi Calcinari

860-966-3271

cindi@imagesaz.com

A

All eyes are on Arizona this month as Super Bowl LVII touches down in the Valley, bringing with it tons of excitement, several star-studded parties and more foot traffic than our state has seen in eight years. However, the big game is just one of many events set to score extra points over the next few weeks.

The WM Phoenix Open is teed up for another weekend of fun in the sun while spring training is next up at bat, extending the excitement through the end of March.

Of course, with love in the air, February is also time for fairytales — and our state is home to quite a few of them. From live stage productions of some of the stories that have brought magic into our lives for generations to talented artists and caring individuals whose work reminds us that enchantment is all around us if we only look for it, reverie and whimsy are at their highest levels this month.

As always, this issue of Images Arizona is designed to showcase the very best in people, places, organizations and events that our state has to offer. However, this month, our spotlight is on the sports world as well as the world of wonder that art, kindness and imagination make possible in our anything-but-ordinary lives in the Valley.

Images Arizona

P.O. Box 1416

Carefree, AZ. 85377

623-341-8221

imagesarizona.com

Whether you are combing through these carefully curated pages as a full- or part-time resident of Arizona or visiting from out-ofstate to attend any — or all — of the thrilling activities hosted here, I hope that this magazine serves as a helpful guide to making the most of this month’s many events and encourages you to see your surroundings in a more vibrant, creative and fantastical way.

Cheers!

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

Photography by Loralei Lazurek

Martin Blundell, Red Horizon, 18 x 24 in.

BRYCE PETTIT

Looking for Trouble, life size

AMY LAY

Three Sisters, oil. 36” by 48”

SUE KRZYSTON SOUTHWEST REALISM ARTIST

AMY LAY CONTEMPORARY

WILDLIFE ARTIST

BRYCE PETTIT WILDLIFE BRONZE SCULPTOR

TREVOR SWANSON LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE ARTIST

Sunset Speculations

This past fall, Tucson resident Eric Jewett made the trek to Gates Pass — a scenic overlook along the crest of the Tucson Mountains that provides unparalleled desert views — to enjoy the cooler weather and the beautiful post-monsoon greenery.

“I hiked around looking for good vistas when I saw this rocky outcropping across the valley,” says Jewett, noting that Gates Pass looks out toward Old Tucson and the Sonoran Desert Museum.

“I made my way up there in a rush to catch the sunset and happened across this couple already sitting on the rock, enjoying the view. I considered asking them if they would like their picture taken, but I did not want to interrupt their moment; so I quietly snapped a few pictures and hiked back down.

“It was a really hazy day, which helped contribute a sense of scale to the view. I think what makes the picture special — aside from the great sunset — is the moment that I captured between these two. It was chilly, yet they sat apart from one another. Maybe it was their first date?”

Kathleen Hope & Jodi Walsh CONCRETE

AND CLAY

Meet artists Kathleen Hope and Jodi Walsh during an event that showcases each of their incredible collections. Hope overlays many layers of thin cement on wood panels, this creates a sculptural 3D effect. She also incorporates hand made papers, inks, wood and concrete stains to achieve unusual markings. Meanwhile, Walsh utilizes a process called Oritatami Nendo: folding clay — to create unique pieces that, inspired by nature, resonate across cultures and styles.

ARTIST RECEPTION

Thursday, February 16

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

GraceReneeGallery.com

LEFT PAGE

Flower Power, Mixed Media on Wood Panel, 36” by 48”

Portrait of Kathleen Hope

ABOVE :

, Ceramic, 12” by 4”

Portrait of Jodi Walsh with Oritatami Nendo: folding clay cubes

MMention the name “Larry Fitzgerald” nearly anywhere in the country and people will smile in recognition. They might not know how many touchdowns he caught in his remarkable career as a Cardinals wide receiver (121), or how many times he was selected to Pro Bowl (11), but what they do know, and will tell you, is that he’s a really great guy.

At 39 years old, Fitzgerald has spent his entire pro career doggedly leading the Arizona Cardinals through victories and through losses. His dedication to the team, in good times and bad, has earned him respect among sports fans worldwide. It’s also earned him a figurative halo among Arizonans, whether they’ve stepped foot or not inside State Farm Stadium or any of its earlier iterations.

This year, fans were saddened, but no one was truly surprised, when Fitzgerald unofficially announced that he would not be on the Cardinals’ lineup this season.

Writer Amanda Christmann // Photography Courtesy of The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation

Former Arizona Cardinal, Larry Fitzgerald, is finding ways to turn his biggest struggles into opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Photo by Jessica Jameson

The average age of retirement for an NFL player is 27 years old, and the average career length for a wide receiver is just 2.8 years. Seventeen years and more than 40 franchise records in, Fitzgerald has not only exceeded the expectations of anyone who’s had them; he’s served as a beacon for an entire generation of youngsters who’ve looked to him as a role model and an inspiration.

The great thing about Fitzgerald, and what his fans all seem to notice, is that he isn’t just a one-skill wonder. His football career has been an important chapter in his life, but it’s only one aspect of a guy who’s far more complex than first meets the eye.

From a seat on the sidelines of his son’s football practice, Fitzgerald spoke about his continuing goals with conviction, and with the same focus that he brought to the playing field.

“I’m moving forward,” he said. “I’m raising my three sons and working to provide them with the structure, insight, and leadership they need. I’m heavily invested in the community as well. I’m continuing to look for ways to make the biggest impact and be a positive agent for change.”

That impact involves using his name and fame to raise awareness and funding for programs near to his heart.

“It was always my hope to utilize football as a way to create opportunities for others,” he explained.

BREAST BELIEVE

In 2003, Fitzgerald’s mother, Carol, lost her battle with breast cancer. Since then, Fitzgerald has made it his mission to do all he can to save lives.

In November, The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation created the Breast Believe campaign to educate women, particularly in underserved communities, about the importance of early detection, as well as breast cancer prevention, symptoms, treatments and access to resources.

“One in eight women, and even some men, will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lives,” Fitzgerald explained. “African American women are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of their cancer. Even though they’re less likely to get breast cancer, they’re more likely to die from it.

“It’s that fear of getting checkups and that fear of going to the doctor. To me, that’s unacceptable.

“I want to make sure that The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation is focused on the African American men and women who are dying at a disproportionate rate, so our outreach is focused on those communities in particular.”

The goal of his foundation is to provide free mobile and in-clinic mammograms, education and resources for as many people as possible. Those resources include support for families who are struggling with challenges he knows all too well.

He’s also growing his network of partnerships so that he can empower like-minded organizations to spread the word. Through grants and other help, he recognizes that teamwork isn’t just for sports.

NEW GOALS FOR EDUCATION

“Education is something that was emphasized by my dad when I was a youngster,” Fitzgerald said, “He always told me, ‘I don’t care how long you play sports, or if you play sports at all. It’s important that you get your education. It’s the one thing they can’t take away from you.’

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have been to 108 countries around the world. It doesn’t matter if you grew up in East Baltimore, South Central LA or the South side of Chicago. You can come from the roughest area, but if you are willing to put the work in,

You can come from the roughest area, but if you are willing to put the work in, you can crawl your way out of that environment. Education is that one thing you can utilize to do that.

Larry Fitzgerald

you can crawl your way out of that environment. Education is that one thing you can utilize to do that.”

It’s difficult to comprehend the fact that, in the United States — one of the most prosperous countries in the world — a startling 31% of children are below proficiency in reading skills. Unfortunately, many of those children attend schools that are underfunded and overburdened and live in neighborhoods where families struggling struggle to survive.

A majority of these students are part of the racial and ethnic divide. Black and Brown communities are more likely to live in poverty, with little or no access to computers or Wi-Fi, fewer after-school programs, and less access to sports and other programs that teach children problem-solving skills, help them understand the value of hard work, and provide them with confidence and leadership skills that help them throughout their lives.

Fitzgerald is addressing all of these gaps with his youth education program.

“Technology is the bridge for the learning gap that I’ve seen,” he said. “I want to focus on providing for the needs of schools, especially those that serve minority populations.

“The last two to three years have created a massive gap due to the lack of availability of technology and internet for kids in these communities. My goal is to increase their math and reading test scores, their attendance — all the things that equate to the love for school and the desire to continue to be educated.

“I don’t have all the answers, but we continue to learn by trial and error. I know we’ll keep finding ways to be helpful by working with organizations and with school districts to fulfill those needs.”

TRANSCENDING THE GAME

It can’t be easy to be an icon. If Fitzgerald ever has moments of doubt about his larger-than-life role, it never shows publicly. He’s carried a great deal of responsibility on his shoulder pads. Now that he’s entered a new chapter, he may have switched hands, but he certainly hasn’t dropped the ball.

He’s a father, a friend and an activist, and he hasn’t lost his sense of purpose simply because he’s not putting on his No. 11 jersey each week. Instead, he’s finding ways to turn his biggest struggles into opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

He’s showing that his integrity, passion and drive transcend the game of football, and that who he is becoming is just as important as who he has been.

“People don’t remember how many touchdowns or Superbowl rings you have or how many yards you’ve run,” he said. “That stuff isn’t important. They judge you based on how you treat people.

“Hopefully, at the end of the day, they’ll say I treated people in a positive way.” thelarryfitzgeraldfoundation.org

CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY + ART

AARON HENRY JEWELRY

NEW HEIRLOOM CLASSIC MODERN

The hallmarks to Aaron Henry jewelry are design integrity, gemstone quality, fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. Each brilliant piece is hand-crafted bringing classical Old World quality to modern design.

March 24–25

Come by to meet the designer Aaron Henry or call for private appointment.

Grace Renee Gallery

7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ 85377

Hours Tue.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and by appointment Sun. and Mon. 480.575.8080

GraceReneeGallery.com

Aaron Henry Designs 18-karat gold with diamonds and fine gemstones.

COMMUNITY

February 2023

Through Feb. 12

‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Fountain Hills Theater presents its production of “Beauty and the Beast,” a family-friendly musical adapted from the original Disney animated film. $32; youth, student and senior discounts available. See website for times. Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. 480-837-9661; fhtaz.org

Through March 12

‘AN AMERICAN IN PARIS’

The Phoenix Theatre Company presents its production of “An American in Paris,” a musical inspired by the 1951 film about a young American soldier and a French girl, each yearning for a new beginning in the most romantic city in the world. See website for price and times. The Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-254-2151; phoenixtheatre.com

Feb. 1–5

THE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA

Maestro Robert Moody will lead the Festival Orchestra — comprised of musicians from the nation’s finest orchestras — in a series of concerts as part of Arizona Musicfest. See website for price, times and locations. azmusicfest.org

Feb. 1

SUSAN POHLMAN

Desert Foothills Library will host a meet-and-greet with “Halfway to Each Other: How a Year in Italy Brought Our Family Home” author Susan Pohlman. Free. 3:30 p.m. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

Feb. 11

SENSIBLE LANDSCAPES FOR RESPONSIBLE WATER USE

Carefree Desert Gardens will welcome gardening educator and author Kirti Mathura for a discussion about how to have beautiful landscapes through water efficiency, sensible planning and proper all-around maintenance. The program will include a plant raffle. $5+ donation. 9:30 a.m. Carefree Desert Gardens Pavilion, 101 Easy St., Carefree. 480-488-3686.

Feb. 3

THE MAKING OF ‘ABBEY ROAD’

Desert Foothills Library will welcome Beatles scholar and storyteller Vinnie Bruno for a program that follows in the footsteps of The Beatles as the band records its final classic work — “Abbey Road.” 2 p.m. RSVP. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. School House Road, Cave Creek. 480488-2286; dfla.org

Feb. 3 and 4

POP-UP PURSE SALE

Purse-Impressions will host a pop-up purse sale, featuring more than 300 new and gently used purses, jewelry and scarves. The event will also include raffles, silent auctions and a purse donation drive to benefit the nonprofit organization’s mission to provide fresh start purses and backpacks to women and men celebrating their graduation from rehab. Free. Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday 10

a.m.–3 p.m. Holland Community Center, 34250 N. 60th, St., Scottsdale. purse-impressions.com

Feb. 4

CONCOURS IN THE HILLS

Car, motorcycle and military vehicle enthusiasts will gather for the ninth annual Concours in the Hills, featuring contemporary and classic race cars, exotic foreign and domestic highperformance cars, muscle cars, sports cars, hot rods, military vehicles and helicopters and motorcycles. Proceeds from exhibitor fees will benefit Phoenix Children’s. Free. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Fountain Park, 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. phoenixchildrensfoundation.org/signature/concours

Feb. 4 and 5

EXPERIENCE SPAIN

The Musical Instrument Museum will celebrate the music and culture of Spain. See website for schedule of events. $20; youth discounts available. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. Phoenix. 480-4786000; mim.org

Feb. 7

THE BLACK MARKET TRUST

The Black Market Trust will perform a concert of cool gypsy jazz music with a Rat Pack style as part of Arizona Musicfest. $39+. 7:30 p.m. La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Feb. 7–April 13

TAX ASSISTANCE

Desert Foothills Library will welcome IRS-certified volunteers who will provide free basic income tax return preparation for qualified individuals through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Tuesdays 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursdays 10 a.m.–3 p.m. RSVP. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

Feb. 8

KD PRYOR

Desert Foothills Library will host a meet-and-greet with “Trust and Betrayal: Dreamscapes Series” author KD Pryor. Free. 3:30 p.m. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

Feb. 9–12

‘GISELLE’

Ballet Arizona will present its performance of “Giselle” — a romantic ballet that tells the tragic-yet-passionate tale of a young woman who dies of a broken heart. See website for price and times. The Madison Center for the Arts, 5601 N. 16th St., Phoenix. 602-381-1096; balletaz.org

COMMUNITY

February 2023

Feb. 11

ROYALTY COMPETITION AND PAGEANT

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

The 46th anniversary of Cave Creek Rodeo Days officially kicks off with the event’s annual royalty competition and pageant. See website for additional details. cavecreekrodeo.com

Feb. 14

ISN’T IT ROMANTIC? A SWINGIN' VALENTINE'S

Pianists Nicole Pesce, Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi will perform a concert, as part of Arizona Musicfest, that explores the romance of the Great American Songbook with unique and innovative interpretations of timeless classics. $59. 7:30 p.m. La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Feb. 15

C.C. HARRISON

Desert Foothills Library will host a meet-and-greet with “Death by G-String, a Coyote Canyon Ladies Ukulele Mystery” author C.C. Harrison. Free. 3:30 p.m. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

Feb. 16

CAREFREE ART NIGHT

Galleries throughout Carefree will host an event that offers art enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy live music and refreshments as they stroll through the breathtaking shadows of Black Mountain in search of their next masterpiece. Free. 4–7 p.m. See website for participating galleries. visitcarefree.com

Feb. 17–19

NAVAJO RUG SHOW AND SALE

The Holland Community Center and the Adopt-ANative-Elder Program will host a special event that will feature more than 200 traditional handwoven Navajo rugs, with 100% of sale proceeds directly benefiting the weavers. $40 VIP preview Friday 5–8 p.m. Free Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free Sunday Noon–4 p.m. 34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. hollandcenter.org.

