Images Arizona November 2019 by Images Arizona Magazine Carefee/Cave Creek Edition

Desert Mountain

ECRWSS Local Postal Customer

Carefree

Cave Creek PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PHOENIX, AZ PERMIT NO. 3418

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

I N T E G R AT I V E H O L I S T I C C A R E

FOR YOUR

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

THE CENTER FOR

INTEGRATIVE HEALING & WELLNESS

FABIO ALMEIDA, MD ABIM, ABOM, ABNM

Founder | Medical Director

Dr. Fabio Almeida is a highly skilled, multi-Board certified Medical Doctor providing comprehensive, technology-enabled conventional, lifestyle, and natural healthcare. Together with his multi-disciplinary wellness team at The Center for Integrative Healing and Wellness, Dr. Fabio offers personalized care, retreats and programs that help individuals achieve their wellness goals. Services & Programs Concierge Membership Care Destination Wellness Programs Integrative Nutrition Integrative Oncology IV Therapy Medical Weight Loss Athletic Performance Optimization Men’s Health Women’s Health Anti-Aging & Aesthetics

Dr. Fabio specializes in integrative medicine and oncology, nutritional medicine, anti-aging medicine and functional-molecular imaging.

A personalized wellness clinic where you are our priority. Shouldn’t your healthcare be as unique and amazing as you? Call to schedule a consultation. Visits in-person, via telemedicine and Skype.

480.881.5621

THE CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE HEALING & WELLNESS Civana Resort Spa - Sanctuary | 37220 Mule Train Road, Carefree, AZ 85377 | drfabio.com i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

VOTED #1 SCOTTSDALE REAL ESTATE TEAM FOR 2018 THE ONE YOU CALL WHEN YOU NEED YOUR HOME SOLD

10618 E Rising Sun Drive Scottsdale AZ 85262 5 Bedroom | 5.5 Bath | 4,656 Sqft | Encellia MLS 5910387 | Offered at $1,050,000 Contact Colby McMahon at (480) 999-1084

9626 E Peak View Road Scottsdale AZ 86262 4 Bedroom | 2.5 Bath | 3,558 Sqft | Fairways at Troon North MLS 5986119 | Offered at $899,900 Contact Jeffrey Serpa at (480) 771-3194

28441 N 57th Street Cave Creek AZ 85331 4 Bedroom | 3 Bath | 3,867 Sqft | Vista Norte MLS 5974479 | Offered at $750,000 Contact Andrew at (480) 531-8859

36802 N Stardust Lane Carefree AZ 85377 3 Bedroom | 3 Bath | 3,541 Sqft | Velvet Shadow MLS 5944100 | Offered at $674,900 Contact Andrew at (480) 531-8859

7295 E High Point Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85266 3 Bedroom | 3 Bath | 2,186 Sqft | Enclave on the Eighth MLS 5977906 | Offered at $650,000 Contact Andrew at (480) 531-8859

24035 N 74th Street Scottsdale AZ 85255 3 Bedroom | 2.5 Bath | 2,697 Sqft | Talara MLS 5971318 | Offered at $599,000 Contact Andrew at (480) 531-8859

60 Almarte Circle Carefree AZ 85377 2 Bedroom | 2.5 Bath | 2,270 Sqft | Almarte MLS 5933335 | Offered at $579,500 Contact Colby McMahon at (480) 999-1084

7499 E Mariposa Grande Drive Scottsdale AZ 85255 3 Bedroom | 2.5 Bath | 2,075 Sqft | Talara MLS 5979841 | Offered at $515,000 Contact Andrew at (480) 531-8859

ANDREW BLOOM

Senior Partner REALTOR® Andrew@BVOLuxury.com

BABS BLOOM

Director of Marketing Director of Client Care Barbara@BVOLuxury.com

AUSTIN BLOOM

Chief Technology Officer REALTOR® Austin@BVOLuxury.com

(480) 400-1984 | www.BVOLuxuryGroup.com N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Exhibition Opens Nov. 8 Step inside one of Central Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most powerful and enduring art forms In partnership with

Presenting sponsor

@MIMphx imagesarizona.com 4

Nov e m b e r 2 019

MIM.org | Open Daily | 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix

AN ND D EE R R SS O ON N LL II N NC CO O LL N N SS A

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Now Available at Total Wine and Safeway (Summit) Ask for Carefree Bourbon at these fine restaurants: American Legion • Buffalo Chip • Bourbon Cellar • Capital Grille • Cartwright’s Corrado’s Cucina Italiana • Desert Mountain Clubhouse • Harold’s Corral • High and Rye Hyatt Regency • Indigo Crow • Janey’s Cave Creek • Civana • Lush Burger • Mastro’s Mountain View Irish Pub • Outlaws • Pizzicata • The Horny Toad • The Patio Grill Venues Café • Z’s House of Thai Carefree Tasting Room | 100 Easy Street Suite 2 Cave Creek Tasting Room Coming Soon! 480-466-7424 | elysiandesertdistilleries.com Hours: Friday and Saturday 2 - 7 p.m.

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

N E W A RT I S T S J O I N I N G O U R G A L L E RY MEET THE ARTISTS OPEN HOUSE Thursday, Dec. 12, 2–5 pm Tr e v o r S w a n s o n > > Triptych behind Sue “Royalty” 20 by 56 in “Sonoran Softness” 20 by 56 in “Star in the Thrones” 20 by 56 in Oil on Oxidized Metal B r yc e Pet ti t On the table “Burrowing Owls”

Amy Lay “Lives in the Sonoran Desert”

Jill Duzan

INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES & HOME FURNISHINGS

36889 N. Tom Darlington Dr. Suite B1, Carefree | 480-595-0171 | suebickerdyke.com Hours: Mon. thru Sat. 9am - 5pm Allied ASID N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

SOARING WITH PETER KUTTNER Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Submitted by Grace Renee Gallery

COMMUNITY EVENTS Writer Joseph J. Airdo

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW ALESSANDRA DONÀ Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Alessandra Donà

FALL FEATHERS Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Adrienne McLeod

110

THROUGH THE BRUSH OF THE INTERPRETER ARTIST PAUL PLETKA Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Carl Schultz

130

SWEET POTATO SHINGLE CASSEROLE

110 10

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

130

Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

by Goochie Goo Garbs, LLC

SHOP LIKE SANTA! SAVE LIKE SCROOGE! Friday & Saturday

November 22nd & 23rd, 2019

(10am-5pm) Located in La Mirada Shopping Center

50-75% Off Final Few â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Final Sale

Selected Blankets, Pillow Shams, Clothing & More...

www.goochiegoo.com N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

PUBLISHER Shelly Spence

MANAGING EDITOR Amanda Christmann

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Meaghan Hanie

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joseph Airdo Amanda Christmann Sue Kern-Fleischer Kyndra Kelly Shoshana Leon Shannon Severson Fadi Sitto

PHOTOGRAPHERS Bryan Black 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

Looking through the pages of this month’s colorful edition of Images Arizona magazine, I have to say—wow! What an incredibly dynamic and talented community this is that we call home! It’s a gift to be surrounded by so many people who are pursuing their passions while they make beautiful and meaningful marks on the world. This month, Sonoran Arts League’s signature Hidden in the Hills returns to the North Valley, and I hope you are as excited as I am! Just shy of 200 artists will show off their work in more than 40 working studios across our area. It’s one of my favorite events of the year, not only because I love to meet so many fantastic local artists, but because Hidden in the Hills is a unique opportunity to see artists at work, and to learn about the inspirations behind their unique artistic voices. It’s the stories behind what we all do that make us feel connected, and telling those stories is what we’ve been doing at Images Arizona for 16 years. I’d be remiss if I didn’t shine a spotlight on our own talented writers, photographers and designers, who have outdone themselves this month. Our Images Arizona family is made up of parents, husbands, wives, and active members of our community who love what they do. Every month, I’m amazed at how they overcome family challenges, full schedules, and other often significant obstacles to put together what I believe is the best locally focused magazine in the greater Phoenix area.

shelly@imagesaz.com by the 5th of the month prior to publication. Images Arizona is published by ImagesAZ Inc. Copyright © 2019 by ImagesAZ, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or part, without permission is prohibited. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited material.

Local First A R I Z O NA

The best part for me is to watch the collaboration, connection and genuine respect our Images Arizona team has for each other as they make it all happen. Every month, they make me proud to be part of something so wonderful. I hope you feel the same as you browse through the pages of this month’s edition. Cheers! Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

ANCIENT + OLD TRUNK SHOW Wed. & Thur. 14

| Dec. 4–5 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Grace Renee Gallery | 480-575-8080 | GraceReneeGallery.com

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

ANCIENT + OLD TRUNK SHOW Wed. & Thur.

| Dec. 4–5 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Grace Renee Gallery | Historic Spanish Village | 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ 15 N ovember 2019 imagesar iz ona .c om

Writer Amanda Christmann

i mSubmitted a g e s a r i z oby n aGrace . c o m Renee Nov Gallery e m b e r 2 019 Photography 16

Some artists approach a canvas with dreams in their heads, dipping brushes into paint and watching with fascination as work spontaneously emerges. Other artists yield to a process, layer by layer, their ideas materializing in a labor of love. The work of artist Peter Kuttner straddles a wavering line between improvisation and process. Though his whimsical landscapes seem to appear impromptu, Kuttner has perfected a step-by-step method of creating the vivid swirls of color that seem to pop from his canvas. As a young artist, Kuttner admired an unlikely pair of artists: Walt Disney and Claude Monet. Looking at Kuttner’s art, it all makes sense. The bulk of his work involves playful scenes of brightly colored hot air balloons, boats or flowers. He has a knack for capturing a nearly animated spirit of happiness in all he does, which, like Disney, is part of his allure. Whirls of color fill Kuttner’s still life creations, an ode to Monet’s Garden at Giverny and other classics. Though Kuttner is not an impressionist artist, he seems to channel the purity of Monet’s aesthetic.

A UNIQUE MEDIUM At the heart of Kuttner’s work is a conscientious effort to create zero-waste art.

KINDERGARTEN

Round Up

Black Mountain Elementary School PERFORMING ARTS PRESCHOOL SPANISH PRE-K-6

“It started from a conservation standpoint. I didn’t like throwing things way—I still don’t,” he said. “I would scrape my palettes for the next day and I’d end up with these vibrant paint chips. I saw that there was value in them.”

Desert Sun Academy FRENCH IMMERSION STEAM SPANISH K-6

In a nod to both creativity and sustainability, Kuttner combines trickles and drops of acrylic paints to make brightly colored chips. He skillfully trims and combines them to form balloons and other elements. Pieces from his Cut-Out series have been compared to the work of Matisse in their utilitarian simplicity. Kuttner utilizes negative space and abstracted details to create lively and mesmerizing texture and depth.

Desert Willow Elementary School

Thursday, January 23, 2020 • 5:00-6:30pm Visit our five A+ elementary schools – each with its own signature Curriculum. Cave Creek Unified School District is inspiring excellence in young minds.

Though his name is now dropped into conversations about notable contemporary artists, Kuttner remains modest about his art.

SPANISH IMMERSION INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL SPANISH PRE-K-6

Horseshoe Trails Elementary School CHINESE IMMERSION HORSEMANSHIP CHINESE PRE-K-6

Lone Mountain Elementary School 480.575.2000 www.CCUSD93.org N ovember 2019

STEM PROGRAM CHINESE PRE-K-6

imagesar iz ona .c om

“I don’t do many elevator pitches,” he says from his Tucson studio. He laughs from beneath the brim of a brown cap. His stubble is a couple of days old, and he looks relaxed in a brown t-shirt. Like his work, he is disarmingly candid. “The first thing I want to do when I create a piece is make it colorful and happy. I like to go to this happy feeling with my work. “I’m also process-oriented. There are a lot of steps I follow to get there. To make paint scrapes, I paint on glass or on a mirror, and then I let that dry. Once it’s dry, I cover it with gesso and let it dry again so I can pull the paint off the glass. “The whole process provides brilliant, pure, unadulterated color that you just can’t get from mixing colors on a canvas. Every time, there are unforeseen things that happen. I love the spontaneity of color production.” Kuttner’s methods and skill have evolved over time. “My first attempts were really bad paintings, but I got better at it. I feel like I’m still getting better at it every time, and I’ve been doing the Cut-out series for 10 years.”

SETTING HIS OWN COURSE Kuttner’s work has been embraced by Architectural Digest magazine; in popular films and television shows, including Californication, Two and a Half Men, and Nashville; and has been exhibited alongside other prominent American contemporary artists in shows, museums, and private, royal and corporate collections from coast to coast. Not bad for a guy who entered college thinking he could never make it as an artist. Kuttner grew up just south of Boston. His mother was also an artist, though she never received formal training, and his father was a musician. “My mother did illustrations, and I really loved watching her draw. I discovered early on that I loved art, too,” he said. “In first grade, my teacher had the whole class create crayon drawings, then put watercolors on top of that. It was a resistance-type painting. The best part was that we got to show our drawings at the local library. “It was my first art show. I still remember how I loved having people see my work, and I also remember that I

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

saw a difference in my work from the other kids’ work.”

“

The work of artist Peter Kuttner straddles a wavering line between improvisation and process. Though his whimsical landscapes seem to appear impromptu, Kuttner has perfected a stepby-step method of

“

creating the vivid

swirls of color that seem to pop from his canvas.

EXPERIENCE

For as long as he can remember, Kuttner had wanted to be a Disney animator. He spent hour upon hour drawing sketches, and he was quite good. When it came time to choose a college degree, however, he tried to be more practical. “When I went to college, I didn’t know I was going to be an artist,” he said. “I majored in art history because I thought I’d have an easier time getting a job afterward. Fortunately, I had teachers tell me, ‘You’ve got a talent. Why don’t you pursue a degree at an art college?’ I did, and thankfully I found a great art school. Kuttner transferred to Ringling School of Art & Design in Florida, which was, at the time, a farm school for Disney animators. However, times were changing. At about the same time he graduated, animation turned away from hand-drawn sketches to digital imagery. He did realize his dream of working at Disney World, but not as an animator. Instead, he dressed up as a cloddish cowboy named Judge Benedict and served food in one of the restaurants. “I worked for Disney for eight years,” he said. “I learned a lot of good things and bad things—but I kept all the good things. I never worked in their animation studio at all, but I got to visit quite a bit. Disney definitely gave me a lot.” In his spare time, Kuttner painted. He worked in oils en plein air creating landscapes.

“I didn’t know it would get me this far.” Eventually, he moved to Phoenix and began working in an art cooperative. He developed new techniques in his own paintings, but he also earned commissions recreating work for the cooperative. “I learned a lot about business and art,” he said. “I didn’t enjoy recreating other people’s work. When I left, I made sure that everything I created was brand new and that it was nothing anyone had ever seen. I worked hard.” He began selling his work through local galleries in 2004. His style and medium have evolved along the way, and he’s continued to find ways to connect to people through art. His latest works featuring hot air balloons were inspired by a trip to New Mexico where he watched the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Many of his newer pieces will be on display at Grace Renee Gallery during an artist reception Nov. 21. “I’m very proud that I do art for a living,” he said. “I feel like I’m fortunate that I kind of stumbled into something I really loved.” Every bit of happiness Kuttner puts into his paintings seems to come back to him. “I’ve gotten so much value and so much—I don’t know—I hate to use the term ‘healing’—but working with color does something to you. I feel lucky every day that I do what I do.” gracereneegallery.com

“I loved color,” he said. “It made sense to start painting.” His face broke into a shy smile.

— ITALIAN DESIGNER JEWELRY WEEKEND —

NOVEMBER 8–10

.. .

Friday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wine and Appetizers: 4 – 8 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

.. .. . .. . .. . ..

.. ..

From highly polished silver by Pesavento to chic South Sea pearls by Alessandra Dona, to the exquisite hand-textured gold by Nanis, experience three different designers—ultimately feminine and uniquely Italian.

— PAUL PLETKA “ SARSI ” PAINTING —

NOVEMBER 14

.. .. .. .. .. ..

“Sarsi,” a Paul Pletka original painting, has been released from a private collection and is now available on display and for purchase for the first time ever, exclusively at Grace Renee Gallery.

Thursday: 4 - 7 p.m. Wine and appetizers served

— GOSHWARA JEWELRY — .. .. .. . .. . .. .. ..

. ..

Historic Spanish Village

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

NOVEMBER 15–16

Friday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Wine and appetizers: 4 - 8 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sweta Jain’s collection infuses couture with a sumptuous variety of color. Soft shapes and playful sophistication make this jewelry showcase one you won’t want to miss.

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

480.575.8080

— ARTIST RECEPTION WITH PETER KUTTNER —

NOVEMBER 21 ..

Thursday: 4–7 p.m. Wine and Appetizers.

.. .. .. .. .. ..

Artist Peter Kuttner’s work embodies a simple yet thoughtful contemporary retrospective. Meet Peter and see for yourself why his work has been featured in national publications, popular films and television shows, museums and private, royal, and corporate collections worldwide.

Grace Renee Gallery is a refreshingly beautiful way to explore fine contemporary art in the breathtaking shadows of the Sonoran Desert foothills of Carefree, Arizona. Artfully designed jewelry, inspiring sculptures, spectacular wall art, stunning ceramics and more await.

UPCOMING EVENTS — AARON HENRY JEWELRY — ..

NOVEMBER 22–23

.. ..

Friday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Wine and appetizers: 4 - 8 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

.. .. .. .. ..

Meet the father and son team behind this luxury jewelry collection. Each brilliant piece is hand-crafted bringing classical Old World quality to modern design.

— JACQUELINE EARLE JEWELRY — .. .

DECEMBER 6 - 7

.. .. .. . .. .. . ..

. ..

Friday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Wine and appetizers: 4 - 8 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Jacqueline creates magical jewelry with diamonds that are strung rather than set. This process allows each stone to capture light in a fun and playful manner.

