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October 2020
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THE ARIZONA REAL ESTATE MARKET IS HOT
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10968 E Scopa Trail Scottsdale AZ 85262 5 Bedroom | 4.5 Bath | 4,587 Sqft | Mirabel Village SOLD FOR $1,200,000
10040 E Happy Valley Road 341 Scottsdale AZ 85255 3 Bedroom | 3 Bath | 3,118 Sqft | Desert Highlands Offered at $1,099,000
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5684 E Bent Tree Drive Scottsdale AZ 85266 5 Bedroom | 3.5 Bath | 3,570 Sqft | Preserve SOLD FOR $766,300
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(480) 400-1984 | www.BVOLuxuryGroup.com 3 October 2020
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S SA AN ND DE ER RS SO ON N L L II N NC CO OL LN N
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J O I N
U S
F O R
C A R E F R E E
F I N E
A R T
WA L K
C O M E M E E T A M Y L A Y O N T H U R S D A Y , O C T O B E R 1 F R O M 4 T O 7 PM
“Trio Among Blooms,” Trevor Swanson, Painting on Patina Metal, 30 x 20 in
“Roadrunner,” Bryce Pettit, bronze, 30 x 10 x 25.5 in
T R E V O R B RY C E A M Y
S WA N S O N
P E T T I T
L AY
“Carefree Condo,” Amy Lay, Mixed Media on canvas, 36 x 72 in
W I L D L I F E
W I L D L I F E
C O N T E M P O R A RY
B R O N Z E
A R T I S T S C U L P TO R
W I L D L I F E
A R T I S T
INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES, HOME FURNISHINGS & FINE ART GALLERY 36889 N. Tom Darlington Dr. Suite B1, Carefree | 480-595-0171 | suebickerdyke.com October 2020 imagesar iz ona .c om Hours: Mon. thru Sat. 9am - 5pm Allied ASID
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ARIZONA FOOTHILLS 911 Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Bryan Black
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COMMUNITY EVENTS Writer Joseph J. Airdo
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LOCAL FACES Writer Joseph J. Airdo
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OMINOUS LIMBS BEAUTIFUL BRANCHES Writer Joseph J. Airdo
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Photography by Dave Theroux
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GEDION NYANHONGO CARVING SERENE BEAUTY Writer Sue Kern-Fleischer Photography Courtesy of Gedion Nyanhongo
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BAKED MEATBALLS Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly
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October 2020
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PUBLISHER Shelly Spence
MANAGING EDITOR Joseph J. Airdo
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Meaghan Hanie
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joseph J. Airdo Sue Kern-Fleischer Kyndra Kelly Shannon Severson
PHOTOGRAPHERS Bryan Black Brandon Dunham Kyndra Kelly Loralei Lazurek Carl Schultz
ADVERTISING SALES Cooper Langston 480-544-8721 cooper@imagesaz.com
Images Arizona P.O. Box 1416 Carefree, AZ. 85377 623-341-8221 imagesarizona.com Submission of news for community section should be in to shelly@imagesaz.com by the 5th of the month prior to publication. Images Arizona is published by ImagesAZ Inc. Copyright © 2020 by ImagesAZ, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or part, without permission is prohibited.
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We have likely all used the phrase, “Stop the world, I want to get off,” from time to time as life’s inevitable stressors have bore down on us. Over the past several months, it may have seemed as though we got our irrational wish as the world finally did stop momentarily — or at least slow down — as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no doubt that the past several months have caused tremendous hardship and pain, but they have also allowed and even encouraged us to see ourselves, our families, our friends and our neighbors in a new light — one that we tend to turn a blind-eye to during our normally hectic day-to-day lives. My family and I have had quite a lot of doctors and hospitals in our lives lately. These past several months have been incredibly challenging for me, as they have been for many others. As a result, I have been reminded of just how important my family is to me. Moreover, my children have been my guiding light and my strength, offering much needed help and support to me during this difficult time. I have never been as proud of each of them as I have been over these past several months. Family dinners have become more regular and suddenly have a newfound importance. I consider myself to be exceptionally fortunate to have had a little extra time to spend with my family over these past several months — time that is typically forsaken but that I will now make every effort to retain for it is truly a precious commodity. My heart is with anyone and everyone who has experienced hardship and pain over the past several months. It is my hope that this month’s issue helps that new light on the many amazing people in our community to shine even brighter.
The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited material.
Cheers!
Local First A R I Z O NA 12
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Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221
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ANCIENT + OLD TRUNK SHOW Fri. & Sat.
| Oct. 16-17 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Grace Renee Gallery | Historic Spanish Village | 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ | GraceReneeGallery.com i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Oc tob e r 2 02480-575-8080 0 14
ANCIENT + OLD TRUNK SHOW Fri. & Sat.
| Oct. 16-17 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Grace Renee Gallery | Historic Spanish Village | 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ 480-575-8080 | GraceReneeGallery.com October 2020 imagesar iz ona .c om 15
Last year, Summy Parker founded Arizona Foothills 911 — an organization that is dedicated to responding to emergency situations in Carefree, Cave Creek, Desert Hills, New River, North Scottsdale and Rio Verde.
Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Bryan Black
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On May 17, a wildfire started off Desert Hills Drive in Cave Creek. Known as the East Desert Fire, the wildfire spread rapidly over the course of just a few hours, threatening several homes and eventually burning nearly 1,500 acres. Unfortunately, the incident was only the first in a series of wildfires that ravaged North Valley communities this summer as it was quickly followed by the Ocotillo Fire — also in Cave Creek — which burned an additional 980 acres and destroyed 20 buildings, including eight homes. Less than one month later, the Aguila Fire destroyed six structures and burned nearly 900 acres in Desert Hills. In a year of so much unprecedented misfortune, our wildfire season has only exacerbated the heartache experienced by our communities. However, it has also given our communities an opportunity to rise up and show what truly makes them special. “I think that right now there is so much bad stuff going on in the world,” says Cave Creek resident Sunny Parker. “We have a huge election going on and people are very opinionated about what they feel. But when you are talking to animal lovers and people who have livestock — like those who make up our North Valley communities — it is a whole different story. Nobody cares about anything other than ensuring that their neighbors are being taken care of.” Last year, Parker founded Arizona Foothills 911 — an organization that is dedicated to responding to emergency situations in Carefree, Cave Creek, Desert Hills, New River, North Scottsdale and Rio Verde. She and countless other volunteers helped people not
only evacuate their homes but also have a safe place to keep their pets and livestock during each of the three wildfires that ravaged our communities this summer.
A HUGE UNDERTAKING
“It started with a promise I made,” Parker says. “My son Brian was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and he slipped into a coma minutes after we got to the hospital. They told me that he had zero chance of making it. They said that he would not survive. “I made a promise to the man upstairs that if He spared my son’s life, I would spend the rest of my life doing something good. Brian is now not only alive and well, but everything is perfect. So I am keeping my promise.” Shortly after Brian recovered, Parker traveled to California for a horse show with which her daughter was involved. While there, she witnessed the California wildfires first-hand. Noticing that California’s landscape was not too different from our own, she began to worry about potential wildfire danger in our North Valley communities. “I knew then that it was not a matter of if it was going to happen but a matter of when it was going to happen,” Parker says. “I came back home and realized that there was nothing in the area that covers what could possibly happen. I discussed doing something about it with a few people and while they all said it was a great idea, they thought it was too huge of an undertaking.” Parker proceeded anyway, creating a Facebook page just to see what would happen. She slowly saw
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Photographer John Fritz
Photographer John Fritz
Photographer John Fritz
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the page’s number of followers increase as she began discussing the significance of wildfire awareness and preparation with people in North Valley communities.
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At Images Arizona’s press time, Arizona Foothills 911’s Facebook page had more than 9,000 followers.
A COMMUNITY IN CRISIS
Arizona Foothills 911’s first real test occurred when the East Desert Fire started. Parker received permission to use Cave Creek’s Frontier Town as a staging area for the incident as volunteers helped evacuate residents, pets and livestock. “I just put out a plea on Arizona Foothills 911’s Facebook page and within minutes I had 20 people offering to help with horse trucks and trailers,” Parker says. “We got everybody out that needed to get out and we began to plan a meeting so that we could figure out how to do things better.” However, before that meeting could take place, the Ocotillo Fire started. “We did not have the time to do that and it really did not matter,” Parker explains. “What mattered was that we did it. People were counting us to help them figure out not only how to get out themselves but also how to get their animals out and find places for them where they would be safely returned to them. During that particular situation, we got a lot of new volunteers.”
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In addition to a career in physician credentialing, Parker had been working at Wal-Mart in Cave Creek so that she could put aside money to register Arizona Foothills 911 as an official nonprofit organization to help secure things that will improve its operations.
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“During [the East Desert Fire], I had been up for 40-something hours and I had to go to work the next day,” Parker says. “I did it and I managed to get through it. But when [the Ocotillo Fire] broke out, I realized that I had to give this everything I had or it was not going to work.”
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Parker’s supervisor at Wal-Mart graciously granted her a leave of absence, giving her the time to truly help the community through the crisis. She now considers Arizona Foothills 911 to be her full-time job. State Farm Bloomington, IL 2001292
October 2020
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Summy Parker and countless other volunteers helped people not only evacuate their homes but also have a safe place to keep their pets and livestock during each of the three wildfires that ravaged our communities this summer.
“After the overwhelming feeling that I got during the Ocotillo Fire — the hurt and the fear I saw in the people who were counting on me — I knew that I could not possibly give the residents of this area everything I have got If I have commitments to other things,” Parker says. “It became obvious to me that I had to do this 100% of the time.” Less than one month later, Parker received confirmation that she had made the right decision when the Aguila Fire threatened Desert Hills. “I was driving, saw the smoke and within 20 minutes we had [Cave Creek’s] rodeo grounds opened as we started moving people,” Parker says. “A lady called me from California and said she needed my help to get her elderly parents out safely. We had veterinarians who came out to help injured horses. We had hundreds of animals there. We had llamas, pigs, goats and sugar gliders — you name the critter and it was there.”
