Reigning Grace
RESTORES
HEARTS
FORMERLY
Paradise Valley :: McCormick Ranch
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CONTENTS PUBLISHER Shelly Spence
EDITOR/CONTRIBUTING WRITER Jenn Korducki Krenn
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Donna Kublin Amanda Christmann Tom Scanlon Monica Longenbaker Rebecca Zaner Stephanie Maher Palenque Paula Theotocatos Lauren Strait Peni Long Shannon Severson Nigel Spence Suzanne Wright Lara Piu Grace Hill
PHOTOGRAPHERS Bryan Black Loralei Lazurek Keri Meyers Mike Harvey Karen Hamilton Monica Longenbaker Brandon Tigrett
ART DIRECTOR/PUBLISHER’S ASSISTANT Jennifer Satterlee
Images Arizona P.O. Box 1416 Carefree, AZ. 85377 623-341-8221 // imagesaz.com Submission of news for Community News section should be in to shelly@imagesaz.com by the 10th of the month prior to publication.
John Ashworth :: True to the Game Writer Nigel Spence Photographer Jordan Phillips P. 32
Images Arizona is published by ImagesAZ Inc. Copyright © 2016 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 4
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WELCOME
F
First, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Shelly Spence, and on behalf of my team at Images Arizona, I would like to extend a big hello and warm welcome to the loyal readers of McCormick Ranch Lifestyle, as well as best wishes and thanks to Alexandra Duemer, who founded and dedicated nine years to this special publication. With this summer issue, Images Arizona is honored to take over the reins and continue building on what Alexandra and her team have created. We are a
Sculpting Space: Elizabeth Rosensteel P. 8
publication dedicated to exploring the diverse culture of our community through storytelling. We give voice to local businesses, events and community members who are making an impact, no matter how big or how small, in their own lives or in the lives of others. And we’ve expanded our audience to include our neighbors in Paradise Valley, and look forward to seeing where your experiences take us. For now, sit back, relax and enjoy learning about the latest happenings in your neighborhood. And, as always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me — even if it’s
Jason Magee
just to say hello.
P. 22
Cheers! Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221
The Next Stage P. 52
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The Athlete’s Home
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P. 58
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LOCAL ARTIST
Sculpting Space: Elizabeth Rosensteel
Writer Shannon Severson
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R
Elizabeth Rosensteel
R
esourcefulness and reinvention is in Elizabeth Rosensteel’s DNA. Her interior design firm, Rosensteel Design Studio, is the culmination
of many years — and careers — that have molded who she is today: an artist, furniture designer, sculptor, art director, inventor. Even further back, Rosensteel recalls stories of her maternal grandfather, an artist and organic gardener (before sustainability was a “thing”), and her industrious grandmother, who supported the family by weaving, making lace and working as a furrier — anything to keep her family afloat on the sparse income of an artist. This combination of hard work and creative talent lives on in Rosensteel, but did draw concern from her mother, who feared her daughter would encounter the same hardships she had as a girl. “I don’t think my grandparents even had running water until 1972,” says Rosensteel. “My mother said to me as I was growing up, ‘If you go into any form of the arts, I’m going to break both your arms and legs.’ It was serious. And now, I sing with the Phoenix Symphony and own a design studio, so I guess I didn’t listen too well, but I love what I do. My parents finally came around.” After studying visual communications in her native Boston and then at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Rosensteel and her husband, Barry, moved to the Valley in 1978, seeking a change of scenery and a dose of adventure — she’d never been west of the Mississippi. What brought the Rosensteels to their Gerry Jones-designed Carefree home, where they have lived since 2013 (having previously lived in Paradise Valley), is a story full of twists, turns, hard work and, of course, reinvention.
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DESIGNING 10
When she arrived in Phoenix as
doing, but didn’t have a format
on a one-night event,” says
a freelance artist, Rosensteel
or a way to implement it,” says
Rosensteel. “We would spend nine
landed a position with Broadway
Rosensteel. “I was designing closet
months designing and building it,
Department Stores as a store
systems for children when I was a
bringing in the set on huge trucks
planner and connected with a
kid, but my parents thought it was
for a one-night event, and we’d
mentor who encouraged her
just silly stuff.”
tear it down the next day. That
to take on bigger challenges.
mentality has helped me in my
Learning on the spot, she pored
Next on her journey was corporate
business. In the corporate staging
over blueprints, essentially
staging and set design. Rosensteel
world, you’ve got to be ready,
teaching herself architectural
recalls designing and building
come hell or high water. You can’t
skills and drafting. Broadway
massive, yet intricate environments
miss a deadline. Those doors open
paid for architecture classes at
for product fairs (such as Mattel’s
and everyone has to think it’s
Arizona State University as long
Toy Fair in both New York City
the best thing in the world. It was
as she maintained a B average
and Germany), product launches
great preparation for what I do
or higher, and she was soon
and spectacular one-night affairs.