GraceReneeGallery.com N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

COMMUNITY

2019 NOVEMBER

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Nov. 8–10

ITALIAN JEWELRY DESIGNER WEEKEND Grace Renee Gallery will feature jewelry from three different Italian designers—from highly polished silver by Pesavento, to chic South Sea pearls by Alessandra Donà to the exquisite hand-textured gold by Nanis. Free. Friday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. with wine and appetizers 4–8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., #7, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Nov. 1–24

SETH FAIRWEATHER: INDIVIDUAL VOICE Discover the thought-provoking glass

Pima Road, Scottsdale. wineandfood.

of Taliesin exhibit, inspired by the

usatoday.com

desert boulders used to build Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West. Kleidon’s

Nov. 2, 3

the boulders and adapt their textures

and steel sculptures of artist Seth

CELEBRATE AMERICA

Fairweather through this impressive

In its first concert of the season,

10 a.m.–4 p.m. The WHAM West

exhibition. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Bryant Nagel

ProMusica Arizona presents American

Gallery, 16560 N. Dysart Road,

Galleries, 431 SR 179, Sedona. 928-282-

music including Broadway, folk tunes,

Surprise. 623-584-8311; wham-art.org

6865; bryantnagelgalleries.com

spiritual and patriotic music as well as a salute to servicemen and women with the

Nov. 2, 3

AZ CENTRAL FOOD AND WINE EXPERIENCE Enjoy tastings from several restaurants

paintings express the earth colors of

stirring piece “Armed Forces: The Pride of America.” See website for times, pricing and venues. 623-326-5172; pmaz.org

to many hues. Free. Tuesday–Saturday

Nov. 3

SUNDAY SUPPER CLUB Hearth ’61 at Mountain Shadows’

Nov. 2–29

monthly Sunday Supper Club features four courses paired with wines.

and wineries as well as demonstrations

EARTH COLORS

by local and celebrity chefs. $65+.

Experience Dennis Kleidon’s paintings

Paradise Valley. 866-582-0607;

1–4 p.m. Salt River Fields, 7555 N.

at the WHAM West Gallery’s Textures

mountainshadows.com

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

$85. 6 p.m. 5445 E. Lincoln Drive,

Nov. 4

WHAT’S BUGGING YOU? Learn about desert arthropods and how they fit into the ecosystem from the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy’s Dr. Richard Cochran. The seminar is sponsored by the Desert Awareness Committee of the Foothills Community Foundation. Free. 6:30–8 p.m. Holland Community Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. azfcf.org

Nov. 5

SPAGHETTI DINNER WITH A CAUSE Join Soroptimist International of Saguaro Foothills for its 42nd Annual Spaghetti Dinner. Includes silent auction, raffle and balloon prizes. Proceeds benefit educational scholarships and training awards for women as well as the organization's “Dream It, Be It” career conference for girls. Adults $20; Children 12 and under $7; Children under 5 free with paid adult. 5–8 p.m. Harold’s Corral, 6895 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek. 203-788-0180; sisaguarofoothills.org

Nov. 5

A HEALTHIER HOLIDAY Chiropractic physician and acupuncturist Dr. Leisa-Marie Grgula will share five secrets to prepare healthier dishes without sacrificing taste this holiday season. Free. Noon–2 p.m. RSVP. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

Nov. 6

PEO FASHION SHOW PEO Chapter EA of Scottsdale will hold a luncheon and fashion show to raise funds to benefit deserving women with educational grants, scholarships and loans. $50. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. RSVP. Grayhawk Golf Club, 8620 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale. peo-fundraiser2019@outlook.com N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Nov. 14

PAUL PLETKA’S SARSI “Sarsi,” a Paul Pletka original painting, will be on display and available for purchase for the first time ever. With wine and appetizers. Free. 4–7 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., #7, Carefree. 480-5758080; gracereneegallery.com

Nov. 6

DISCOVER YOUR INNER BEAUTY

studios in preparation for the event.

to enriching the community through

Free. 12:30–2:30 p.m. Desert Foothills

fine art, by attending a night of art and

Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road,

entertainment. The evening will feature

Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

a silent auction containing a variety of

Come celebrate SkinRevision’s new Cave Creek location and Nurse Kelly’s anniversary with the company. Enjoy

artwork from well-known professional

Nov. 9

artists including oil paintings, watercolors, drawings and sculptures. A selection of

holiday shopping fun with a select group

AT&T VETERANS CHARITY 3-MILER

of artists and retailers. Free. 5–7 p.m.

Come walk or run either a one-mile or

p.m. Scottsdale Artists’ School, 3720 N.

6554 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek.

a three-mile course around the Carefree

Marshall Way, Scottsdale. 480-990-1422;

480-828-0987; skinrevisionaz.com

Desert Gardens and downtown Carefree.

scottsdaleartschool.org

light bites and sips along with some pre-

juried work from the school’s student artists will also be available. $125. 5–9:30

Proceeds benefit Helping Hands for

Nov. 7

BEHIND THE SCENES OF HIDDEN IN THE HILLS

Freedom and other veterans’ charities. Bring a non-perishable food item to Carefree Town Hall, 8 E. Sundial Circle,

CRIME AND PUN-ISHMENT

Carefree. 480-488-3686; attveterans.org

Enjoy a thrilling night of a puzzling murder

support Foothills Food Bank. 9 a.m.

Go behind the scenes and meet some of the artists participating in this year’s Hidden in the Hills Showcase.

Nov. 9

mystery set in the 1920s. Costumes are

Nov. 9

encouraged and awards will be given to the best-dressed. Includes appetizers and

Try your hand at several different art

BEAUX ARTS

processes and watch a visual slide

Support the Scottsdale Artists’ School,

Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse

tour of artists in action in their unique

a non-profit organization dedicated

Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

cocktails. $55. 5–8 p.m. RSVP. Desert

Nov. 9

KIWANIS OF CAREFREE PANCAKE BREAKFAST Enjoy a morning of all-you-can-eat pancakes that yields a good time with friends, family and neighbors while supporting the community. Adults $8; Children 14 and under $4. 7–11 a.m. Carefree Town Center Gardens, 101 Easy St., Carefree. kiwaniscarefree.org

Nov. 9

MOVING DAY PHOENIX Held across the country since 2011, Moving Day Phoenix will be the first annual event in the Valley to raise money for the Parkinson’s Foundation. Register online to form your own team, or register as an individual to walk in support of those you know whose lives have been touched by the disease. 8:30 a.m. Kiwanis Park, Mill Ave. and All America Way, Tempe. 480-506-0063; movingdaywalk.org

Nov. 9

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL Celebrate Native American heritage and honor the contributions of all U.S. veterans. The event, which will feature the 19th Annual Veterans Day Weekend Traditional Pow Wow, will include colorful regalia, dancing, music, Native arts and crafts, kids’ activities, artist demonstrations and food trucks. Free. 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Arizona State University’s West campus, 4701 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale. asuevents.asu.edu

Nov. 10

LIVE AND LOCAL Celebrate with food, libations and music while benefitting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. $150. 6 p.m. Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. bgcs.org

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Nov. 15, 16

GOSHWARA JEWELS Sweta Jain’s Goshwara collection infuses couture with a sumptuous variety of colors. This special jewelry showcase features soft shapes and playful sophistication. Free. Friday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. with wine and appetizers 4–8 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., #7, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Nov. 10

Nov. 11

Enjoy a four-course meal and live music

Carefree will honor the sacrifice of

Through Culinary Arts Program

as well as silent and live auctions in

military service members and their

features Valley chefs cooking with

this Motown-themed event, which will

families in ensuring our nation’s freedom.

students as well as live and silent

honor cancer survivor and Arizona

This year’s event will feature guest

auctions. $125+. 6 p.m. Ocotillo

Diamondbacks president and CEO

speakers and a mixture of patriotic and

Restaurant, 3243 N. Third Street,

Derrick Hall. Proceeds benefit The Joy

military music. Free. 3–5 p.m. Sanderson

Phoenix. ccapinc.org

Bus, which delivers healthy, chef-inspired

Lincoln Pavilion, 101 Easy St., Carefree.

meals to homebound cancer patients.

480-488-3686; visitcarefree.com

JOY BUS GALA: MOTOWN NIGHT

CAREFREE’S VETERANS DAY HONOR

$150. 6 p.m. Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale. thejoybusdiner.com

Nov. 10

MARCH OF DIMES SIGNATURE CHEFS AUCTION

Nov. 11

PHOENIX TAKEOVER AT CARTWRIGHT’S

Nov. 12

HARVEST MOON FEAST This fundraiser for Arizona’s Careers

Nov. 13

ROCKING OUT Anthropologist Mark Hackbarth will speak about recent archaeological investigations, including three excavation

Chefs from around the country will

projects near Cave Creek that have

showcase their best dishes paired

identified small classic, sedentary and

with Arizona wines. $250. 6:30 p.m.

earlier sites spanning a timeframe from

Taste food from top Valley chefs

Cartwright’s Modern Cuisine, 6710

AD 1-1250. The lecture is presented

while participating in a live auction.

E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek.

by the Desert Foothills Chapter of the

$275. 4:30 p.m. Talking Stick Resort,

cartwrightsmoderncuisine.com/events

Arizona Archaeology Society. Free. 7:30

9000 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale.

p.m. The Good Shepard of the Hills

signaturechefs.marchofdimes.org

Episcopal Church, 6502 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek. azarchsoc.org

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Nov. 14

WINEMAKER DINNER The November event in the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale’s monthly winemaker dinner series begins with a reception, followed by a four-course dinner paired with wines from Napa Valley’s PlumpJack Winery. $95. 6:30 p.m. RSVP. 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale. 480-444-1234 ext. 8650

Nov. 15

FALL HARVEST DINNER Join LON’s Executive Chef Jeremy Pacheco and winemakers from Page Springs Cellars and Burning Tree Cellars for a fivecourse wine pairing dinner. $149. 6 p.m. LON’s at the Hermosa Inn, 5532 N. Palo Cristi Road, Paradise Valley. 844-267-8738

Nov. 16

ARIZONA WINE GROWERS ASSOCIATION GRAND WINE FESTIVAL Enjoy samples from more than 30 Arizona wineries. $30. 11 a.m. Kierland Commons, 15205 N. Kierland Blvd., Scottsdale. azwinefestivals.com

Nov. 16

LEARN AND LUNCH Chef Marcellino will teach participants how to cook Pollo Saporito, chicken breast sautéed with pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms during this intimate cooking class followed by lunch. $40. 1 p.m. RSVP. Marcellino Ristorante, 7114 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale. 480-990-9500

Nov. 16

LIVING MUSIC PERFORMANCE SERIES Curtis on Tour violinist Grace Clifford will perform as part of Christ the Lord Lutheran Church’s Living Music Performance Series. $25. 4 p.m. Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, 9205 E. Cave Creek Road, Carefree. 480-488-2081; ctlcarefree.org

Nov. 17

BATTLE OF THE BURGERS Sample some of the most delicious sliders in the Valley while helping the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation in its efforts to support local foster children in need during the 2019 Slider Throwdown. $35. Noon–3 p.m. Kierland Commons, 15205 N. Kierland Blvd, Scottsdale. affcf.org

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Nov. 21

MEET PETER KUTTNER Artist Peter Kuttner will visit Grace Renee Gallery to showcase his work that embodies a simple yet thoughtful contemporary retrospective. His pieces have been featured in national publications, popular films and television shows, museums and private, royal and corporate collections worldwide. With wine and appetizers. Free. 4–7 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., #7, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Nov. 18

MONDAY NIGHT CHEF’S TABLE This event in the monthly dinner

modern design. Free. Friday 10

work. Free. 6:30–9:30 p.m.

a.m.–8 p.m. with wine and appetizers

scottsdalegalleries.com

4–8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho

Nov. 21

Hum Rd., #7, Carefree. 480-575-

Russell LaCasce with wine from Napa

DESERT TO DISH

Valley’s Groth Winery. $75. 6:30 p.m.

The Omni Montelucia’s monthly

ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 E.

dinner offers four courses prepared by

Nov. 22–24

Main St., Scottsdale. 480-376-2600

executive chef Marcos Seville paired

series pairs four courses by Chef

Nov. 21

CONTEMPORARY FOCUS ARTWALK The Scottsdale Gallery Association

ArtWalk focuses on contemporary

8080; gracereneegallery.com

with beverages in the intimate Chef’s

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE

Kitchen. $125. 6 p.m. 4949 E. Lincoln

Legacy Ballet Academy will usher in

Drive, Scottsdale. 480-627-3039

the holiday season with its production of “The Nutcracker Suite.” $25+

Nov. 22, 23

See website for times. The Madison Center for the Arts, 5601 N.

has kicked off its 45th season

MEET AARON HENRY

recognizing, advocating for and

Jewelry designer Aaron Henry will

supporting the local art community.

visit Grace Renee Gallery to showcase

In addition to its ArtWalks that take

his brilliant American luxury jewelry

place every Thursday evening amid

collection. Each piece is hand-crafted

the Scottsdale Arts District, special

in the Aaron Henry Los Angeles

Gold Palette ArtWalks will be offered

studio in a meticulous process using

AZ BARRELS, BOTTLES AND BREWS

once a month to celebrate the special

models and molds, bringing classical

Enjoy craft beer, spirits and wine

season. November’s Gold Palette

Old World quality to strikingly

from around Arizona. More than

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

16th St., Phoenix. 602-314-8033; legacyballetacademy.com

Nov. 23

25 local breweries, distilleries and wineries are participating. $50+. 2 p.m. Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. azbottlesandbrews.com

Nov. 23, 24

ARTFEST OF SCOTTSDALE Honoring the local artists’ community, this year’s ArtFest of Scottsdale will feature more than 120 artists selling paintings, sculptures, jewelry, metal art, ceramics and glass art as well as authors and visual artists. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Scottdale Civic Center Plaza, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. 888artfest.com

Nov. 25–Dec. 25

DECKING THE HALLS Blue Hound Kitchen and Cocktails will transform into the Valley’s only Miracle Christmas cocktail pop-up bar. Seasonally-themed cocktails and bites are served in a festive setting complete with tens of thousands of Christmas lights, dozens of Elf on a Shelf dolls and ceilings swirling with icicles and garland. Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–midnight; Friday and Saturday 11–1 a.m. Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix, 2 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 602-258-0231; bluehoundkitchen.com

Nov. 29, 30

GRACE RENEE HOLIDAY SOIREE Help Santa make his list and check it twice at Grace Renee Gallery! Enjoy mimosas while showing your special someone what you would like to find under the tree this year. Or, better yet, treat yourself to the perfect gift. Free. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., #7, Carefree. 480-5758080; gracereneegallery.com

Nov. 30, Dec. 1

NATIVITIES OF THE WORLD EXHIBIT The Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center will sponsor an exhibit of more than 350 nativity sets from around the world. The sets, which will be on loan from local artists, collectors and families, are made from every imaginable material—from fine porcelain to craft sticks, rocks, gourds and even banana skins. Donations of nonperishable food or cash to help those in need this holiday season are appreciated. Free. Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

ADOPT-A-FAMILY FOR THE HOLIDAYS Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center is seeking donors to brighten the holiday season for children, families and seniors in the northern Arizona foothills community as part of its 17th annual Adopt-a-Family program. Interested donors determine the size of the family they are willing to adopt then a family wish list is provided as a shopping guide. Monetary donations are also accepted to support the program. 6038 E. Hidden Valley Drive, Cave Creek. foothillsfoodbank.com

Dec. 1

MUSEUM STORE SUNDAY

formulated products. Alvadora’s new botanical program and on-site

Scottsdale’s Museum of the West will

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS

celebrate the latest in the line-up of

Join Jolly Old Saint Nick and his

new body treatments. Royal Palms

post-Thanksgiving shopping days

wife for a morning meal and presents

Resort and Spa, 5200 E. Camelback

by hosting a great sale and special

at Cave Creek Christmas Company,

Road, Phoenix. 602-883-1234;

on-site activities. All purchases

located inside The Horny Toad

royalpalmshotel.com

support the non-profit organization.

Restaurant. It is the only year-round

11 a.m.–5 p.m. Scottsdale Museum

Christmas store in Maricopa County,

of the West, 3830 N. Marshall

offering a wide variety of holiday

Way, Scottsdale. 480-686-9539;

décor and locally crafted gifts. 8–10

scottsdalemuseumwest.org

a.m. RSVP. 6738 E. Cave Creek

and GMO-free groceries to make

Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-9542;

your holiday meals extra special

thehornytoad.com

this year. Fridays 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at

Dec. 8

NEWCOMERS DINNER AND DANCING Newcomers of Scottsdale celebrates

Dec. 14

ALVADORA SPA OFFERS IN-HOUSE HERBALIST

apothecary—led by herbalist Rachel Sloat—utilizes plants, herbs, flowers, roots, berries and citrus for two

LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS Stock up on local organic, gluten-free

Carefree Desert Gardens, 101 Easy St., Carefree. Sundays 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Anthem Community Park, 41703 N Gavilan Peak Parkway, Anthem

Alvadora Spa at Royal Palms Resort

the holiday season. 5:30–8:30

and 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. at Desert

and Spa has unveiled a complete

p.m. $55. RSVP before Dec. 2.