Feb. 16

COFFEE ETCHINGS

Desert Foothills Library will welcome Ron Bonnstetter for a program during which he will create vibrant latte art with a technique known as etching. 1:30 p.m. RSVP. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

Feb. 18

THE KAT AND DAVE SHOW

Grammy award-winning musician, composer and producer David Foster and acclaimed singer, television and Broadway star Katharine McPhee will perform a special intimate concert as part of Arizona Musicfest. $62+. 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Feb. 21

JOHNNY MATHIS: THE VOICE OF ROMANCE

Celebrating his 67th year as a recording artist, legendary singer Johnny Mathis will perform a concert, as part of Arizona Musicfest, featuring music composed for stage and film to golden era jazz standards, contemporary pop hits and more. $87+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Feb. 22

MARK WALKER

Desert Foothills Library will host a meet-and-greet with “Different Latitudes: My Life in the Peace Corps and Beyond” and “My Saddest Pleasures: 50 Years on the Road” author Mark Walker. Free. 3:30 p.m. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480488-2286; dfla.org

Feb. 25

THE CRAFT OF PLAYING NATIVE-STYLE FLUTE

Desert Foothills Library will welcome Ron Bonnstetter for a program during which he will play flutes that range in size from six inches to more than five feet long, mixed with discussion on flute history, the different types of flutes and the neurological impact of music. 2 p.m. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-4882286; dfla.org

Feb. 25 and 26

NEIL BERG’S 50 YEARS OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL

Neil Berg will perform a concert of music from Chuck Berry, the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen and more as part of Arizona Musicfest. $41+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Feb. 26

ALL THAT JAZZ

Salt River Brass will perform a concert of music from Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, George Gershwin, Chuck Mangione and more. $19+; youth, student and senior discounts available. 3 p.m. Ikeda Theater, One E. Main St., Mesa. saltriverbrass.org

March 1

DAVE BUSHY

Desert Foothills Library will host a meet-and-greet with “The World Looked Away: Vietnam After the War” author Dave Bushy. Free. 3:30 p.m. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

COMMUNITY

February 2023

March 3 and 4

M3F

M3F will host its annual nonprofit music festival. This year’s lineup includes Grammy-nominated vocalist Maggie Rogers, the off-kilter sounds of Toro y Moi, English beatmaker and producer Jamie xx, Detroit singer Quinn XCII, Mom + Pop signee Ashe, Nashville indie-rockers COIN, Connecticut pop and electronic singer Chelsea Cutler and French electronic duo Polo & Pan. Beyond the music, guests will also enjoy a variety of food and beverage offerings, art installations and activities. All proceeds will benefit charity. See website for price. Margaret T. Hance Park, 67 W. Culver St., Phoenix. m3ffest.com

March 3–5

‘THE SOUND OF MUSIC’

Arizona Opera will present its production of “The Sound of Music.” See website for price. Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. azopera.org

March 3–5

TOUR D’ARTISTES STUDIO TOUR AND SALE

The Fountain Hills Art League will host its 11th annual Tour d’Artistes Studio Tour and Sale, during which the public may interact with more than 21 local artists and observe them in the process of creating original artworks at nine studios and galleries located throughout Fountain Hills. Free. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. See website for participating locations. fountainhillsartleague.com

March 5

FEINSTEIN & THIBAUDET

March 11

FASHION & FIZZ

Ballet Arizona’s junior board, the Contemporary Council, will host its first-ever Fashion & Fizz fundraiser. Attendees will sip sparkling wine while dancers serve as models to showcase an array of curated costumes. A question and answer session will follow, along with a display of additional costumes for closer inspection. A VIP lounge and private bar with light hors d’oeuvres and even front-row seating is available with premium ticket options. $50+. 2–5 p.m. Ballet Arizona. 2835 E. Washington St., Phoenix. balletaz.org

Michael Feinstein and Jean-Yves Thibaudet will perform a concert of music from George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers and more as part of Arizona Musicfest. $62+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

March 7–11

THE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA

Maestro Robert Moody will lead the Festival Orchestra — comprised of musicians from the nation’s finest orchestras — in a series of concerts as part of Arizona Musicfest. See website for price and times. La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

March 8

LAURIE FAGEN

Desert Foothills Library will host a meet-and-greet with “Bleeder” author Laurie Fagen. Free. 3:30 p.m. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

March 10–12

SCULPTURE AND WINE FESTIVAL

Thunderbird Artists will host its inaugural Cave Creek Sculpture and Wine Festival, during which guests may

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

view fine art selected through a comprehensive jury process, sample fine wines and spirits, sip microbrews, snack on festival food and listen to live music — all while soaking in the sunshine, reveling in the mountain views and meeting artists and fellow art lovers. $5. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Stagecoach Village, 7100 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek. 480-837-5637; thunderbirdartists.com

March 18

CAVE CREEK RODEO DAYS PARADE

A precursor to its annual four-day event, Cave Creek Rodeo Days will host a parade 9 a.m. in downtown Cave Creek followed by mutton bustin’ 1–3 p.m. at Cave Creek Memorial Arena, 37201 N. 28th St., Cave Creek, and a kick-off dance 8 p.m.–1 a.m. at The Buffalo Chip Saloon, 6823 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek. See website for additional details. cavecreekrodeo.com

March 22

CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL FUNDRAISER

Mountain View Pub will host an event to raise awareness and assist in the completion of the world’s largest sculpture — the Crazy Horse Memorial, a monument located in the Black Hills of South Dakota that honors the Indigenous people of North America. The event will feature Native American entertainment, a silent auction, a raffle and more. Appetizers and signature cocktails will be served. RSVP.

Mountain View Pub, 7033 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek. 602-363-1613; 480-739-7031; crazyhorsememorial.org

March 23–26

CAVE CREEK RODEO DAYS

Cave Creek Rodeo Days will present its 46th annual event, featuring three thrilling Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association performances as well as a night that, newly added this year, will showcase the bull riders and bullfighters that bring fans to their feet. $30. See website for schedule of events. Cave Creek Memorial Arena, 37201 N. 28th St., Cave Creek. cavecreekrodeo.com

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When you, your family, or friends are looking for experienced and reliable real estate advice, give us a call.

Carefree Office - 480.488.2400 | Desert Mountain Office - 480.488.2998

© 2019 Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty. All rights reserved.

WWe have all grown up with stories that completely transcend history. They are so ingrained within our youth, our personal experience and key moments over the course of our lives that they seem to have just always existed.

We logically know that this is not the case. Someone at some time not so long ago wrote each one of them. There exists a point in history when these timeless tales were not yet known much less deeply rooted in our consciousness.

But February is hardly a time for logic when so many of us give our brains a brief break and allow our hearts to lead us, embracing the unexplainable magic and romance of life.

“Beauty and the Beast” is one such story. Though it existed two-and-a-half centuries prior, Disney’s 1991 iteration — the first-ever animated feature to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards — solidified its significance and presence in our culture.

“It is every little girl’s dream to find the prince beneath the beast,” says Peter J. Hill, artistic and technical director of Fountain Hills Theater. “And it is every guy's dream that, despite who he is, he might get the pretty girl.”

Hill notes that an over-dependence on such dreams is not necessarily a good thing and, when taken at face value, fairytales can lead to unhealthy thoughts and behaviors. Nonetheless, they encourage us to dream, to become better people and to acknowledge and appreciate moments of enigmatic enchantment in our lives.

Through Feb. 12, Fountain Hills Theater presents its production of “Beauty and the Beast,” bringing the quintessential “tale as old as time” — and all of its music — to life for Arizona audiences.

Photo Courtesy of Fountain Hills Theater

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

On Feb. 9–12, Ballet Arizona will present its production of “Giselle” — an achingly beautiful and enrapturing work of art that draws audiences in with themes of enduring love, tragedy and romance. First performed in Paris on June 28, 1841, the ballet is one of five timeless tales set to enthrall Arizona audiences this month.

“And, fortunately, [Belle] is very strong-willed in this show,” Hill adds. “[The Beast] sees the errors in some of the things that he does as well.”

Hill is directing Fountain Hills Theater’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” through Feb. 12, bringing the quintessential “tale as old as time” — and all of its music — to life for Arizona audiences.

“We are filling the stage,” Hill explains. “Because [Fountain Hills Theater] is such a small theater, it will look huge. There are a lot of gorgeous costumes that are being put together by [costume designer] Mickey Courtney and we have ordered some custom-made drops for the set that are just beautiful.”

Moreover, he believes that “Beauty and the Beast” is the perfect show for date night.

“It is going to make you feel romantic,” Hill says. “There is no question about that. The thing is just built that way. Disney, in particular, really knows how to tug at your heartstrings. They know how to make you feel good and how to make you feel the romance. If you roll in here around Valentine's Day, it is going to be terrific.”

‘AN AMERICAN IN PARIS’

Larry Raben fondly recalls the very first time he ever watched the 1951 musical comedy film “An American in Paris.”

“It was a rainy Saturday afternoon,” Raben says. “It was a very cold and nasty day. This thing came on called ‘An American in Paris.’ Gene Kelly was so dynamic and Leslie Caron was so beautiful. I just got swept away in this beautiful, romantic story about a city that I had never been to but had always read about.”

Photo by Rosalie O'Connor

Raben immediately fell in love with the film, which he strongly believes is one of the best movie musicals of all time. It was therefore a dream come true when Phoenix Theatre Company called upon him to direct their production of “An American in Paris” — which was initially inspired by an orchestral piece that George Gershwin composed in 1928.

“When artistic director Michael Barnard asked me if I had any interest in directing ‘An American in Paris,’ I nearly jumped through the phone,” Raben explains. “I am a huge Gershwin fan. I saw the show on Broadway and it was lush and epic and just gorgeous. I am so excited to do this show and to put our own spin on it for Phoenix audiences.”

On stage through March 12, “An American in Paris” deviates slightly from the film version in that it begins a few years earlier in 1945, during the liberation of Paris from the Nazis.

“This makes it a much more epic and richer story in that there is literally a depression over the city of Paris,” the director says. “People are carrying the scars of war. [The main character] has just come back from the front lines and, instead of taking his transport plane home to the United States where everything is safe, he chooses to stay in Paris.

“He is a struggling artist and encounters this beautiful young French girl. He watches people come out of this very bad dream and is growing both as a person and as an artist while falling in love all at the same time. And we watch Paris literally come back to life.”

Raben describes the story as a tortured romance, which he believes is the most romantic kind of all — as long as things eventually work out in the end.

On

“It is a love triangle about three different men who are all in love with the same woman,” he says. “Then there are other women who are in love with those men. There are a lot of missed opportunities, a lot of longing, a lot of hope and a lot of beauty. And I think the fact that ballet is utilized so heavily in the storytelling of this piece makes it a classic fairytale.”

The director adds that he and scenic designer Douglas Clarke collaborated to ensure that Arizona audiences feel the full breadth of La Ville-Lumière in the production.

“Paris is very much front and center as a character in this piece,” Raben explains. “We are looking up through the architecture of the Eiffel Tower for the entire evening. The whole thing feels like it wants to waltz; like it wants to dance.”

‘GISELLE’

Sometimes a romance ends in tragedy but still possesses so much passion that it leaves you feeling hopeful and as though true love really can conquer all. “Giselle” is a ghost-filled, haunting ballet — first performed in Paris on June 28, 1841 — that tells the tragic tale of a young woman who dies of a broken heart. Maiden spirits then take revenge on the young nobleman who betrayed her.

An achingly beautiful and enrapturing work of art that draws audiences in with themes of enduring love, tragedy and romance, “Giselle” will come to life Feb. 9–12 at The Madison Center for the Arts courtesy of Ballet Arizona.

Phoenix Theatre Company's stage through March 12, “An American in Paris” was initially inspired by an orchestral piece that George Gershwin composed in 1928.

Photo Courtesy of Phoenix Theatre Company

Dancer Tiffany Chatfield says that “Giselle’s” story of heartbreak is one to which many people can relate — albeit a bit amplified.

“It is one of my favorite ballets because Giselle is not a onedimensional character,” Chatfield says. “She is very human in the first act. Timid and naïve, but brighteyed and loving as a young woman is. The ‘Mad Scene’ at the end of Act I is where we see the catalyst that changes her from an innocent girl with rose-colored glasses into her Act II persona as a Wili, where she is somewhat a shell of the person she used to be.

“In this ghost-like state, she is amongst a corps de ballet of women who suffered a similar fate. It is a display that parallels a common real-life experience: those who have been hurt in a similar way, banding together to protect each other. It is powerful.”

Chatfield adds that “Giselle” is an especially wonderful show for couples, who are guaranteed to love and feel moved by its beauty and grace.

“But I think that this might be the ultimate ballet to see with your friends — especially if you can relate to being cheated on,” she adds. “Valentine’s Day is either a day of fuzzy lovey-dovey things, or it can be a stark contrast. ‘Giselle’ is an emotionally-intense ballet, so bring some tissues — and maybe [have] some Ben and Jerry’s [ice cream waiting for you when you get home.]”

Having previously presented "The Little Mermaid," Starlight Community Theater will on Feb. 17–26 bring another fairytale to life through its production of "Alice in Wonderland."

‘ALICE IN WONDERLAND’

Of course, not all fairytales feature romance. Some are straight-up fantasy — such as “Alice in Wonderland,” in which a young girl falls down a rabbit hole into a world of imagination. Roughly one century before the story was adapted as an animated feature by Disney, it was published as an original novel by author Lewis Carroll.

Although Joshua Hengst admits that the Disney version was one of his favorite movies when he was a kid, he also recalls reading Carroll’s novel as part of his English curriculum in elementary school.

“I remember being fascinated by all of the characters,” says Hengst, who will be co-directing Starlight Community Theater’s production of “Alice in Wonderland” Feb. 17–26 with Christina Clodt. “When we saw the opportunity to direct this show, we got very excited about being able to bring something so amazing, childlike, zany and interesting to the stage.”

Clodt adds that those who are only familiar with the Disney version — which she loves — will be pleasantly surprised by Starlight Community Theater’s production, which she says is more faithful to Carroll’s book and therefore sketches many of the story’s most beloved characters with more depth and dimension.

“For example, Tweedledee and Tweedledum are very cartoonish in the movie whereas they are more of a comedic duo in the book,” she explains. “So our actors have a little more flexibility and creativity to make these characters their own.”

Hengst says that another beloved character whose representation deviates from the one with which most are familiar is The Queen of Hearts.

“In our show, The Queen of Hearts sings a flamenco-tango song about playing croquet,” he explains. “I would have trouble seeing the Disney cartoon version of the character doing that. She was just very angry all of the time whereas this version of her has got different levels to her [personality]. There are times when she is angry, but there are also times when she is very royal and fancy.”

Photo by Renee Ashlock

Hengst adds that other characters who were relegated to very small roles in Disney’s animated adaptation were actually much more significant in Carroll’s book and receive more of a star treatment in Starlight Community Theater’s musical.

“For instance, The Mock Turtle is not even in the Disney movie,” says Hengst, noting that the differences led to some amusing confusion among actors during the audition process.

This version of “Alice in Wonderland” also draws some similarities to another timeless tale — “The Wizard of Oz.”