A NEW SET OF PROBLEMS
As Arizona’s wildfire season has thankfully come to a close for another year, Parker acknowledges that Arizona Foothills 911’s work is never over. She is now shifting her focus to educating North Valley communities about preparedness procedures and safe practices in emergency situations. One of the most important lessons that she hopes to bestow upon people is to avoid doing anything that may interfere with emergency personnel being able to quickly and safely do their jobs. For example, as fascinating as wildfires may appear, Parker is begging people not to pull over to the side of the road to take pictures and videos.
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“You can really be impeding what the fire department is doing,” she explains. “You can watch the news later. Seconds can literally cost lives. Every second that firefighters are out there is one second too long and if we can get them out of there faster by not being in their way then we need to do that.” Parker is also focused on the aftermath of this year’s particularly active wildfire season. As much of the vegetation in North Valley communities is gone, the inevitable flooding as a result of this fall and winter’s thunderstorms has become an enormous concern. “That is going to cause a whole new set of problems, particularly because we do not have any idea which way the water is going to go,” Parker says.
ANSWERING THE CALL
Of course, wildfires and other natural disasters are only one segment of the emergencies to which Arizona Foothills 911 answers the call. “When the COVID-19 pandemic started, I received a phone call from a woman whose son had some disabilities,” Parker says. “A cat that was his support animal was left behind in Washington. I flew all the way to Washington and picked up this kid's cat. It was amazing to me because the airport was like a ghost town and I was the only person on the plane. It was so weird.” Since founding the organization, Parker has picked up and delivered prescriptions for people who were unable to do so themselves and even facilitated assistance for people whose horse trailers have broken down on the side of the road. “We are here for any emergency situation that is not the type of
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Sunny Parker is now shifting her focus to educating North Valley communities about preparedness procedures and safe practices in emergency situations.
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Sunny Parker is also focused on the aftermath of this year’s particularly active wildfire season. As much of the vegetation in North Valley communities is gone, the inevitable flooding as a result of this fall and winter’s thunderstorms has become an enormous concern.
emergency that would require a real 911 call,” she explains. “I am hoping at some point to be able to have all of the materials and things that we need to ensure that Arizona Foothills 911 becomes a really strong place where people can come to us and know that no matter what they need we can help them.” Parker reiterates that she fully intends to honor the promise she made to the man upstairs and do this for the rest of her life. She admits that it is a lot of work but she has never felt more rewarded by a job. “To be able to do something like this, to change somebody's life — even in the case of the young man who just needed his cat back — is what makes it all worth it,” Parker says. “We are doing something to change people's lives for the better. I believe that we as people have got to do the best that we can for each other and try really hard to stay as positive as we can at all times so that we can be better people. “We all have it in us to be better. You can look around all you want and you are going to see everything negative under the sun. But one person can make a difference. You alone have the ability to change someone's life for the better — or for the worse, so choose wisely.”
Parker adds that her son's situation completely changed her as a person and she is eternally grateful for that. However, she acknowledges that she alone does not make up Arizona Foothills 911. “The credit goes to every single person who volunteers, every single person who is on the phone, every single person who goes out to grab a trailer and pick up a horse,” she explains. “It is this community that makes Arizona Foothills 911 so strong. I could never have done any of this without the support of this incredible community that we live in.” Parker adds that North Valley neighbors stepped up to the plate in a way that she never even dreamed they would have. She considers the amazing outpouring of support to be the true definition of a community — something that is somewhat unique to the North Valley. “I think that there is something very special to be said about the type of communities we live in,” Parker explains. “We are just different. I think that we are still considered part of the Old West, so we have that lifestyle of people helping people just because it is the right thing to do.” facebook.com/groups/AZFH911
COMMUNITY Arizona Foothills 911 To request assistance, call 480-204-4443. To volunteer, e-mail arizonafoothills911@gmail.com.
October 2020
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CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY + ART
Experience chic South Sea pearls by Alessandra Donà — ultimately feminine and uniquely Italian.
[
October 22 - 31
Call for private appointment or come by to see this beautiful collection.
]
Grace Renee Gallery 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ 85377 Open Mon.–Wed. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Open Late Thur.–Sat.until 7 p.m. 480.575.8080
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GraceReneeGallery.com
Alessandra DonĂ Timeless Collection: South Sea pearls and 18-karat gold with diamonds October 2020
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COMMUNITY
2020 OCTOBER
Writer Joseph J. Airdo
Sept. 19–Dec. 31
OUTSIDE THE FRAME EXHIBITION Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art presents mother and daughter artists Barbara Stauffacher Solomon and Nellie King Solomon in their first joint exhibition. Both artists were trained as architects but were never licensed, which might explain the way they establish rules, grids or frameworks only to challenge their very existence. At the heart of the pair’s artistic practice lies the confident ability to think and explore beyond the norm — or outside the frame. $10; discounts available for youth, students and seniors. See website for hours. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-874-4666; smoca.org
Keep in mind Although Images Arizona magazine has made every effort to publish
Sept. 1–Oct. 16
Sept. 19–Dec. 5
Organizers have shifted this year’s
Chandler's Vision Gallery is hosting
Foothills Empty Bowls Project
a series of art classes taught by
fundraiser to a virtual format,
professional artists for youth. Made
benefitting Foothills Food Bank
possible through the support of
FOOTHILLS EMPTY BOWLS PROJECT
VISION KIDS CLASSES
and Resource Center’s efforts to
the Chandler Cultural Foundation,
the most up-to-date information
provide emergency food, financial
Vision Kids classes are streamed
at press time, some events may be
assistance and other life necessities
online via Zoom each Saturday
canceled or rescheduled to comply
and resources to individuals and
and provide children with the
families in the Desert Foothills
opportunity to create art that
with social distancing measures and
area. Individuals can bid on art and
represents their own creativity.
other factors associated with the
purchase bowls donated by members
Participants develop important
COVID-19 pandemic. Please use
and friends of the Sonoran Arts
avenues for self-expression and
the contact information provided
League. Each bowl comes with a
an understanding of the creative
gift certificate for a spaghetti meal
process as they learn techniques in a
at Harold’s Cave Creek Corral.
variety of media — including pencil,
foothillsfoodbank.org
watercolor, ceramics, photography
to confirm dated details.
and more. Free. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. visiongallery.org/vision-kids
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Oct. 1
CAREFREE ART WALK
beautiful video created especially for the occasion. It will include songs of hope and encouragement as we collectively
Stroll, shop, dine and enjoy an evening
reach for better times. Free. 7:30 p.m.
celebrating the arts in downtown Carefree
sonorandesertchorale.org
while helping to support local businesses and local creativity — which makes our Arizona culture a better place to live,
Oct. 3–17
work and visit. Begin at any gallery, then
FLAMENCO INTIMO
continue on to other participating galleries.
Julia Chacón Flamenco Theatre
Enjoy a diverse display of artistic styles
will bring together national and
and mediums, meet the artists, enjoy
international flamenco dancers and
refreshments and engage in conversation
musicians to present unforgettable
about art and architecture. Free. 4–8 p.m.
shows select Saturdays in October. Each
See website for participating galleries.
performance features beautiful costumes,
visitcarefree.com
undulating arms, fiery footwork, intricate Spanish guitar and soul-
Oct. 1–11
FALL CAREFREE RESTAURANT WEEK
stirring vocals. $26+. 8 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org
Carefree Restaurant Association will organize an opportunity for the community to sample new and exciting
Oct. 3–Jan. 17
continue to support local restaurants.
URBAN MAPPING EXHIBITION
Throughout Fall Carefree Restaurant
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary
Week, participating restaurants will
Art will present a powerful exhibition
showcase their menus at discounted
that examines the concept of public
prices. Some restaurants will offer a
space from the perspectives of 10 Iranian
two-course lunch while others will offer
artists. The exhibition will shine a light
a three-course dinner for dine-in or take-
into the depths of the Iranian experience
out. See website for prices and locations.
normally hidden from the outside
carefreerestaurants.com
world by focusing on public and private
menu offerings and, in doing so,
spaces. Comprised of 40 photographs
Oct. 3
REACHING FOR THE LIGHT CONCERT
and four video installations, the works explore urban spaces as a nexus of social communication and political transformation. $10; discounts available
Sonoran Desert Chorale will offer
for youth, students and seniors. See
the first of its four regular concerts in
website for hours. Scottsdale Museum of
this year's virtual season. The online
Contemporary Art, 7374 E. Second St.,
concert will combine new virtual
Scottsdale. 480-874-4666; smoca.org
repertoire and recorded material from previous live concerts, all packaged in a
October 2020
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Oct. 8
ART + CHOCOLATE ARTWALK The Scottsdale Gallery Association will host an Art + Chocolate ArtWalk throughout the Scottsdale Arts District — which resides along Main Street from Scottsdale Road to Goldwater Boulevard and north of Indian School Road on Marshall Way to Fifth Avenue. Guests can peruse galleries and view local and national art while being serenaded by a steel drum band. Participating galleries will feature chocolate tasting courtesy of local chocolatier Cerreta Candy Company. Free. 6:30–9 p.m. See website for participating galleries. scottsdalegalleries.com
Oct. 10
GOLDEN REEF STAMP MILL DEMONSTRATION
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Oct. 12–18
Oct. 14
The Tour de Scottsdale will switch
PHOENIX ART MUSEUM REOPENING
gears to a virtual format for its 17th
Phoenix Art Museum will reopen to
Arizona’s only fully operational
annual event, allowing hundreds of
the general public, implementing new
ten-stamp ore crushing mill will
road warriors to keep the cycling
health and safety precautions designed
run several outdoor demonstrations
spirit alive and stay active and
to help keep patrons as safe as possible
ahead of Cave Creek Museum’s
healthy while still supporting the
during their visit. A number of new,
planned Nov. 1 reopening. Watch
McDowell Sonoran Conservancy.
vibrant installations and exhibitions
history come alive as the ten
Riders will have several registration
will be available upon reopening,
1,000-pound stamps slam down in
options to complete ride miles on
including Stories of Abstraction:
synchronized precision and hear the
their own. Participants can ride the
Contemporary Latin American Art
pounding echo against the Desert
official Tour de Scottsdale courses,
in the Global Context and Teresita
Foothills — just as it did more
log miles around their city or even
Fernández: Elemental. Additionally, the
than 140 years ago. Also on exhibit
in their home or fitness center on a
museum has extended exhibitions that
outdoors on the museum campus are
trainer. In addition to the traditional
patrons may not have had the chance
various pieces of equipment from
30- and 70-mile rides, the virtual
to experience prior to its closure,
the early mining days of Arizona and
event will introduce a new 15-mile
including Ansel Adams: Performing the
many agricultural tools used at local
course and a 5-mile fit family ride.