Ridge, 5415 E. High Street, Phoenix.

interior design refresh and now

Scottsdale Plaza Resort, 7200 N.

arizonafarmersmarkets.com

offers an in-house herbalist who

Scottsdale Rd., Paradise Valley.

provides custom botanical treatments

newcomersclubofscottsdale.com

as well as small-batch, hand-

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

NEW LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation has rolled out a revamped Kâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;12 field trip program at Taliesin West in Scottsdale with the introduction of two new tours, including an architectural historic core tour and a Sonoran Desert patterns and design tour. The new, expanded programming also includes several corresponding education labs. Taliesin West, 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale. franklloydwright.org

RUSSO AND STEELE ANNOUNCES NEW VENUE Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auctions will return to Scottsdale Jan. 15â&#x20AC;&#x201C;19 at a new site just south of the Loop 101 and Scottsdale Road. The new 20+ acre site will offer an array of dramatic improvements including highprofile visibility, easy access with ample parking, a significantly larger display area and improved weather contingency. russoandsteele.com

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Dr. Fabio Almeida aspired to develop meaningful relationships with patients when he founded the Center for Integrative Healing and Wellness at Civana Resort & Spa in Carefree.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Carl Schultz

The world is full of dedicated doctors who do their best to provide quality patient care. Unfortunately, all too often, they must work within a system that dictates how far they can and cannot go for patients, what treatments and medications they are able to prescribe, and how much time they can spend with each person who comes through their door. An increasing number of physicians and patients feel that the most common model for medical care in our country, in which patients are often rushed through appointments, prescribed medications that address symptoms and not causes, and are limited by insurance company mandates, does a disservice to patients. Dr. Fabio Almeida wanted to change all of that. He took an integrated approach—something more holistic and compassionate—when he opened the Center for Integrative Healing and Wellness in Carefree. Located at Civana Resort & Spa, the Center for Integrative Healing and Wellness is part of a growing trend toward concierge medicine. Because his practice is membership-based, he not only has an opportunity to fully utilize his extensive training and expertise; he also has the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships built upon trust and the full access his patients have to ask questions or be seen any time they choose. One patient, Melissa*, found out exactly how different Dr. Fabio’s approach is when she went to him after discovering a mass on one of her limbs. Two decades earlier, her father died following a similar diagnosis. Melissa wanted to share her experience. “You never know what you’re going to do in a health crisis until you’re faced with one,” she began. “All you know is that you’re not in control

anymore. All I could see was the same dire outcome for myself.” Melissa turned first to her primary care doctor, who ordered a battery of tests. “I know doctors who are working under the constraints of health insurance don’t have it easy, so I get it when they go into CYA mode and send you for too many tests,” she said. “But when those tests aren’t covered by your insurance—and you find this out after a delay of weeks—you can see how fear could quickly flip to anger mingled with desperation.” Friends referred Melissa to Dr. Fabio and the world of concierge healthcare. “What a contrast! When I met with Dr Fabio for the initial consult, we had an actual conversation,” she said—a marked contrast that set him apart from other doctors she spoke to who she felt were more focused on their computers than on her as a person. “Dr. Fabio explained his approach and addressed all my questions and concerns. He gave me his best clinical opinion and a plan of action that I trusted was unbiased, objective and based on validated clinical data,” Melissa added. That wasn’t the only positive difference she noticed. There were many. For example, when Melissa met with Dr. Fabio she realized that, for the first time in her life, a doctor finally spent the time needed to fully address her needs. Melissa found herself navigating referrals and testing and negotiating her care with different facilities. To her surprise, she didn’t have to do it alone. Dr. Fabio and his office were there alongside her, helping her every step of the way. *Not her real name. N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Dr. Fabio Almeida, center, and his Center for Integrative Healing and Wellness staff are committed to providing a combination of conventional medicine, lifestyle improvements and coaching, and alternative medical practices to help patients.

Center for Integrated Healing and Wellness Civana Carefree 37220 Mule Train Rd., Carefree 480-881-5621 drfabio.com

“When I finally got my test results, it was incredibly reassuring to know that, with his expert background in imaging, he could access the results within hours and I could have confidence in his assessment—a big deal for me since false positives and negatives are not uncommon.” Melissa is just one area resident who has discovered that, for her, the membership she pays for Dr. Fabio’s care at the Center for Integrative Healing and Wellness is more than medical care; it’s a holistic approach to health and peace of mind. “Dr. Fabio addressed my all aspects of my health,” she said. “It’s almost a cliché to talk about our lives as consisting of body, mind, spirit, but traditional medicine still sees you as just a body. As an integrative M.D., Dr Fabio considers all aspects of your being—your state of mind, the prescriptions and supplements you take, the foods you eat, exercise, social connections in your life and your sense of purpose.”

A LEADER IN MEDICINE It’s no surprise that Dr. Fabio chose an innovative route for developing his practice. He’s spent his adult life pushing through barriers in cancer research, nuclear medicine and cardiology.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Even before his career began, Dr. Fabio was a mover and shaker. He graduated with honors at the top of his class at the prestigious The Chicago Medical School, then went on to complete a combined residency and fellowship in internal and nuclear medicine at the University of San Francisco. Originally, he went into academic practice at the University of California San Francisco. In 2002 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he was recruited as a consultant to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. He then moved to Tucson in 2005, where he was selected to head up the molecular imaging department at the UofA University hospital and also serve as an associate clinical professor, teaching molecular imaging and radiation oncology - a rare move for a young physician. More recently, he was a two-year fellow of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine Program at the University of Arizona, where he added studies in integrative medicine, herbal medicine, nutrition, fitness, acupuncture and stress management to his already impressive educational repertoire. In 2010, Dr. Fabio established Phoenix Molecular Imaging, which provided groundbreaking treatments and clinical trials for cancer patients. Though he is notably well-versed in many areas of medicine, he is particularly acclaimed for his work in oncology, nuclear and molecular medicine, imaging, and cardiology. “I am a research scientist and internist at heart,” Dr. Fabio says. “I have been fortunate to have the extensive training and access to some of the most sophisticated technology available to help cancer patients.”`

“Over the years in my practice, I have met so many patients who have inspired me to expand my knowledge, looking into advanced conventional therapies as well as the influence of nutrition, supplements, and various alternative therapies to achieve a whole person approach to medicine and preventative healthcare,” the physician added with a smile. As more people discover the Center for Integrative Healing and Wellness, Dr. Fabio remains committed to providing a combination of conventional medicine, lifestyle improvements and coaching, and alternative medical practices to help patients on a day-to-day basis. For patients like Melissa, it has proven practical, positive and rewarding on a much deeper level than she anticipated. In fact, she learned from Dr. Fabio that today over 70% of diseases are chronic illness primarily driven by lifestyle, and therefore often preventable and potentially reversible. “Lest you think I esteem Dr. Fabio as some miracle healer, you’d be wrong,” she said. “He is an exceptional physician to be sure, but he understands that true healing starts when you take responsibility for your own health. He empowers you with the knowledge, tools and support to do just that.” “I am now working with Dr. Fabio to address some long-standing health concerns. One never knows what will happen in life, but I do know that, thanks to Dr. Fabio, I have an expert on my team to help guide me through the maze of medicine and find my way to better, enduring health.” drfabio.com

Celebrity Makeup Artist Published Covers from Charlie's Portfolio

World Renowned Celebrity Makeup Artist I Offer A Professionally Tailored Makeup Tutorial To Enhance Your Own Unique Eye Shape, Bone Structure and Skin Type Using Your Products And Recommendations From My Professional Makeup Kit I had an amazing “Bring it On” afternoon with Charlie. She suggested I bring in my own cosmetics collection and gave me a lesson on applying makeup using all my products and her recommendations for alternatives, plus many techniques. Very Valuable! Add to that her great personality what more could a girl ask for. Best part, I still look and feel like me, only better.

CHARLIE GREEN Charlie's clients include Heidi Klum, Angelina Jolie, Christy Brinkley Gisele Bündchen, Martha Stewart, Jewel, Kelly Clarkson and More ! iamCharlieGreen@icloud.com

917-544-2425 CharlieGreen.com

Carefree•Cave Creek•Scottsdale

By Appointment Only N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Writer Shoshana Leon Photography by Olivia Vlachos and Tamara Stanger

Arizona chefs regularly donate their time and talent to a variety of worthy causes and events. A cause that is especially meaningful to Arizona’s culinary community is helping high school students achieve their dreams through Arizona’s Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP). “We want to see these students succeed, not only for their own future, but for what they have to offer to the future of Phoenix food culture. This happens by helping the students build confidence and trust in their creative ideas,” said Tamara Stanger, executive chef at Cotton and Copper in Tempe who mentors C-CAP students. “I remember the moment that lightbulb clicked on for me, and it would be wonderful to help spark that in them.” C-CAP is a nationwide non-profit organization that started in 1990 at 12 New York City high schools to help prepare underserved students for college and career opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Today, C-CAP partners with 150 public high schools to support more than 17,000 students and 220 teachers nationwide. C-CAP offers job training, professional development for teachers, career guidance, competitions and scholarships, along with product and equipment donations to partner high schools. Since C-CAP was founded, it has awarded $56 million in scholarships. C-CAP operates in seven locations across the United States, including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Some of Arizona’s most influential chefs helped to start C-CAP Arizona in 1992, including Christopher Gross, Vincent Guerithault and Mark Tarbell, who remains very involved with the program. C-CAP Arizona helps more than 6,600 high school students state-wide develop their skills for careers in the culinary and hospitality industry.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

“C-CAP Arizona started with just a few schools in the East Valley and organically grew over the years as more teachers found out about it,” said Leslie Gennaro, program coordinator for C-CAP Arizona. “Now we have about 40 high schools across the state participating in the program. “In the beginning, C-CAP was primarily the culinary competition and teacher assistance, including product donations to use in their classrooms. Over the years, it has evolved to include many other programs.” C-CAP Arizona provides training, internships and apprenticeships, as well as competitions where students demonstrate their culinary and presentation skills with opportunities to win scholarships. C-CAP also offers students tours of professional kitchens, demonstrations by professional chefs and job placement. “We typically get three to four calls a week from employers,” said Gennaro. “We place 100 percent of students seeking employment in the Phoenix metropolitan area.” One of the most exciting opportunities for C-CAP students to practice their technical and soft skills is participating in culinary events where they work alongside professional chefs, including James Beard Taste America and the Nirvana Food and Wine Festival at Sanctuary Resort and Spa in Paradise Valley. One of the events that students, chefs and supporters look forward to every year is the annual Harvest Moon Feast fundraiser. November 12, C-CAP students, alumni and teachers will cook with some of the Valley’s best chefs at the Sixth Annual Harvest Moon Feast

fundraiser at Ocotillo Restaurant in Phoenix. “Harvest Moon is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students,” said Gennaro. “The collaboration of student, teacher and chef mentor makes this event so unique and leaves students with a feeling that they've participated in something really special.” Last year’s Harvest Moon Feast was hosted at the Omni Montelucia Resort and Spa in Scottsdale. Marcos Seville, executive chef at Montelucia and a C-CAP alumnus, is participating in this year’s event and is extremely supportive of the program. “I currently employ six C-CAP alumni. It is a great resource for local culinary professionals to be able to work with young adults who are passionate about working in our industry,” he said. Chefs understand the importance of hands-on training. “C-CAP offers unique educational experiences in far more areas than just cooking in the constraints of a classroom,” said Chef Stanger who is mentoring C-CAP students for the Harvest Moon Feast. C-CAP programs are designed to prepare students for the workforce and a productive future, said Gennaro. “By offering opportunities for students to work food events and participate in competitions and workshops, we allow them to hone their technical skills and develop the crucial soft skills necessary to be successful in the industry and in life.” ccapinc.org

2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Bryan Black

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

For as long as she can remember, Sue Bickerdyke has loved design. As a young child, fabric stores were her playground, and she spent hours with her mother and grandmother, both seamstresses, measuring, cutting and sewing clothing on their Singer sewing machines. “I learned to sew as early as I can remember,” she says. “It was like talking. It was what we did for fun, for togetherness, for practicality.” Today, she still enjoys collaborating with her clients to create beautiful things. For more than two decades, she’s been the force behind Sue Bickerdyke Interiors and Home Furnishings, and has artfully woven together beautiful threads of color, style and imagination to turn the interiors of hundreds of area homes into sophisticated but relaxed spaces. In fact, Sue, her staff and her many clients will celebrate the store’s 25th year in January. Sue began her career in fashion, using her creativity to help clients put outfits together in a boutique clothing shop before becoming a manager then a buyer for the company’s stores. One of her favorite clients was an interior designer. “She recruited me to work at an Ethan Allen as a seminar and store merchandiser,” Sue said. “I would go in early to learn everything I could about furniture and interior design. I was a sponge excited about learning everything I could. “Within a year I was able to become an interior designer. Of course, I had some amazing mentors. Drapery and bedding and upholstery furniture came extra easily because of my experience with fabrics.” From high-quality furniture to inviting fabrics filled with texture, refinement and even whimsy, Sue Bickerdyke Interiors and Home Furnishings is a reflection of the charming and diversified personality of its owner. N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

From her upstairs design studio, she curates her ideas. “Fabrics are my favorite category to play with. I love vintage textiles, designer fabrics, exotic ethnic textiles and hand-loomed fabrics,” Sue said. “The mix, not the match of a collected room is a fun way to enjoy the variety of fabrics.” In her shop is an exhilarating selection of textiles from around the world, many which feature embroidery, Ralph Lauren wools that resemble Navajo chiefs’ blankets, or contemporary homages to Mexican fiesta tribal patterns. Some fabrics are vintage, while others are decidedly modern. When Sue has sparked her magic, they come together as window coverings, pillows, accent seating and more in the most magnificent ways. Sue Bickerdyke Interiors isn’t only about fabrics, though. The designer’s hand-crafted furniture is a comfortable blend of elegance and practicality, and she enjoys combining natural elements like tree roots with contemporary colors and designs for lighting, area rugs, and many other décor selections. Throughout the showroom are touches of Bisbee blue and copper, an ode to her Arizona heritage. Each piece is part of the palette she uses to create designs for remodels, redesigned spaces, and even new construction. “I like to refer to it as the Carefree style of living,” she said with an ironic grin.

A GALLERY OF ARIZONA BEAUTY Just as Sue collaborated with her mother and grandmother to create designs when she was a little girl, she still enjoys finding inspiration from other creative people. Sue Bickerdyke Interiors and Home Furnishings is also an art gallery.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Her husband, Paul, plays a large role in cultivating artwork, much of which is inspired by nature. “He is also a native who loves and appreciates the sacred gifts of our environment,” Sue said. “He doesn’t miss a hawk or bobcat sighting, and he loves all wildlife. “Paul bonds with the artists and their relationship to the desert. Their stories share his Phoenix heritage.”

BRYCE PETTIT Artist Bryce Pettit grew up surrounded by the beauty and awe of the great outdoors in northern Utah. He recreates his connection with wildlife in striking bronze sculpture, managing not only to capture the visual elements of nature, but reflecting something deeper in his work. Throughout his life, Bryce has cultivated his love and appreciation for the outdoors. A self-described naturalist and fisherman, he is trained in both biology and art, and he incorporates his knowledge of science and his passion for the wonders of nature into his work. It is not unusual to find Bryce hiking miles across trials or sitting quietly at the edge of a meadow—not only observing nature, but also feeling a deep and innate connection that emerges in his work. Creativity has never been an option for Bryce. As a child, he grew up drawing and painting, but when he discovered sculpture, he truly came into his creative voice. His bronze sculptures are notable for their authenticity and depth, as well as their artistry. Bryce is a national and regional award-winning sculptor, and his work can be found in private and public collections across the nation. He is a member of The Society of Animal artists, and he continues his life-long dedication and study of both his artistic processes and the subjects he loves.

TREVOR SWANSON Critics and collectors alike acclaim Trevor Swanson’s wildlife paintings, which are skillfully conveyed onto metals. He showed talent from a very young age, and by the time he was in his early 20s, his work was being featured in juried art shows, museums and private collections.

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

1 1

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Amy Lay

Trevor Swanson

By the time he was 25, he had won several prestigious awards, including "Artist of the Year" from the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep. His artistic vision has taken him across the map, through North America, Africa and Europe, and has led him to capture some of nature’s rare and beautiful moments. At times, some of those nearly surreal moments have returned him to reality a little too abruptly—he’s been charged by hippos, tossed into the air by a cape buffalo and chased by crocodiles along the way. Still, his enthusiasm continues to draw him to the hidden corners of the earth. "Anyone who has encountered a wolf eye-to-eye in the wilderness can tell you it’s exhilarating," says Trevor. "Nothing compares to the grandeur of an eagle perched high atop a snow-covered mountain, a sinewy leopard creeping like a shadow across a dry desert, or a magnificent bear effortlessly running across a muddy sandbar. “These are the sights and sensations that inspire the most powerful images on canvas."

AMY LAY Artist Amy Lay finds inspiration in mountain hideaways in her Wyoming home, and from the Wallowa Mountains of her Oregon roots. In Amy’s hand, oil pigments, graphite and charcoal become colorful and powerful wildlife art. At the foundation of her work is a deep love and fascination for the natural world. Her paintings seem to transcend labels, expanding into both contemporary and traditional appeal that traverses the line between realism and abstraction. The transcendence is intentional. Amy’s artistic mission is “to be revolutionary. To be indefinable in a world of categorization, and in the end, to run to parts unknown.” For years, Amy focused on watercolors. The perspective she developed from her early work has heavily influenced her foray into bolder mediums, and her work is recognizable for its bold color and simple, yet ephemeral qualities. “I want to create paintings that make people happy and give back a little glimpse of the beauty that animals have shown me my entire life,” she said.