“In this show, the actress who plays Alice’s mother also plays The Queen of Hearts,” Clodt says. “Her mother scolds her and is a little hard on her at the beginning of the show and is later embodied by The Queen of Hearts. She is a characterization of the anger or annoyance that Alice has over being scolded. Wonderland is how this child processes the adult world and the things in her life that are not so great.”

‘THE SOUND OF MUSIC’

Some stories have significance not only in general culture but also in our personal lives. “The Sound of Music” may very well have propelled Cadie J. Bryan to her career in theater.

“My very first memory of singing in public is at a Christmas revue,” Cadie says. “I think I was in kindergarten or first grade. We each had different numbers and I was put in ‘My Favorite Things’ [from ‘The Sound of Music’]. So I have known that song since I was 5 years old — probably even before then because my mom

would sing it to me. I then, of course, saw the movie and fell in love with it, as we all do.”

Before the 1965 film adaptation, “The Sound of Music” was a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, which itself was based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp. Set in Austria on the eve of the Anschluss in 1938, it tells the story of Maria, who takes a job as governess to a large family and falls in love with the children — and, eventually, their widowed father, Captain von Trapp.

Cadie is set to portray Maria in Arizona Opera’s production of “The Sound of Music” March 3–5 at Symphony Hall in Phoenix and March 11 and 12 at The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall in Tucson.

“It does not feel like I am playing Maria,” Cadie says. “It feels like I am playing ‘The Sound of Music.’ It feels like this huge entity. It is so important to so many people and feels so much larger than me.”

Having already made a profound impact on her, “The Sound of Music” will soon have yet another significance in Cadie’s life — as the first production in which she gets to play opposite her husband Jonathan in leading roles.

Jonathan says that, like Cadie, the show and, in particular, its music played big parts in his musical education, and the movie is still required viewing for his family during the holidays.

Cadie and Jonathan Bryan will, for the first time in their careers, play opposite one another in leading roles as Maria and Captain von Trapp, respectively, in Arizona Opera’s production of “The Sound of Music” March 3–5 at Symphony Hall in Phoenix.

Photo by Caitlin Oldham

“It just seems like this big, iconic piece of entertainment history that I never really even considered that I would have a chance to be a part of,” he adds. “And I cannot believe that I get to do it with my wife. We have never professionally had the opportunity to perform together in roles like this. We have done concerts together and things like that, but we have never gotten to play in love on stage before.”

Speaking of which, Jonathan — who is visibly still as smitten with his wife as the day she transferred into his voice class at Louisiana State University — believes that playing in love will come easy.

“What I am nervous about is the first half of the show, when Captain von Trapp is engaged to someone else and is aloof and even kind of mean to Maria,” Jonathan explains. “He has not had that moment of connection and attraction yet. I have got to find a way to avoid looking doe-eyed at Cadie all the time.”

Experience

‘Beauty and the Beast’

Jonathan adds that audiences should expect to see from Arizona Opera’s production of “The Sound of Music” the timeless tale with which they are familiar in an entirely different — and perhaps even more resonant — way.

“In this scenario, an audience member will have the opportunity for the music to wash over and envelop them,” he explains. “They will feel the vibrations of the music being made against their own selves.”

Those vibrations are essentially a form of communication that only theater can provide.

“We get a chance to all vibrate together — 3,000 people sitting there, all feeling the same thing for those brief, divine moments,” Jonathan concludes. “I think that is why our craft has clung to these stories of big love and passion and why they have become the iconography of our industry.”

Through Feb. 12 | Fountain Hills Theater 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills | fhtaz.org

‘An American in Paris’

Through March 12 | The Phoenix Theatre Company 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix | phoenixtheatre.com

‘Giselle’

Feb. 9–12 | The Madison Center for the Arts 5601 N. 16th St., Phoenix | balletaz.org

‘Alice in Wonderland’

Feb. 17–26 | Starlight Community Theater

1611 W. Whispering Wind Drive, Suite 9, Phoenix | starlightcommunitytheater.com

‘The Sound of Music’

March 3–5 | Symphony Hall | 75 N. Second St., Phoenix | azopera.org

OOn Sunday, Feb. 12, Arizonans will be glued to their TV sets — or cheering on their favorite team at State Farm Stadium in Glendale — as the Super Bowl returns to the Grand Canyon State.

The big game is one of the most-watched annual sporting events in the world. And whether they’re celebrating at home or partying it up in the stadium’s parking lot, for most fans, a football game — especially the biggest football game of the year — just isn’t the same without enjoying epic amounts of finger foods, dips, burgers and wings.

And while there will be no shortage of places to party, eat and drink in the weeks leading up to — and the day of — the Super Bowl, few events will pack as much star power — or do as much good for the community — as the Taste of the NFL.

This annual NFL-sanctioned event, which is in its 32nd year,

Writer Rebecca L. Rhoades

Photography Courtesy of Taste of the NFL

brings together celebrity chefs, NFL players and local culinary stars for an evening of cooking demonstrations, friendly food competitions, photo and autograph opportunities, and, of course, plenty of delicious dishes to sample. All proceeds benefit GENYOUth’s End Student Hunger fund, which provides schools with the resources and equipment to help feed food-insecure children.

ENDING HUNGER ONE SCHOOL AT A TIME

According to Feeding America, one in eight kids are at risk for hunger, with Black and Latino children the most likely to face hunger. In 2021, 22% of Black children and 18.5% of Latino children were food insecure, says a report by the USDA. In Arizona, 84% of students qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.

Creating healthier school communities is the mission of GENYOUth, a national nonprofit that is based in New York City.

“

Tailgating and at-home parties have gotten very sophisticated. It used to be chips and salsa and maybe burgers and hot dogs because that was relatively easy.

Now it’s almost like a five-star caterer shows up.

Mark Bucher

“We were formed just over 12 years ago through a partnership between farmers and football players,” says Ann Marie Krautheim, CEO of GENYOUth and a registered dietician. “They’re unlikely suspects, but dairy farmers have long been supporters of nutrition education and research, and they’ve been very active in schools across the country through the National Dairy Council. And then the NFL has a strong commitment to physical activity and helping kids be healthy.”

The two organizations initially joined forces to create Fuel Up to Play 60, a program designed to build healthier school communities — “fuel up” meaning nutrition and “60” being physical activity. It was launched in more than 73,000 schools across the country.

However, in order to create change, resources are needed. That’s where GENYOUth comes in. Its goal is to bring together public and private sector organizations to help fund access to healthy foods and increase opportunities for students to be physically active, particularly in schools in high-need communities. This year marks GENYOUth’s third year as the beneficiary of Taste of the NFL.

Throughout the months leading up to the big game, GENYOUth developed its Mission 57: End Student Hunger initiative — named in honor of the Super Bowl LVII — in schools across the Greater Phoenix region.

“We made a commitment to bring ‘Grab and Go’ breakfast to at least 57 schools in Arizona,” Krautheim explains.

According to GENYOUth, only 55% of students in the state who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals participate in school breakfasts.

“The reason there’s a gap is because there’s a stigma associated with going to the cafeteria for breakfast, or the bus schedules aren’t conducive for kids to have time to get from the bus to the cafeteria to eat their food,” Krautheim continues. “So this ‘Grab and Go’ equipment, which includes a rolling cart [filled with fruit, cereals, milk cartons and other nutritious meal items], gets that breakfast out of the cafeteria and into a place where kids can grab and go right from the bus.”

Schools in Glendale, Gilbert, Casa Grande and Tucson were among the lucky recipients of these rolling breakfast carts, which were funded by local businesses — including Fry’s Food Stores, Isagenix, BHHS Legacy Foundation, as well as Frito Lay, Quaker and PepsiCo.

A FOOTBALL AND FOODIE FESTIVAL

The charitable drive culminates on Saturday, Feb. 11, with the Taste of the NFL. It is the largest purposedriven event held in conjunction with the Super Bowl. This year’s theme is “Life on a Grander Scale.”

Five celebrity chefs serve as hosts of the event: Andrew Zimmern, Carla Hall, Tim Love, Mark Bucher and Lasheeda Perry.

“All of them are very high energy, and they have a strong commitment to ending hunger,” Krautheim notes.

Accompanying the famous foodies are 25 Arizona chefs who also will showcase their skills and flavors — including Beau MacMillan of Cala, Christopher Gross of Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion, Mark Tarbell of Tarbell’s, Rene Andrade of Bacanora, and Maria Mazon of BOCA Tacos y Tequila, among others.

“A lot of really well-known chefs in the community have stepped up to be a part of this event,” Krautheim adds.

Washington, D.C.-based Bucher is the owner of Medium Rare, a steakhouse in Bethesda, Maryland. He’s also a world burger champion. But his passion lies not just in feeding those who visit his restaurant but in ending childhood hunger.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bucher started Feed the Fridge — an effort to put refrigerators around the community and fill them with restaurant meals so that

children and families could get a dignified, nutritious meal. One of the big underwriters of the effort is the NFL Players Association, which is how Bucher got connected with Taste of the NFL.

“We felt that together we can accomplish more, especially when we align each year for Super Bowl to raise awareness,” Bucher says. “We both have a very similar approach.”

This will be Bucher’s second appearance at Taste of the NFL, which will be the most interactive event of the past few years. 2021’s event was virtual due to the pandemic, while last year’s festivities were scaled back, as well.

“This year, we’ll be at stations around the area making food; giving hints, instructions and pro tips; and partnering with NFL players to make their favorite meals,” he explains. “Taste of the NFL has really become a foodie event and a foodie destination in and around the Super Bowl.”

Bucher will be making one of his award-winning burgers, which is topped with a quail egg and a mushroom, onion and bacon jam.

For Perry, 2023 marks her third year as a marquee chef at the event. The Philadelphia-raised pastry chef, known as the Queen of Flavor, relates to underprivileged students and families in need.

“I definitely had a tough upbringing,” she recalls. “We never went hungry, per se, but we lived in shelters. So I understand what it’s like to struggle. The fact that I get to use my passion to help others is beyond successful. It really hits home for me.”

As part of this year’s event, Perry will be working with students who have an interest in baking.

“Not only do I get to help end student hunger, but I’ll be teaching and mentoring students who want to become pastry chefs,” she says.

More than 60 students ages 15–16 will be participating in cooking classes during Taste of the NFL. The students are part of the Careers through Culinary Arts

Program, also known as C-CAP, a nonprofit workforce development program that helps underserved teens find work in the food industry.

Perry got her start at C-CAP Philadelphia, and as a result was awarded a full-tuition scholarship to the prestigious Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island, where she studied baking and pastry arts.

“It’s a full-circle moment,” Perry remarks.

Joining Bucher and Perry is James Beard Awardnominated Mazon, who will be bringing her Sonoran flavors from Tucson to the Valley and says that GENYOUth’s mission speaks right to her heart.

“When I opened my restaurant, I couldn’t volunteer like other moms do at school,” Mazon says. “So I cooked once a month at my son’s school, to teach other kids how to eat vegetables. Some kids are not blessed enough, whether you leave it to the budget or to whatever. And it’s inconceivable that there are kids whose only meal comes from their school.

“It’s not about race, it’s not about political views, it’s not about business. It’s about [feeding] America. I’m excited to be part of something so beautiful and that at least for a year or a semester, kids won’t be hungry here in Arizona.”

A quarter of the funds raised from Taste of the NFL will be earmarked for Phoenix schools. The balance will be distributed to schools across the country.

“The majority of the schools serve high-need communities,” Krautheim says. “And with that, most of these schools have a higher percentage of children who are Black, Hispanic or live in communities of color.”

The event, which will be held at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix, will feature a variety of food and beverage stations. Guests will meet the chefs at each station. A mainstage will host the celebrity chefs who will put on cooking demonstrations, share with the audience about GENYOUth’s mission and get guests fired up for the big game.

“Our marquee chefs are all personally and professionally committed to the cause,” Krautheim says.

In addition to the food, 30 football players will be on-hand to sign autographs and meet with guests.

GAME DAY GASTRONOMY

Can’t make it to Taste of the NFL? Don’t worry. Bucher, Perry and Mazon offer their tips for hosting your own tailgate or Super Bowl party that almost will make your guests forget there’s a game going on.

“Tailgating and at-home parties have gotten very sophisticated,” Bucher says. “It used to be chips and salsa and maybe burgers and hot dogs because that was relatively easy. Now it’s almost like a five-star caterer shows up.”

Even though he’s known for his burgers, Bucher prefers to go all out when it comes to tailgating.

“I love the idea of frying turkeys or grilling ribs,” he says. “Breakfast also is a big trend. People are making breakfast sandwiches on top of propane grills.”

For at-home parties, Bucher recommends meatballs, chicken wings, charcuterie and biscuit boards, and make-your-own grilled cheese sandwiches. Grilled pizzas, meatball parm and chicken parm subs, and even pasta bars also top his list.

“Step away from burgers and do sloppy Joe’s,” he suggests. “They stay warm longer. You can also do barbecued pulled pork or pulled brisket. If you’re going to do burgers, do sliders. Make them ahead of time and keep them in your oven. Put them on the buns when you’re ready to bring them out so they won’t get soggy.”

For Mazon, the food you serve should be the food you like — even if it’s not considered game-day food.

“Cooking should not be stressful,” she notes. “It should be about what you like, and it should be fun.”

The Tucson-based chef says you’ll find her behind the grill on Super Bowl Sunday.

“I’ll put out a bowl of chips and some finger foods, but the main star is going to be more elevated,” she says. “I don’t like fried chicken wings, so last year I grilled wings and we roasted a bunch of vegetables. And a couple of years ago, I did hot dogs, but I made my own sausages. Whatever we’re in the mood for, that’s what I’m going to cook.”

Of course, no meal is complete without dessert.

“When it comes to making dessert, there’s no right or wrong answer,” says Perry, noting that, one year, she made a cake in the shape of a football and filled it with ice cream and another, she did football-shaped ice cream and brownie sandwiches. “It’s okay to have a root beer float or a fun chocolate-themed sundae. It’s really just getting to know your crown and taking into consideration where you are. Make what feels good to you.”

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Visit imagesaz.com or scan this QR code with your phone for some "Super Scrumptious" recipes that are great for game day.

AAt least once a month, photographer Karen Shaw sets out in her kayak early in the morning on days with low winds with the hope that she can capture reflective scenes in which the sky and landscape are perfectly mirrored in a body of water, creating what appears to be a peek into a parallel universe.

“I have to stop my kayak because even the smallest movement will make ripples,” says Shaw, noting that stillness in the water is key to getting the perfect shot. “Such scenes just happen. I will come out of a cove and say, ‘Woah, there it is!’ It is kind of otherworldly when you see that. It is sort of ethereal and just grabs your attention.”

She seizes the opportunity with her camera, then pauses to appreciate the sight.

“I have always been drawn to mirror images,” says Shaw, comparing such sights to the ones you might see when looking through a kaleidoscope. “They just have such a magical quality to them.”

The photographer often feels conflicted about sharing that magic with the world, wanting to keep it all for herself. After all, when others see through her work the ethereal beauty that is out there in nature, they are encouraged to explore — and over-populate — the spaces of solitude that have come to mean so much to her.