Print and India: Fashion’s Muse. A soft
farms and ranches. See website for
Those who register and complete
reopening for members is scheduled
times. Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E.
any of the distances will receive a
for Oct. 1. See website for prices and
Skyline Drive, Cave Creek. 480-488-
commemorative, distance-unique
hours. Phoenix Art Museum,1625 N.
2764; cavecreekmuseum.org
medal as well as a virtual goodie bag
Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-257-1880;
and other perks. tourdescottsdale.net
phxart.org
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Oc tob e r 2 02 0
TOUR DE SCOTTSDALE
Oct. 16 and 17
ANCIENT + OLD TRUNK SHOW Grace Renee Gallery will host an Ancient + Old Trunk Show, featuring Cynthia Ann Jewels. From tiny shops found along narrow brick roadways of Italian villages to eclectic European street fairs, Cynthia Ann discovers crosses, medals and jewelry from days of old. She “reloves” them, using modern metals and breathtaking stones to showcase their beauty and allow each piece’s personality, history and energy to shine. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, Suite 7, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com
Oct. 16–18
OUTDOOR GLASS PUMPKIN PATCH The Holland Center will host an outdoor exhibition of more than 1,000 whimsical, vibrantly colored glass pumpkins in a multitude of colors and sizes blown by glass artist Greg Tomb. The event will serve as a fundraiser, with 20% of proceeds benefiting The Holland Theatre. Free. See website for hours. The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. 480-488-1090; hollandcenter.org
Oct. 16–Nov. 1 DEATHTRAP
Fountain Hills Theater will present its production of “Death Trap” — a cunningly clever and comically twisted murder mystery by Ira Levin. See website for prices and times. Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. 480-837-9661; fhtaz.org
Oct. 19–23
STARRY KNIGHTS FUNDRAISER Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship will pivot its annual Starry Knights event to a virtual format, raising funds to support its efforts to offer free lessons in horsemanship to children and adults with physical disabilities. The nonprofit organization is selling Camelot Prize Packs — exclusive gift boxes that contain early access to an online silent auction, a door prize ticket and inclusion in the keynote video that explores the magic of Camelot through the hearts of its riders and supporters. $100+. Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship, 23623 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite D-3, Box 259, Scottsdale. 480.515.1542; camelotaz.org
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Oct. 28
SUSTAINABLE NATION Imagination Productions debuts its new hour-long documentary that follows three individuals who are doing their part to bring sustainable water solutions to an increasingly thirsty planet. $7. 6:30 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org
Oct. 24
LARSEN ART AUCTION
strength of purpose. $27+. 2–4 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-750-9466; musicanova.com
A supporter of Free Arts of Arizona since its inception, Larsen Gallery will host an art auction through
HARRY POTTER HALLOWEEN English Rose Tea Room will host a
Oct. 30
Harry Potter-themed Halloween party. The event will feature special guests
the organization to benefit its
BROADWAY FRIGHT NIGHT
Professional Artist Series. Highlights
Scottsdale Center for the Performing
201 Easy St., Suite 103, Carefree. 480-
include work from Jim Dine, Andy
Arts will host a celebration of songs
488-4812; carefreetea.com
Warhol, Sam Francis, Logan Hagege,
from Broadway and Off-Broadway
Allan Houser and Ed Mell. Free. 10
musicals with supernatural, horror
a.m. Larsen Gallery, 3705 N. Bishop
and sci-fi themes. Created and
Lane, Scottsdale. 480-941-0900;
hosted by New York City casting
larsenartauction.com
director Stephen DeAngelis, the
which it will donate funds to
Oct. 25
ON WINGS OF HOPE CONCERT
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Oct. 31
and prizes for best costumes. RSVP. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. English Rose Tea Room,
Nov. 6–10
show will feature five of Broadway’s
SCOTTSDALE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
finest vocalists paying homage to
The Scottsdale International Film
the theater world’s most original,
Festival will pivot to a virtual format
intriguing and terrifying characters.
for its 20th annual event, giving
$25. 8 p.m. Scottsdale Center for
moviegoers the opportunity to
MusicaNova Orchestra will open
the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second
travel the world and enjoy cinema
its season with an uplifting concert
St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587;
from the comfort and safety of
of renewal, shared humanity and
scottsdaleperformingarts.org
their own homes. Using innovative
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technologies, the virtual festival will allow participants to easily build a customized schedule. With a selection of comedies, dramas, documentaries, thrillers and more, audiences are certain to find their niche watching one, several or all of the films in the festival schedule. scottsdalefilmfestival.com
Nov. 7
STELLA ARTOIS POLO CLASSIC The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships will produce a polo event with a new focus on social distancing and a key focus to help schools, nonprofit organizations and charities hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will begin with Arizona Polo Club taking on the Brooklands Polo Team. EPR Polo will then introduce The Celebrity Cruises Match Up, supporting Arizona Equine Rescue and Southwest Wildlife. In the final match, Morehouse College Polo Club will take on the Women’s All-Stars in a “Battle of the Sexes.” $20+. 10:45 a.m.–6 p.m. WestWorld of Scottsdale’s Polo Field, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. 480423-1414; thepoloparty.com
Nov. 13 and 14
OUR LADY OF JOY CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Our Lady’s Guild will host its 13th annual Christmas Bazaar. The shopping extravaganza will showcase jewelry, photography, a pet boutique, fused glass, purses, quilts, rock art sculptures, gourd art, holiday ornaments and wreaths, children and doll apparel, imported olive oils, woodworking and cutting boards, beaded wrapped silverware, watercolor paintings, metal yard art, Native American crafts and more. The event will also feature sweets and treats, a mini book nook and coffee from the Joyful Grounds Café. Free. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Our Lady of Joy Catholic Parish, 36811 N. Pima Road, Carefree. oloj.org
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Oct. 22–31
CHIC SOUTH SEA PEARLS Experience chic South Sea pearls by Alessandra Donà during an exclusive jewelry event at Grace Renee Gallery. Ultimately feminine and uniquely Italian, each of the jewelry designer’s pieces expresses the here and now of the centuries-old story that nurtured her. Call for a private appointment or come by to see this beautiful collection. Free. Monday–Wednesday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday–Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, Suite 7, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com
ART & FOODIE STAMPEDE SET FOR SPRING Sonoran Arts League has scheduled a celebration of the businesses related to art and food in Carefree and Cave Creek for next spring. Art studios, galleries, specialty shops and restaurants may participate by having at least one artist demonstrating during
follow the American Ballet Theatre's national curriculum with an emphasis on classical ballet. Classes are held throughout the year for students of all levels in multiple styles of dance. Ballet Theatre of Phoenix, 6201 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-957-3364; ballettheatreofphoenix.org
MARICOPA COUNTY LIBRARY DEBUTS PODCAST The shelves of Maricopa County Library District come to life via a new weekly podcast in which librarians discuss books, music and apps. “ShelfLogic” is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher as well as on
zones of Carefree and Cave Creek, the
CAREFREE KIWANIS HONORS HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
event aims to attract Arizona residents
The Kiwanis Club of Carefree Benefit
back to the towns after the usual street
Foundation honored 25 area high
fair and snowbird season has ended.
school seniors with scholarship and
Express interest in participating and
merit awards totaling $219,500.
out to the Valley and beyond with a
submit related fees by Jan. 30, 2021.
Jackob Eaton received the Rockford
series of virtual programs designed to
480-239-2463.