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

JILL DUZAN Jill Duzan Willey began her professional career as an interior designer, but she found her true love in jewelry design. In the early 2000s, she began traveling abroad to search for fabrics and other design elements, but she returned with more than textiles. Among the finds she discovered in shops and markets were beads made from natural stones, pearls and silver. She also discovered rare artifacts that intrigued her imagination. Soon she was deconstructing her own jewelry, mixing and matching her finds to create eclectic, high-end designs. Her friends began to notice her work and, understandably, wanted some of Jill’s work for themselves. They weren’t the only ones who recognized that Jill’s design savvy was special. In 2003, when Jill realized she could sell her work in boutique shops and other local retailers, she branded her business Jill Duzan and began to showcase her collections online, at trunk shows, and in parties out of her own home. Today, Jill creates contemporary, nature-inspired pieces, integrating beautiful natural stones with artifacts from Africa, India, Thailand, Bali and Italy. “My goal has always been to create jewelry that truly captures the natural beauty and individuality of every woman.” 36889 N. Tom Darlington Dr., Suite B1, Carefree, AZ 85377 480-595-0171 suebickerdyke.com

25th Anniversary Celebration i m a g eTBA s a r i z|oSue n a . cBickerdyke o m Nov e mInteriors b e r 2 019 and Home Furnishings’ | 36889 N. Tom Darlington Dr., Suite B1, Carefree | 480-595-0171 | suebickerdyke.com 44Date/Time

~ TOWN OF CAREFREE’S 11TH ANNUAL ~

Veterans Day Honor MONDAY, NOV. 11 Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion

3 ‑— 5 p.m.

FURNITURE IS LARGER. “Wide open spaces with endless views take work to make them feel cozy,” Sue says. “That feel is what some clients need help achieving. The scale of the rooms has to be considered, and it’s definitely important to incorporate the outside in.

LESS IS MORE.

Honor Guard Presentation and Patriotic Musical Tribute FREE Admission SPONSORS:

Town of Carefree Carefree Desert Gardens, 101 Easy Street, Carefree, AZ 85377 480.488.3686 | VisitCarefree.com

Choosing a few important pieces works better than using lots of little treasures. Quality has been and always will be important.

MAKE IT UNIQUE. Fringe, handcrafted and authentic original art, embossed leather, woven basket textures, wicker furniture and woven rugs are both classic and trendy. Expect to see agave and cacti candleholders, leopard print in any color, real fur and fluffy Tibetan lambswool for pillows or accent seating.

COLORS THAT MAKE YOU SMILE. Gone are the tired browns. Today’s colors turn toward pastel, petal pink and all shades of blue. “I’m drawn to items that make you smile, like a turquoise pillow hand-printed with a quail or hummingbird,” she says. suebickerdyke.com

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

BALLET ARIZONA'S "THE NUTCRACKER" PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXANDER IZILIAEV

i m aJ.g Airdo esarizona.com Writer Joseph 46

Nov e m b e r 2 019

As lyricist Al Stillman originally wrote in 1954, there is no place like home for the holidays. That is especially true in Arizona, as we are extremely fortunate to have plenty of performing arts organizations and venues that help us get into the Christmas spirit. For starters, several nationally and internationally renowned shows will make brief stops in the Valley to deliver all of the joys of the holidays directly to our doorstep.

SCOTTSDALE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has back-to-back weekends of holidaythemed shows throughout December. The venue’s programming director, Abbey Messmer, says that when she was planning this year’s holiday performances, she wanted family to be one of the higher priorities. Its programming kicks into high gear at 8 p.m. Dec. 14 when Mariachi Sol de México returns to the venue with its holiday concert “A Merri-Achi Christmas.” “‘A Merri-Achi Christmas’ has been part of our holiday programming for many years, so they have come to feel like part of our family here in Scottsdale,” Messmer says. “[Maestro Jose] Hernandez brings a fresh program each time they visit but it is also rich with tradition—which is something most people yearn for during the holidays.” Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will then host several performances of “Assisted Living: The Musical—The Home for the Holidays” Dec. 17–22. “‘Assisted Living: The Musical—The Home For The Holidays’ is a 75-minute vaudevilleesque revue that focuses on the crazy antics that happen at an active, full-service retirement community during the holiday season,” Messmer explains. “The many characters sing and dance, revel and kvetch, celebrate and bloviate their way through Christmas and Hanukkah.” N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

PROMUSICA ARIZONA

PHOTO COURTESY OF AZY SCOTTEN PHOTOGRAPHY

NORTH VALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTT DEPTA

PHOENIX CHORALE

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEN ROGERS

Eleven-member a cappella group Voctave will perform its “Spirit of the Season” concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. “I think a cappella is a perfect art form for expressing the joy and whimsy of the holidays,” Messmer says. “It will be Voctave’s first time performing in Scottsdale, and I think they will enjoy the unique experience that is winter in the Sonoran Desert.”

JOYFUL SOUNDS Other nationally renowned groups who will stop in the Valley to help us celebrate the holidays include vocal ensemble New York Voices at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, and sibling piano-quartet The 5 Browns at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14. Both holiday concerts, which are part of Arizona Musicfest, will be held at Highlands Church in Scottsdale. We need not necessarily outsource our holiday entertainment though, as Arizona is home to some tremendously talented performing arts organizations that prove that Christmas spirit is one of the Valley’s greatest natural resources. Other merry music performances from the Valley’s own organizations include Phoenix Chorale’s “A Chorale Christmas” Dec. 13–17 at various venues throughout the Valley; Salt River Brass’s “Holiday Pops” at 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater; and Scottsdale Philharmonic’s holiday concert at 4 p.m. Dec. 15 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Even though it may not always look like Christmas in our desert communities, we have many musical performances to ensure that it will certainly sound like it throughout the season.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

PROMUSICA ARIZONA ProMusica Arizona will present its “Joy to All the World” concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Anthem, and at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at American Lutheran Church in Sun City. ProMusica Arizona’s artistic director and principal conductor Patti Graetz says that the group will perform the Arizona premiere of Valley resident Craig Bohmler’s “Joy to All the World”—a medley of lesser-known, but still familiar Christmas carols from around the world. The group’s chorus will also sing pieces of Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” and its orchestra will perform a pair of rarely heard pieces—“Winter Night (Sleigh Ride)” by Frederick Delius and “Polonaise” from Rimsky-Korsakoff’s “Christmas Eve Suite.” “On the lighter side, we will present the classic ‘’Twas the Night Before Christmas’ for choir and orchestra, made famous by the Dale Warland Singers, and a delightful piece for orchestra, ‘Santa at the Symphony,’” Graetz says.

NORTH VALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Meanwhile, North Valley Symphony Orchestra’s “Christmas Pops” concert, which will be performed at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 and 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at Shadow Mountain High School Performing Arts Center in Phoenix, will include pieces from holiday classics “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Elf” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Kevin Kozacek, who serves as North Valley Symphony Orchestra’s music director and conductor, notes that audience members will even be invited to play along on miniature bells to Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.” “North Valley Symphony Orchestra is N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

PHOTO COURTESY OF FOUNTAIN HILLS THEATER

ORPHEUS MALE CHORUS OF PHOENIX PHOTO COURTESY OF ORPHEUS MALE CHORUS

A MERRI-ACHI CHRISTMAS

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARICHI SOL DE MEXICO

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

especially excited to present ‘’Twas the Night Before Christmas’ in collaboration with Brevity Theater,” Kozacek says. “The piece was composed by Randoll Bass and features the full poem, ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’ by Clement Moore— which will be performed by a wonderful actor from the theater troupe.”

the art of organization

ORPHEUS MALE CHORUS OF PHOENIX Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix will present its holiday concert Dec. 8–15 at various venues throughout the Valley, including Camelback Bible Church in Paradise Valley and Central United Methodist Church in Phoenix. Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix’s artistic director, Brook Larson, says the concert will provide a wide variety of sacred and secular holiday music. “We have audience members, sometimes in tears, saying our performance makes their Christmas or holiday season,” Larson adds. “[This year, they] will really enjoy the ‘Reindeer Hula’—which involves them getting to participate and have fun.”

SONORAN DESERT CHORALE Sonoran Desert Chorale’s artistic director, Carric Smolnik, says that his group’s holiday concert “Good Tidings We Bring”—which will be performed 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at First United Methodist Church in Mesa, and 3 p.m. Dec. 8 at La Casa De Cristo Lutheran Church in Scottsdale—is designed to speak to childhood memories of traditional holiday music. “The concert opens with excitement and beauty as the chorale sings two works accompanied by organ and brass ensemble,” Smolnik explains. “Following the intermission, the chorale will sing a selection of arrangements of traditional carols. “The chorale will share beauty, nostalgia and excitement as the audience is transported back to fond memories of holidays of yore.”

Home Ofﬁces

Garages

Entertainment Centers

Wall Units

480-998-2070 www.closetfactory.com

www.facebook.com/closetfactory

imagesar iz ona .c om

FESTIVE SIGHTS If joyful sounds are not enough to help you get into the Christmas spirit, the Valley’s various stages will feature festive sights that will instantly transport you to far cooler climates. In the blink of an eye, the curtains recede to reveal winter wonderlands beyond even your wildest imagination.

ARIZONA BROADWAY THEATER ASSISTED LIVING THE MUSICAL

PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTTSDALE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Nate Bertone, who recently served as an assistant scenic designer on Lin Manuel Miranda's “Freestyle Love Supreme” on Broadway, will bring Christmastown to life for Arizona Broadway Theater’s production of “Elf: The Musical” Nov. 22–Dec. 29 at its venue in Peoria. Michael Whitney, the associate director and fight coordinator of “Elf’s” national tour, will take the reins as director and put his own touches on the story, which is based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf.

ASSISTED LIVING THE MUSICAL

PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTTSDALE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

“This is a show that you cannot resist smiling through,” says Adam Vargas, who portrays Buddy in Arizona Broadway Theater’s production. “One of the themes of the show is helping others find the Christmas spirit that they may have lost for one reason or another. The musical itself will do the same for audiences. It is going to dare you not to smile and have a good time.”

BLACK THEATRE TROUPE Meanwhile, Black Theatre Troupe will once again transform Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center’s stage in Phoenix for “Black Nativity.” The production, set for Dec. 6–22, will look and feel slightly different than it has been in past years. Black Theatre Troupe’s executive director David J. Hemphill says that one of the greatest things about “Black Nativity” is the flexibility that playwright Langston Hughes’s writing gives to the theater companies and casts that present the production. The first act is a structured retelling of the Christmas story, while the second act is structured loosely as a gospel rock concert.

BLACK THEATRE TROUPE'S "BLACK NATIVITY"

PHOTO COURTESY OF LAURA DURANT

“This season, our director, Walter Belcher, has envisioned a new design and format for this second act to recreate the feel of a rousing Sunday morning church service in song and dance with choreography by Alexander Patrick,” Hemphill says. “This concept is supported by entirely new costumes by Carol Simmons, a new and intricate lighting design by Bret G. Reese, and the moving sermons of Reverend Jeremey Jones, which act as a narrative as well as augment and illustrate the words of Langston Hughes.”

TWO CHRISTMAS CAROLS, A CHRISTMAS STORY AND A WONDERFUL LIFE Fountain Hills Theater will further bring the various visuals of the season to the Valley with its production of “A Christmas Carol: The Musical” Dec. 6–22.

BLACK THEATRE TROUPE'S "BLACK NATIVITY"

PHOTO COURTESY OF LAURA DURANT

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Fountain Hills Theater’s artistic director, Peter J. Hill, says the company

Holiday Craft & Bake Sale

Saturday, December 7, 2019 10 am - 3 pm

UNIQUE GIFTS FOR EVERYONE

Handmade by Local Artists & Crafters

CAKES & PASTRIES

l Live Festive Music ua n $1 Raffle n A Prizes th 10

e r ’ u o Y d e t i v n I

Saturday, February 8, 2020

IMAGINE

SAVE THE DATES

Enriching Your Community

l nua An a Gal

Visit us soon! Live Music by

Featuring Pianist Nicole Pesce

Something for Everyone!

Dinner • Cocktails • Auctions 200 per person • Library Benefit

38443 North Schoolhouse Road • Cave Creek 85331 480.488.2286 • www.dfla.org

BE THE CAPTAIN OF YOUR COMFORT...

Pick which Option Floats your Boat! On Qualifying TRANE A/C Systems

0% APR/72 Mo +

$800 Instant Rebate

0%APR/72 Mo + $200 Instant Rebate + 10 Year Labor Warranty

$800 Instant Rebate +

10 Year Labor Warranty

$1400 Instant Rebate +

No Interest for 18 Mo

AIR CONDITIONING ELECTRICAL • PLUMBING WATER TREATMENT ARIZONA’S

HIGHEST

RATED

HOME

SERVICE

COMPANY

*PurcahseofQualifyingEquipmentRequiredandCallforDetails.SeeyourindependentTraneDealerforcompleteprogrameligibility,dates,detailsandrestrictions.**TheWellsFargoHomeProjectscreditcardisissuedbyWells FargoBankN.A.,anEqualHousingLender.Specialtermsapplytoqualifyingpurchaseschargedwithapprovedcredit.ThespecialtermsAPRwillcontinuetoapplyuntilallqualifyingpurchasesarepaidinfull.Themonthlypaymentfor thispurchasewillbetheamountthatwillpayforthepurchaseinfullinequalpaymentsduringthepromotional(specialterms)period.TheAPRforPurchaseswillapplytocertainfeessuchasalatepaymentfeeorifyouusethecardforother transactions.Fornewaccounts,theAPRforPurchasesis28.99%.Ifyouarechargedinterestinanybillingcycle,theminimuminterestchargewillbe$1.00.Thisinformationisaccurateasof8/1/2018andissubjecttochange.Forcurrentinformation,callusat1-800-431-5921.Offerexpires11/15/2019.Pertainingtomanufacturer’sconsumerdiscountportiononly:*RebatepaidintheformofaTraneVisaPrepaid®card.UseyourVisaPrepaidcardanywhereVisadebitcards areacceptedintheUnitedStatesandU.S.Territories.Thecardmaynotbeusedatanymerchant,includinginternetandmailortelephoneordermerchants,outsideoftheUnitedStatesandU.S.Territories.CardisissuedbyTheBancorp Bank,MemberFDIC,pursuanttoalicensefromVisaU.S.A.Inc.Paycloseattentiontotheexpirationdateprintedonthefrontofthecard.Cardisvalidthroughthelastdayofthemonth.Youwillnothaveaccesstothefundsafterexpiration.

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

will bring new technical elements—such as an even spookier Ghost of Christmas-Yet-To-Come—to this year’s production, which is already loaded with ghosts, fog, flying beds and other special effects. “It is always great fun to accomplish these amazing technical elements on such a tiny stage, but at the heart of 'A Christmas Carol' is its universal story of redemption,” Hill says. “It is that tale that brings performers and audiences back year after year to share the story, the characters and the music of this timeless Dickens classic. And, heck, it is a great way to spend the holidays with friends.” Scottsdale Musical Theater Company will present its own version of “A Christmas Carol: The Musical,” starring former “Days of Our Lives” cast member Charles Shaughnessy, Dec. 12–22 at Tempe Center for the Arts. Meanwhile, Desert Stages Theater will perform its production of “A Christmas Story” Nov. 29–Dec. 22, and Don Bluth Front Row Theater will perform its production of “It’s a Wonderful Life” Nov. 29–Dec. 30 at their respective venues in Scottsdale.

MERRY SPECTACLES BALLET ARIZONA'S "THE NUTCRACKER" PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXANDER IZILIAEV

If all of those options are still not enough to get you into the Christmas spirit, the Valley’s dance companies will present performances that are tailor-made for those seeking merry spectacles of New York City proportions—and you do not need to hail a cab in the middle of a snowcovered Times Square in order to see them.

CHRISTIAN DANCE COMPANY Christian Dance Company’s aptly titled “The Spirit of Christmas,” scheduled for a series of six performances Dec. 14–22 at Chandler Center for the Arts, features more than 100 dancers, singers, musicians, a horse and carriage, special guest performers and a champion hoop dancer.

CHRISTIAN DANCE COMPANY'S "THE SPIIRIT OF CHRISTMAS"

PHOTO COURTESY OF NANCY HALL-SMITH OF STILL 'N MOTION PICTURE

Bethany Cormack, office manager at Tempe Dance/Talent Factory, notes that Christian Dance Company is a non-profit organization, and that a percentage of the proceeds from this year’s shows will benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. “The Spirit of Christmas is a wonderful show for the whole family,” Cormack says. “Our show provides a variety of styles of dance, uses music from around the world, and includes authentic Rockette dances taught by one of our teachers, who was a New York City Rockette.”

CENTER DANCE ENSEMBLE Meanwhile, those who are still experiencing the residual side effects of the scorching temperatures of Arizona’s summer may finally feel some relief by taking in a showing of Center Dance Ensemble’s “The Snow Queen.”

CENTER DANCE ENSEMBLE'S "THE SNOW QUEEN" PHOTO COURTESY OF HOWARD PALEY

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Center Dance Ensemble’s managing director Carol Crockett notes that the production—set for Dec. 7–22 at Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix— is a particularly resonant one for the company, whose founder and artistic director of 31 years, Frances Smith Cohen, passed away unexpectedly this past spring.

Several generations of children have performed in Center Dance Ensemble’s productions of “The Snow Queen” over the years, with each production featuring not only the company’s dancers, but almost 70 students from other ballet studios across Arizona.

RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL

RENCORoofing ARIZONA’S PREMIER ROOFING CONTRACTOR

“This year will be the final production, so it is a very special occasion for those who have had the opportunity to perform— some of whom will be traveling long distances from college to see the performance this last time,” Crocket adds.

NUMEROUS NUTCRACKERS Of course, Christmas would be incomplete without experiencing at least one production of “The Nutcracker.” Ballet Arizona is just one of several performing arts organizations in the Valley whose stage will be populated by sugar plum fairies this season. Ballet Arizona’s production will run for a total of 14 performances Dec. 13–24, all of which will be accompanied with live music by The Phoenix Symphony at Phoenix Symphony Hall. Ethan Price, one of the company’s dancers, says that performing in “The Nutcracker” is truly a one-of-a-kind feeling.