However, she also believes that said beauty exists to inspire us all to intentionally seek out such scenes, as you will discover that they are in fact all around in nature if you simply look for them.

This month, Images Arizona is showcasing a selection of Shaw’s photography, inviting its readers to gaze into what at first appears to be an alternate reality. It is important to remember, though, that this fairytale-like land that can be seen in the water is indeed a direct reflection of our own world; an exact replica of the scene above.

These parallel waterverses reveal that the true fairytale is the one we are living. All we need to do is open our eyes — and our minds — to the surreal moments when nature’s majesty is far too perfect to be merely a coincidence.

Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography by Karen Shaw

Photography has taught me to breathe, to be still and to take it all in; and to be patient. I love how I feel photography has brought out the artistic part of me. Karen Shaw

I see something different — or in a different way — every time I go out. I just adore my time outdoors and going into the darkroom on my iPad and seeing my images come to life.

Karen Shaw

About the Photographer

Born and raised in Southern California, Karen Shaw has always considered herself to be an avid outdoorswoman.

“I have been hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and rock climbing my whole life,” explains Shaw, who spent much of her adult life in Colorado before moving to Prescott six years ago — a move for which she credits her interest in photography.

Although she had always taken pictures of her amazing adventures, Shaw became even more enthralled with the many majestic settings that exist in and around the quaint Arizona city. Frequently finding herself “in the moment,” she aspired to bring those moments home with her through the artistic medium of photography.

“I like how it can give me a different perspective,” Shaw explains. “Photography has taught me to breathe, to be still and to take it all in; and to be patient. I love how I feel photography has brought out the artistic part of me.”

Drawn to photograph anything in nature, Shaw has been particularly fascinated by birds since acquiring a larger lens.

“I see something different — or in a different way — every time I go out,” she says. “I just adore my time outdoors and going into the darkroom on my iPad and seeing my images come to life.”

I will come out of a cove and say, ‘Woah, there it is!’ It is kind of otherworldly when you see that. It is sort of ethereal and just grabs your attention. Karen Shaw

TThe great 20th-century American architect Louis Kahn once said, “Architecture is the thoughtful making of spaces.” For Amit Upadhye, those words define his philosophy and guide his design work. In fact, the Scottsdalebased architect owes much of his career to the great masters of the industry — including the legendary Kahn.

Upadhye was born and raised in Ahmedabad, India. Known as the Manchester of India because of its proliferation of textile mills, the city on the banks of the river Sabarmati attracted some of the midcentury’s most innovative architects.

In the 1950s, Le Corbusier was commissioned by the president of the Mill Owners’ Association to build its headquarters. At the time, he was working on Chandigarh, a master-planned city in Northern India in which most of the government buildings and housing were designed by the French architect. Le Corbusier also designed the famed Shodhan and Sarabhai villas and Sankar Kendra, an arts and culture museum.

That work attracted Charles and Ray Eames, whose study of Indian buildings brought about the development of the National Institute of Design, a group of design universities, with the primary center being in Ahmedabad. Frank

Scottsdale-based architect Amit Upadhye channels the modernist ideology of the midcentury masters.

Writer Rebecca L. Rhoades

“To me, a building and architecture are different things. Amit Upadhye

Lloyd Wright conceptualized a structure for a local textile mill, but the project fell through; in its place, Gira Sarabhai constructed a geodesic dome inspired by the works of Buckminster Fuller.

In addition to designing an underground art gallery and a brutalist-style auditorium in the city, B.V. Doshi set up the School of Architecture, now known as CEPT University. And, of course, one of Kahn’s most famous buildings, the Indian Institute of Management, continues to attract tourists and architecture buffs to this day.

“The IIM is one of the most amazing buildings on the planet,” Upadhye remarks.

Seeing these masterworks instilled a love of modern design in the young student, who decided to forgo his family’s tradition of studying engineering and instead apply to a local school of architecture.

“It felt like destiny for me,” he recalls.

Upadhye passed the grueling and competitive application process, which included interviews, live drawing evaluations, and other aptitude tests, and excelled in the classwork.

Portraits by Reed Decker

Architecture Images by Matt Winquist

During his fourth year, Upadhye needed to complete an internship. One of his father’s friends, who happened to be a well-known contractor, set him up with a position in the design firm of Anant Raje — a disciple of Kahn whose office happened to be in the IIM building.

“I didn’t know who this guy was,” Upadhye says. “He was world famous, and I didn’t even know it. He was so charismatic and amazing. He literally changed me. By the time I was done with my four-month internship in his office, I had such confidence. His design DNA was planted in me.”

After graduation, Upadhye joined a small local firm but found the work unsatisfying.

“I was intellectually starving,” he says.

He returned to Raje’s office, where he stayed for the next two years, until he got married at age 25.

Hoping for a fresh beginning with his wife, Shilpa, Upadhye headed to Singapore at the behest of a friend, who suggested that he could find architectural work in the Asian country. His internship with Raje opened the doors to one of the largest practices in the world.

“That changed my life forever,” he remarks.

Not only did he work on the Esplanade Complex, designed by Pritzker Prize winner James Stirling, but it was also here that he met David Turnbull, a professor of architecture at Arizona State University who would become a mentor and encourage him to explore new cultures and destinations.

Determined to move to the United States — after all, it was the home country of his idol, Kahn — Upadhye decided to pursue his master’s degree at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

“I was in America,” he says. “Everything was possible for me now, right? Nobody was stopping me.”

Fortuitously, right around the time he graduated, his wife’s company transferred her from Singapore to Scottsdale. Stints at a number of Valley architecture firms followed for Upadhye, with assignments including schools and clinics. Although the projects were vital, they were creatively unfulfilling.

“To me, a building and architecture are different things,” Upadhye explains. “Charles Correa (a renowned Indian architect and urban planner) once said, ‘There are writings and then there is literature.’ I was after literature. After working in Kahn’s building for two years, I knew what architecture meant, because I had experienced it every day. So really, I was in search of my own Louis Kahn.”

By the early 2000s, things were looking up. Upadhye joined Architekton and worked on the design of the Tempe Center for the Arts. This was followed by shifts at The Construction Zone and then Jones Studio, during which time he was responsible for the entire FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) package for the groundbreaking Mariposa Land Port of Entry in Nogales.

Simultaneously, Upadhye also was working on his own projects, including a cutting-edge contemporary home in North Scottsdale. The two-story modernist masterpiece of concrete, block and glass, known as the Essence of the Desert, has a deep connection to the surrounding Sonoran landscape as well as to the young family that resides within it.

“I come from the modernist tradition,” the architect says. “Very, very modernist, which sometimes turns out to be brutalist in style. But I’m also a mirror in which the client is reflected. Therefore, all my houses tend to

look different. Because it’s a different site and a different client. The sun is hitting it in a different wa. It’s a different time.”

At first glance, the Essence house appears almost industrial — a large block plinth with narrow windows and unseen entrances. Inside, the open-concept home centers around the kitchen, where a 20-foot-high wall of windows looks out to the backyard, pool and McDowell Mountains in the distance. Personalized touches abound, including a small window that captures the morning rays on the day of the homeowners’ wedding anniversary. The dwelling was featured on the 2010 American Institute of Architects home tour.

A recently completed project is the renovation of a ranch home designed by architect Eddie Jones 40 years ago. The classic adobe brick residence was given a much-needed makeover that included the addition of a “skylight” window that juts out from the roofline and is angled toward the North Star in an homage to rocket launches and the homeowner’s job as a NASA scientist. The juxtaposition of rough adobe, sleek steel and precision windows creates a composition that is minimalist and forward-thinking.

“The climate here is very conducive to doing good work,” Upadhye says. “You’re able to detail buildings in a different way, and minimalism is much easier to achieve here than elsewhere.

“There’s something about the desert. It attracted Frank Lloyd Wright and Paolo Soleri. There’s a quietude that’s beautiful, and the light is amazing. There’s just a sense of freedom and liberation in the desert.”

After the Jones Studio border project was complete, Upadhye returned for a brief period to Singapore, and then headed to Los Angeles to work for the renowned progressive firm Morphosis. But five years away from his family had taken its toll. Burned out and missing his wife and daughter, Upadhye knew it was time to come back to Arizona and resurrect his studio.

Since 2017, Upadhye has been running his own firm, designing homes throughout the Valley. He also teaches part-time at ASU’s school of architecture.

“My practice is not based on money,” he explains. “It’s about architecture. And it’s about the fulfillment you get by working on something that you feel proud of. My goal is to do nice work but also to do meaningful work.”

architecture.yoga

FFrom the comfort of the theater’s upholstered seats, audiences love the artistry, color and glamour of Ballet Arizona’s productions.

If one were to be able to pull up a chair right on that stage — or have a really fantastic set of binoculars — a closer look would reveal the intricate beauty and artistry of the costumes the dancers wear. From sparkling and sequined to flowing and refined, every stitch has been painstakingly sewn to dazzle the audience.

On March 11, Ballet Arizona’s junior board, the Contemporary Council, will host its first-ever Fashion & Fizz fundraiser. Attendees will sip sparkling wine while dancers serve as models to showcase an array of curated costumes. A question and answer session will follow, along with a display of additional costumes for closer inspection. A VIP lounge and private bar with light hors d’oeuvres and even frontrow seating is available with premium ticket options.

“La Bayadere” //

Photo by Alexander Iziliaev

Writer Shannon Severson

Kristin Heggli, a Contemporary Council board member and chair of its marketing subcommittee, says that Fashion & Fizz has been in the works since 2020.

“This is our first large-scale event,” says Heggli, whose involvement was inspired by her own participation in

the classes that Ballet Arizona makes available to the public and through her work with a prominent Scottsdale hotel where she partnered with the performing arts organization as a way to benefit local charities.

“We raise awareness throughout the year with smaller events, including our free Ballet & Brews meetups, and we host fun ballet classes geared towards people who haven’t danced before. We are putting a lot of effort into Fashion & Fizz. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get up close and see the costumes, and also spread the word about the work of the Contemporary Council.”

Heggli points out that even for those who may be less familiar with Ballet Arizona, Fashion & Fizz is a great event for those with an interest in fashion and design as well as a networking opportunity for like-minded professionals who support the arts.

“I think this will be an approachable event for anyone,” Heggli says. “It’s going to be a delightful party with wine, food and fashion; and every admission ticket includes a raffle ticket. We have great prizes like local hotel [vouchers], restaurant [gift cards] and other unique experiences.”

Fundraiser attendees will also get the chance to see a bit of the facility — a peek at practice spaces and where the magic of every ballet gets its start.

NEEDLE, THREAD AND WEAVING A TALE

While the public may be most familiar with “The Nutcracker,” which has a production budget of $1.8 million and utilizes 260 costumes created in shops all over America, the company stages a multitude of performances in traditional and contemporary style each season and has done so for the last 37 years.

From sparkling and sequined to flowing and refined, every stitch has been painstakingly sewn to dazzle the audience.

Photography Courtesy of Ballet Arizona

“The Nutcracker” // Photo by Rosalie O’Connor

At the core of the storytelling are the costumes. Costume director Leonor Texador says that ballet costumes are more than just pretty fabric; they are an intrinsic part of every character.

“It’s the difference between costume and fashion,” Texador explains. “In fashion, the dress is the [focus]. When you do costuming, the costume is part of the character. You help to communicate what the director wants to say.”

Texador has been sewing and designing costumes since she moved to Phoenix from her native Puerto Rico in 2001. Her previous work in television and her background in fashion design, sewing, textiles and costume design were much needed when she first answered the call for extra help with “The Nutcracker.”

“I started to work from scratch,” Texador explains. “One day, there was a problem with the designer from New York. The designs came and [artistic director] Ib [Andersen] didn’t like the design. I was asked to bring in some sketches. When they saw the sketches, they said, ‘Hmmm… who is this?’ Ib and I started to work together to find what he liked and I have worked with him ever since.”

When the previous costume director, Carolyn Mitchell, retired in 2009, Andersen turned to Texador to take her place. She works directly with Anderson and costume designer Fabio Tobilini to bring the magic of every story to life and to fit every yard of fabric to the dancers’ bodies so they can

move with the effortless grace for which ballet is known.

“Working with [Tobilini] challenges me to continue to grow and develop,” Texador says. “It’s exciting. He is so amazing. For ‘The Four Seasons,' I made the pattern from his sketch and he painted the fabric. We work together and we make a good team.”

UNEXPECTED ARTISANS

Along the way, Texador has brought in many other young talents to contribute to the effort. Often, those talents are the dancers themselves. She says that many of the dancers are from countries — particularly in Latin America — where they have been taught traditional sewing and embroidery techniques by their mothers and grandmothers. These talents and traditions are treasured by each family.

“I had a dancer from the Dominican Republic who was taught to embroider by her grandmother,” Texador says. “She had an injury and couldn’t dance so she showed me what she could do. My brother, who is a tailor in Puerto Rico, came to help us and brought all the tools she needed. She embroidered all the tutus and he sat down and continued to teach her more. When you see those tutus, it is haute couture. She was wonderful. She stayed with us for two or three years and is now back in the Dominican Republic working as a professional nutritionist.

“This is something that I have always done. If a dancer has an injury and they have a skill, I will work with them until they feel better and the doctor says they can dance again. They are so valuable to me. I love to teach and to help people learn something. We

need to help the new generation and not lose those artisan skills.”

Texador credits the generosity of donors, careful sourcing, preservation of costumes and impeccable accountability for every yard of beautiful, quality fabric purchased. Inside Ballet Arizona’s costume shop, every measure is taken to repair and store costumes in dark, temperature-controlled spaces to prolong their lives and get maximum use out of them — which Texador says is really a way to honor the donors.

The working areas where costumes are fitted and finished are abuzz with activity and conversations in multiple languages — English, Spanish and Portuguese — and everyone enjoys the spirit of collaboration and accomplishment.

The work of Texador and her team will certainly awe fundraiser attendees. However, even with all of her years of experience, there are some costumes that still take her breath away. Among her favorites are the ballroom costumes for “Romeo and Juliet,” the fantastical “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “La Bayadère” and “Within the Golden Hour.”

Every piece is a work of art.

“People think we need to do things fast for a production,” Texador says. “This is something you have to enjoy; this is art. When you build something in art, time is not important for you. You use the time that you need to use in order to create.”

The costume director has long believed that a fashion show would be a wonderful idea and is excited to see the idea come to life. Supporters of Ballet Arizona and those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep fine arts culture alive in our state are enthusiastic about this new take on sharing artistry with the community.

Ballet Arizona’s executive director Jami Kozemczak says that from elegantly-embroidered capes to intricately designed tutus, each costume seen on stage during a Ballet Arizona production has been designed and developed perfectly to fit each story being told.

“The costumes are as important to the storytelling process within our productions as the choreography, the props and the talented artistry of the dancers,” Kozemczak says. “We are fortunate to have a dedicated costume department employing local artisans that create works of art that play a critical role of bringing the stories to life on stage. We are excited to showcase the breadth and talent of their artistry at our inaugural Fashion & Fizz fundraiser.”

balletaz.org

instagram.com/balletarizona

“La Bayadere” // Photo by Alexander Iziliaev

BBuying and selling a home is a major financial — and emotional — undertaking. Selecting the right Realtor can make all the difference when it comes to getting the best deal with the least amount of stress.