4-Year Award while others were
share the nonprofit performing arts
honored in areas such as arts
organization’s sound with audiences
and humanities, athletics, foreign
in the comfort of their own homes on
language, key club, math and science.
the electronic device of their choice.
kiwaniscarefree.org
The first Saturday of each month,
the event. Set for the last full weekend in April in the primary commercial
BALLET STUDIO OPENS NEW SPACE Ballet Theatre of Phoenix has opened a new 7,800-square-foot studio in
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Phoenix. The studio’s instructors
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Maricopa County Library District’s website. mcldaz.org
CHORALE OFFERS VIRTUAL EVENTS Sonoran Desert Chorale is reaching
the Slim Concert Series revisits
previously performed pieces presented in new combinations accompanied by photos and graphics. The third Saturday of each month, the Singer Sketches Series shares stories about the chorale’s singers’ lives. sonorandesertchorale.org
DESERVING LOCAL WOMEN RECEIVE AWARDS Soroptimist International of Saguaro Foothills distributed $11,000 in awards money to 11 deserving women and girls this spring. Jennifer Harris received the Live Your Dream award, which — established in 1972 — is available to women who are financially head of household with dependents, demonstrate need and are motivated to achieve their education and career goals. Seven runner ups each received $1,000 while three young girls each received $500 as well as $100 to their charity as recipients of the nonprofit organization’s Young Women’s Service awards. sisaguarofoothills.org
HONORHEALTH OPENS SONORAN CROSSING HonorHealth has opened its sixth medical center — a three-story, 210,000-square-foot, 70-bed hospital that features not only a healing environment with mountainous views but also an outdoor healing garden that allows visitors to gather their thoughts peacefully with all of nature’s comforts. The medical center offers 24-hour emergency care, comprehensive obstetrical and gynecological care and a broad number of surgical services. Sonoran Crossing Medical Center, 33400 N. 32nd Ave., Phoenix. honorhealth.com/sonorancrossing
October 2020
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MIM REOPENS WITH NEW OFFERINGS Musical Instrument Museum has reopened its doors to guests, who will discover many new offerings on display at the museum — such as a 14-foot pipe organ as well as a 1922 Steinway piano and stage outfit owned by legendary songstress Roberta Flack. The museum’s Congo Masks and Music: Masterpieces from Central Africa exhibit has also been extended into 2021. Musical Instrument Museum has thoroughly reviewed its daily operations and has implemented new measures designed to support the health and safety of the community. Large events, programs, concerts and guided tours remain cancelled but virtual programs are being offered. $20; discounts available for children and teens. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000, mim.org
INCENTIVE AWARDS HONORS ART STUDENTS
LIBRARY ADDS DIGITAL TITLES TO COLLECTION
The Sonoran Arts League honored
More than 40,000 new e-book and
109 gifted art students through
e-audiobook titles are now available
its annual Incentive Awards. Each
to all Desert Foothills Library patrons
award box — which was delivered to
thanks to the nonprofit organization’s
each recipient’s home — contained
partnership with The Little Libraries
a personalized folder with inspiring
That Could and the Southwest Valley
messages from their art teacher,
Library Consortium. Desert Foothills
a letter from the Sonoran Arts
Library cardholders may access
League’s youth art committee
the collection through the library’s
member Judy Bruce, a note from
website, the Overdrive app or the
educational community services
Libby app. Desert Foothills Library,
director Gina Durbin, a certificate
38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave
of excellence and a ribbon from the
Creek. 480-488-6131; dflt.org
Jeff Cross Memorial, a note from
of all award winners and a list of
LOCAL ARTIST COMMISSIONED FOR MURAL
free Sonoran Arts League art classes
Artist Jody Barrilleaux has been
sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of
commissioned to create an expansive
Carefree. sonoranartsleague.org
mural for the Vela on Camelback
Cave Creek Unified School District superintendent Debbi Burdick, a list
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apartments. Barrilleaux, who has worked for many high-profile clients including basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal and celebrity chef Guy Fieri, will create a nearly 24-foot-long acrylic on canvas mural mounted to metal panels titled “Wind” in his signature style of slowly flowing brush strokes in an impasto application, thick textures and earthy colors. Vela on Camelback Apartments, 4949 N. 7th St., Phoenix. barrilleauxfineart.com
PICKIN’ IN THE PINES POSTPONED TO 2021 Organizers have postponed the 15th Annual Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass and Acoustic Music Festival, rescheduling the event for Sept. 17–19, 2021. All 2020 tickets will be honored in 2021 while most — if not
all — of the 2020 lineup will be in attendance. Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill County Park, 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Flagstaff. 480656-9940; pickininthepines.org
PUBLIC ARTWORK RECEIVES MERIT HONORS “Birdie Umwelt,” a public artwork by Mary Lucking that is part of Scottsdale Public Art’s permanent collection, recently received merit honors in the public spaces category during the 8th Annual CODAawards: Collaboration of Design + Art. On display at the Mustang Library and Transit Center, “Birdie Umwelt” is an avianthemed installation of 20 small, bronze sculptures of finches reading pages from published books. They are located around the library and both nearby bus stops. Mustang Library and Transit Center, 10101 N. 90th St., Scottsdale. scottsdalepublicart.org/work/birdie-umwelt
SCOTTSDALE WATERFRONT FEATURES ARTIST-DESIGNED BINS Scottsdale Public Art and Scottsdale Solid Waste Services earlier this year installed a series of eight brightly colored, artist-designed recycle/trash bins at the Scottsdale Waterfront between Goldwater Boulevard and Scottsdale Road. The bins, titled “Traceries,” were designed by Chandler artist Mary Neubauer as a means to address the city’s need for a utilitarian recycle/waste bin while also adding public art features to the canal waterfront. Design themes include butterflies, desert flowers, whirling impellers and hummingbirds. scottsdalepublicart.org/permanent-art
SMOCA ARTWORK UNITES COMMUNITY New artwork is on view outside of Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art with a goal of bringing the community together — an installation of text art created to cultivate a sense of togetherness. As part of a new series of work titled “Untitled Gestures,” Tempe-based artist Kristin Bauer installed a text work on the main entry of and along an interior curved wall in the museum. The exterior text reads, “And a Shared Longing Connects Us,” and the interior text reads, “Across an Ever Shifting Terrain.” The newly commissioned works will be on view indefinitely. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-874-4666; smoca.org
SONORAN ARTS LEAGUE FACILITIES REOPEN Each of Sonoran Arts League’s three facilities have reopened, following mandated closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The league’s Center for the Arts and Workshop Space — both located at Stagecoach Village, 7100 E. Cave Creek Road, Suite 144, Cave Creek — are open 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday–Friday. Meanwhile, its el Pedregal gallery space located at 34505 N. Scottsdale Road is open 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday. sonoranartsleague.org
October 2020
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HEIDI’S VILLAGE OPENS IN PHOENIX A once-in-a-lifetime project is now a reality with this summer’s opening of Heidi’s Village — an animal shelter and veterinary clinic that is the first of its kind in Arizona. The animal welfare organization partners with existing animal shelters and rescue organizations to provide temporary boarding for dogs and cats when their space and resources are limited. Medical intervention, grooming, behavioral modification and wellness services are offered on-site. Its mission is to foster a community where animals are treated with respect, dignity and compassion to decrease the number of animals abandoned and euthanized. Heidi’s Village, 600 N. 40th St., Phoenix. 602-241-4640; heidisvillage.org
FOOTHILLS CARING CORPS SPREADS JOY
NEW IN FLUX ARTWORKS ON DISPLAY
VIRTUAL EXHIBIT FEATURES STUDENT ARTWORK
Foothills Caring Corps volunteers
Scottsdale Public Art has installed
Year-end artwork by 36 students
gathered twice a week this
five new artworks in the southern
from five local high schools can be
summer to decorate the nonprofit
end of the city as part of the IN
seen via “Visions ‘20” — a virtual
organization’s vans as well as their
FLUX temporary art program,
exhibit of Scottsdale Arts Learning
own vehicles. Dubbed the Spread Joy
which is designed to bring together
and Innovation’s Visions program.
Convoy, they then visited as many as
art, economic development and
Through the appreciation and
25 neighbors during each outing and
property management organizations
creation of art, the program aims
presented them with small gift bags
throughout the greater Phoenix area
to cultivate the development of
filled with treats, puzzles, masks and
while providing opportunities for
teen social and mental wellbeing
cards. The nonprofit organization,
Arizona artists to create site-specific
while also enhancing social
which serves older adults as well
temporary public art installations
connections, opening dialogue and
as individuals with disabling
in a variety of locations. The new
promoting tolerance and confidence.
conditions, recently welcomed Troon
artworks — which will be on display
scottsdaleartslearning.org
North resident Robin Cochran
for about one year — include
as its new executive director.
“#bluewing” by Cherie Buck-
foothillscaringcorps.com
Hutchison and Curtis Hutchison, “Meditation on Fragmented Space” by Daniel Mariotti and three separate pieces installed together by John David Yanke: “Secondary Effusion,” “Stored Echoes” and “To Atone.” scottsdalepublicart.org
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October 2020
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IMAGES ARIZONA 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. #7 | Carefree | 623-341-8221 | imagesarizona.com It has been my absolute pleasure and honor to publish Images Arizona each month for the past 21 years. I have been extremely fortunate to meet so many amazing people through my work on this magazine, which remains committed to covering the many incredible individuals and outstanding organizations that make our community so very special. I am also passionately dedicated to support my fellow local business owners, each of whom create unique experiences that represent the extraordinary culture of Arizona. These local business owners not only strengthen our community but also define it. From the local restaurant owner to the local real estate agent, these are the people who shape the way we live, work and play. Throughout the pages of this month’s issue, we introduce you to many of these exceptional individuals who not only make Images Arizona possible but also define our community. I encourage you to share in my hometown pride and support these local business owners — all of whom are strong, resilient and creative individuals. I am immeasurably proud to live in such a remarkable community that is nourished and reinforced with local business owners who are genuinely invested in enhancing the way of life for all of our neighbors.
October 2020
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BIG BRONCO 6602 E. Cave Creek Road | Cave Creek 480-575-7025 | bigbroncocavecreek.com Faith Weinberg’s passion for horses, antiques and all things western, combined with an extensive background in retail, led to the creation of Big Bronco. Full of oneof-a-kind western and home furnishings, the store serves customers who are earth-conscious and desire handmade, quality pieces. From 100-year-old, reclaimed wood from U.S. barns, local copper furniture artisan, natural mesquite, turquoise inlays from Arizona and hand-carved teak from Indonesia to hand-painted signs and hand-tooled leather from Mexico, Big Bronco features the best in western decor. Big Bronco features a wide assortment of home accessories — such as brightly hued ceramic pots filled with desert floral, vivid and soft fabric throws, vintage serapes and an endless selection of Southwest pillows. It also carries specialized art pieces made out of recycled metal in horse and other western motifs. Big Bronco aspires to help its customers live their personal vision of the western dream by creating a look of unmatched rustic elegance for the home.