Specializing in

Foam, Tile & Shingle Roofs Re-Roofing, Repairs & Maintenance Our Communication From the first call to our office to the final inspection with our team, we know that communication is key for our customers. We promise to be in constant communication with our customers throughout the entire project - no surprises here.

We Cover it All! FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE

“The costumes and sets are so rich and full of detail,” Price explains. “The music, composed by Tchaikovsky, really captures and embodies the magic of the holiday season.” Phoenix Ballet and Ballet Etudes are among the Valley’s other dance companies that will present productions of “The Nutcracker.” Phoenix Ballet’s production will run Dec. 13–23 at Orpheum Theater in Phoenix while Ballet Etudes’s production will run Nov. 29–Dec. 8 at Chandler Center for the Arts and Dec. 14–22 at Mesa Arts Center.

602.296.5944

ROC # 195475 ROC # 196424

rencoroofing.com

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Alessandra DonĂ

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Early on an Arizona morning, the moon has already begun to rise over Vicenza, Italy where Alessandra Donà is beginning to relax after a busy day. From an office in the 500-year-old Palazzo Capra Ouerini, her eyes smile beneath rimless glasses as she talks about her work. Sitting beside her is Marc Gianola. The esteemed Swiss entrepreneur and Donà’s business partner is casual yet poised, and he’s eager to talk about the quiet revolution that Donà’s namesake company has begun. “A young woman does not want to wear jewelry her grandmother wore,” Donà begins, speaking melodically in Italian as Gianola translates. “We have to get away from this dusty image that surrounds cultured pearls.” Gone are the days of Queen Elizabeth-style, double-strand pearl necklaces and matching pearl studs. In fact, pearls only hold about 2% to 3% of the jewelry market—a significant decrease since their peak in the 1950s. It’s fair to say that much of their decline has been due to the fact that, while jewelry design has become decidedly more edgy and contemporary, pearls have remained old-fashioned—even cliché. That is, until Donà’s designs came along. Donà is one of a handful of designers who is making waves within the pearl industry by introducing progressive alternatives to the organic gem’s tired trends. With two outstanding collections developed in only three years—and a very closely guarded third collection on the way—she’s already managed to infiltrate several European and Asian markets. Even in Japan, the homeland of cultured pearls, Donà’s unique take on pearl jewelry has outsold many longstanding industry leaders.

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

OUT WITH THE OLD Twenty-five years ago, Donà began selling pearl jewelry for several international manufacturers. Over time, she developed an eye and an appetite for design. The young jeweler set up shop in Vicenza, known for centuries as the jewelry capital of Italy, and worldrenowned as home to many of the most distinguished jewelry-making families. “Since she started to work in a company selling and buying pearls, she got hooked by the beauty of the pearl—no other gem, only the pearl,” said Gianola. “This makes us different from other suppliers. We only have pearl jewelry.” From the beginning, Donà was doing something different. She was not interested in using inexpensive freshwater pearls. She felt strongly that women wanted quality—even rarity and exclusivity—in the jewelry they choose to wear.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

She also recognized that today’s woman is attuned to individual expression. It doesn’t matter if a woman is from Belarus or Birmingham; the jewelry she chooses must represent who she is, and who she wants to be. The pearl market had fallen nearly appallingly behind the times, and Donà knew it. She made it her work to fill the gap with something entirely new that the world had not yet seen.

“

Donà is one of a handful of designers who is making waves within the pearl industry by introducing progressive alternatives to the organic gem’s tired trends.

IN WITH THE NEW To start, Donà chose stunning black and white South Sea pearls as the foundation for her designs. Never dyed or treated, these large milky pearls have been dubbed Queens of Pearls, and Pearls of Queens. South Sea pearls are much more rare than other pearl varieties. White South Sea pearls originate primarily in Australia, but can be found in Indonesia and the Philippines. They vary in color from a silvery white to a dark gold, and can be found with nuances of pink, cream, yellow, green or blue. Black South Sea pearls are the only naturally occurring black pearls in the world. While other black pearls are dyed or treated, these masterpieces of nature are cultured in the South Pacific and can range in shade from jet black to peacock green. Shades of gray, blue and brown organically enhance the color of many black South Sea pearls as well. As Donà explains her selection process, she holds a gorgeous white pearl about the size of a pea between her thumb and index finger. Delicate yet bold, its creamy surface seems to dance between her fingers. Alessandra Donà pictured. N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

“I want to show you something else,” she says as she retrieves an earring from her Friday Night collection. In this design, a delicate gold chain connects a single pearl stud to a helix loop. The result is a feminine yet punk-ish look. She removes the brilliantly lustered dark gray pearl from its stud, then with a slight of her hand, attaches the white pearl in its place. “We’ve developed a system so that we can change the pearls from one piece of jewelry to another,” she says through translation. “We are the only ones who have that mechanism. You can take a pearl off of an earring and put it into a ring, and you can get it with a white pearl and a black pearl to change them when you’d like.”

CARING FOR PEARLS

Gianola adds proudly, “It’s an innovative element that nobody has. It’s a Swiss system.” “Our Friday Night collection is very modern, very aggressive,” Donà says. “It appeals to younger women—and also to women 40 to 70 years old who want new and innovative designs. They still want to be in style, and they love the luxury and quality of Italian jewelry, so they wear Alessandra Donà. “Even our classic Timeless collection is changing that image with a much more contemporary feel.” The biggest hurdle the company has faced so far is not in finding customers; it’s in finding sellers who are willing to take a chance on an avant-garde take on pearls. That’s changing, however. Not only are European and Asian stores that carry Alessandra Donà pearls discovering a willing market; they’re selling more pearls than they have in decades.

Diamonds may be forever, but pearls can last for several hundred years if properly cared for. • Clean pearl jewelry regularly using a soft, slightly-moistened cloth. • Clean each pearl individually and thoroughly. • Store pearl jewelry in a case by itself, or wrap it in a soft cloth to prevent contact with other gems. • Avoid direct contact with fragrances. A pearl necklace should always be worn after spraying perfume on your neck, never before. • Avoid sweat, detergents and chemicals of any kind, particularly chlorine, deodorants or acids. • Avoid intense heat, which can dry and crack a pearl. N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Donà’s next target is the American market. She has only just begun to reach out to select jewelry stores in the United States. Grace Renee Gallery in Carefree will be among the first to showcase Alessandra Donà jewelry. The partnership is timely. In November, Grace Renee Gallery will feature Alessandra Donà’s Timeless and Friday Night pearl jewelry collections, including at a special Italian Designer Jewelry Weekend event Nov. 8–10. Donà’s latest private collection will debut in January, and will be part of a February featured event at Grace Renee Gallery. The Carefree location will be among a very exclusive few in the U.S. to showcase the line. As for Donà, her designs will no doubt continue to make waves in the jewelry industry. She is creating something new and exciting, and there seems to be no limit to how far she can go. The world, after all, is her oyster. gracereneegallery.com

EXPERIENCE Italian Designer Jewelry Weekend Nov. 8–10 | 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Fri.; wine and appetizers from 4–8 p.m. | 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sat. and Sun. a g e s a rGallery i z o n a . c |oLocated m Nov ein m bHistoric e r 2 019Spanish Village | 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., Carefree | 480-575-8080 | gracereneegallery.com 62Gracei mRenee

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Studio #15

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Glass: Single bloom - Sandy Pendleton

Sandy, a glass artist, and Nancy, a mixed-media painter, are two of 199 artists participating in the 23rd Annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour taking place Nov. 22-24 and Nov. 29-Dec. 1. Coordinated by the non-profit Sonoran Arts League, Hidden in the Hills is Arizona’s largest and longestrunning artist studio tour. This year’s free, selfguided tour features 47 studios throughout Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale.

Glass-Neighbors - Sandy Pendleton

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE

Some sisters share clothes, and other sisters share recipes. Sandy and Nancy Pendleton share a passion for creating beautiful art, both independently and together.

This is Sandy’s sixth year participating in the art tour, and her first year as host of Studio #20 in Cave Creek. Her younger sister, Nancy, returns to the tour after many years to exhibit her new work at Sandy’s studio. Nancy’s colorful, abstract painting graced the cover of the popular glossy Hidden in Hills artist directory in 2000.

A LOVE OF GLASS Sandy Pendleton’s passion for glass art was ignited after she took a basic glass class at her local community college. She became fascinated with the way glass interacts with light, the way it moves with heat, and the creativity it allows. Her colorful fused glass sculptures include several series, such as her intricate, multi-layered glass houses; her captured motion sculptures, where glowing, molten glass is manipulated in a kiln to create unusual one-of-a-kind pieces; and her Earth-inspired sculptures, which are iridescent and accented with glass textures that allow for the pieces to react to changing light over the course of the day.

What Else Would a Dog Say - Nancy Pendleton

Writer Susan Kern-Fleischer Photography Courtesy of Sandy Pendleton and Nancy Pendleton N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE

Phoenix - Sandy and Nancy Pendleton

Using a series of processes, she introduces movement, depth and textures into her fused glass pieces. Bubbles and iridescent surfaces alter the path of light, allowing the glass to interact with its environment.

Desert Bloom - Nancy Pendleton

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

“I think the little details in an artwork are what makes a piece interesting and speaks to the quality, so I put in the time. It may take several firings to make the small parts that I will assemble into a larger piece,” she said. One of her collaborations with her sister Nancy had 1,600 tiny glass triangles that she hand-cut and placed. “I use a lot of textures, and that means I need to carefully control the heat in my kiln. Glass is not forgiving. You need to think through what you are doing, and you must be patient,” she said.

INSPIRED BY NATURE, ANIMALS AND FASHION Nancy Pendleton graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design, with an emphasis on illustration. She worked as a freelance illustrator for several years before landing a job in the Arizona Republic newsroom as an illustrator/graphic artist. While at the Republic, she won numerous Press Club awards for her work. An acclaimed mixed-media painter, she is best known for her vibrant, whimsical mixed-media paintings of people, animals and desert flora. Some of her pieces are also abstract. “I paint with acrylics and incorporate handmade paper to give pieces more texture. In the past, I have added sticks petals, leaves, found objects and fabric,” she said.

CURT MATTSON FINE ART

Your Cowboy Art Adventure Awaits

Bronze ~ Oil ~ Watercolor www.CurtMattson.com

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE NancyPendleton at work

Collaboration between sisters Nancy and Sandy Pendleton. Her intense love and devotion to animals is evident in her work, and she often donates her time and talent to many local animal-related charities.

Better Together Diptych - Nancy Pendleton idea of women being strong and bold as individuals, but even stronger together,” she said.

A CREATIVE COLLABORATION “My animal paintings are not portraits. They are about all the warmth and joy animals bring to our lives. My life would not be complete without my four dogs,” she said, adding that she also loves drawing cats, even though she is allergic to them.

Sandy and Nancy began experimenting together in 2011. Their collaborations consist of glass focal points created with a variety of techniques. The glass is mounted to a textured and painted mixed media wooden panel.

Nancy recently did a series of paintings of women.

The sisters learned early on that, because the glass color palette is limited while the paint palette is infinite, it was best to start the process with the glass. They individually make samples, and then discuss color choices and how

“I admire women who are willing to speak their truth, especially in the face of adversity. My inspiration was the

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Laughing Glass Studio

Functional and Sculptural Glass Art

480-488-6070

4944 E. Sawmill Circle, Cave Creek Open by appointment year round! Carole@LaughingGlass.com

#31 MANON DOYLE Jewelery Design

480-818-3803

4944 E. Sawmill Circle Cave Creek sistersofthesun.com

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST STUDIO TOUR AND SALE

CAROLE PERRY & DON CARROLL

#31 TESS MOSKO SCHERER Works on Paper | Assemblages | Hand-bound Books Studio with Mike and Pat Markham, Liliana Shuett, and Ronnie Wainwright

928-300-7185

6315 E. Old West Way Cave Creek Fb|IG @Tess Mosko Scherer Central Phoenix studio open year round

#30

MoskoScherer.com MoskoScherer@aol.com N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE

to build out their contemporary, mixed media panel pieces. Collaborating has not only strengthened their bond as sisters, it has also helped their individual work. “We work on art, we talk, we get a little silly,” Sandy said. “It certainly helps me creatively. Often the textures and color combinations I developed for a collaboration reappear in my individual work.” Nancy agreed, saying that her favorite part of working together is brainstorming in the studio. “We push each other creatively in the pieces we do together, as well as in our individual pieces,” Nancy said, adding that she sometimes consults Sandy for input on her own work.

Glass: Autumn Splendor - Sandy Pendleton

Glass: Golden Spire - Sandy Pendleton

23rd Annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour

During Hidden in the Hills, Sandy and Nancy will exhibit their individual artwork as well as collaborative nature-inspired, colorful, abstract pieces with very textural finishes. Guest artists at Sandy’s studio also include mixed media artists Mark and Nancy Dabrowski, ceramist KimmBerly loane, and jeweler Carole Tenwalde. hiddeninthehills.org

EXPERIENCE

Friday through Sunday, Nov. 22–24 & Nov. 29–Dec. 1 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free, self-guided tour featuring 199 artists at 47 studios throughout Cave Creek, Carefree & N. Scottsdale Maps available at Sonoran Arts League’s Center for the Arts | 7100 E. Cave Creek Rd., Suite 144, Stagecoach Village, Cave Creek hiddeninthehills.org im a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

M I C H A E L

M c K E E

Hidden in the Hills Studio #32

I strive to create dynamic landscapes of the southwest featuring distinctive, joyful color. See my work at â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hidden in the Hillsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Studio #32 November 22, 23, 24 & 29, 30, Dec1 Contact me to schedule a personal visit if you would rather see my work in your home. Together, we can find a beautiful piece that brings joy to your life. Your friend in Art - Michael

m i c h a e l m c k e e g a l l e r y. c o m Call for a home visit; 630-779-3793 N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE

Writer Sue Kern-Fleischer Photography courtesy of Sue Hunter.

There’s no predicting what Sue Hunter will paint next—and that’s exactly how the talented artist likes it. Lately, she has devoted much of her time to creating whimsical mixed media collage paintings, but her diverse works include traditional oil paintings, acrylic non-objective paintings (abstract), impressionistic watercolors, and she even worked in pastels for a few years. Her subjects include landscapes, animals, figuratives and florals, and all of her work is full of color and emotion. A Scottsdale resident, Hunter is one of 199 artists participating in the 23rd Annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour taking place over the last two weekends of November, and she is this year’s chosen cover artist for the Hidden in the Hills directory. Coordinated by the non-profit Sonoran Arts League, Hidden in the Hills is Arizona’s largest and longest-running artists’ studio tour. This year’s free, self-guided tour features 47 studios throughout Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST STUDIO TOUR AND SALE

Ballerina Emerging

TRUE TO HERSELF A native of Arkansas, Hunter moved to Arizona in 1960 where she worked at Honeywell for 20 years. While she has always been creative, she didn’t pursue art full-time until 2002. She is a graduate of Western International University and has studied at Scottsdale Artists’ School. While famous impressionist artists Claude Monet and Edgar Degas influence her, she has found her own unique style that, while impressionistic, is true to herself. “I like to paint what I feel, not what I see,” Hunter said. “I start with a photo, or I may be painting plein air, and at some point, my intuitive nature takes over and the painting N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE

takes on the character of the emotion of the image." She views each painting as a problem-solving opportunity, and she often takes liberties, even with her still life and figurative paintings. “Early in my career, my painting style was traditional realistic, but I didn’t like being so structured,” she said, adding that oils and watercolors require more structure. She prefers the freedom to experiment with no restrictions. “I learn the rules then break them if necessary for the success of the painting,” she said. “I never know my subject matter or the background of a piece until I start painting a non-objective painting. Composition, value, color and texture are important to me, but I like to be surprised at the outcome.”

Book of Knowledge

She prefers to paint with fluid acrylics because of their vivid colors. Acrylics also allow her to work quickly. “I teach classes at Shemer Art Center and in my private studio, so I have to paint in spurts when I have time,” she said.

COLLAGE CAPTURED HER SPIRIT Hunter’s studio is jam-packed with boxes of handmade and store-bought paper, stamps, maps, Coca-Cola bottle caps, stencils, sheets of music, glass beads, buttons, feathers, eyeglasses, wire, embroidery thread and other unique items. “I never wanted to do collage because I knew it would take over my studio,” she laughed. However, that changed when she traveled overseas two years ago.

Peking Duck “When a friend invited me to Ireland to work with other artists on a mosaic, I thought I would be a “go-fer” since I had never done mosaics before. Experiencing how the mosaic was constructed and completed influenced me when I started doing collages,” she said. She has the most fun embellishing pieces, and she wishes people could see more of her mixed media elements in photos.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Evening Glow

“My ‘Book of Knowledge’ painting, for example, includes a set of real eyeglasses that a student gave me,” she said, adding that several students have given her items that she has incorporated into her work. “One student gave me a bag of beads she had made, and another a student gave me a wreath of white silver tipped feathers which were used in my collage, ‘Peking Duck,’” she said. Several collages include coins and music notes. Another painting includes a button that belonged to a student’s grandmother. “I often include mixed media pieces that have meaning, and each painting has a story behind it,” she said.

HITH COVER ARTIST This will be Hunter’s 19th year participating in Hidden in the Hills, and her first year as the featured cover artist for the popular event. Her mixed media collage painting, “All Tied Up,” featuring a scarlet ibis, graces the cover of the 23rd Annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour directory. Over the years, the popular four-color, glossy artists directory has become a collectible among patrons. Hunter’s colorful, whimsical collage painting was among more than 75 pieces of diverse fine art entries submitted for consideration for the cover art during a juried selection process. “There were so many terrific entries, but we kept going back to Sue’s whimsy and bright mixed media collage painting,” said Hidden in the Hills co-chair Jane Boggs. Hunter said “All Tied Up” includes mixed media elements from a trip to Poland two years ago. “The flowers on the bottom of the painting are from napkins I brought home, and if you look closely, you’ll see some Polish stamps,” she said. The colorful painting also includes a subtle message. “While creating it, I began to think of how so many items we discard end up in the environment, causing harm to the animals,” she said. Hunter has received many accolades for her work, but her greatest reward is teaching others.