But with so many agents vying for your commission — there are more than 50,000 Realtors in Arizona, according to the National Association of Realtors — how do you know who to choose?

For 75 years, one real estate firm has stood out as a leader in sales and customer satisfaction: Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty.

From left, owner/partner Tom Locati, chairman Jim Lyon and CEO Todd Gillenwater have continued Russ Lyon Sotheby's 75-year legacy as a leader in sales and customer satisfaction.

By Rebecca L. Rhoades

AN ACCIDENTAL SUCCESS

The story of how one man transformed Arizona’s homebuying market and built an eponymous real estate empire begins in 1947.

Like many Americans following World War II, Russ Lyon

Sr. decided to migrate to the West Coast to further his career. An accomplished saxophone player in New York City — he had formed Russ Lyon and His Orchestra in the 1930s — Russ wanted to relocate his family to Hollywood, California. They almost made it to their destination, when misfortune — or perhaps, in the end, fortune — struck.

While traveling through Arizona, Russ’s son Rusty became ill with valley fever, so the family wintered in Mesa while Rusty recuperated.

“While they were hunkered down, they fell in love with the area,” says Russ’s grandson, Jim Lyon. “So they decided to stay.”

The family moved into an authentic old adobe home on Cattletrack Drive in Scottsdale. The house still stands, tucked away behind an adobe wall, at the northeast corner of Macdonald Drive and Cattletrack; it is known as the Stable Galleria.

There’s a tagline that Jim [Lyon] uses, and it’s always stuck with me. It’s ‘building on a legacy of trust.’ That’s really what we’re doing. We’re carrying it on from his father and grandfather, and that’s pretty cool.

Todd Gillenwater

Portraits by Loralei Lazurek

Photography Courtesy of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty

Jim Lyon is Russ Lyon Realty founder Russ Lyon's grandson.

At the time, that area of the Valley was open fields and farmland. Ranchers drove their cattle up and down the dirt road that ran past the Lyon’s home. The music scene was nonexistent.

“He was looking for something to do,” Jim recalls. “Back then, you could just sign up and get a real estate license. So he just started sending letters to his friends back East, telling them to come out and buy Arizona real estate.”

Russ started his own company, Russ Lyon Realty, with only three employees. The firm became known for treating its clients fairly, with dignity, respect and professionalism. One such client was William Wrigley Jr., founder of the Wrigley chewing gum company and owner of Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix.

Russ’s sons Dennis and Rusty followed in their father’s footsteps. Dennis continued to grow the firm, while Rusty went into the commercial side of the industry. He founded the development company Westcor, which built shopping malls throughout the Southwest — including 17 in Arizona, such as Scottsdale Fashion Square, Flagstaff Mall and Phoenix’s Metrocenter Mall.

“My father stayed in the residential side of the business,” Jim notes. “Then I came along in the late 1980s. I started in the commercial division and then branched off into the residential division. In 2004, I called my childhood friend, Todd Gillenwater, and we opened up operations in Sedona and Flagstaff.”

Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty CEO Todd Gillenwater believes that buying a home is one of the most important financial decisions a person will make.

Four years later, the duo purchased Russ Lyon Realty and merged it with the Sotheby’s brand. They also were joined in 2012 by Tom Locati. Today, Jim serves as the company’s chairman, Gillenwater is the CEO, and Locati is an owner/partner.

BUILDING A LEGACY OF TRUST

As the only Sotheby’s affiliate in Arizona, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty has 13 offices throughout the state.

“We’re one of the few Sotheby’s companies that has an entire state,” Gillenwater points out. “And we’re always one of the top five largest in production and sales numbers. In fact, Sotheby’s International Realty just releases a list of the top 100 of all its global real estate salespeople. This includes Realtors in New York, Palm Beach, Paris, Zurich — everywhere in the world. Seven of the top 100 agents are ours in Arizona.”

According to a press release, in 2021, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s had its best year on record, closing more than 7,000 successful transactions that totaled more than $7 billion dollars in Arizona real estate.

While the firm receives more than its fair share of press for selling some of the most expensive real estate in the Grand Canyon State, it’s also renowned for the whiteglove service it provides to all its clients — no matter what the budget may be.

“Luxury is not a number,” Gillenwater says. “It’s a level of service. There’s a tagline that Jim uses, and it’s always stuck with me. It’s ‘building on a legacy of trust.’ That’s really what we’re doing. We’re carrying it on from his father and grandfather, and that’s pretty cool.”

“We’re here to service everybody,” Jim adds. “We serve a $200,000 home just as much as we serve a $10 million home.”

Cionne McCarthy has been a real estate agent with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s since the 1980s. She specializes in the Scottsdale and Paradise Valley markets.

“I was hired by Jim’s father when Russ Lyon was still a family-owned boutique real estate company,” she

says. “Dennis was the ultimate in relationship building. He fostered a real family-like atmosphere. But it was because of his affiliations and development and entrepreneurial backgrounds that he built a luxury brand. It was natural and innate for him.”

Although Russ Lyon Sotheby’s has more than 900 agents in Arizona, the company maintains a family feel, with core values that include fairness, respect and a solid work ethic.

“At the end of the day, this is a people business,” Jim says. “We’re advisors on what is probably most people’s biggest asset purchase in their life.”

Gillenwater adds that buying a home is one of the most important financial decisions a person will make.

“They’re going to do business with people they like and who they trust,” he says. “Our agents are interested in taking care of their clients. This is a career, not a hobby.”

For McCarthy, her relationships with her clients are first and foremost in her everyday acumen.

“That’s how I am, and it’s what I believe in,” she notes. “And Russ Lyon has always fostered and supported that, because that’s who they are, as well.”

While the past few years have seen unprecedented growth in Arizona’s residential real estate market, with record-demand and skyrocketing prices, the industry remains a challenging one. In fact, according to NAR, more than 80% of agents leave the business after only five years. So for a brokerage to survive — and thrive — for 75 years is a testament to the foundation on which it was built.

“When I bought the company, I was just trying to survive in 2008, so continuing its success means a lot,” Jim concludes. “I mean, it’s tough, tough shoes to follow. I have so much respect for my father and my grandfather, and I wanted to show them that I could carry this thing forward. And I think we’ve done a pretty darn good job with it.”

russlyon.com

Tom Locati joined Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty in 2012.

Selling Homes, Improving Lives

The sun was just starting to beat down mercilessly on the dusty streets, but already a line was forming in front of a small adobe building in a dilapidated neighborhood in Agua Prieta, Mexico, just across the border from Douglas, Arizona.

Men in straw cowboy hats, women with baby strollers and kids of all ages patiently waited while agents from Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty helped volunteers from Vecinos Dignos Sin Fronteras, a Mexican association dedicated to providing educational, housing and food support to those in need, prepare bags filled with fresh produce, beans, eggs and other supplies.

The Realtors had traveled from as far away as Flagstaff and Sedona as part of the Russ Lyon Foundation, a charitable organization founded by the brokerage in 2014.

“We started the foundation because we realized that so many of our agents and offices were involved in charitable endeavors, but there was no community effort or support,” explains Todd Gillenwater, CEO of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s. “We wanted to harness the efforts that were already happening.”

The company seeds the foundation each year, and agents add to the donations. Each office selects what to invest in or participate in. For example, Tucson offices support causes in Tucson, and Flagstaff offices pick causes in Flagstaff.

“So we’re able to really support and magnify the efforts across the company,” Gillenwater adds.

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s provides charitable services in Agua Prieta through Rancho Feliz, a nonprofit foundation founded by Gillenwater’s brothers, Gil and Troy. The

brokerage offers an annual trip for its agents to volunteer in the town, provides monetary support, and sponsors education for local children.

“Gil calls [giving back] reciprocal giving,” Gillenwater says. “The point is that whatever you give, you get way more back in return in ways you can’t even imagine. And after supporting [Rancho Feliz] for 36 years and our own foundation for eight years, I’ve found that it’s absolutely true.

Vecinos Dignos Sin Fronteras is one part of Rancho Feliz. Its Vecinos neighborhood is unlike anything found even in the U.S. A large campus on the southern side of town, it includes state-of-the-art childcare centers, educational centers, community gardens, playgrounds and 42 petite homes designed to promote ownership among underprivileged families.

After distributing food to the residents of Agua Prieta, the Realtors headed to the Vecinos campus to tour the facilities and meet with some of their sponsored children. They shared snacks of fresh mangoes with Tajin powder, and the children received goody bags filled with fun gifts.

“It’s really eye-opening,” Gillenwater explains. “You realize that just three to four hours away from your house in Paradise Valley, people are living like this. It’s a shot of cold water in the face, and you think, ‘Wait a minute, something’s not right here.”

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s may have been built on a foundation of brokering some of the most expensive real estate deals in Arizona, but it’s the company’s corporate philanthropy and volunteerism that is its heart.

MMusicaNova Orchestra music director Warren Cohen takes pride in discovering, performing and recording classical music that is a work of true genius but has — for one reason or another — been lost in the annals of history.

“Once a piece is neglected, it is hard to pull it out again because it is just sitting in some library,” Cohen says. “You then have all of these new shiny objects that come along and you forget all about it.”

Having unearthed over the course of his music career a surprising number of pieces that he never even knew existed but produce astonishing sounds unlike anything he had ever heard, Cohen in 2003 founded an orchestra devoted specifically to presenting such works. Under his leadership, MusicaNova Orchestra has developed an international reputation for its extraordinarily unique and eyeopening programs.

MusicaNova Orchestra music director Warren Cohen takes pride in discovering, performing and recording classical music that is a work of true genius but has — for one reason or another — been lost in the annals of history.

This season, the nonprofit professional ensemble is celebrating 20 years of not only engaging, enthusing and educating communities, artists and students through surprising works of classical music that have either been lost, unjustly neglected or rarely heard, as well as new works from young composers of today, but also bringing the joy of playing and hearing great music to many who might not otherwise have the opportunity.

NEW, NEGLECTED & SUPPRESSED

Born in Montreal, Cohen was exposed to music from a young age.

“I came from a very musical family,” he explains. “My mother was a singer and my father was a pianist and a piano teacher. At one point, I went to thaw out in Hawaii and landed in Honolulu, which is really where I started my musical career as a pianist and composer.”

I listen to thousands of pieces every year. So the fact that my mind can still be blown by music that I have never heard is remarkable. Warren Cohen

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Photography by Chris Loomis

Cohen’s early positions included a stint as an accompanist for Honolulu City Ballet and as music director of the Kumu Kahua Theatre in Honolulu. His work in theater and opera organically led to him becoming a conductor — a role that Cohen admits was not part of his initial ambition.

Cohen soon landed a job as the music director of the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra in Tucson, which led to additional opportunities in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

“I became the director of what was then the Fine Arts String Orchestra, which was then connected to Scottsdale Community College,” says Cohen, whose local resume also includes Scottsdale Baroque Orchestra. “It was through these opportunities that the idea for MusicaNova Orchestra came about.”

Inspired by a few individuals who shared with him compelling reasons to start his own orchestra in Scottsdale, Cohen considered the possibilities and landed on an idea that would allow him to avoid directly competing with other orchestras in the area while also aligning with his particular passion and interest. He says that over the course of his life and career, he had always had a great deal of curiosity about music that was relatively unknown.

“I enjoy sitting down with music in front of me and going through the score, imagining what it might sound like,” Cohen explains. “I had done this with a lot of different music. And when I came across something that I had not heard, I would think to myself, ‘Well, if I were to do it, then we will hear it.’

“In fact, one of the reasons that I had become a conductor in the first place was because I was willing to conduct things that other people did not want to. So I had the thought to make the identity of MusicaNova Orchestra as one that does new, neglected and suppressed music. Those three categories are the ones that have guided us for the last 20 years.”

EDUCATION & OUTREACH

The formula immediately resonated with audiences, allowing MusicaNova Orchestra to make the necessary connections with donors and other supporters that it needed in order to grow

Having unearthed over the course of his music career a surprising number of pieces that he never even knew existed but produce astonishing sounds unlike anything he had ever heard, Warren Cohen in 2003 founded an orchestra devoted specifically to presenting such works.

and flourish as a premier performing arts organization in Arizona.

“We scrimped and did various things to survive in the early days,” admits Cohen, who says the secret to success is flexibility. “We adjusted to our financial situation and developed a strong reputation as well as some phenomenal relationships. We used to travel a lot initially. Now, we mostly perform our concerts at the Musical Instrument Museum and Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts — which are venues that are very well suited to us.”

Two key elements of the orchestra’s growth have been education and outreach.

“Before concerts, we will go to various schools and talk about them with students,” Cohen says. “We often speak to or perform for underprivileged kids whose families may not be able to afford to go to our concerts. We inform them about the music that we are playing and try to get them to understand what we are doing with these unjustly neglected pieces and become excited about classical music.”

Musicians from a school or partner organization may also join the full orchestra for a concert, sitting next to and learning from its professional musicians. Most recently, these collaborations have included Tempe High School and Harmony Project Phoenix.

“We also have a young artists concerts series in which we sponsor chamber music performances by exceptionally talented young musicians in formal recital settings,” Cohen adds. “There is also our Composition Fellows

Program, in which I choose music by a young composer, who does not have the advantages of money or connections, present it during one of our programs and give them a good recording of the piece so that they can then further their career as a musician.”

MusicaNova’s Composition Fellows Program has welcomed composers from a variety of backgrounds, ethnicities and countries, delivering works that tell stories and convey emotions from around the world.

“Some of those individuals have gone on to become fairly successful,” Cohen says.

MusicaNova’s musicians even created a series of study aid videos to help Tempe High School students continue their musical education when the school closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Underwritten by the city of Tempe’s arts grants program, the videos are now preserved on the orchestra’s website, available free of charge to all aspiring musicians.

SURPRISED & DELIGHTED

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, MusicaNova Orchestra’s programs this season have included highlights from the 19 seasons that preceded it — including a piece played at its debut concert, which featured works that were banned by the Nazis. This past December, former concertmaster Christiano Rodrigues returned to play Robert Schumann’s virtuosic Violin Concerto, which was hidden away for nearly a century after the composer’s death.

In January, MusicaNova Orchestra teamed up with the ASU Center for Jewish Studies for a multimedia program that opened with the movie “Winter Journey,” one man’s story of love, music and resiliency in an all-Jewish orchestra amid the persecution of 1930s Germany. In the second half, the orchestra performed the last piece that the Jewish orchestra rehearsed — Carl Nielsen’s “The Inextinguishable.”

MusicaNova’s March concert will feature a program that takes the audience on a journey of discovery, demonstrating the versatility of the string orchestra.

“We have a piece that was written completely for open strings,” Cohen says. “The instruments are tuned in various ways, but nobody actually fingers the notes. It produces the most remarkable sound that you have ever heard. We also have a piece that imitates the sound of an Indonesian gamelan orchestra with only string instruments.