now.”
overseeing store remodels and
For one such event, she and her
large-scale design projects.
team recreated New Orleans’
It was time for another reinvention
French Quarter in great detail. It
— and this one was a far cry from
From graphic designer to interior
was an exciting, hard-charging time
the build-quickly-and-tear-down-
architect — her first reinvention.
in her career.
faster staging job. She launched
“It was one of those things that in
“That was in the day when
learned that operating both the
my upbringing, I’d constantly been
companies would spend $3 million
business and design sides wasn’t
her own design firm, but soon
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her forte, and she sought other opportunities. In 1995, Rosensteel became the first elected female principal and director of the interior environmental design department at Taliesin Architects in Scottsdale. There, her follow-through, deadline-oriented background melded with her talent for interior design and architecture served her well, and propelled her to the next stage in her career. “I was very honored to work with some of the world’s most incredible minds,” says Rosensteel. “I had the chance to learn by doing, even getting the chance to build the walls of one of the buildings there in the original manner of Taliesin. It was a wonderful time, but, like anything, I had to leave to preserve my own abilities to continue to grow.” Another reinvention. This one brought her back to owning her own firm again. Rosensteel took everything she had learned about how to run a business (and how not to) and founded Elizabeth A. Rosensteel Design Studio in November of 1999. The concepts of site-specific, organic design continue to influence her work today. “Owning your own business is like going on a job interview every single day of your life,” says Rosensteel. “I got smarter about it. Every decade, you go through a process of learning who you are. There are certain jobs I won’t take because I know who I am and what I’m happy doing.” Just as Wright designed furniture and accents for specific spaces, Rosensteel’s talent for sculpting a space led to designing furniture for each of her projects — pieces that are both beautiful and functional for the environments she creates. She considers both the interior and exterior elements of a home, as well as the personalities and needs of her clients. Nothing is cookie-cutter. “I love the process,” says Rosensteel. “I love the whole idea of pulling together all these things and showing a client something they’ve never thought of. That’s why you hire a professional. My industry JUNE 2016 IM AGE S A Z.C OM
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changes every six months and I love
piece is individually commissioned and
phenomenal jobs … these other lives.
being able to create and show people
no two ribbons are alike.
They’ve left that part of their lives and
you can have really well-designed and defined spaces.”
they’ve reinvented themselves. Most This new venture with Anderson,
of us need to be constantly mentally
who is essentially her neighbor, is
challenged by something. People really
This functional beauty is embodied
just one example of why Rosensteel
appreciate good design and quality,
in all of her projects, and is newly
loves Carefree; her away-from-it-
but they’re done proving anything to
evidenced in her new Black Ribbon
all community has brought her
their neighbors.”
collection, a collaboration with sculptor
friendships with neighbors of all ages
Michael Anderson. What began as the
who share barbecues and a love
Rosensteel is currently working on
need to create a table to complement
of their environment. The beauty
close to 40 projects and continues
an unusually long sofa became a
of the landscape is both solace
to envision new creative avenues and
drawing, which led to Rosensteel’s
and inspiration, and she has taken
solutions, many focused around how
decision that powder-coated steel
to posting a sunset photo on her
communities can be more connected
would be the best material for the
Facebook page almost every night.
and how the elderly can continue to
job. Her client had a difficult time
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live in their own homes for as long
envisioning the finished product,
“I feel like, no matter what I’ve
as possible. It’s safe to say she won’t
and that’s when Rosensteel’s fellow
gone through, I get to a certain
soon relinquish her penchant for
Carefree resident, Anderson, came to
place on Tom Darlington and it’s
reinvention.
mind. He helped create a “maquette,”
like ‘Brigadoon’ — the stresses and
a small-scale model of the piece. A
concerns of the day fall away,” says
602-522-0989
partnership was born, and the pair
Rosensteel. “It’s a very interesting
rosensteeldesign.com
has gone on to conceive a full line of
place. There are fascinating people
tables, consoles and hardware. Each
who come out here and have had
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COMMUNITY arts // announcements // culture Writer Grace Hill
POSTINO HIGHLAND OPENS IN SCOTTSDALE Postino Highland is now open in Scottsdale! The restaurant and wine bar found a home in a restored mid-century modern bank designed by famed architect, Frank Henry, and will showcase the quirky and unique design featured at other Postino restaurants. Postino Highland is open daily for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. For more information, visit postinowinecafe.com.
POMELO AT THE ORCHARD PHX OPENS IN CENTRAL PHOENIX Head to Phoenix and check out Pomelo at The Orchard Phx. Located on an old citrus property, the restaurant serves American food and is joined by Luci’s, a marketplace; and Splurge, an ice cream and candy shop. For more information, visit pomelophx.com.