October 2020
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ENGLISH ROSE TEA ROOM 201 Easy Street, Suite 103 | Carefree 480-488-4812 | carefreetea.com When Jo Gemmill first introduced her plans to open an authentic British tea room in Carefree — in the middle of the Sonoran Desert — locals gossiped amongst themselves. They did not believe that the venture would survive even six months. Nearly 19 years later, Gemmill and her English Rose Tea Room are still around and stronger than ever. She gets to drink a delicious cup of tea every day, work with a fantastic team of dedicated staff and meet with fellow tea enthusiasts, all while living her dream. “My tea room is the child I never had,” Gemmill says. “It is my joy, my passion and my pride.” Over the years, the English Rose Tea Room has been witness to proposals, wedding showers, baby showers, birthdays, adoption parties, ladies lunches, retirement celebrations, wakes and celebrations of life. “I am humbled by the support and fellowship we have garnered, the friendships I have made, the incredible nonprofit organizations we have supported and the fabulous customers who come through our doors time and time again,” Gemmill says. She adds that the English Rose Tea Room would not have been possible without the love and support of her American husband Bob, her extended family of stepdaughters and granddaughters — girls rule in her house — and four scruffy schnauzers, all females. “The year 2020 has thrown us some curveballs,” says Gemmill, noting that she will have to explain the expression to her mother back in England. “We have adapted, arranged, agonized and accepted all of the challenges for this year. As Elton John would say, ‘I'm still standing.’ I hope you will join all of us for the best cup of tea in the desert.”
October 2020
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CAREFREE DENTISTS 7518 Elbow Bend | Suite A1 | Carefree | 480-488-9735 | carefreedentists.com At Carefree Dentists, Dr. Elysa Daniels and Dr. Blake Olson take great pride in providing high-quality, gentle oral health care in a caring and respectful environment. Dr. Daniels and Dr. Olson build long-term relationships that improve their patients’ lives through education, prevention and individualized treatment. An active member of the community, Dr. Daniels is a member of Soroptimist International of Saguaro Foothills, Desert Foothills Land Trust and the Carefree/Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband, Ed Fedoruk, have been married since 1998 and enjoy traveling and cooking. Outside of the office, Dr. Daniels may often be seen hiking our local trails. A lover of all things outdoors, Dr. Olson may also be seen exploring our gorgeous state by foot, bike and boat with his wife Shelley and their young son Leif. He is an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Carefree and other local philanthropic programs. His greatest joy in dentistry is getting to know each one of his patients personally and problem solving on an individual basis. Patients leave Carefree Dentists with a greater knowledge of their dental health so that they are able to make the appropriate decisions about their own care. That is why Dr. Daniels and Dr. Olson’s patients appreciate Carefree Dentists and frequently refer their friends and family to the office.
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CAREFREE OUTDOOR LIVING 36889 N. Tom Darlington Drive | Suite C-5 | Carefree | 480-575-3091 | carefreeoutdoor.com Founded in 2010 by Jim and Valerie Sheehan (pictured on right, daughter Jamie on left), Carefree Outdoor Living set out to provide high-quality outdoor furnishings to our local residents in Cave Creek, Carefree, North Scottsdale and the rest of the Valley. Originally from New Jersey, they have lived in Cave Creek for more than 25 years. Co-owner Nick Stelfox (center) joined the business in December 2011 with the vision of providing high-quality, personal, customer service to all customers. Originally from Kansas, Stelfox has lived in Arizona for more than 10 years. He enjoys golfing, hiking, running and crossfit. Over the past decade, Carefree Outdoor Living’s showroom — managed by Jamie Sheehan (pictured on left) — has firmly established itself as the go-to resource for innovative outdoor room components, designs and patio furniture. It focuses on well-made brands that are built to last in the unique environment in which we live. The outdoor kitchen components Carefree Outdoor Living offers are all manufactured in the USA. Many of the outdoor furniture brands it carries are manufactured in the USA as well. From creating custom outdoor kitchens and living spaces to updating existing furniture with cushion replacements, Carefree Outdoor Living is sure to meet your outdoor needs. October 2020
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WHY HELLO! 32421 N. Scottsdale Road | Suite 107 | Scottsdale | 480-550-7677 | whyhellomodernhome.com Tucked in a quiet North Scottsdale neighborhood, Why Hello! invites its customers to browse and savor its space filled with inspiration in a setting that encourages them to slow down and enjoy the experience of shopping. Why Hello! encourages its customers to leisurely wander and imagine how each piece will enhance their home. Owner and designer Suzanne Hueners has worked as an interior designer in both Alaska and Arizona. She is an accomplished graduate of the American Institute of Interior Design and has enjoyed the art of design throughout her entire life. Through her work, Hueners has honed her passion to the next level of design. It is her most passionate desire to offer modern home goods in a local setting where guests can experience the joy of choosing each piece personally with the help of a designers’ eye. Offering a wide range of carefully curated luxury home accessories and decor, Why Hello! is the culmination of years of hands-on research, shopping small town main streets in search of that perfect place to experience, enjoy and express the pleasure of shopping for home goods. It is more than just another shop. It is an experience meant to be savored and enjoyed.
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Left to Right Front Row: Sandi Hoff, Pam DiPietro, Michelle Reyes Left to Right Back Row: Kim Basile, Robin Kilbane, Tom Kilwein
FOOTHILLS FOOD BANK AND RESOURCE CENTER 6038 E. Hidden Valley Drive | Cave Creek | 480-488-1145 | foothillsfoodbank.com The mission of Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center is to provide assistance to those within its boundaries who are in need. That mission has not changed since the nonprofit organization’s inception in 1988. In the beginning, the food bank saw 25–30 families each month. Today, that number has grown to more than 500 families each month. The goal has always been to give food, financial and referral assistance to individuals to help them move up and out of their current situation. Last year, Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center’s 400 volunteers gave more than 45,000 hours of their time to help the nonprofit organization continue to carry out its mission. Clients received more than 900,000 pounds of food and more than $100,000 in financial assistance. Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center’s service area is large, reaching east to Rio Verde, south to Pinnacle Peak, west to I-17 and north to Black Canyon City. With locations in Cave Creek and Black Canyon City, it recently expanded service to Mayer, Spring Valley and Cordes Lakes.
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PIZZICATA AND POMODORO Pizzicata 7212 E. Ho Road | Carefree | 480-488-2848 | pizzicatausa.com Pomodoro Italian Grill and Seafood 6710 E. Cave Creek Road | Cave Creek | pomodorousa.com Federico Venturini (pictured on left) and his wife, Viola (center), from Gualdo Tadino, Italy, teamed up with Arizona business owner Phil Igneri (pictured on right) to launch Pizzicata — a restaurant with a passion for Italian cuisine. The goal was to exercise creativity in a new way and share that passion with their neighbors in Carefree. Pizzicata brings Venturini’s family’s recipes and an enthusiasm rooted in sharing Italiano cuisine with Arizona and the world. From pinsas to pastas, Pizzicata’s offerings bring a host of Italian classics and modern dishes to each one of its menus. Venturini continues to share his passion of Italian cuisine through his newest venture, Pomodoro Italian Grill and Seafood — building new friendships, creating lasting memories, celebrating milestones and achievements and coming together as a family to share a love for Italian hospitality.
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CAREFREE PROPERTY GROUP 34305 N. Scottsdale Road | Scottsdale | 480-375-1522 | carefreeproperty.com Carefree Property Group believes that “it takes a village to sell a home these days.� That is why the cohesive real estate team concentrates its work on view properties in the mountainous areas of Carefree, Cave Creek and North Scottsdale. Having delivered safety-first real estate investment guidance for more than 28 years with more than 600 sales, the team is your trusted local resource for buying or selling homes and land in the North Valley. Carefree Property Group specializes in sellers and is committed to a stress-free and smooth selling process for all of its clients. The team counsels’ sellers and stages each home or property for the best impression, using professional photography and video. It also utilizes strategic negotiating practices with buyers, inspectors and appraisers. Debbie Omundson (pictured on left), Annalisa Grace (center) and Susan Folts (right) work with a huge database of potential buyers and sellers then matchmake just the right property with its next owners. They follow the real estate market daily and are always in search of great values, views, and investments to share with their clients. Omundson, Grace and Folts all live on acreage properties in Cave Creek. Having raised their families here, each of them have participated in academics, athletics, fundraisers, and teacher appreciation in our local schools. They also love the outdoors and strongly support Desert Foothills Land Trust preservation. October 2020
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Left to right: John Drew, Francisco Mendoza, Chad Norris and Brian Norris Photo by Carl Schultz
HIGH DESERT DESIGNS 480-553-6211 | highdesertdesigns.com High Desert Designs was founded by Phoenix Home and Garden’s 2017 Masters of the Southwest Award winner Chad Norris. As an Arizona native growing up in the landscape industry, Norris has honed his skills and created an artistic landscape approach that provides stunning designs. Using the home's exterior landscape as the canvas, High Desert Designs creates impactful, luxury outdoor environments showcasing unique, living art plant combinations, along with functional designs to relax and entertain. After each design and install project, High Desert Designs provides its clients with a concierge landscape maintenance service to maintain the beauty of the home and protect the investment. Leaving an imprint and improving its client's quality of life is the high-bar set on each one of the team’s design projects. Truly embracing the creative process, High Desert Designs is driven to create an experience for its clients that exceeds their expectations by aiming to elevate their landscape to a higher level.