“We are also going to play the very first piece of music — an absolutely amazing thing — that was ever written for a string orchestra. It was written in 1630 and is just unbelievable. I mean, you would think that it was written yesterday. They were testing out the new instruments and have imitations of birdsong. At one point, there is even supposed to be something about hearing cows in the distance. It is just remarkable.”

That piece of music is precisely why Cohen is so grateful to the audiences, collaborators, donors and other supporters who have helped MusicaNova Orchestra carry out its mission to enrich our community through new music, unjustly neglected pieces and fresh interpretations of the classics.

“I had never heard that piece — the very first piece ever written for string orchestra — until last year,” the music director explains. “I mean, it is virtually unknown. When I heard it, my mind was blown. I listen to thousands of pieces every year. So the fact that my mind can still be blown by music that I have never heard is remarkable.

“Every now and then, I discover something that makes me go, ‘Wow!’ Just yesterday, I heard a piece by a folk music group that was absolutely phenomenal. They were playing a completely different style than anything I have ever heard. So always keep your mind open, because you will be surprised and delighted.”

musicanovaaz.org

TThe Valley of the Sun is one of the best places in the nation for golf, with more than 165 courses in the Greater Phoenix area. Each winter, linksmen from around the world visit Arizona to test their skills on greens designed by legends of the sport, including Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf.

But there’s one golf event that outshines them all. This month, the Waste Management Phoenix Open, often referred to as “The Greatest Show on Grass,” returns for the 88th time to Scottsdale.

This year, players will vie for an elevated $20 million purse, up from $8.2 million in 2022. The first-place winner will take home $3.6 million. More than 130 of the world’s top golfers are scheduled to play.

Some notable names include defending WM Phoenix Open champion Scottie Scheffler, seventime PGA Tour winner and 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist Xander Schauffele, five-time PGA Tour winners Tony Finau and Max Homa, four-time PGA Tour winner Sam Burns and World No. 1 Rory McIlroy. Six-time European Tour winner Tommy Fleetwood also will be making his WM Phoenix Open debut.

Writer Rebecca L. Rhoades

Photography Courtesy of WM Phoenix Open

Rickie Fowler tees off on the 16th hole.

“The field for the 2023 WM Phoenix Open is shaping up to be one of the strongest in tournament history,” says tournament chairman Pat Williams.

To help you prepare, Images Arizona has put together a guide that gives you everything you need to know about the WM Phoenix Open. All you’ll need to do is show up on game day.

THE GROUP BEHIND THE OPEN

Birdies and bogeys are synonymous with golf — so are Thunderbirds. No, it’s not a newfangled term. Since 1937, this civic organization has been helping run the event.

The Thunderbirds formed in 1937 as a special events committee for the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. Five young executives were chosen to head the committee; each then selected 10 additional members. To this day, the organization remains limited to 55 members.

Dressing the Part

“The Greatest Show on Grass” is known as much for people-watching as it is for great golf. That’s why it’s important to have the perfect outfit, whether you’re relaxing with friends in the grass, watching the game from coveted seats in the 16th hole skybox or planning to dance the night away at the Coors Light Bird’s Nest.

To help you decide what to wear, the folks at My Sister’s Closet and Well Suited put together four outfits* — two for her, two for him — that are guaranteed to be a fashionista’s hole-in-one.

*My Sister’s Closet and Well Suited are upscale fashion consignment stores. These fashions are just a sampling of the thousands of products available in their five Valley locations. All items were available at press time. Photos courtesy of My Sister’s Closet and Well Suited.

The famous 16th hole.

Dressing the Part

Dapper anD Daring

Looking good is all about the details. Bold patterns combine with timeless pieces for a look that’s easy yet sophisticated.

1. Flaunt your fun side in Italian brand Etro, which is known for its iconic paisley motif. You’ll stand out on the links in a good way in this multicolored long-sleeve silk button-down. $79

2. Straddling the line between casual and formal, the classic navy sport coat anchors the bold paisley shirt without looking like you’re trying too hard. $49.95

3. Look sharp and stay cool in white pants by Enzo Tovare. Pair the corduroy bottoms with your blue blazer for a sleek, effortless and even a little edgy appearance. $34.95

4. The Shinola Detrola Hancho watch with a navy-blue band and rainbow-hued face monitors your valuable time while seamlessly integrating into your overall style. $125

5. These blue suede shoes by Filling Pieces put a fresh spin on your look while keeping you comfortable as you follow your favorite player from hole to hole. $49.95

One of the earliest inductees was Bob Goldwater, brother of former U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater. An avid golfer, Bob thought it would be fun for the organization to promote a golf tournament, and in 1939, he invited his friends Bob Hope and golf greats Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan to play at the Phoenix Country Club and sold tickets.

The event was a success — beginning a long and successful relationship with the PGA tournament. Goldwater later became known as the “Father of the Phoenix Open.”

The Thunderbirds pride themselves on their dedication to their community and their philanthropic efforts. Through the WM Phoenix Open, they’ve helped raise more than $165 million, which supports local food banks, youth programs, employment and skills training programs and more.

BEYOND THE GREEN

The WM Phoenix Open is more than a golf tournament. It’s a lifestyle event that offers something for every member of the family — even those who aren’t fans of the sport. Perhaps that’s why it is also known as “The People’s Open.”

While the professional competition is the main feature, a variety of non-competition activities allow players and fans to simply relax and have a good time. There are motivational talks and Q&As with PGA professionals, a junior golf clinic and a putting challenge between Special Olympics athletes, celebrities and community business leaders. On the course, the players enjoy two days of practice rounds, and they can meet with guests in designated autograph zones.

Photo by Scott McGinty for Experience Scottsdale

Fore! Facts

l The WM Phoenix Open was established in 1932 as the Arizona Open. It is the fifth-oldest tournament on the PGA Tour The oldest is the BMW Championship, which was founded as the Western Open in 1899.

l Previously known as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the tournament changed its name to the WM Phoenix Open in January 2022. The change reflects that of its title sponsor, which is now known as WM.

l 2023 marks the 14th year that WM has served as the event’s title sponsor.

l The tournament moved to its current home, the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale, in 1987.

l The WM Phoenix Open is the best-attended golf tournament in the world. Over five days, more than 700,000 ticketed visitors attend the tournament.

l Saturday at the tournament is the second-largest single-day-attended sporting event in the U.S. and the eighth-largest in the world. The largest is the Indy 500.

l More than 5,000 volunteers are on-hand to manage the raucous crowds. A typical PGA tour event has about 1,500 volunteers.

l The tournament is the most sustainably minded sporting event in the world. The event tracks and offsets greenhouse gas emissions, uses renewable energy to power the tournament, has a food waste-reduction program and participates in water conservation and restoration initiatives. 100% of tournament waste is diverted through recycling, composting, donation, reuse, or creating energy.

l According to a study by Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business, the tournament pumps nearly $400 million into Arizona’s economy each year.

l The 2022 WM Phoenix Open distributed $10.2 million to local charities. Since 2010, it has raised nearly $100 million for charity.

l Two golfers share the tournament's record lowest 72-hole score of -28: Mark Calcavecchia in 2001 and Phil Mickelson in 2013.

Dressing the Part

Comfort is your priority, but you don’t want to sacrifice style. Casual pieces in soft, muted tones accented by touches of glimmering gold bring a sophisticated twist that’s effortlessly stylish.

1. This lightweight hooded jacket by Vince is a stylish alternative to a sloppy sweatshirt. Wear it on its own as a casual top or over a white T-shirt for when the thermometer reaches into the 80s. $100

2. Swap traditional blue jeans for white, such as this pair by Anine Bing, for instant refinement with the comfort of everyday denim. $49.95

3. Carry all your essentials in this Mini Chloé C crossbody. Its cream hue pairs well with light blue, creating a palette that’s soothing and effortless. $995

4. Elephants represent wisdom and good luck. This protective pachyderm adds the perfect amount of playful polish to your casual attire. $595

5. With mirrored lenses and gold frames, these Givenchy sunglasses add mystery and shine. And bonus, no one in the crowd will know that you’re watching them. $69.95

6. Sneakers are a must-have element in every sporty ensemble. The slim retro profile and Velcro straps of this Isabel Marant pair are trendy without being overpowering. $245

The festivities begin prior to opening day with a special concert by Grammy Award-winning rock/pop band Maroon 5. It is the second-ever “Concert in the Coliseum;” last year country singer Thomas Rhett rocked the specially built stage in the middle of the iconic 16th hole.

On Wednesday, Feb. 8, celebrities and famous athletes tee up for the Annexus Pro-Am. Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, NFL legend Emmitt Smith, and former St. Louis Cardinals phenom Albert Pujols are scheduled to appear.

One of the most popular attractions at the tournament is the Coors Light Birds Nest. Each night, from Wednesday through Saturday, after the last player tackles the finishing hole, 10,000-plus pumped-up fans head across the Greenway-Hayden Loop to the hottest nightclub in the Valley — a 50,000-square-foot tent where some of the music industry’s top stars will perform.

This year’s lineup includes country superstar Jason Aldean, contemporary rapper and rock musician Machine Gun Kelly and electronic DJ duo The Chainsmokers. Country music stars Dustin Lynch, Lainey Wilson and Chris Lane kick

Dressing the Part

Cool and cosmopolite, this natty ensemble is an elevated take on the classic polo and khakis silhouette. And in chic all-black, it will take you from the clubhouse to the club in style and comfort.

1. A short-sleeved zip sweater by Harrison Wong is both unconventional and understated. The windowpane print is, according to GQ, the modern man’s party pattern. $195

2. Leave the garish prints at home and opt for a more tailored appearance with sophisticated black golf pants by Bonobos. $34.95

3. Gucci’s understated leather logo sneakers add timeless elegance. The retro styling, complete with the white double G logo, catches the eye but doesn’t scream for attention. $345

4. Complete your look with Ray-Ban’s iconic Wayfarer sunglasses. Synonymous with a rock ’n’ roll aesthetic, they lend a raffish appeal. $79.99

Photo Courtesy of Communication Links for WM Phoenix Open

off the four-day concert series on Wednesday. New for 2023 is an expanded outdoor patio area at the Birds Nest that will feature more live music, outdoor games and various food and beverage options.

CENTER OF THE ACTION

Then there’s the legendary 16th hole. This coveted spectator spot is considered one of the most exciting holes in golf — not for its difficulty as it’s only a par three but instead for its party atmosphere.

Every year, upwards of 20,000 fans converge on the grandstand setting to boo the bad shots, cheer the good ones and drink — lots. Bolstered by the excitement of seeing their favorite players — and more than a few libations — the rowdy fans do not hesitate to show how they feel.

WM Phoenix Open Credit Halie Sutton for Experience Scottsdale

In 1997, Tiger Woods aced the 16th hole, and last year, Sam Ryder notched his first PGA Tour hole-in-one at the same spot. Both times, it was instant bedlam. The crowd went nuts, tossing their beer cans and cups onto the green and spraying beer in the air — and onto each other.

PGA golfer Justin Thomas once said about the hole, “It seems like every year it gets crazier and crazier. It’s a great atmosphere. The fans are unbelievable, they are what makes this event what it is.”

wmphoenixopen.com

Dressing the Part

SoCial MeDia Savvy

Channel your inner Emily in a Parisian street-styleinfluenced look that will have you looking picture-perfect whether you’re holding a champagne flute or a 9 iron.

1. With a contrasting color and grosgrain trim, this tweed mini dress by Maje mimics a traditional polo for a golfinspired look. $195

2. Chanel is a social media must-have. The Limited Mini Flap Handbag is small enough to pass through security and will hold your cell phone when you’re not snapping selfies. $5,195

3. You’ll be ready for your closeup in this vintage Chanel choker necklace. The gold iconic double Cs exude luxury. $2,195

4. Cat-eye sunglasses continue to dominate trends in 2023. The retro angles and striking white frame of this Saint Laurent pair ensure that all eyes are on you. $245

5. Chunky platform boots by Alexander McQueen add contrasting toughness to the feminine vibe of the tweed mini dress. Substitute white for basic black for an unexpected edge. $395

IIn the founding days of the city of Scottsdale, it probably would not have been surprising to see a stallion on a street corner. In this modern era, though, the streets are lined with more automobile horsepower than actual horses — until the Rotary Club of Scottsdale’s inaugural Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show Stallion Stampede “galloped” into town.

The three-month-long fundraiser, with support from The Arizona Super Bowl Welcoming Committee and Scottsdale Fashion Square, has a total of 17 beautifully painted stallions — ranging from 10- to 17-feet-tall — popping up all over the city.

Local businesses and individuals sponsor fiberglass stallions to be painted by Arizona-based artists and those pieces will ultimately be auctioned off to their permanent homes in support of multiple charitable causes at the Stampede Gala Auction at Royal Arabians in April.

The event, held on the final Saturday of the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, will be open to all who would like to participate and will include an online auction component, as well. Each stallion will be marked with a placard sign featuring that horse’s own webpage filled with details about the piece of art and its artist.

Artist Niki Woehler painted her rearing stallion, “Ransom,” in a Harlequin pattern with a glamorous palette of high-gloss black, white, silver, gold and bronze for the body. Its mane and tail are in chrome while Louboutin red hooves complete the high-style look.

Stallion Stampede chairman Charlie Kester says that an amazing team of people are working on the project — most of whom are members of the Rotary Club of Scottsdale. He sees this growing into a multi-year event and has taken a cue from similarly successful projects in Seattle, Chicago, New York, Bristol, England and across Europe and Asia.

“It’s a way of spreading smiles, promoting artists and raising millions of charity dollars,” Kester says.

He adds that artists were chosen under the supervision of artist chair Mary Blank, who contacted local museums, art schools and galleries to find the best participants possible for the inaugural event.

“Word spread fast and we’ve been blessed with an amazing group of artists who wanted to paint stations for the Stampede,” Kester says. “It’s been so hard for our sponsors to pick from among them. I’m just a simple horse trader, but I can tell you that the artists are amazing people — insanely talented — and are producing artwork that will create a great many smiles.”

Writer Shannon Severson

Photography Courtesy of Scottsdale Stallion Stampede

He has been my cohort and confidante. He’s heard my thoughts and my secrets; he’s shown me that I’m capable of jumping way past my comfort zone. It’s a beautiful feeling to know that the money he raises will go to wonderful charities. Niki Woehler

A January kick-off party was planned in the luxury concourse at Scottsdale Fashion Square to give partners and supporters a chance to meet the artists and see the artwork for the first time.

Artist Wendy Morris Tank’s stallion goes by the moniker “Desert Prince” and is made to look as realistic as possible.

“Ransom,” by artist Niki Woehler, has been sponsored by Barrett-Jackson charities to benefit the American Heart Association with a 10-day stint at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in January followed by its display in a window at Neiman Marcus’ Scottsdale Fashion Square location until April.

A HORSE WITH HEART

Scottsdale resident Niki Woehler is one of the artists chosen to adorn a stallion in her own style. She specializes in both organic, textural, often large-scale canvas works as well as abstract, high-gloss resin art panels and installations on wood, plexiglass and aluminum, which emphasize rich color and dimension, often resembling stones scattered with minerals.

Woehler was pleased to be connected with the Stampede through charity auctioneer Letitia Frye.