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE

French Necklace

All Tied Up

At the Beach

“I love teaching, and I encourage students, but never dictate,” she said. “I have had many students who had never painted and who did not believe they could produce a painting. But when they completed their first painting, the wonder and joy were unbelievable!” She believes art is good for the soul, and she said her art has helped her get through many difficult challenges, including the loss of her husband, John, several years ago. “I believe art is the best therapy for everyone,” she said. “I prefer to go with the flow, let the brush dance along, and then surprise myself with how I can use mixed media elements. If I have to stop to think about it, I’m no longer having fun.” During Hidden in the Hills, Hunter will exhibit a variety of mixed media collage, oil and abstract paintings at Jane Boggs’ Studio #28 in Cave Creek. hiddeninthehills.org

EXPERIENCE

23rd Annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Writer Sue Kern-Fleischer Photography Courtesy of Jane Boggs

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS

The four seasons of Arizona sometimes blend together, but there is a fifth season that starts right around now: art season. For the past 26 years, the award-winning Thunderbird Artists has been kicking off the arts season with its Fall Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival, a juried show featuring diverse fine art, wine tastings, microbrews, delicious food and live music. This year, 165 renowned artists will showcase and sell their original work from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Nov. 1–3 along Ho Hum and Easy Streets in downtown Carefree. A popular event for locals and tourists alike, Thunderbird Artists’ fall Carefree show was recently ranked as the No. 2 arts festival in the country, behind La Quinta Arts Festival in California. The prestigious industry accolade was included in Greg Lawler’s Art Fair SourceBook (AFSB) 2019 “Premier 100” Fine Art Events. Thunderbird Artists’ Carefree January and March shows also ranked well.

FEATURED ARTIST USES GOURDS AS HER CANVAS This is the first year that Cave Creek mixed media artist Jane Boggs will exhibit her work with Thunderbird Artists. As the featured artist for the Fall Carefree Festival of Fine Art, she will exhibit a variety of gourd masks, sculptural figures and whimsical pieces. “Jane’s bold, colorful gourd sculptures have evolved to include elaborate and stunning pieces that are mesmerizing,” said Thunderbird Artists President Denise Colter. “Although much of her work has been done in a Southwestern style, patrons to our November show will see her new, organic, multi-cultural pieces, which are magnificent!” While always creative, Boggs didn’t pursue art as a career until later in her life. A former United States Tennis Association (USTA) employee, she worked in Colorado for 10 years as director of the Intermountain Region Junior Competitive

ST U D I O # 4

JUDY

BRUCE

STUDIO 7162 EAST STEVENS RD CAVE CREEK, AZ 85331 JUDYBRUCEART.COM

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Division, managing six states before retiring in Newport Beach in 1993. Three years later, she and her husband, John, moved to Cave Creek where she began taking painting lessons. Gourd art was not in her plans until she and a friend visited a gourd farm. "I was so enthralled with the variety of gourds, that I bought 100 with no idea of what to do with them,â&#x20AC;? Boggs said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A visit to the gourd farm is a special type of shopping trip. There are 13 varieties of gourds, and by now, I have a good sense as to which ones will make good vessels, masks or sculptural pieces." Challenging her creativity, she taught herself how to create art pieces using high-powered carvers and pyro-engravers. Over the years, she began to experiment with various embellishments, including stains, watercolors, acrylics and metallic inks. She also uses organic materials, including feathers, woven fabric, palm fronds, handmade paper and other decorative items.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

“The gourds are my canvas,” she said. “I’ve learned so much in 20 years that I now teach classes.” Her stunning gourd masks are her specialty. “Most of my masks have thousands of feathers. It’s a very laborintensive job. Each feather has to be selected, trimmed, shaped and glued—even the tiny ones,” she said. Her largest mask, Avatar, was inspired by James Cameron’s award-winning science fiction film. The fivefoot by five-foot piece sold for $10,000. Another breathtaking piece, Mardi Gras, features thousands of ostrich and peacock feathers. Her gourd sculptures range in size and price, with some smaller pieces priced at under $100. Recently, she began experimenting with more mixed media elements, adding natural reeds, seeds, pods, shells and fossils. “I’m having a lot of fun with my new series of multi-cultural figurative sculptures,” Boggs said. “I start off with an open mind and never know what to expect. In fact, this is the first time I wanted to keep these sculptures in our home rather than in my studio—that’s how attached to them I have been.” Throughout the three-day festival, patrons can take in live music and enjoy wine tastings, microbrews and a variety of festival food. The festival’s featured performer, AfterGlow, will perform contemporary jazz and funk tunes all three days in the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion. Other participating musicians include Vibhas Kendzia, a master of the Indian flute. thunderbirdartists.com

EXPERIENCE Thunderbird Artists Fall Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival November 1–3 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Easy and Ho Hum Streets, Carefree | Admission: $3 for adults; free for children 17 and under; $10 wine tasting i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019 84thunderbirdartists.com

Hidden In The Hills Artist Studio Tour 480.575.6624 • HiddenInTheHills.org

SEE ARTISTS IN ACTION! — 199 ARTISTS at 47 STUDIOS —

NOVEMBER 22-24 & NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 1 CAVE CREEK • CAREFREE • NORTH SCOTTSDALE N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Adrienne McLeod

Just as the colors of leaves signify the arrival of fall, the pretty plumage of many of our state’s desert birds creates a magnificent mosaic through which we can appreciate autumn in Arizona. Many of these birds blend in with the landscape as a means of protection against predators, but those with a keen eye can experience an array of splendor just outside their window. For starters, the barred black, white and brown feathers of our official state bird—the cactus wren—are a sight that those in other parts of the country may never have the fortune to see up close. As is also the case with Gambel’s quail, whose beautiful bluish-gray bodies, cream bellies, chestnut wings, copper heads and black top-knots can be seen bouncing around the desert in groups called coveys of more than a dozen at a time. If we are even more observant, we can even catch quick glimpses of dark brown- and white-streaked roadrunners with their distinctive spiky head crests and colorful bare patches of skin behind each eye. From hawks to owls to woodpeckers, our state is home to many fascinating birds whose feather color schemes are a terrific representation of autumn in the desert. Arizona even features three species of wild turkeys—the unofficial stars of November due to their association with the Thanksgiving holiday. However, you will have to travel to the farther reaches of our state in order to see them, as they are typically located in the ponderosa pine forest and other vegetation types in elevations ranging from 3,500 to 10,000 feet. Photographer Adrienne McLeod counts herself very lucky to have seen and photographed so many of these dazzling desert birds. This month, in celebration of the season, Images Arizona magazine is proud to share with our readers a small sample of the fall feathers that McLeod has captured over the past three years as she has hiked our state’s trails in search of these and other creatures.

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

CAPTURING THE SHOTS “Cornell Laboratory has some apps that are good to help find where birds might be,” McLeod says. “As far as the camera goes, I generally try to bump up the shutter speed to at least 1/1,000th of a second, have a mid-range f-stop and keep the ISO fairly high. “I just make sure that I am able to take a lot of pictures at once on repeat fire. But it is just luck of the draw sometimes.” When it comes to her photography, McLeod is less concerned about the technical aspects that many other photographers focus on than she is with simply getting the shot. “I do not really put too much thought into the creative process,” says McLeod, noting that she is self-taught outside of that high school club all those years ago.

“Generally, I just document anything interesting that I see. I just ilike m a g epretty s a r i z o things.” n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

WHERE TO CATCH A GLIMPSE Photography works hand-in-hand with her other hobby— hiking through Arizona’s various nooks and crannies. She embarks on hikes almost every weekend, camera in hand, to enjoy the outdoors and document the interesting plants, animals and scenery that she encounters. Having grown up in Tucson, one of McLeod’s favorite areas to hike and photograph is Seven Falls. For birding, she enjoys Ramsey Canyon Preserve and Sweetwater Wetlands—the latter of which is home to many ducks and herons. However, her favorite trail is always the one that she is hiking at any given moment. “I am always trying to find a new place to hike,” McLeod explains. “I just feel at peace outside. I do not necessarily like the company of too many other people. I feel a sense of quiet out in nature that I do not get in the city.”

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER Adrienne McLeod’s first entered the world of photography when she was in high school, when she approached her teacher with the idea of starting a photography club. “I just loved art and wanted to expand my horizons a little bit,” McLeod says. “I did not know too much about it, but my teacher was pretty familiar with the process. So we got a few students together, started a club and began learning all of the technical details of photography.” McLeod initially used her mother's old Nikon camera for her hobby, spending a lot of time outdoors photographing nature. She eventually updated her instrument and has been playing with the art form off and on since then—until about three years ago when she decided to get a bit more serious about it. adriennemcleod.com

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

MAKING MEMORIES H WESTERN STYLE

OLD WEST SPIRIT NEW WEST TALENT

I really like owls. They are hard to find. But when you do find them, they are so majestic. They seem like they know a lot—all the secrets of nature. Adrienne McLeod

6130 East Cave Creek Road • Cave Creek, AZ

www.lastiendascavecreek.com N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

LET’S TALK TURKEYS! Arizona is thankful to be home to three species of wild turkeys: Merriam's turkeys, Gould's turkeys and Rio Grande turkeys. Of the three, Merriam's turkeys—a native species—are most plentiful in our state and are most frequently found in the ponderosa pine forests north of the Gila River, with strong population densities along the Mogollon Rim. Merriam’s turkeys feature primary wing feathers that are white with small black accents. Arizona’s other native wild turkey species, Gould's turkeys, are far less common, having experienced dramatic population declines over the years. Slightly larger than Merriam's turkeys, Gould’s turkeys were an important food source for miners working in southern Arizona between the Civil War and World War I. The few that are left stick to the isolated high-altitude forests and remote mountain ranges of our state.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Meanwhile, Rio Grande turkeys are a slightly smaller species with primary wing feathers that are black with small white accent bars. Rio Grande turkeys tend to occupy areas up to 6,000 feet in elevation with drainages and stream beds in relatively open brush.

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Keith Alstrin

Each time that Amanda Huf designs a Christmas tree, she feels like she is sharing a personal piece of herself. “I am putting myself out there as a tree,” says Huf, who serves as the director of operations for Arizona Home and Holiday. Huf is just one of several professionals who, Saturday, Dec. 7, will be contributing their expert Christmas tree decorating skills for the Arizona Burn Foundation’s Holiday Festival of Trees at JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort. Huf has participated in the event every year since 2013. The Arizona Burn Foundation’s chief executive officer Rex Albright says the Holiday Festival of Trees—currently celebrating its 21st anniversary in the Valley—is one of the non-profit organization’s premier fundraising events. “[Being burned] is a traumatic experience for people, so this event is a way to show rebirth and to create an atmosphere of hope and beauty,” Albright says. “And what says the holidays more than a decorated

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

tree? Everybody has fond childhood memories of decorated Christmas trees, so the energy around them is the centerpiece of our fundraising.” The event will kick off with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m., during which attendees have a chance to bid on a handful of decorated tabletop trees and wreaths while the Dickens Carolers perform. Then the full-size, decorated trees will be unveiled at 7 p.m. Attendees have an opportunity to explore them, dinner will be served and the program and live auction will commence. Trees will be carefully wrapped and delivered to the homes of the highest bidders, then made to look the way they were showcased during the event—which is one of Huf’s favorite parts of the process. “I love to see the pictures that the Arizona Burn Foundation posts [on its social media] on Sunday when the trees have been delivered,” she explains. “When you look at each tree in somebody's living room with their kids standing in front of it, you can see how perfect it is in their home. To see who will be appreciating it through the holidays brings it full circle.”

ADORNING WITH DECORATIONS The Arizona Burn Foundation has partnered with several designers in the past—like Huf—as well as a few new ones who have approached the organization with their innovative designs. “We pick the designers based on what they have done historically with us or with others, or what they have showcased,” says Albright, noting that the full-size trees are 9 feet tall and decorated with 5,000 lights. Although the actual decorating process takes Huf about 20 hours, the design stage lasts the better part of a year for her. In fact, she has already started thinking about the tree she will design for next year’s Holiday Festival of Trees. “Next year is 2020, so I would like to do something a little far out because it is such a cool year number,” Huf explains. “There is usually one thing that is the inspiration. It could be a ribbon that I see or a cute ornament that I find. There is always one catalyst that makes me say, 'Oh my God! That is my tree this year!'”

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

She adds that watching her fellow designers decorate their trees in the days leading up to the event is quite a sight to behold. “When nobody has gotten there yet, they are all just trees in a ballroom,” Huf says. “Then, as the layers start to go on, we see how many hours it takes and how many people are around each tree making them turn into the masterpieces they are at the end. “I do not think that you could truly appreciate the trees unless you were to stand in front of each one for at least an hour and really look at every single piece. Not everything is hanging from the tips of the branches. There are things that go all the way in—almost to the trunk. So it is really cool to see it all come together.”

PUTTING DOWN ROOTS This year’s Holiday Festival of Trees will be slightly more mission-integrated than it has been in the past, as the Arizona Burn Foundation showcases video vignettes surrounding its prevent-survive-thrive mantra. “The event is going to be wrapped around very quick, visual, emotional stories showing all the stages of care—from prevention to surviving to thriving,” Albright says. Serving the community since 1967, the Arizona Burn Foundation is the state’s leader in burn prevention advocacy and education. Its smoke alarm installation program, which began in 2006, ensures that burn survivors and community members living in older homes or in high-risk areas have at least one working smoke alarm in their home.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

The Arizona Burn Foundation also has a kid-friendly program that teaches burn prevention and fire safety education to children. Geared at educating preschool through fifthgrade students, the Milo and Moxie program—named for its animated dog and hummingbird mascots—is available to individual classrooms, schools and health fairs in the Valley. “Our primary hope is to prevent any type of burn or fire safety problem,” Albright says. The Arizona Burn Foundation also provides survivor support programs that help children and adults cope with the devastating psychological and physical effects of their injuries. The organization offers lodging, emotional support and hospital food vouchers, as well as daily transportation to and from their lodging facility and the Arizona Burn Center. “We have social workers employed by us who go into the hospital setting,” Albright explains. “While the patient is getting care from the medical team, we are there for the family to determine their needs. We can take on some of the financial burdens to help that family maintain a quality of life, thereby releasing some of the stress and helping the patient heal.” The Arizona Burn Foundation then helps burn survivors get back on their feet and begin thriving again. “You have a scar, you have a burn and you have emotional and traumatic experiences that you have lived through,” Albright says. “We work with survivors and their families to provide them with counseling and therapy services.”

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

The organization also offers a number of camps and retreats where survivors get to talk with one another, share their experiences and learn skills that help them return to normalcy. These programs include Camp Courage, World Burn Congress Scholarships, school re-entry, peer support groups, yoga, family retreats and young adult retreats. “We take away the stigma of being a burn survivor so they just become a person again,” Albright says. “They are no longer a burn survivor. They are now just a person who happens to have a burn.”

PLACING THE STAR ON TOP Holiday Festival of Trees helps the Arizona Burn Foundation achieve its goals. The organization has been raising a net amount of about $500,000 each year through the event, which draws an average of 500 attendees. Albright acknowledges that $500,000 is just a number though, so he intends to translate that into the impact the money has made toward the organization’s mission during this year’s event. “We will relate it to how many smoke alarms we have installed, how many children have learned about Milo and Moxie, how many kids were able to enjoy camp and how many adults went to their own retreats,” Albright explains. “You are not just coming to an event to support it financially. You are coming here to make an impact.” azburn.org/holiday-festival-trees

EXPERIENCE Arizona Burn Foundation’s Holiday Festival of Trees Saturday, Dec. 7 | 6 p.m. | JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort | 5402 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale | $500 | 602-230-2041 i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019 100azburn.org/holiday-festival-trees

RESTAURANT

Bar & Grill at Rancho Mañana WEDDINGS

Authentic Arizona T

480.488.0698 TontoBarAndGrill.com @tontobarandgrill

CATERING

@tontobarandgrill @tontobarandgrill @tontoweddings

5736 E. Rancho Mañana Blvd., Cave Creek, AZ 85331

Living Music Performance Series 2019-2020 Watoto We Will Go Friday, December 6, 2019 7:00 P.M. Free Will Offering

our Curtis On T

Christmas Class ics

d, violin Grace Cliffor , 2019 ovember 16 Saturday, N 4:00 P.M.

Boulder Creek HS Choirs Saturday, Dec ember 14, 2019 4:00 P.M.

Tickets $25

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Tickets $25

CALL 480-488-2081

VISIT www.ctlcarefree.org

Christ the Lord Lutheran Church 9205 East Cave Creek Road | Carefree, AZ 85377 N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

101

Writer Shannon Severson Photography Courtesy of Phoenix Art Museum

The Phoenix Art Museum has big plans to celebrate its 60th Anniversary in grand style. It all starts with the pARTy in the Garden Nov. 2 when long-time supporters Ellen and Howard Katz will be honored. The fall gala will also premiere two major exhibits: Legends of Speed and PhxArt60: The Past Decade. Elegance will abound as guests enjoy custom cocktails and a seated dinner in Cummings Great Hall, followed by dancing under the stars in the verdant Dorrance Sculpture Garden. The afterpARTy will be open to the public at 9 p.m., and will feature music and a hosted bar, along with spirits and beer tastings, complimentary hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres and light desserts. Attendees will have access to Legends of Speed from 9 to 11 p.m., and the 60th Anniversary exhibition until 1 a.m. The annual event plays a vital role in the financial support of the museum. Since its debut in 2007, the gala has raised nearly $10.5 million to support exhibitions and art education programs at the museum, which welcomed its first visitors Nov. 18, 1959. Since a major retrospective display was done for the 50th anniversary, chief curator Gilbert Vicario decided to focus on the past 10 years for PhxArt60: The Past Decade and its landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona. The exhibit runs through Jan. 26.