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THE MOHR GROUP 23415 N. Scottsdale Road | Suite G-101 | Scottsdale | 602-980-7653 | mohrhomes.com Don and Janet Mohr (pictured on right) have 66 years combined experience in real estate, specializing in luxury golf homes, equestrian estates, view properties, land and investments. They just celebrated 38 years of marriage — which says a lot for a couple that works together. Don and Janet have two adult sons who grew up in Cave Creek. Kyle has a masters degree in geophysics and is currently working on his doctorate. Ryan (pictured second from left) graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in kinesiology but, six years ago, decided to follow his passion and join his parents in the family business. Although he grew up in Cave Creek, Ryan has lived in several other parts of the Valley as well, giving him intimate knowledge of many other communities around our beautiful state. Ryan is married to Jenny, a successful occupational therapist at a local hospital. Meanwhile, Kyle's wife, Kendal (pictured on far left), grew up in Colorado. Kendal joined The MOHR Group shortly after Ryan, bringing the skills she obtained from a masters degree in social work along with her to uniquely benefit the company and its clients. Janet has enjoyed furthering her career by continuing education and earning the credentials of Certified Commercial and Investment Member, Certified Luxury Home Specialist and Certified Residential Specialist as well as Associate Broker. The many years of experience has placed The MOHR Group in the lead not only in the company but in all of Maricopa County. All of this knowledge, passion and drive can walk you through all facets of real estate. Look to The MOHR Group for all your real estate needs. October 2020
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Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Musically Fed
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Over the past four years, Phoenix-based nonprofit organization Musically Fed has provided more than 20,000 meals to the homeless, hungry and food insecure — meals that had previously been enjoyed by U2, Kenny Chesney, The Zac Brown Band and Fleetwood Mac. Each of those music acts — and many more — partner with Musically Fed to ensure that unused backstage meals are put to good use rather than going to waste. The nonprofit organization’s mission is to mobilize the entertainment industry in the nation’s fight against hunger. After all, in the United States alone, almost 40% of the food supply is wasted each year. Musically Fed works with artists, promoters, management and venues to donate unused backstage meals to community organizations not only here in Arizona but also those across the country. The nonprofit organization identifies opportunities, procures resources and coordinates all aspects of food handling, transportation and distribution, making it easy for promoters and performers to benefit those who might otherwise be malnourished or go hungry. This year’s COVID-19 pandemic has made Musically Fed’s mission more significant than ever, as people not only in our community but also across the country — and beyond — have struggled with side effects such as loss of income and inability to find food.
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However, every cloud has a silver lining. And although this particular cloud may seem darker and more ominous than any that we have ever experienced before, Musically Fed has been using its resources and program to find the silver lining in this situation, relocating and repurposing food from the myriad of canceled events that would otherwise go to waste and ensuring that those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic continue to have a source of sustenance.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Scottsdale resident Maria Brunner founded Musically Fed in 2016 in honor of her husband who was a proud Vietnam veteran. When he passed away, she suddenly realized that she — like many people in our country — did not know a whole lot about the veteran community. “I just thought that they were taken care of and that they did not have a worry in the world,” Brunner says. “But that was not true. In reaching out to other Vietnam vets in Phoenix, I learned that many of them were in need. Those who live on the street do not eat on a regular basis, and what they do eat is not necessarily healthy. Many local organizations were — and still are — struggling to help.” Brunner, who has worked in the entertainment industry for the past 30 years, began thinking about ways that she could make a difference in the lives of the many men and women who have fought for our country. She was especially interested in developing a viable program that would repurpose unused backstage catering from concerts and festivals. “You hope that you order well enough so that there is very little food to toss at the end of the night,” Brunner explains. “But the reality is that you have to be fluid based on crew needs, local crew needs and artist needs. And most good caterers will say that they never want to run out. So there is often food that has been untouched, is very safe and could be repurposed if one thought long enough about how to do it.” Brunner reached out to Talking Stick Arena’s general manager Ralph Marchetta, Arizona Catering’s owner Mitch Katz and Jake Berry — a production manager who happened to have U2 rolling into town for rehearsals and a show — and shared with them her idea.
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From left: Maria Brunner, executive director of Musically Fed; Bill Berry, executive director of Resurrection Street Ministry; Ty Bittner, director of operations for Levy Restaurants at Talking Stick Resort Arena; Dan Walton, Resurrection Street Ministry; Ray Ferazani, general manager of Purchasing for Levy Restaurants at Talking Stick Resort Arena and Chase Field
With their help, Musically Fed was able to repurpose the unused backstage catering from U2’s rehearsals and concert and provide more than 300 meals to outreach programs in the community. Two weeks later, Brunner repeated the program for Kenny Chesney. “Kenny is a big veteran supporter,” she says. “We ended up getting them to let us try a dry run through his first night of rehearsal.” Chesney and his team liked the program and the positive feedback they received in response to it so much that they made Musically Fed their tour partner. Through their generosity, Brunner learned how to implement her mission in cities across the country. “When entertainment is up and thriving, we are normally working with three to five artists on their national tours doing in each city exactly what we do here,” adds Brunner, noting that The Zac Brown Band and Fleetwood Mac also invited Musically Fed along on their national tours to feed the homeless, hungry and food insecure throughout America. Last year alone, with the help of Terry Burke — president of Southwest music for Live Nation — and other partners, Brunner was able to serve more than 6,000 meals to Arizona charities. Notable recipients include
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Mana House, Ryan House, Phoenix Rescue Mission, Catholic Charities, Resurrection Street Ministry and Hospice of the Valley.
A GLIMMER OF LIGHT IN THE DARK
Musically Fed’s mission became even more significant this year when health precautions and social distancing efforts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic made members of the community who are already at risk even more vulnerable. The nonprofit organization’s publicist Andrea Kramer says that having to stay home, not having an income and not having a source of food has taken a real toll on families who were already hurting before the COVID-19 pandemic. “While most of us are fortunate enough to see the craziness at Costco and stock up our pantries, most of these families do not have that luxury,” Kramer says. However, the many concert, festival and sporting event cancelations — although devastating both in the moment and in long-term impact — suddenly resulted in an abundance of unused food. Musically Fed was in a unique position to salvage that food and find a glimmer of light during a very dark time in our history. Earlier this year, the nonprofit organization forged a partnership with Staples Center’s lead chef Manny Slomovits of Levy Restaurants, repurposing food from Grammy Award celebrations into 1,600 meals for those in need. In the wake of event cancelations at Staples Center as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Slomovits and Musically Fed combined their efforts again to assist vulnerable community members who may otherwise have been overlooked. “We discovered that there was an awful lot of food that was going to go to waste because of canceled events,” Kramer says. “We got in contact with Los Angeles Mission and The Midnight Mission and split 7,000 pounds of food between the two organizations, who see between 500 and 1,000 people each day.” Brunner adds that, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people who have sought the services of those organizations — and others — dramatically increased. The Staples Center’s donation alone was repurposed as 20,000 meals. October 2020
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Several other entertainment venues and organizations, including the Phoenix Suns, have made similar contributions to Musically Fed over the past several months. These generous contributions enabled the nonprofit to make this incredibly challenging time of ravaged supermarket shelves and school closures just a little bit easier on people — including families with children who rely on schools for daily sustenance. More recently, the organization pivoted its mission to feed local concert and live event workers — a segment of the population whose livelihood has been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March, Musically Fed has facilitated the collection and distribution of more than 25,000 meals and hundreds of groceries for these individuals who were the first to lose their jobs and will quite likely be the last to return to them.
A PRODUCT OF OUR COMMUNITY
Brunner is grateful for and proud of the positive impact that Musically Fed has had on not only our local community but also the country, but she knows that there is much more that can be done. “I am wondering how many of these restaurants that stayed open for takeout toss food at the end of every night,” Brunner says. “If you have worked 18 hours in your shop, I do not know that you necessarily want to load [unused food] into your car and deliver it somewhere.” She encourages community members to not only support their local restaurants but take their commitment even further by asking them about unused food, educating them about repurposing efforts and even offer to deliver it to those in need. “[Musically Fed’s] growth has been nothing short of miraculous, and I am so proud of our colleagues in the music business and our teams of volunteers for making a difference,” Brunner says. “We hope it now inspires the rest of the entertainment industry — including the fans — to get involved.” She adds that when she founded the nonprofit organization more than four years ago, she intended for it to be a way for the entertainment community to make a difference in the lives of others. “My hope is through this very rough, trying, challenging and life-shaking time, humanity overall will find that in itself, learn that we are all a product of our community and help one another,” Brunner says. musicallyfed.org
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Next to a dead tree, you often see new growth sprouting. The cycle continues whether we are here or not. Dave Theroux Writer Joseph J. Airdo
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An image of a leafless tree often conveys an incredibly eerie mood. Frequently associated with Halloween, the sight of a dark trunk of wood with bare branches twisting into the sky closely resembles a large, ominous creature with fingers or tentacles reaching up in preparation to capture you. There are very few inanimate objects that are as intimidating., Even in the absence of dark clouds and shadows, leafless trees send shivers down the spines of most onlookers. Of course, movies like “The Wizard of Oz,” “A Monster Calls” and even “Guardians of the Galaxy” have not helped their image. Leafless trees also suggest something far less spooky but still linked to this time of the year. After the hottest Phoenix summer to date ever on record, a chill can finally be felt in the air as autumn descends upon us. Green leaves change color and eventually fall off their branches completely, leaving behind an inevitable symbol of the season. This year, however, leafless trees take on an entirely new meaning. Whether it is truly dead or simply awaiting new growth in the spring, leafless trees encourage us to see the world around us in an entirely new light.
Photographer Dave Theroux acknowledges the menacing and gloomy connections leafless trees possess, but he is also able to see past all of that to bear witness to their inherent beauty. His artistic angles reveal the enchantment of these trees as he also captures their unique textures and fascinating shapes. He also often spots new growth sprouting nearby or a glimmer of green hiding on the top of seemingly dead trees, illustrating that life always finds a way. These are undoubtedly very strange times. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way that many of us live. Social distancing and face coverings appear to be the new normal — at least for the time being — and 2020 gives off quite a grim appearance. But that is all a matter of perspective. Just look at the many persevering businesspeople and benevolent ways that our neighbors have helped one another as featured throughout this issue of Images Arizona. Dire as it may seem, there is beauty in this situation — just as there is beauty in leafless trees. We hope that Theroux’s breathtaking work featured in this month’s photo essay inspires you to see both.