“When the Stampede approached her with this project, she suggested that I might be a great candidate to paint one of the stallions,” Woehler explains. “I’m so grateful and honored for her doing so. While it’s the inaugural year of the Stampede, I’d participate every single year if they granted me permission!”

Woehler painted her rearing stallion, “Ransom,” in a Harlequin pattern with a glamorous palette of high-gloss black, white, silver, gold and bronze for the body. Its mane and tail are in chrome while Louboutin red hooves complete the high-style look.

“Ransom” has been sponsored by Barrett-Jackson charities to benefit the American Heart Association with a 10-day stint at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in January followed by its display in a window at Neiman Marcus’ Scottsdale Fashion Square location until April’s auction.

“Ransom” was Woehler’s first foray into 3D art. She happened to have a huge fiberglass heart that had been sitting untouched in her studio for years that she decided to use as a practice canvas for her original plan — street-style graffiti art. But something changed her direction.

“At the time, I was personally healing from a broken heart,” Woehler explains. “So working on the physical heart was apropos. In the end, it was completely healing. The process began with Kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending things with gold. Then, I hurled paint at the heart, streaking it in places, while my favorite songs blasted through the studio. By the time the heart was finished, so was my sadness. I just felt tremendous joy and peace again. My heart was full and beautiful. I was ready to start my journey with ‘Ransom.’”

“Ransom” by Niki Woehler

Woehler says that she fell in love with the rearing stallion and, as she spent hours washing away the dirt and bugs from its long journey to Arizona, she felt the broken Kintsugi lines used on the heart no longer felt right.

“He deserved perfect, orchestrated gold lines,” Woehler says. “And then, when it came time to hurl paint at him, that also felt completely wrong. How could I throw anything at something I loved? I couldn’t. And that’s when I decided to fill in the shapes the lines created with color — beautiful, glamorous, rich colors; colors befitting the magnificent creature he is. And what’s more glamorous than red-bottomed shoes? So his hooves became the actual Louboutin red!”

Woehler ultimately painted “Ransom” with several coats of gloss white enamel, followed by a laborious process to create a precise network of metallic gold linework across the entire body of the horse — which took a week to complete. The colors were carefully mapped out so they would be staggered appropriately. “Ransom” was covered with sticky notes in the planned colors.

“I’m so glad I did that, because it would have been really easy to paint myself into a corner,” Woehler quips. “It was harder to map out than I would have thought.”

Woehler says that “Ransom” took more time and has been more work than every other painting she’s done — except for a 54-by-8-foot installation for a major real estate investment firm.

“I wouldn’t trade that time for the world,” Woehler concludes. “Every moment has been pure joy.”

She counts it as an honor to have been selected and feels like “Ransom” is now a member of her family. She even took to greeting him each morning when she entered the studio and bidding him “goodnight” when she wrapped up her day.

“He has been my cohort and confidante,” she says. “He’s heard my thoughts and my secrets; he’s shown me that I’m capable of jumping way past my comfort zone. It’s a beautiful feeling to know that the money he raises will go to wonderful charities. I’ve absolutely loved working with Charlie and the rest of the Stampede folks.”

ARABIAN ART

Wendy Morris Tank has been a working artist for more than 40 years and says that everything she does stems from her love of horses. The majestic creatures make up 100% of her subject matter and she has been heavily involved with the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show — including hand-painting the backdrop of the champions for more than 20 years.

She paints and sculpts, and has created many of the bronze trophies for the horse show and beyond, earning her national and international renown.

After sanding down the entire piece, artist Wendy Morris Tank set about the task to handpaint every detail: “Desert Prince’s” dapple gray coat, characteristic of Gray Arabian breeds who are born black or very dark shades and lighten to gray over time.

“Desert Prince” by Wendy Morris Tank

“I’ve worked on the trophies for the Run for a Million event, which is associated with the popular television show, ‘Yellowstone,’” Morris Tank reveals. “To sum it all up, I’ve been painting for over 20 years and sculpting for about 12 years.”

With her years of involvement with the Arabian Horse Association, Morris Tank was a natural fit for the Stampede. When Kester approached her about becoming involved in the cause, Morris Tank said she felt honored to be sought out based on her history with the association. The newness of the opportunity was especially thrilling.

“It’s so exciting to be a part of something that’s happening for the first time,” Morris Tank says.

Her stallion goes by the moniker “Desert Prince.” She says that her vision for the project came quickly, particularly because the bare original piece resembles a modern-looking Arabian stallion. She wanted to make him look as realistic as possible; that is, after all, what she is renowned for.

“I wanted to create a horse that looked like it could breathe and just run off,” Morris Tank says.

After sanding down the entire piece, Morris Tank set about the task to hand-paint every detail: his dapple gray coat, characteristic of Gray Arabian breeds who are born black or very dark shades and lighten to gray over time.

“In the process of graying out, they get these dapple colors which turn into a rainbow of gray tones,” Morris Tank says. “Dapple gray is one of my

favorite colors and since they don’t stay that color for their whole life, it’s a rare sighting to see the color I chose. I used metallic colors in his eyes so that when the lights hit the eyes just right, it looks just like a real eye.

“Authenticity was very important to me and I wanted to keep it simple. Basically, I wanted to do a gray horse that was in the prime time of his life at around 4–5 years old.”

For Morris Tank, the Stampede has been a nice change of pace and she loves that the project — combining her talent for sculpture and painting — is bringing awareness to Scottsdale, the arts community and Arabian horses. “Desert Prince” has also caught the eye of some of her equine colleagues.

“He’s not a heavy sculpture, but he’s so massive,” Morris Tank says. “I have a ranch with horses and whenever I move them around and they spot ‘Desert Prince,’ they are all very excited about the new guy on the block. They’re all wondering what’s wrong with him and, ‘Why is he not moving like us?’ I’ve just had a lot of fun doing this and bringing ‘Desert Prince’ to life. Watching him come to life has definitely been the best aspect and I’d love to do this annually.”

These life-size works of art for a cause are sure to attract attention and a lot of photographic poses as they charm the community on the streets of Scottsdale and eventually in the private businesses and homes that choose to purchase them at the auction in April.

stallionstampede.com instagram.com/thestallionstampede

WWe’ve all heard the saying, “Pitchers and catchers report.” For baseball fans, those rousing words signal not only an end to winter but also the beginning of one of the best times of year — spring training.

February is in an important month for sports in Phoenix. Hundreds of thousands of golf enthusiasts descend on the Valley each year for the WM Phoenix Open, and this year, more than 60,000 NFL fans will be cheering on their favorite football teams as the Super Bowl returns to State Farm Stadium in Glendale for the first time in eight years.

But the excitement doesn’t end there. Once the big games are over, the true fun begins as the 15 Major League Baseball teams that comprise the Cactus League take to the field. This year, spring training begins on Feb. 24 and runs through March 28.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BASEBALL’S FAVORITE SEASON

Spring training by MLB teams in locations other than their hometowns began in the late 1800s, when teams such as the Chicago White Stockings (now the Chicago Cubs), Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds began traveling to Hot Springs, Arkansas to prepare for the upcoming season. Additional popular spring training locations in the early 20th century included Tulsa, Oklahoma; New Orleans; West Palm Beach, Florida; and even Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Detroit Tigers were the first team to play in Phoenix; they trained at the now-defunct Riverside Park in the 1920s. The New York Yankees also trained in Phoenix when the team was owned by real estate developer Del Webb.

Other teams followed the World Series Champions to the Valley of the Sun during the midcentury. The Baltimore Orioles trained in Yuma. The Boston Red Sox took up residence

at Scottsdale Stadium. The Houston Colt 45s (now the Astros) made their spring home in Apache Junction. And the San Francisco Giants began training in Casa Grande.

For many fans, the charm of spring training is in its intimacy. Even the upper deck seats are close to the action. The players are more accessible than they are during the regular season. Overall, it’s a more relaxed environment than you’ll find almost anywhere in major pro sports.

Bridget Binsbacker

Writer Rebecca L. Rhoades

In 1954, spring training in Arizona was officially referred to as the Cactus League in response to the Grapefruit League, a selection of teams that played in Florida. Today, teams are equally divided between each location, with 15 teams training in 10 stadiums throughout the Greater Phoenix region.

GET READY FOR SPRING TRAINING 2023

So what can you expect this year? To learn more, Images Arizona spoke with Bridget Binsbacker, executive director of the Cactus League.

A Taste of the Cactus League

“Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks” isn’t just a line from the famous song, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” For years, those were about the only items available at baseball stadiums.

But as fans’ tastes became more discriminating and ballparks added newer and better amenities, the dining options became more creative. And while hot dogs and nachos are still found at any concession, they’re now joined by a variety of regionally influenced dishes.

Here are just some of the taste-temping treats you’ll find at Arizona’s spring training stadiums.

SALT RIVER FIELDS

Try the Talking Stick Mega Dog, which features a half-pound footlong hot dog topped with pork and mac and cheese.

SLOAN PARK

Chicago flavor abounds at the Cubs’ park, with Italian beef sandwiches and Chicago-style dogs headlining the menu.

CAMELBACK RANCH-GLENDALE

The four Peaks Patio Bar, a unique outdoor sports bar located in the right-field corner, offers a sausage grill and full bar with wine and spirits. Other popular fan stops are Wok-Off Noodles and Three Amigos Bar.

GOODYEAR BALLPARK

Grab some Ohio flavor with a Skyline chili dog, a Cincinnati favorite. Or, opt for some Sonoran flavor with The Desert Dwell, a beef hot dog garnished with prickly pear salsa. And don’t forget to grab some Montgomery Inn BBQ sauce from the team shop. The restaurant chain has been serving the Cincinnati area since the 1950s.

SURPRISE STADIUM

The stadium’s signature item is the Cactus Corn Dog. This cactusshaped, beer-battered smoked sausage corn dog is topped with jalapeño honey mustard.

TEMPE DIABLO STADIUM

Multiple stands offer traditional ballpark fare. Stop by the Fresh & Jive Grill Tent for wood-fired pizzas, wraps and loaded tots. There’s even a Greek salsa for something fresh on those hot spring afternoons.

AMERICAN FAMILY FIELDS OF PHOENIX

Savor a taste of Wisconsin with cheese curd cheeseburgers or Bratchos (nachos with bratwurst and cheese). Or, snack on some cheese curds while enjoying your favorite craft brew.

HOHOKAM STADIUM

Ike’s Love and Sandwiches offers some of the best nontraditional ballpark plates in the Cactus League. Sample the Mark McGuire sandwich, made with turkey, jack cheese and bacon or the Go A’s sandwich with roast beef and jack cheese. The Vegan Pilgrim features a vegan-style turkey and cranberry for a festive flavor.

PEORIA SPORTS COMPLEX

Craft burgers, foot-long bratwursts and beef-loaded nachos are just a few of the stadium’s tasty treats. Try the Frito Pie Hot Dog, a chili dog topped with crunchy Fritos, at Balboa Park Bistro located at the stadium’s concourse.

SCOTTSDALE STADIUM

A VIP experience at the Charro Lodge includes patio-style seating and all-inclusive food and drinks. Local businesses — including The Vig, Grimaldi’s Pizza and Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers — provide the delectable dishes.

Q: WHAT DOES SPRING TRAINING MEAN TO THE VALLEY?

A: I believe that the Cactus League is a source of pride for all Arizonans. And it is a significant source of revenue. Spring training games don’t count, but the money they generate does.

The most recent economic study of a full Cactus League season came in 2018, when Arizona State University researchers estimated an overall impact of $644.2 million. In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, ASU reported an estimated $363.6 million in economic impact. The Cactus League did not commission a study in 2021.

From an economic impact perspective, ASU researchers have called the Cactus League a mega event on par with the Super Bowl — but one that happens every spring. We have commissioned another study for the 2023 season, and with tourism rebounding, I expect a return to pre-COVID economic impact.

Q: HOW DOES SPRING TRAINING DIFFER FROM THE REGULAR SEASON?

A: For many fans, the charm of spring training is in its intimacy. Even the upper deck seats are close to the action. The players are more accessible than they are during the regular season. Overall, it’s a more relaxed environment than you’ll find almost anywhere in major pro sports. It really is a celebration of the game, so it’s no surprise that six out of 10 fans come from out of state to experience it (that’s according to recent ASU economic impact studies).

Q: ARE THERE ANY NEW DEVELOPMENTS THAT FANS CAN EXPECT THIS YEAR?

A: For fans, the biggest development has been an earlier start to the season. When MLB pushed the start of spring training into February, it created an opportunity for more local fans to attend before the influx of out-of-state visitors, which occurs in mid-March. The demand for tickets isn’t as strong in the early weeks, but the weather is just as beautiful. We want to make sure Valley residents know about that opportunity to enjoy baseball during the best time of year in Arizona.

Q: THE 2021 AND EVEN 2022 SEASONS WERE STILL OVERSHADOWED BY COVID. WHAT RESPONSE ARE YOU SEEING FROM THE TEAMS REGARDING THE 2023 SEASON.

A: Everyone I speak to is excited about the prospect of a “normal” spring training season. It seems like it has been forever since we had one of those — and that is a reason to celebrate.

Q: WHAT DO YOU HOPE FANS WILL TAKE AWAY FROM THE 2023 SEASON?

A: For out-of-state visitors, I want them to take away priceless memories of their time in the Grand Canyon State. I hope that their experiences — before, during and after the games — would make them want to return again and again. And ASU studies show that about a third of out-of-state visitors had attended spring training for at least five seasons. Generations of baseball fans have fallen in love with Arizona, and they return year after year.

For local residents, I want them to enjoy the games with friends and family — and I hope they understand that the heavy investment in spring training facilities by the host municipalities and the tribal community has created a major economic benefit for the state.

cactusleague.com

Know Your Teams

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Stadium: Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale

2022 Season Results: The D-Backs finished 74-88, placing fourth in the National League West.

Rookie to Watch: Corbin Carroll, outfield

CHICAGO CUBS

Stadium: Sloan Park, 2330 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa

2022 Season Results: The Cubs finished 74-88, placing third in the National League Central.

Rookie to Watch: Matt Mervis, first base

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Stadium: Camelback RanchGlendale, 10710 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix

2022 Season Results: The White Sox finished 81-81, placing second in the America League Central.

Rookie to Watch: Oscar Colas, outfield

CINCINNATI REDS

Stadium: Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear

2022 Season Results: The Reds finished 62-100, placing fourth in the National League Central.

Rookie to Watch: Spencer Steer, infield

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS

Stadium: Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear

2022 Season Results: The Guardians finished 92-70, placing first in the American League Central.

Rookie to Watch: Bo Naylor, catcher

COLORADO ROCKIES

Stadium: Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale

2022 Season Results: The Rockies finished 68-94, placing fifth in the National League West.

Rookie to Watch: Ezequiel Tovar, shortstop

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Stadium: Surprise Stadium, 15930 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise

2022 Season Results: The Royals finished 65-97, placing fifth in the American League Central.

Rookie to Watch: Drew Waters, outfield

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

Stadium: Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Drive, Tempe

2022 Season Results: The Angels finished 73-89, placing third in the American League West.

Rookie to Watch: Logan O’Hoppe, catcher

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Stadium: Camelback RanchGlendale, 10710 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix

2022 Season Results: The Dodgers finished 111-51, placing first in the National League West.

Rookie to Watch: Miguel Vargas, infield

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Stadium: American Family Fields of Phoenix, 3805 N. 53rd Ave., Phoenix

2022 Season Results: The Brewers finished 86-76, placing second in the National League Central.

Rookie to Watch: Sal Frelick, outfield

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

Stadium: Hohokam Stadium, 1235 N. Center St., Mesa

2022 Season Results: The Athletics finished 60-102, placing fifth in the American League West.

Rookie to Watch: Zack Gelof, third base

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Stadium: Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria

2022 Season Results: The Padres finished 89-73, placing second in the National League West.

Rookie to Watch: Eguy Rosario, infield

SAN FRANSISCO GIANTS

Stadium: Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale

2022 Season Results: The Giants finished 81-81, placing third in the National League West.

Rookie to Watch: Kyle Harrison, left-handed pitcher

SEATTLE MARINERS

Stadium: Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria

2022 Season Results: The Mariners finished 90-72, placing second in the American League West.

Rookie to Watch: Emerson Hancock, right-handed pitcher

TEXAS RANGERS

Stadium: Surprise Stadium, 15930 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise

2022 Season Results: The Rangers finished 68-940, placing second in the National League West.

Rookie to Watch: Josh Jung, third base

OOnce upon a time, there lived a woman named Megan who loved animals so much that she regularly volunteered with nonprofit organizations dedicated to their care.