The afterpARTy

“I focused on the very recent decision we made to collect photography that is historically relevant and that fits into our other five departments,” says Vicario. “It occurred to me to structure an exhibit around documentary photographs that go beyond mere aesthetics. I’ve installed them alongside our existing art collection. It really demonstrates what the museum has been collecting, but allows me to have some curatorial play and to make a statement about diversity and identity in this country and how that can help define the institution moving forward.” Legends of Speed will have hearts racing with its display of 20 cars by Maserati, Ferrari, Ford, Mercedes-Benz and more. Among these wonders of automotive design are the actual vehicles that crossed finish lines to win iconic races at Le Mans, Indianapolis 500 and Italian Grand Prix, among others. Profiles of men and women behind the wheel of these speedsters give the glass, steel and pure horsepower a separate, more human dimension. “The relationship between design and art has always been tightly wound together,” says Vicario. “Form and function have also been intertwined. “It’s not just the aesthetics of the automobile, but how it functions, the technical aspects, that are of interest to visitors. We take it a step further to draw in the relationships of the cars to the drivers. These really are historic artifacts, and part of that history are the vivid stories of those who drove them.” The exhibition officially opens to the public Nov. 3 and will run through March 15. “The museum continues to grow, innovate and present extraordinary exhibitions to its diverse community due to the generosity and undaunted determination of countless advocates, supporters and friends like the Katz family,” says Jon Hulburd, chair of the museum’s board of trustees. The Katzes have been an essential part of the museum's growth, endowing funds to support the construction of the 25,000-square-foot Ellen and Howard C. Katz Wing for Modern Art. Ellen Katz served as trustee chair, and in 2007 and 2011 respectively, she created and served as the inaugural committee chair for The pARTy in the Garden and the Independent Woman luncheon. These events have raised nearly $13 million to-date in gifts of support for the museum’s programs. phxart.org N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

103

Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Doug McNamee

In a small studio in downtown Los Angeles’ Jewelry District, Aaron Furlong and his father Conrad are perched on benches a few feet apart, rapt in their work. Wearing pale blue aprons and magnification visors, they both hunch over their projects, with only the taps and brushing of hand tools breaking the silence. It’s a routine the pair has worn like a favorite sweater. For nearly three decades, they’ve worked alongside each other, creating beautiful jewelry and carrying on a tradition that began nearly a century ago with a Russian orphan and a dream. In the first decades of the 20th century, Aaron’s grandfather, Anthony Kantor, was just a small boy when his family was killed in the pogroms on the streets of Russia. Over the next years, he managed to flee through Manchuria in northeast China, and was adopted by a family who brought him to the United States.

104

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Once in the U.S., Kantor met an Air Force pilot who had a particular interest in diamonds. As a very poor child, Kantor had only dreamed of the riches of diamonds and gems he’d seen among the elite. Hard-working and determined, he began working with suppliers to import diamonds into the U.S. Kantor applied the same perseverance that had gotten him through the ethnic cleansing in Russia to his work with diamonds, and his handshake was as binding as a contract. “He started our family into the jewelry business,” his grandson, Aaron Furlong, says. “He became a very successful diamond merchant.” Kantor’s code of ethics was unequivocal, and he became more than just successful. He was a pioneer, and a pillar of the Los Angeles diamond industry. Decades later, there was another young man who showed promise in the jewelry industry: Conrad Furlong. Kantor’s daughter, Irene, had taken an interest in the young man, and Kantor took a liking to him.

THE SECOND GENERATION “My father was a shoe salesman,” Aaron says of Conrad. “My grandmother saw him working with a model and told him he had very good hands—that he should be a diamond setter.” At that time, the diamond industry could only be taught through family lineage, specifically to sons and sons-in-law. It was a tight-knit community, but Aaron’s grandfather leveraged some of his industry friendships to get Conrad an internship. Though the introduction helped, Conrad had to work hard to prove himself. As an apprentice, he was not allowed to touch gold or gems, or speak to the setters. He took it in stride, watching over their shoulders, then heading home at the end of each long day to a makeshift workbench

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

105

he’d built in his small apartment. He used fake stones and mountings and his remarkable memory to reproduce all he’d seen. Eventually, he built his own shop and employed about 40 craftsmen, creating jewelry for other designers. He married Irene, had a son, and built his business upon the same personal standards that his father-in-law believed in. Yet he became frustrated. “He noticed that he was the first in, the last out, and that he was the least paid,” says Aaron. “He kept five of his best guys moved into a smaller shop.” Conrad Furlong’s new shop was on the renowned Hill Street, where he focused on high line design, creation and setting for Cartier, Tiffany and other high-end purveyors. Irene took on the bookkeeping, a role she enjoyed until she passed away five years ago.

THE THIRD GENERATION Young Aaron grew up around the jewelry business. “I would go down and play with pearls in my grandfather’s office,” he says with a smile. “In my father’s office, I would help separate burrs, which are used for grinding, shaping and drilling. I’d separate the ones that still had life in them from the ones that had to be thrown out. It was all part of my childhood.” Though he’d grown up surrounded by jewelry, Aaron had to take his own path to discover his love for it. “In 1990, I completed my degree in psychology,” he explains. “I spent a year at a suicide prevention hotline, and I realized that I didn’t want the rest of my life to go that way. I sat down and thought about what I wanted to do next.” He returned home, spoke to his father, and completed his Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America, where he also learned basic goldsmithing techniques. Aaron began working under Victorino Garcia, a renowned jeweler who had been named the personal jeweler to Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos before they were ousted from leadership of the Philippines.

106

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

“He taught me and gave me small jobs until I’d learned enough to develop my own style and skill,” Aaron says. “I launched my own line in 1999.” Aaron Furlong’s decision to return to the family business has proven to be wise. Today, he is the founder of Aaron Henry, a small but prestigious jewelry design and manufacturing company that has already left its indelible mark in jewelry design. Aaron is a goldsmith, while Conrad does most of the natural gemstone setting. Aaron Henry designs have been used in marketing for World Gold Council, California Jewelers Association, Gemological Institute of America and diamond giant DeBeers, and he has won numerous prestigious industry awards. Their work has also appeared in Vanity Fair, Town & Country, Forbes, Millionaire and InStyle magazines, and Jewelers Quarterly magazine tapped him as Designer of the 21st Century. He is president of the Association of Professional Jewelry Designers’ Contemporary Design Group.

THE BEAUTY OF SLOWING DOWN Generational threads have woven their way into Aaron Furlong’s life, and into Aaron Henry. Like his grandfather and father before him, Aaron Furlong is all about excellence, even if it takes time. “I fabricate jewelry with torches, drills and hand tools,” he says. “We have a small shop, but we have an outstanding attention to detail and create very high-end designs. We cast our own metal and alloy our own gold.” “We only make a couple of hundred pieces a year, and they’re all limited edition and higher end.” His design inspiration has also not fallen far from the tree of history. In fact, one could say trees are his muses. Just as his grandfather once crossed Manchuria primarily by foot, both Conrad and Aaron have taken to hiking. In fact, they still enjoy finding hidden trails together when they can. Their encounters in the wild are often the source of Aaron Henry design genius. “In 1998, I went backpacking with my dad,” Aaron explains. “It was October, and a mile or two into the trail, all of these trees were changing colors. It was N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

107

beautiful. I began picking up little things and putting them in a Ziploc bag. Those things became the basis for a lot of the leaf pieces I’ve created since then.” Tiny, intricate leaves, flowers and other organic elements have become an Aaron Henry trademark. “As I’ve traveled the last two decades, I’ve picked up maple leaves in Washington State, magnolias from the South, gingkoes from upstate New York and birch leaves in Ohio. “In Louisiana, we found huge Southern oak trees that were just amazing. I started picking up samples, and I brought them back to the studio. That’s where a lot of the acorns I use in my designs came from. “We have olive trees in our front yard, and I find myself using a lot of olive branches inspired by those trees. I love the symbolism.” Some of Aaron’s designs come from ideas collected much farther away. “Whether I’m traveling and seeing different motifs on the temples in Cambodia or the mosaics in Florence, there is so much all around in plants and flowers to be inspired by. “I’ve got a box of a lot of things that I go back to often for ideas. For every design that I’ve made, there are probably seven or eight that didn’t make it that far, but each one has led me to another break in the road—another idea. Sometimes I will come back to one of those pieces five years later and I’ll look at it in an entirely different way. “Nothing’s ever worthless. Sometimes it’s just not the right time.” Like his father and grandfather before him, Aaron finds great satisfaction in spending hours at his workbench creating beauty from nature’s most raw but valuable elements. “The stones I like to use are variegated in color—they’re not all the same. It makes for a more interesting,

EXPERIENCE Aaron Henry: An American Luxury Collection Nov. 22, 23 | 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday | Wine and appetizers Friday 4–8 p.m. | Grace Renee Gallery | Historic Spanish Village m aHo g e s aHum r i z o nRd. a . c o#7, m Nov e m b e|r480-575-8080 2 019 7212 Carefree | gracereneegallery.com 108 iE.

“

Nothing’s ever worthless. Sometimes it’s just not the right time.

more organic look. If you look at anything in nature, it’s not all one color. That’s just how it occurs in nature, and that’s what I try to emulate. He points to a beautiful spectrum of blues in a cluster ring. “They’re beautiful,” he says, his eyes beaming. “They’re like a flower that never dies.” Spinels, moonstones, morganite, sapphires, and other beautiful stones have all become part of Aaron Henry jewelry. Over time, the family designs have evolved. Today, buyers embrace a decidedly contemporary element to the jewelry. “I would describe our design style as organic, and understated but elegant,” Aaron explains. “I try to make jewelry that you can dress up or dress down, and that can be worn with a white t-shirt and jeans, or worn with a black dress. “Of course, we do make some that are more fancy, but overall, Aaron Henry jewelry is very wearable across the spectrum.” Locally, Aaron Henry designs have found a new audience at Grace Renee Gallery in Carefree. Aaron and Conrad Furlong will host a wine reception to feature some of their brilliant, hand-crafted contemporary jewelry. Between now and then, the two can be found hard at work in the shop, as they are today. It would appear that, like his grandfather and father, creating jewelry has always been Aaron’s destiny. “I put on headphones and a magnification visor, then tune everything out,” he says. “I focus on what’s in front of me. It’s almost meditative. The hours just pass by.” gracereneegallery.com

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

109

Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Carl Schultz i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

110

Artist Paul Pletka is notoriously private. At 73 years old, this renowned American neo-surrealist artist has never been one to demand a spotlight. In fact, he’s seldom even bothered with an interview. Instead, he allows his paintings and drawings of Native American warriors and shamans to speak for themselves. For nearly five decades, they have done just that. At exhibitions of his paintings he’s accessible, personable, and readily discusses his art. Pletka was born in San Diego in 1946, the son of Howard and Anna Marie (Pletka) Johnson. His father was intrigued by Native American culture, and young Paul became enamored too at the age of 4 when his father shared with him his collection of arrowheads. Even as a small child, Pletka expressed himself through art, drawing pictures of the chiefs and warriors of his imagination on paper with crayons and pencils. One of his first explorations on canvas occurred at the expense of one of his mother’s white sheets, which he used to create one of his only unappreciated works of art. When Paul was 11 years old, his family moved to Grand Junction, Colo. where he explored the untamed canyons and rugged backcountry of western Colorado and eastern Utah with his father. He’d come home from those trips with renewed inspiration, creating on paper his imagined scenes of unadulterated Native American life on the range. By the time he graduated high school, he’d won his first prestigious award when Seventeen magazine published one of his drawings. By then, he’d discovered that he could sell his work to friends, neighbors, teachers—and even strangers. Pletka first went to college at Arizona State, where he’d earned a scholarship. The desert wasn’t ready for him just yet, however, and he made his way back home shortly afterward, enrolling at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Surprisingly, Pletka never took a single course in painting; rather, he chose printmaking as his field. He later taught himself to paint, becoming one of the best autodidactic artists of his time.

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

111

Throughout his career, he has remained interested in Native American culture and history while looking past the stereotypes so often depicted by non-native artists. For many years, Pletka’s trademark works were his large, vivid paintings of Native American people with unrealistically large hands. Some are depicted wearing clothing from historical European soldiers—“the garb of the conquerors worn by the conquered,” as one collector stated. Other Pletka paintings contain symbolism extracted from 19th-century Euro-centric cultures, including Christian religious icons. Though Pletka’s work emerged from the late 1960s and early 1970s during a time when civil rights activism was at its peak, he remained solidly apolitical. He managed to bridge the chasm between two schools of thought in Native American art at the time: one that was attempting to rewrite history in such a way that validated the brutality of colonialism; and the other that implied strong messages of social justice, depicting Native Americans as silent victims of oppression. Instead, Pletka recognized the value in the artistic contribution of Native American cultures—art, for the sake of, and the significance of, art in itself. It was a fine line, but the fact that his work was not politicized is what many continue to find so appealing. Out of his appreciation for Native American culture, Pletka also recognized his role as a non-native person. In a rare interview, Pletka told a writer from online art magazine ARTtalk, "When I was a youngster and first enchanted with Indian costume, lore and artifacts, I would sometimes pretend I was an Indian. I soon realized that was not intellectually reasonable. I am not an Indian. I am simply an interpreter."

112

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

AN ARTFUL FRIENDSHIP Collector Ken Johnson says he and Pletka have been friends for eons. He met Pletka in 1965 while the two worked together, along with museum curator Dr. S. A. Dulaney Hunter, to establish a museum in Grand Junction. Paul worked at the museum and became assistant curator. A wall in the museum featured an 80-feet-long frieze by Pletka in 1967. Dr. Hunter left his museum in 1968 after falling out with the small-town politicians of the day. He gave Johnson a small Pletka watercolor as a 1968 “Christmas Card”. The museum of 1965 has now matured into three locations and is the Museums of Western Colorado. “Paul found his first market in Ouray, Colo. We talked about how his work felt to him. It validated his work had a receptive market. “He wanted to venture into large, dramatic canvases, but those required a lot of studio and great light. Around 1972 Paul and I engineered a deal for a home for he and his wife, and his big studio! It was an old farmhouse and barn out west in rural Grand Junction. The barn gave space for doing the monumental paintings he had visualized, his signature artwork. “It was a major life change. His discoveries in that new workspace let him soar! His work pace and creativity blossomed to astonishing levels.” By 1973, Pletka had found that Scottsdale collectors were among his biggest followers. He began working with a Scottsdale gallery, which sold his paintings nearly as fast as he could produce them. By 1977, he and his wife Nancy were in his new studio not far from Santa Fe. He was solidly established in Scottsdale, Aspen, and even New York following a solo exhibition in 1978. Ken Johnson remembers the early days warmly. “Paul and I go back quite a way—back to the day when one of his detailed watercolors, a simple sandstone cliff with a cedar tree atop, was signed “Paul Johnson” he recalls, recollecting the days before Pletka took his mother’s maiden name as his surname.

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

113

Around 1979, Johnson bought a Pletka piece titled “Sarsi”, He recalls it was from a fundraiser for the Mesa County Center for the Arts. “It resonates with an emotional appeal I find in Paul’s work, his spiritual concerns throughout all stages of his painting; it gives Sarsi, gazing into the distance, a soul. “Sarsi graced our walls for 40 years, the last 19 on our very fitting adobe,” Johnson said. “It’s a treasure.” Today, it is among some of the treasures Johnson is parting with following a move to the East Coast. He has entrusted Carefree’s Grace Renee Gallery with its sale. A special viewing with a wine reception will be held Nov. 14 at the gallery, located in Historic Spanish Village. Today, Pletka and his wife, Nancy, live and work in Santa Fe where their Pletka Gallery is located.

“

Pletka’s following grew immensely through the years, and his early works have grown increasingly valuable. Among his many admirers was Eddie Basha, whose compilation of Native American art is one of the most extensive and revered in the world. The Eddie Basha Collection holds several of Pletka’s pieces in its care.

Pletka’s following grew

“

immensely through the years, and his early works have

grown increasingly valuable.

EXPERIENCE

Since the early 1970s, Pletka’s work has been featured in solo exhibits throughout the country. It is now part of more than 40 public and private museums and art collections, including University of Northern Illinois, Albany Museum of Art, Hallmark, Mel Pfaelzer Collection, and United States Department of Interior. It’s a remarkable accomplishment for a noteworthy artist whose work, and interpretations, will no doubt be cherished for many years to come. gracereneegallery.com

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

115

Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Sharen Bradford

Many years ago, French-born dance choreographer Jacques Heim was living in an apartment complex in Hollywood. He did not know any of his neighbors until an earthquake shook the area. “Suddenly, the neighbors started sharing food, blankets and water,” Heim recalls. “We finally started creating this beautiful community—living together and helping one another.” Heim was moved by the experience and sought to instill the humanity that he felt as a result of it into Diavolo, the dance company that he founded in 1992. “Sometimes, modern society does not allow us to actually help one another,” Heim explains. “We are so individual and so much in our own world and cocoon because life is complex. I wanted audiences to see the power and the beauty of humans helping one another, supporting one another, teaching one another— like it is their last day on Earth.”