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Leafless trees convey a certain mood. I took most of these photos in October and November of different years. It is often cold and there may be a little bit of snow on the ground. They convey that fall gloom, if you will. Dave Theroux
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I am fascinated with all of the foliage out here — the leafless trees as well as the trees that look like they have been dead for years but are still green on top. I am fascinated by the textures and the shapes that they end up in. It is just really interesting. Dave Theroux
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Sedona resident Dave Theroux is never without his camera. “Anytime my wife and I go hiking or travel, I always have my camera with me,” says Theroux, noting that he often explores Arizona’s beautiful desert land. “I need to take pictures while I am out there. For me, it is just part of the hike.” Theroux first became enamored with photography when he was just 12 years old. He particularly enjoyed black and white photography and spending time in the dark room back when he was still shooting on film. As a teenager, he contributed to his high school yearbook and even entered his work into a few contests. He enjoyed the artform so much that he took several courses on the subject upon entering college. After graduation, Theroux pursued a career as a software architect — something that he says has had a slight benefit on his photography. “It helps with understanding the software that is involved in processing images after they have been taken,” he says. As Theroux was encountered with life’s other obligations, his interest in photography began to ebb and flow. “I would pick it up and take a lot of pictures and then put it away and forget about it for a while,” he explains. “Then I would eventually come back to it again.” Two years ago, Theroux and his wife moved from New Hampshire to Sedona — a move that has had a profoundly positive impact on his photography. “It is very different living here than living on the East Coast,” says Theroux, noting that the weather and climate lend themselves to plenty of exploratory hikes. “Moving to Sedona has rekindled my interest in photography. It is hard not to take pictures here. There is just so much to see and so much to photograph.” Although the 56-year-old has dabbled in some astrophotography, his interest lies — as it always has — primarily in nature and landscape photography more than anything else. “I enjoy going out into the desert outside of Sedona toward Lake Powell, Page, and Petrified Forest [National Park],” Theroux says. “The Grand Canyon is, of course, spectacular as well, although difficult to photograph just because there is so much of it. Since my wife and I have been out here, we have been slowly exploring as much as we can.” davidtheroux.smugmug.com
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Gedion Nyanhongo is one of 140 artists participating in Arizona’s largest and longest-running artist studio tour, Hidden in the Hills, during the last two weekends of November.
Writer Sue Kern-Fleischer Photography Courtesy of Gedion Nyanhongo
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Stone outlives everyone, and I love that. There is a living force in every single stone, wherever it lives. There’s a special reason for that stone to be in that area.
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Gedion Nyanhongo
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In Zimbabwe, there’s a Shona tribe proverb, “Kumhanya hakuzi kusvika,” which loosely translates to, “Running is not getting there.” The wise proverb teaches an important lesson about taking time to set a clear direction, something acclaimed stone sculptor Gedion Nyanhongo does daily. For this masterful Shona artist, it is an honor to work with indigenous stone mined in Zimbabwe, and it is imperative that he give each stone ample time to reveal its purpose. Because Nyanhongo’s sculptures focus on all of the things that collectively make up the bigger picture — life, love and the sensations that define us all — he never rushes the process.
Nyanhongo is one of 140 artists participating in Arizona’s largest and longest-running artist studio tour, Hidden in the Hills, during the last two weekends of November. Coordinated by the nonprofit Sonoran Arts League, this year’s 24th annual, free, self-guided tour takes place at 35 socially-distanced, private studios throughout the scenic Desert Foothills communities of Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale. All of the artists are eagerly anticipating the studio tour, particularly at a time when many arts and entertainment events have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A guest artist at Toni Perrin’s Studio 7 in Carefree, Nyanhongo will unveil new, breathtaking sculptures outside in Perrin’s spacious courtyard.
LEARNING FROM THE BEST
Nyanhongo grew up near a quarry in Nyanga, Zimbabwe, Africa. He was the sixth child and first boy in a large, loving and artistic family. From a young age, he was influenced by his father, Claud Nyanhongo — a prominent artist among the first generation sculptors who were pioneers of the unique Zimbabwean Shona sculpture movement that began in the late 1950s. “My father was my greatest mentor,” Nyanhongo says. “I was always in his studio, watching him closely and asking a lot of questions. Whenever I would question why he was carving or chiseling a certain way, he would tell me that the stone was speaking to him.” Nyanhongo also learned important life lessons from his father, who passed away at age 86 in May 2019. “My father was a multi-talented man who left so much for humanity,” says Nyanhongo, noting that his father taught his nation’s members self-reliance through art and agriculture. “He worked many jobs and had a good heart. He believed in passing the torch so that our village would be better than it was.” After high school, Nyanhongo approached his father and told him that he wanted to be an artist. His father instructed him to learn skills that he could fall back on to make a living, so Nyanhongo enrolled in college to study auto mechanics.
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Thinking About the Future - Facing Right Gedion Nyanhongo
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“After college, I approached my father again to tell him I was serious about working as a professional artist,” Nyanhongo says. “He told me to pick one medium and become the best in the world.” Although Nyanhongo had some experience working with metal and wood, he ultimately chose stone as his medium. “Stone outlives everyone, and I love that,” Nyanhongo explains. “There is a living force in every single stone, wherever it lives. There’s a special reason for that stone to be in that area. Stones also have a special significance to Zimbabweans.” Nyanhongo’s father arranged an apprenticeship for his son with internationally-acclaimed sculptor Joseph Ndandarika. “That was a turning point in my career as I learned different styles and techniques from another master sculptor and mentor,” Nyanhongo says. “After that, I developed my own style — which is influenced by both my father and Joseph, but is distinctly mine.”
A SPECIAL RESPECT FOR EACH STONE
Nyanhongo draws inspiration from nature and humanity. Using opal stone, springstone and Zimbabwe (Nyanga) stone, he hand-carves one-of-akind sculptures that take on the form of whimsical animals, people, spirits and plants as well as some abstract objects. “I love the challenge of working with stone,” he says. “I take my time to connect with it and make sure I understand what it wants to be. These stones are thousands of years old, waiting to unleash their feelings. Even before I put my chisel on one, I want to be sure of its purpose. I flip it over, turn it around, turn it sideways and upside down, looking at hidden angles and clues for what it wants to say to the world.”
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Once a stone reveals its purpose, Nyanhongo gives it his full concentration, working only by hand with simple tools — never machines.
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Sculptor Gedion Nyanhongo draws inspiration from nature and humanity.
Love Blossoming - Front Gedion Nyanhongo
Dignity by Gedion Nyanhongo
“When I start working with a stone, I dive in and sometimes I lose track of time,” he says. “It’s as if the stone is swallowing me up and taking me on a special journey with it.” Nyanhongo’s career took off with a debut exhibition in 1989 at the Mabwe Gallery in Harare, Zimbabwe. He has since shown his works in solo and group exhibitions around the world — including England, France, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, South Africa and the United States. His sculptures are also on permanent display at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the Phoenix Zoo.
EXPERIENCE
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Nov. 20–22 and Nov. 27–29 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Private studios throughout Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale Maps and artist directories available online and at Sonoran Arts League’s Center for the Arts, 7100 E. Cave Creek Road, Suite 144, Cave Creek a g e s a r i z o n| a480-575-6624 . c o m Oc tob e r| hiddeninthehills.org 2 02 0 Freei m Admission
MAKING A NEW LIFE IN ARIZONA
By January 2007, Nyanhongo had a family of his own. They started a new life in Arizona with much to celebrate. “We had the best welcome ever,” the artist says. “It was my most successful year in sales and exposure, with exhibitions at Sky Harbor Airport, the Phoenix Zoo [and] the Desert Botanical Gardens, and shows at Zuva Gallery in el Pedregal.” One year later, everything changed with the global economic shock of the Great Recession. Art sales declined dramatically and Nyanhongo took various jobs just to survive. However, he kept his entrepreneurial spirit alive and came up with innovative ways to market his art. “At one point, I was working as a discount cab driver,” Nyanhongo explains. “I made pamphlets that showcased my work. When I dropped tourists off at hotels, I’d give them a pamphlet and invite them to tour my studio.” As the economy strengthened, demand for Nyanhongo’s work increased to the point where he was even able to open a gallery in Sedona for a short time.
CELEBRATING LOVE
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, Nyanhongo has been taking precautions with visitors to his Phoenix studio. He hopes that guests of the Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour will find his soulful sculptures to be a soothing relief. “My sculptures celebrate love — especially family love and the spiritual power it provides to promote peace in my art,” says Nyanhongo, noting that he will be demonstrating during the artist studio tour. “I’ve had ample time to focus on dynamite, beautiful pieces ranging in size from very small and tabletop sculpture to large, monumental pieces. I’m excited to unveil these new pieces and share my Shona culture and art with guests to our studio.” gediongalleries.com
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Joye DeGoede is one of just three artists who were invited to participate in the Phoenix Zoo’s Art on the Wild Side exhibit, which runs through 2021.
Writer Sue Kern-Fleischer Photography Courtesy of Joye DeGoede, Heidi Huston and Greg Bubb
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There’s quite a party going on in painter Joye DeGoede’s studio. Party guests include a zebra eating sweet treats, two monkeys eating cupcakes and a pair of donkeys enjoying a bottle of tequila. DeGoede’s party guests — which also include bears, bobcats, horses, cows, bunnies, flamingos and hummingbirds — come to life in a whimsical collection of oil paintings that she affectionately named and trademarked “JoyEful Party Animals.” But it hasn’t always been a party for DeGoede, who also paints colorful florals, architecture and landscapes, as well as portraits, figures and still life paintings. Early in her career, she was much more serious about her subject matter and message. Now she expresses her creativity fully, embracing the positive aspects of life.