Megan and her partner Phil especially enjoyed volunteering at Better Piggies Rescue in the beautiful town of Cave Creek. It was not long until Phil fell madly in love with one of the residents at Better Piggies Rescue — a particularly adorable swine named Solange.

One day while recycling newspaper to wrap Christmas gifts, Megan and Phil came across a listing for a small piece of property in Peoria that looked like the perfect place to call home for themselves and Phil’s curlytailed friend. Because Solange had developed a strong bond with another Better Piggies Rescue resident, they invited him to join them as well.

“We thought, it will be them two and us two, we will live happily ever after and that will be it,” Megan says.

However, fate had bigger plans for them when a friend of Megan’s father called to ask if they would adopt a charming goat named Barb whom his daughter had raised as a member of Future Farmers of America — an

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organization dedicated to preparing youth for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture.

Megan and Phil happily invited Barb to join their clan and had the thought to open their home — and their hearts — to other four-legged individuals who might otherwise have no place to go.

“We felt really supported and encouraged by our friends, family and community,” Megan says. “We started building pens and setting up living structures and now we have 27 residents who live with us. I feel like a Disney princess because, every day when I walk outside, I have got all of these animals [saying in their own unique ways], ‘Hey Mom! Come play with us! We love you!’”

VEGAN VENUE

Megan Howell and Phil Walker founded Lamuella Animal Sanctuary in 2020, a few years after they had made the decision to go vegan. Having heard great things about the lifestyle from friends, Howell in 2016 cut out all foods derived from animals from her diet for 30 days. She felt so good after her trial period that she stuck with it. Walker followed suit shortly thereafter.

“Phil’s family is from Minnesota, so they are all about their cheese and dairy,” Howell says. “It was very surprising to them when he decided to go vegan after I introduced him to the individuals at Better Piggies Rescue. He did not do it all at once like I did, though. He took it in steps, cutting out one product at a time. Cheese was the last one to go and that was the hardest one for him.”

I feel like a Disney princess because, every day when I walk outside, I have got all of these animals [saying in their own unique ways], ‘Hey Mom!

Come play with us! We love you!’ Megan Howell

Writer Joseph

Airdo // Photography by Alexandra Buxbaum

The two have since learned how to make cashew cheese, thereby allowing Walker to still enjoy the creamy concoction that is deeply rooted in his family’s culture — albeit in a modified form.

Unlike non-vegan animal sanctuaries, Lamuella not only provides rescue, rehabilitation and enrichment to its residents but also respects their space, boundaries and circumstances.

“For example, we have chickens that lay eggs and we feed those eggs back to them because, in our view, they do not lay eggs for us,” Howell explains. “They lay them out of a natural thing. But it is actually very healthy for those chickens to eat those eggs and get those nutrients back. We also do not use any of their droppings as fertilizer or compost because they cannot enthusiastically consent to us taking those things away from them.”

Residents at Lamuella Animal Sanctuary are also discouraged from breeding with one another and no one is expected to be friendly or social if they do not choose to be.

“We have some individuals that have been very severely traumatized by humans in their lives,” Howell says. “So some of them do not want to hang out with people. They just want to hang out with their own friends that are in

the backyard. We just kind of let them do their thing. If and when they feel like blessing us with their attention, then they will. They follow their own rules. We are just the side characters in their movie.”

And there certainly are a lot of characters at Lamuella competing for the starring role, from Muchacho the cat, who casually strolls across Howell’s keyboard during Zoom interviews with journalists, to Paul the pig, who greets guests and excitedly invites them to see his little corner of the sanctuary.

“Paul is the friendliest and most remarkable pig that I have ever met in my entire life,” Howell says. “He is black and white and kind of looks like he is wearing a little tuxedo. He has the most commanding personality. He is always trying to help us out with our chores.

“He also loves to collect things in his room, which is made out of deconstructed pallets. Some of the wood makes little shelves and he collects rocks, sticks and other things that he finds around the yard. He even has a golf ball and a coconut shell on his shelves. The personalities of these animals are just mind-blowing.”

Speaking of personalities, you might say that Red the turkey is the resident diva.

“Red likes to put her big tail feathers on display,” Howell says. “She only does that for new people. She likes to show off and walk around as if she is saying, ‘I need you to think that I am gorgeous so I am going to show you everything that I have got.’”

BRIGHT-EYED & BUSHY-TAILED

In addition to Paul and Solange, Lamuella Animal Sanctuary is home to six other pigs. Red is the lone turkey of the bunch but shares the yard with three hens, one rooster and one currently hibernating tortoise as well as Babe and seven other goats.

“Some of our goats are a little bit shy,” Howell adds. “It takes a little bit for them to warm up to you. But if they see their other goat friends coming up and getting attention and pets from you, then they will know it is safe and come up to you as well.

“We are also home to some native cottontail bunnies that live beneath our barn and our neighbor's house.

They are frequently running around and we give them scraps and leftovers so they do not feel neglected. They like to hang out with all of the animals. We often see them sunbathing next to the pigs and playing around with the chickens. Everybody has a good time.”

Muchacho shares the house with one other rescue cat as well as a red-eared slider that was rescued from a nearby irrigation ditch. Oh, and Howell and Walker live there, too.

You might assume that with so many residents and therefore responsibilities, the pair would call Lamuella Animal Sanctuary their full-time job. However, Howell and Walker allot all money received from the nonprofit organization’s generous donors directly to the residents to pay for their food, medical care, enrichment toys and other supplies.

“We still have our normal 9-to-5 jobs,” Howell says. “Phil is a data scientist at a cancer research company and I work in DoorDash’s fraud department.”

Fortunately, their workplaces are very understanding and allow them to step away from their computers or work from home if they need to do so for the animal sanctuary. Howell and Walker also have plenty of help from volunteers who are more than happy to spend time with Lamuella’s bright-eyed and bushytailed residents.

“Our goal is to provide these individuals with a loving and respectful home,” Howell says. “One of our residents has mobility issues as well as PTSD because he was severely abused before he came to live with us. You can tell just by looking at him that something is a little off. But once you get to know him, he opens up and is just the biggest sweetheart.”

Additionally, Howell and Walker use Lamuella Animal Sanctuary as an educational tool, discouraging people from seeing animals as accessories or things that we can use or exploit.

“A lot of people see these animals as food sources,” Howell explains. “They think, ‘I could get milk from this goat or eggs from these chickens.’ But we want to teach people that they can instead

get companionship, love and mutual respect from them. That was one of the first things that I learned when I went vegan and started volunteering at animal sanctuaries.

“Once you see a pig flop down and ask for belly rubs, you make that connection and can never go back. That is very much what it was for us. And that is what it is for our volunteers and supporters as well.

“[Each animal] has a different personality and finds enjoyment in different things. Some of our residents even like a certain type of music. If you put music on a Bluetooth speaker, they will really get into it. Others really like storytime and will just sit next to you and listen as you read to them.”

BOOP YOUR SNOOT

To further spread that lesson, Lamuella Animal Sanctuary often welcomes groups of individuals — such as at-risk youth — who help with projects and chores or simply just hang out with the residents. Howell says that it is a great way for kids — or even adults — to learn a few skills that are not typically taught nowadays.

“Who has farm experience these days?” she asks. “It is all about, ‘Can you code?’ or ‘Can you crypto’ or ‘Can you make a TikTok?’ But do you know how to brush a goat? Do you know how to help a chicken get themselves clean? Have you ever mucked a stall before?

“Just spending time with animals is not something that a lot of people have the opportunity to do. But when they are here, they learn fun facts like where a chicken’s ears are and what certain body movements mean and what a turkey might be telling you when she does this or that. They get a lot of education. And they feel a sense of

accomplishment, as well, because they are helping these animals.”

Even Howell and Walker have discovered new skills and unearthed their own previously untapped potential through Lamuella Animal Sanctuary.

“We have learned how to build things safely and how to predator-proof pins,” Howell explains. “But we have also learned much more about ourselves. I am a small human. I am 5-foot-5 and weigh 115 pounds. But I have learned that I am so much stronger than I ever thought I was. I can lift heavy things. I can do physical labor.

“And we have had some hard times at the sanctuary. Individuals pass and we have to go through that process. We have learned that we are much more resilient than we thought when we were. We have also learned a lot about compassion when it comes to not just the animals but people as well.”

Three years after founding Lamuella Animal Sanctuary, Howell still pinches herself just to make sure that she has not fallen into a fairytale.

“It is very much that Disney princess, ‘Snow White’ vibe here,” she says. “You can sit in the grass, literally surrounded by pigs and goats who just want to hang out with you. Our pigs will nudge you and even give you kisses if you ask for them. They will come up and boop your snoot. That is my favorite. Then they will lead you toward one of the holes that they have been digging in the backyard as if to show off and say, ‘Look at what I have been working on all day!’ And it is literally just a hole in the ground. But they are very excited about it and love making friends.”

lamuellasanctuary.org

STAGECOACH

Village

Proudly embarking this year on its third decade of providing its clients with eye-catching, wearable art and home decor, Cimarron River Company strives to represent Native American culture through its wide selection of collectible jewelry, rugs, pottery and art.

Each and every item in the company’s collection has been meticulously sought, hand-selected and personally purchased by owner Connie Miller, who aspires to carry hard-to-find and one-of-a-kind pieces, thereby creating a unique shopping experience for her valued customers.

“My husband was the one who loved turquoise jewelry and was responsible for teaching me the appreciation for the talent and craftsmanship of Native American artists,” Miller says. “He was a collector of turquoise jewelry and Navajo rugs before we were married in

1978. So my love of turquoise jewelry has deep roots — along with my strong appreciation of ranching and good horses.”

Founded in 2002, Cimarron River Company is one of four stores inside Cave Creek’s Stick Horse Gallery, where a large assortment of all things decorative and fun for your home and an always-on coffee pot await visitors.

“Stop by for a cup of coffee and enjoy the wonderful variety of stores within Stick Horse Gallery,” Miller says. “At its heart, Cimarron River Company represents Southern hospitality and a passion for lovely Native American creations. I look forward to seeing customers old and new, so come on down to Stagecoach Village, say hello and allow me to share the appreciation my husband taught me to have for these remarkable pieces with you!”

Cimarron River Company

DINING GUIDE

Venues Cafe

TThis Valentine’s Day, in addition to a satiating selection from its regular dinner menu, Venus Cafe will offer two momentous dining options designed to set the amorous mood for a remarkably romantic evening. Either one will wow your special someone — or yourself, should you rightfully wish to indulge in their fabulous flavors.

Venues’ Surf and Turf option features fresh flowers adorning a 6-ounce filet served with a demi-glace laced with a hint of dark chocolate and complimented with a 7- to 8-ounce rock lobster tail, drawn butter, heartshaped scalloped potatoes and sauteed asparagus. The cafe will also offer a 7-ounce classic sea bass served with saffron rice and sauteed asparagus. Both options come with your choice of soup or salad and dessert.

Though Valentine’s Day provides the perfect excuse to celebrate, love is in the air every day of the year at Venues Cafe, which has been offering its customers an upscaleyet-casual dining experience for the past 12 years. The beautiful building — which provides the ambience of multiple textures of brick, copper, wood and stone — sits adjacent to the Carefree Sundial and directly across from the picturesque town center park.

Take advantage of the town’s fabulous fresh air while dining on Venues’ gorgeous outdoor patio, complete with plenty of shady umbrellas to keep you cool during the day and several toasty heaters to keep you cozy at night. Or enjoy your meal inside, where a warm fireplace is situated next to a very well-stocked wine cellar. Inside and out, the cafe boasts an atmosphere that invites you to settle in and relax while enjoying a meal that touches your heart and soothes your soul.

Having perfected comfort food with a Southwestern flair, Venues Cafe has become many regular diners’ home away from home. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to save your spot for any meal through Yelp Reservations — especially this Valentine’s Day.

RECIPE

Iced Heart Cookies

Makes: 30 cookies

Ingredients:

Cookies:

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Royal Icing:

2-3/4 cups confectioner’s sugar

1 large egg white

Pink gel food coloring (optional)

Directions:

In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl attached to a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat egg and vanilla into the butter mixture, then reduce speed to low and gradually add flour mixture. Beat until just combined. Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap each in plastic and freeze until firm, about 20 minutes.

There is nothing that says “I love you” more than homemade iced heart cookies. They are easy to make, beautiful to look at and — of course delicious to eat. The way to anyone’s heart is through these cookies. Simply top cookies with sprinkles immediately after icing or let rest for two hours and apply a paint-stroke finish for an extra decorative look. Happy Valentine's Day!

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment. Remove one disk of dough, let stand for 5–10 minutes then roll out between two sheets of floured parchment, dusting with flour as needed, until 1/4-inch thick. Cut shapes with 2-1/2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutters. Using a spatula, transfer to prepared baking sheets. Re-roll scraps and cut more shapes. Repeat with remaining disk of dough.

Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges are golden, about 12 minutes. Let cool completely on wire racks.

In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine confectioner’s sugar and egg white on low speed. Add 1/4 cup water, then increase speed to medium-high and mix until icing briefly holds a ribbon-like trail on the surface when you raise the paddle, about 10 minutes. Reduce speed to low and mix for an additional minute to eliminate air bubbles.

Dip the top side of each cooled cookie into the royal icing. Tilt the cookie so that excess icing drips off back into the bowl. Place the iced cookie on a rack set inside a baking pan or over aluminum foil for easy cleanup.

To create a paint-stroke finish, mix a few drops of pink gel food coloring into a small bowl of water to achieve preferred depth. Dip the tip of a brand-new paintbrush into the pink water and “paint” over the cookies. Repeat until all cookies are painted. Let rest until dry. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to one week.

Writer and Photographer Francine Coles thefancypantskitchen.com

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