116

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

TheHornyToad.com 6738 E. Cave Creek Road

That is one of the reasons there is an element of danger in the repertoire of Diavolo, which will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 22 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Exactly what the company will be performing, though, is somewhat difficult to describe—even for Heim. The artistic director likens Diavolo’s identity to a salad in which he—a French chef in this scenario—mixes a fusion of different movements. Chef Heim begins by chopping up some everyday movement and placing it into a bowl. To that, he adds a little bit of ballet, a sliver of modern dance, a sprinkle of gymnastics, a fair amount of acrobatics and a morsel of martial arts. “Then I will tweak it and toss it before adding an architectural environment—large structures that the dancers live in,” says Heim, noting that he is not a dancer and is, in fact, the most dyslexic and unflexible artistic director you will ever meet. “Those structures tell a story or transmit a feeling. “I wish I could have been an architect but I did not have the discipline to be one. So I decided to mix my loves—the love of movement, the love to push human beings beyond their limits and the love for the language of architecture.”

480-488-9542

Monday – Thursday 11am – 9pm Friday 11am – 10pm Saturday 9am – 10pm | Sunday 9am – 9pm

Your Community Restaurant Since 1976 Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner • Events • Full Bar Happy Hour Specials Prime Rib Special Tues & Sat All You Can Eat Pasta on Sun Breakfast Served Sat & Sun Plenty of Room for Events Pet Friendly Patio Seating

Home of the Year-Round Christmas Store unique gifts from local artists

breakfast with Santa December 14th at 8:00 am

Diavolo’s repertoire features a variety of different set pieces inspired by architecture, hence the company’s show title Architecture in Motion.

Call for Tickets!

IT'S FOOTBALL TIME AT THE TOAD!

Watch these games on our 14 TVs & 2 Big Screens!

Set pieces include a 3,000-pound boat that symbolizes the transcendence of the human soul against all odds; several skateboard ramps that represent an urban environment with ever-shifting physical and emotional spaces; and a giant morphing staircase with multiple doors, passageways and shifting surfaces showing the tenuous balance we attempt to strike each day. Diavolo’s newest adventure, inspired by travels in space and the first moon landing, sees gravity-defying bodies encountering whimsical, kinetic structures in a challenging environment. Heim gets the ideas for the company’s repertoire from the very world in which we live and breathe. “I travel and walk a lot,” Heim says. “Sometimes I see something that catches my attention—something that is peculiar, something that I am curious about or something that I want to analyze.”

Cave Creek's Official Vikings Bar 11/3 Chiefs @ 11 am 11/10 Cowboys @ 6 pm 11/17 Broncos @ 11 am 12/2 Seahawks @ 6 pm

Michigan Headquarters & BIG 10 Football 11/2 Maryland @ 9 am 11/16 MI State @ TBD 11/23 Indiana @ TBD 11/30 Ohio State @ 10 am

PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY

Visit these nonprofit websites for our coupons!

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

117

Heim uses a recent experience with a hotel’s large glass revolving door as an example to shine some light on his thought process. He recalls watching a woman, who had just arrived at the hotel with her suitcase, enter the revolving door. “There were all of these other people coming from the inside of the hotel, and one of the suitcases got stuck,” Heim says. “The woman entering and a man exiting suddenly got stuck in the revolving door and were facing one another, trying to negotiate how they were going to move.” Heim aspires to one day create and add to Diavolo’s repertoire a gigantic revolving door that represents the revolving door of our lives in which we sometimes get stuck.

118

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

“I can take that concept of the hotel and put it into a metaphor about life,” Heim explains. Over the past 20 years, Diavolo has appeared before audiences in 250 cities and 14 countries and has performed to sold-out crowds throughout the U.S. Two years ago, Heim’s imaginative ideas and creative choreography propelled Diavolo to the finale of NBC’s reality competition series “America’s Got Talent,” introducing the company to audiences across the country. However, Heim acknowledges that there is only so much that can be seen, experienced and felt through a television screen. “Seeing Diavolo live is exciting because you do not really understand what you seeing,” Heim says. “It is very visceral. It transports you to a place that makes you use a bit of imagination. It is like a journey that you take.” Heim notes that it is not uncommon for audiences to stand up and cheer at the end of Diavolo’s performances— not because the shows are a spectacle but because the performers have exemplified excellent teamwork. “You see these men and women on stage working together as a unit, as a community, as a family.” Heim says. “There is a little bit of envy because you wish that you could be part of it. “You recognize that these performers on stage are fighting together like great gladiators to make this extraordinary journey happen. They work together as a battalion of men and women in the trenches of war. You see this team facing an adversary because this work is dangerous.” Heim reiterates that Diavolo is like no other dance company. He therefore looks for the perfect performers to bring his ideas and choreography to life. Diavolo’s dancers should have some technique—especially ballet, since the artistic director believes that is the basis of all movement. But instead of talent, Heim looks for dancers’ commitment to themselves. “I look for individualism,” he explains. “I look for artists who have something to say and something to fight for. They do not have to be the best dancer ever, but they have to have passion and they have to move like they are taking their last breath.” N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

119

Heim aspires to create more than just art with Diavolo. He aims to push his performers beyond their physical, mental and emotional limits so that they can discover their full potential. “They can then discover who they are and eventually be able to accomplish anything that they put their minds to,” Heim says. “Diavolo is more than a dance company. It is a program.” That mindset is what fuels Heim’s mission for the company, which has incorporated educational and community outreach since its inception. Through The Diavolo Institute, the company shares the power of dance as a means of social impact with people of all ages and abilities. In 2016, The Diavolo Institute expanded upon the programs it offers. “Three years ago, we started to work with the veteran community,” Heim says. “We offer movement workshops for the men and women of the armed forces who have PTSD. The movement of Diavolo becomes medicine to those veterans. Our movement workshop is basically a restoration of their mental, emotional and physical strength.” Heim adds that working with the veteran community has forever changed his life and that of the company. “When you can use your art to serve and help others, you realize your greater mission in life,” Heim explains. “Twenty-seven years ago, I had no idea what I was doing. Three years ago, I finally connected the dots. The reason I have a dance company in the United States of America is to help and to celebrate humans.” diavolo.org

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

121

Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Michele Dawson Photography

Julian Rodriguez estimates that she will go through as many as 18 pairs of ballet shoes this holiday season. The 14-year-old Cactus Shadows High School freshman has been cast as Clara in Legacy Ballet Academy’s production of “The Nutcracker Suite,” which will take place Nov. 22–24 at The Madison Center for the Arts in Phoenix. “I dance six to seven days a week during Nutcracker season,” says Rodriguez, who has been dancing with the non-profit organization since her family moved to Arizona in 2011. “I have about 15 hours of classes per week, and then another 10 to 15 hours of rehearsals.”

122

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

That incredible commitment is typical of the dancers in Legacy Ballet Academy, formerly known as Arizona Dance Artistry. Amee Miller, who will be portraying a dewdrop fairy and an Arabian princess in this year’s production, estimates that she devotes eight to 13 hours to dancing each week this time of the year. “I think that because ‘The Nutcracker’ is so iconic and so special to so many people, we as dancers performing in the show tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves to make it as perfect and special as possible for the audience,” says the 17-year-old Deer Valley High School senior. Legacy Ballet Academy owner and director Samantha Gobeille says that one of the ways that the non-profit organization makes its “Nutcracker Suite” performances as special as possible for the audience is by presenting shows with very high production values. “We want to present an amazing show for our audience,” she explains. “Our budget for these shows is more than $50,000. We bring in quite a lot of backdrops, sets, lighting and special effects. Every year we make it different and try to improve it.” Of course, those who benefit the most from the performances are the stars—Legacy Ballet Academy’s students. Gobeille adds that the attention that the non-profit organization puts on its youth is what sets its production of “The Nutcracker Suite” apart from the many others from which audiences have to choose in the Valley. “The teenagers are doing the lead roles of sugar plums and the younger dancers are doing parts in the show that have significance instead of just standing around as a prop on stage,” Gobeille says. “We have learned to value how to make our productions specific to the kids that we have and help them really shine.” One of the ways in which Legacy Ballet Academy does that is by inviting national and international guest artists to dance alongside the students. For this year’s production of “The Nutcracker Suite,” freelance performer, choreographer, ballet master, dance teacher, adjudicator and répétiteur Darren McIntyre will join Legacy Ballet Academy’s students on stage as the Sugar Plum Fairy’s cavalier. McIntyre—who received an advanced diploma of dance from The Australian Ballet School—has toured N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

123

throughout the U.S., Australia, Asia, Canada, Europe and South America, performing a wide range of both classical and contemporary works. Gobeille says that the inclusion of guest artists like McIntyre gives older dancers the opportunity to partner with professional dancers who can properly lift and turn them, thereby elevating their training. “A lot of dancers do not get to experience partner work until they are in a ballet company,” Gobeille says. “Plus, our younger students see that this is what they can do when they get older, so it makes it more applicable to them and elevates the entire production.” The companies with which McIntyre has performed include Louisville Ballet, City Ballet of San Diego, Milwaukee Ballet, New York’s Ajkun Ballet Theatre, Germany’s Landestheater Detmold and The National Ballet of Ireland. “We are very excited to have Darren for this upcoming show,” Gobeille says. “He has been in a variety of ballet companies, so he is very well-versed.” Gobeille adds that “The Nutcracker Suite” also aids Legacy Ballet Academy’s students’ growth in maturity as dancers because it requires robust rehearsal schedules and the development of advanced skills to showcase. “[Our students] are working on a traditional story-length ballet that is usually performed by professional ballet dancers,” she explains. “Sections of the ballet, such as ‘Land of the Snow,’ ‘Dewdrop,’ ‘Clara’ and other soloist roles, are still performed with the same level of difficulty as if an adult professional were dancing them.” Legacy Ballet Academy’s Saturday, Nov. 23 show will be immediately followed by a special cookie party during which audience members

can meet cast members in their costumes. Gobeille says that it is the perfect way for everyone to welcome in the holiday season. “We do [the show] before Thanksgiving to get our students geared up and excited for the holidays,” she notes. “It feels like the holidays, just from the music and the energy in the theater. It gets everybody in a very festive mood.” Rodriguez’s favorite parts of performing in “The Nutcracker Suite” are listening to the production’s music—which she begins doing in August—and seeing all of the beautiful costumes and extravagant props come to life on stage. “This is my ninth year performing in ‘The Nutcracker,’” says Rodriguez, who has been dancing since she was only 3 years old. “I love ‘The Nutcracker’ and sharing my joy of it on-stage. I am honored to be part of it.” Miller shares Rodriguez’s sentiment. “I am so so grateful that I have gotten to be a part of this production for three years now,” she says. “It is so special. This is truly one of the best times of the year for me. “‘The Nutcracker’ is such an iconic part of the holidays that I just have to hear the word ‘Nutcracker’ and I’m ready for Christmas.” legacyballetacademy.com

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

125

Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Bryan Black

If it’s been a while since you’ve ventured east on Cave Creek Road, past the lights and sounds of the suburbs and into the serenity of the Tonto National Forest, you may be missing more than just a reprieve from the heat. Just over a year ago, Raven’s View wine bar re-opened in a small but chic space one mile past the Bartlett Lake turnoff and across from the beautiful and secluded Desert Mountain Outlaw Course. Sixteen months later, Raven’s View has become a “where the locals go” kind of place, with local art and music and a comfortable vibe that makes it feel like an extension of home. Entering into its second season, the Raven’s View calendar has added wine tastings featuring winemakers from near and far. The menu has evolved to include Taco Tuesdays, when $3 tacos are piled high with fresh combinations that look as delectable as they taste. Far from fast food fare, these favorites pair well with any of the dozens of featured domestic or imported wines and beers. Chicken gnocchi carbonara has stepped up as the new hearty favorite, with plump dumplings, charred ripe tomatoes and rich, creamy carbonara sauce. Sophisticated plates of tuna tartare add an upscale element to the casual atmosphere. Stacked layers of avocado, wontons, ahi and house-made ponzu are artfully delicious—and unexpected fare in this little desert oasis! Another new must-try treat is the beefsteak and burrata stack. Creamy burrata cheese and fresh basil are sandwiched between thick slices of beefsteak tomatoes and sprinkled with a seasoned olive oil drizzle. If heaven had a flavor, this would be it. Plenty’s new at Raven’s View! Make it your next stop for winding down. ravensviewwinebaraz.com

GIVE IT A SIP

RAVEN’S VIEW WINE BAR 42016 Old Mine Rd., Cave Creek | 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Mon.–Wed. | 11:00 am.–10:00 p.m. Thur.–Sat. | 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Sun. 480-378-3755 i m a g e s a r i z|oravensviewwinebaraz.com n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

126

Your Community Restaurant Since 1976 Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Full Bar | Events

ffaasstt k k a a e e r r B B g g n n i i v v w SSeerr Noow N daayy uunnd S S & & y y a a d d r r u u t t a oonn SSa

ARD AW NING N I W d

Frieken c Chi

Happy Hour & Daily Specials Monday – Thursday 11am – 9pm | Friday 11am – 10pm Saturday 9am – 10pm | Sunday 9am – 9pm

6738 E. Cave Creek Rd | 480-488-9542 | TheHornyToad.com

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

127

Caramel Apple Sticky Buns Made with a super simple biscuit dough, these buns are the perfect sweet treat for your weekend brunch! Be sure you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t over-knead the biscuit dough. If you want to make a little icing for the top, combine 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of heavy cream. Mix and add more or less until desired consistency.

Ingredients: Caramel: 6 tablespoons grass-fed butter 1-1/4 cups brown sugar 1/2 cup organic heavy cream

1/4 cup water 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Filling: 3 large organic apples, peeled and finely chopped 3 tablespoons grass-fed butter 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon organic cinnamon Dough: 4 cups Bob's Red Mill Organic All-Purpose Flour 4 teaspoons Bob's Red Mill Baking Powder 1 teaspoon Bob's Red Mill Baking Soda 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) cold grass-fed butter, cut into small chunks 1 1/2 cups cold organic buttermilk 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cardamom ice cream, if desired

Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly butter a 13x9 inch baking pan. Caramel: In medium saucepan, combine 6 tablespoons of butter and 1/4 cup water. Cook over medium-high until butter is melted. Stir in brown sugar and cook until smooth and bubbling. Lower the heat and stir in the cream. Cook for about one minute over low heat. Add salt and remove from heat. Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

kyndraclaire.com

128

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Pour in enough caramel to cover the bottom of prepared 13x9inch pan. Reserve remainder for topping the rolls.

Filling: In a large skillet, melt butter and add apples, cinnamon and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved and apples have softened slightly. Turn off heat and let sit while you make the dough. Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add cold chunks of butter and cut in using your fingers or a dough cutter until the crumbs are the size of small peas. Add buttermilk and mix gently to bring the dough together. Turn out onto a floured surface. Scrape and gently knead dough to bring it together. Making sure your surface is wellfloured, roll out the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 1/4inch thick and 12x16 inches. B E T T E R C L U B S . B E T T E R R E S U LT S .

Spread lightly with softened butter and sprinkle with additional brown sugar and cinnamon to your liking. Spoon the cooled apple mixture over dough, leaving a 2-inch border along the long edge that will be the end of your roll.

P X G 0 3 1 1 G E N 2 I R O N S.

B I L LY H O R S C H E L 5x PGA TOUR Winner 2014 FedEx Cup Champion

Starting with the long side, tightly roll up the dough, pressing to seal the edge. Trim the ends off and cut the remainder into 8 rolls. Place in prepared pan. Bake at 375 for 25 to 35 minutes, or until top is lightly browned. Remove from oven and let stand for about 5 minutes. Carefully invert pan onto a serving platter or surface. Drizzle remainder of caramel over the top of the rolls and eat!

S C H E D U L E YO U R F I T T I N G N O W.

Nobody makes golf clubs the way we do. Period.

P X G . C O M / 1.844.PLAY.PXG

N/E Corner Pinnacle Peak and Scottsdale 23587 N. Scottsdale Rd. | 480-502-0555 Monday–Saturday 9am – 6pm | Sunday 11am – 5pm

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

129

Sweet Potato Shingle Casserole Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll love this unique twist on plain old sweet potatoes! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the perfect side dish to serve for your Thanksgiving get-together. Makes: One 1.5-quart casserole dish Prep time: 1 hour Cook time: 1 hour

Ingredients: 3.5 pounds sweet potatoes 1 stick butter 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice 1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon brown sugar

Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Peel sweet potatoes and, using a mandolin, thinly slice them to be about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Melt butter. Add spice, honey and sugar. In a large bowl, toss sweet potatoes with butter mixture until all are coated. Layer sweet potatoes vertically in a casserole dish. They should all fit and be very snug. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drizzle with honey, top with candied nuts and serve.

Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

kyndraclaire.com

130

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

131

North Scottsdale-Carefree Office 34305 N. Scottsdale Road Scottsdale, AZ 85266

P. 480-488-2400

$2,299,000 Beautiful Contemporary custom home with classy finishes in Desert Mountain. Kathy Reed 480-262-1284

Client Focused and Results Driven

Integrity in Real Estate. Working together to provide exceptional service. Sandy Comacchio 480-440-6706 Cynthia Rahrig 480-650-1401

$1,495,000 Desert Mountain Southwestern home offers a remodeled Open Floor plan. Kathy Reed 480-262-1284

Elevated home on Black Mtn. Updated & chic with remarkable 180 degree views & attached guesthouse. 689k Laura Shutt 480-560-1730

$5,000,000 To be built contemporary with stunning golf course, sunset, city light and mountain views.Joanie Barreiro 480-235-2776

Jewel Box SW Casa in Forest of Saguaro - 5 AC - Guest Quarters Debbie Omundson 480-375-1522 www.CarefreeProperty.com

$2,795,000 Contemporary Southwest in The Mirabel Club. Designed by Terry Kilbane on two lots. Patrick Rice 970-846-5461

Live where others vacation!

Premier, Elevated, Gated on 1.3 AC - Superior Detailing - Casita Debbiei mOmundson 480-375-1522 agesarizona.com Nov e m b e r 2 019www.CarefreeProperty.com

132

The Boulders Community 480-488-7550 Bouldersrealestate.com for complete market information.