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DeGoede is one of 140 artists participating in Arizona’s largest and longest-running artist studio tour, Hidden in the Hills, during the last two weekends of November. Coordinated by the nonprofit Sonoran Arts League, this year’s 24th annual, free, self-guided tour takes place at 35 socially-distanced, private studios throughout the scenic Desert Foothills communities of Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale. DeGoede will be a guest artist at Joanie Wolter’s Cuvee Art Studio 13 in North Scottsdale. Wolter, a mixed media artist who serves as the event’s co-chair, says it has been a particularly challenging year for artists due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re excited to move forward with the league’s signature event, especially at a time when art can bring so much joy and healing to the world,” Wolter says. “We're taking extra steps to ensure the safety of guests at each studio. Other than masks and extra sanitizer, it will be business as usual with our talented, diverse artists sharing their beautiful, creative art.”
VALUABLE LESSONS
DeGoede grew up in Provo, Utah at a time when art was not offered in her school. “I was very creative as a child and I was fortunate in that my parents recognized my passion for art,” DeGoede says. “I began taking art classes from the acclaimed painter Carol Harding when I was 11 years old. My mother would drive me 45 miles to her studio in Pleasant Grove every Thursday until I was 18.” Harding — a realism painter — became DeGoede’s mentor, teaching
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i m aTold g e s aMe r i z oby n aJoye .com Oc tob e r 2 02 0 A Little Birdie DeGoede 72
her valuable lessons about painting landscape, still life and figurative oils. Later, while attending Westminster College in Salt Lake City, DeGoede found another mentor in her art teacher — renowned painter Don Doxey, who is best known for his photo-real western still life paintings. “I was fortunate to grow up in an area that was hot in the arts, but we didn’t know it at the time,” DeGoede says. DeGoede graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science degree in fine art with an emphasis in medical illustration. She also holds an associate degree in commercial and graphic art. Her decision to study medical illustration paid off as she credits her knowledge of anatomy with her success painting people and animals. “I never paint something I don’t know,” DeGoede says. “If I’m not familiar with a subject, I become obsessive studying it.” After college, DeGoede aspired to work full-time as a professional artist. However, she moved to Arizona in 1983 and, a decade later, she was a single mother working as a teacher at Northwest Community Christian School. “I thought I had to kiss my art dreams goodbye,” she says. “But even then, I never stopped creating. I would get up at 4 a.m. or stay up until 2 a.m. drawing or painting. During most lunch hours, I would draw with pencil, pen and ink. I was struggling to make ends meet but I never gave up on my art.” DeGoede continued to teach elementary and secondary school, moving from her first job at the October 2020
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Sweet Tweets by Joye DeGoede
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Sugar High by Joye DeGoede
Never Forget Family by Joye DeGoede
RESIDENTIAL private Christian school to Deer Valley Unified School District in 1997. She transferred to Cave Creek Unified School District in 2001. She also remarried and began devoting more time to her art, becoming a member of the Sonoran Arts League in 2000. The serene desert gave DeGoede inspiration for her paintings of flora, fauna and landscapes.
SOLACE IN ART
In 2007, DeGoede’s life took a dramatic turn when her husband passed away. Although her grief was heavy, she found solace in her art. As time progressed, DeGoede found herself looking within, questioning her career choices and struggling to make a change. Seeing firsthand how precious life was made her realize she wanted to pursue her passion for painting full-time. The fear of making a change was almost paralyzing. After working 18 years as an art teacher and painting in her free time, DeGoede knew that she needed to focus on one career path and put her soul fully into it. She always knew that art was her life’s purpose, but she also knew that leaving her teaching position would be a huge risk. Torn by what to do, she sought advice from her aunt Joye — her mother’s twin sister after whom she was named. “Aunt Joye and I always had a special bond,” DeGoede explains. “When I shared my desire to pursue art fulltime, she said, ‘Honey, take a deep breath, go pour yourself a scotch and let’s talk.’ “That conversation prompted me to create a fun, uplifting painting for her of a little rabbit with a glass of scotch. I named the painting, ‘Hop Scotch’
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Baby It's Cold Outside Home by Joye DeGoede
You Look Like a Monkey by Joye DeGoede
Celebrating Till the Cows Come Home by Joye DeGoede
and posted a photo of it to Facebook. It sold before I could send it to her and I knew I had made the right choice.” DeGoede left her teaching position at the end of the school year in 2012. With a refreshed outlook on life, her art took an unanticipatedly fun turn. “My works juxtapose reality with fantasy, inspiring the viewer to see the fun in the mundane and the vast opportunities for joy in our everyday world,” the artist says. "I love painting the surrealistic mixture of animals imitating human habits and in their natural habitat to bring empathy to wildlife conservation.”
JOYEFUL RABBIT TRAIL
ART TOUR
DeGoede’s decision to focus on her art full-time has taken her on a global adventure she never could
24th Annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour Nov. 20–22 and Nov. 27–29 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Private studios throughout Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale Maps and artist directories available online and at Sonoran Arts League’s Center for the Arts | 7100 E. Cave Creek Road, Suite 144 | Cave Creek Free Admission | 480-575-6624 | hiddeninthehills.org
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have imagined. She is now the head artist-in-residence at the Sonoran Arts League’s Gallery at el Pedregal. In 2019, DeGoede was invited by the U.S. State Department’s Arts in the Embassies program to display her paintings in a three-year exhibition at the U.S. Embassy in Montenegro. Her paintings — including Governor Jan Brewer's official oil portrait — are also in the Arizona Governor's Office’s permanent collection. DeGoede is also one of just three artists who were invited to participate in the Phoenix Zoo’s Art on the Wild Side exhibit, which runs through 2021. The artist’s work has been so wellreceived that she rented a studio in the Troon area of North Scottsdale. “I usually have 25 to 30 paintings in progress at all times and some of the canvases are very large,” DeGoede says. “My partner, Greg, has been very supportive but it became obvious that I needed more room.” Normally this time of year, DeGoede would be traveling to prestigious shows across the country. However, most of the events have been cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s one reason why she is eagerly anticipating Hidden in the Hills. “I’m looking forward to unveiling new paintings during the art tour,” she says. “I hope my work will shake up the way we see and appreciate the everyday life around us. Life is too short not to laugh, smile and enjoy our time here. I haven't strayed from my original artist statement, which invites people to join me on a ‘Joyeful rabbit trail.’” joyesart.com
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Baked Meatballs Try this great alternative to pan-fried meatballs. They are healthier and result in much less mess, cutting cleanup time! Use seasoned bread crumbs or experiment with your favorite herbs and spices to amp up the flavor and make them your own! Makes: 30–35 meatballs
Ingredients: 1 pound grass-fed ground beef 1 cup regular or gluten-free breadcrumbs 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (finely grated) 1/2 cup milk 2 eggs (beaten) 2 tablespoons dried parsley 1 clove garlic (minced) 1 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with heavy-duty foil and spray well with cooking spray or coat with olive oil. In a medium bowl, crumble ground beef. Add bread crumbs and parmesan cheese, tossing to mix. In a measuring cup combine milk, eggs, parsley, garlic and salt and pepper. Add to meat mixture and mix just to combine. Using a medium ice cream or cookie scoop, scoop mixture onto prepared pan. Place meatballs fairly close together, as this will fill up a baking sheet. Bake for 25–30 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly. Enjoy!
Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly
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The MOHR Group DON’T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS
Panoramic Views from this 4.3 acre estate! Privacy! Amazing Sunsets! Some city lights! $1,395,000 Modestly priced for the area!
FOR SAL VIEW LOTS
Gorgeous remodel with newer kitchen and baths! Town of Carefree with an amazing view of Black Mountain.High Ceilings, Man-sized 3 car garage $830,000
Majestic Black Mountain abutting over 100 acres of the Black Mountain Preserve! Amazing views from this boulder strewn lot in the prestigious gated Hawksnest community. $1,150,000
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op is 4.6 acre hillt rever! Own th ned for zo nd You Can See Fo la e at st for 00 acres of lot abutting 16 joining 5 is also 25,000! The ad $5 n! tio va ic. er tr pres l. Elec 00! Shared wel sale for $450,0
Kendal, Ryan, Janet and Don FAMILY-RAN SINCE 1985
GO TO MOHRHOMES.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION, DRONE SHOTS AND PHOTOS OR CALL US AT 602-980-7653 FOR A PRIVATE VIEWING. October 2020
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North Scottsdale-Carefree Office 34305 N. Scottsdale Road Scottsdale, AZ 85266
P. 480-488-2400
$2,100,000 Perfect sanctuary home in Desert Mountain with 8+ car garage designed by award-winning Shelby Wilson. Kathy Reed 480-262-1284
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D PEN
$1,160,000 Stunning home in Desert Springs. 4100 sq ft., mountain views, resort-like rear yard. Sandy Comacchio 480-440-6706
$975,000 Desert Mountain home offering magnificent sunset and mountain vistas views with heated pool, spa and fire pit. Kathy Reed 480-262-1284
‘The Penthouse’- New, Modern, Sleek - King of the Hill - For 10 - 20 Cars! $ 3.99M Debbie Omundson, See Video: www.CarefreeProperty.com
$1,295,000 Soft southwest contemporary home in Desert Mountain with beautiful mountain and sunset views. Joanie Barreiro 480-235-2776
Lots of Lots Available! Choose from 1, 5, 7, or 19 acres - Level or Hillside $ 245K++ Debbie Omundson, See Details: www.CarefreeProperty.com
$628,888 CHARMING HOME IN A GREAT LOCATION! 3 BR,3 BA, Den, and 3 car garage. Saiedeh Karamooz, Associate Broker 480-695-5522
$4,500,000 Contemporary in The Mirabel Club. Tate Studio designed home overlooking views. i m a17th g e s a rfairway i z o n a . cand o m valley Oc tob e r 2 02 0 Patrick Rice 970-846-5461
$1,299,000 Totally remodeled 4300 SF home, 3 stalls, tack room, 1/3 acre arena, gym, 3+ car garage. Amazing Property! Patrick Rice 970-846-5461
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