THE ROADHOUSE CINEMAS IN SCOTTSDALE The newly opened RoadHouse Cinemas in Scottsdale offer quite the unique experience, with reserved seating, large leather electric reclining seats, restaurant and bar, outdoor patio, a push button seat side service and more. For prices and show times, visit roadhousecinemas.com. *Postino Bruschetta pictured
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COMMUNITY JUNE 18
JUNE 16, 17, 18
FLAGSTAFF BLUES AND BREWS FESTIVAL
Take a road trip to Cottonwood’s
Beat the summer heat and head to
Tilted Earth Festival and enjoy live
TILTED EARTH FESTIVAL
Flagstaff for the Blues and Brews
bands, 13 Arizona wineries, food
Festival. Enjoy musical entertainment,
trucks, family games and more! The
breweries, food vendors, a kids’
festival also features a wine dinner on
area, art vendors and a VIP option.
the first night. Attendees have many
Headlining the lineup of blues
options for staying overnight, including
performers is the Sugaray Rayford
camping on the festival grounds.
Band. Check website for prices. 11
Check website for ticket prices, times
a.m. to 9 p.m. Continental Country
and event details. Riverfront Park, N.
Club Driving Range, 5200 E. Old
10th St., Cottonwood, 86326,
Walnut Canyon Rd., 928-606-5601,
928-639-3004,
flagstaffblues.com.
tiltedearthfestival.com.
JULY 9, 10
POW WOW RETREAT Women of all ages are invited to the Pow Wow Retreat at the Carefree Resort, where they will spend a weekend relaxing and listening to speakers discuss a wide variety of women’s issues. Single ticket, $299; double ticket, $279 each. July 9: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 10: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 612-803-1442, thepowwowretreat.wordpress.com.
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Get outta Dodge Activites
JUNE 1-SEPT. 6 SUMMER STAYCATION AT THE SCOTTSDALE RESORT AT MCCORMICK RANCH
Plan a summer “staycation” at the newly renovated Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch. Guests utilizing the summer package will be able to enjoy decade-themed music, movies, food and beverages. Check website for room rates. The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, 7700 E. McCormick Pkwy., 480-991-9000, thescottsdaleresort.com.
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JULY 22, 23
SEDONA’S 12TH ANNUAL NATIONAL DAY OF THE COWBOY CELEBRATION Grab your boots! Sedona’s National Day of the Cowboy event is back with gunfights, roping, cowboy action shooting, historical reenactments, country music, cowboy storytelling and poetry. Free. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Uptown Sedona, 928-204-2390, sedonamainstreet.com.
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ARIZONA OPERA APPOINTS NEW PRESIDENT AND GENERAL DIRECTOR Beginning July 1, Joseph Specter will become the new president and general director of the Arizona Opera board of directors. He is currently the general director for Austin Opera. Specter attended the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. During his time as
THE LARSEN ART AUCTION WELCOMES ANDY WARHOL Larsen Gallery is excited to announce that the 1975 Mick Jagger screenprint, handsigned by both Warhol and Jagger, will be auctioned at the 2016 Larsen Art Auction on October 22. The auction will also include works by artists such as Ellsworth Kelly, Alex Katz and Frank Stella. For more information, visit larsengallery.com or larsenartauction.com.
a singer, he appeared in more than 20 operatic and musical theater roles. He and his wife, Kate, have two daughters, Sophie and Charlotte. For a complete bio on Joseph Specter, visit azopera.org.
Arts Scene 18
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HERBERGER THEATER NAMES ITHEATRE COLLABORATIVE AS NEWEST RESIDENT COMPANY The Herberger Theater has a new resident company, iTheatre Collaborative (iTC), which will produce affordable, high-quality, live theatrical plays that are diverse and/or multicultural in nature. iTC will also provide classes, workshops and forums on theater and performance for the general public. Other resident companies at the arts venue, built in 1989, are Arizona Theatre Company and Center Dance Ensemble, both longtime staples of the Arizona arts scene. For more information, visit itheatreaz.org.
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Tilted Earth Festival
S
Writer Grace Hill
Summer is here and there is no better time to head
air. Bands set to perform include Sister Sparrow and
north — north to Cottonwood, that is. June 16-18 marks
the Dirty Birds, Taj Mahal, Muddy Magnolias, Jamie N
Cottonwood’s third annual Tilted Earth Festival, which is
Commons and more.
set to bring the summer temperatures down with cool music and cold drinks. Although a fairly new event, the
While the music plays, guests will be enticed to walk
Tilted Earth Festival has already become a full-fledged
around and taste the wine from 13 Northern Arizona
entertainment affair.
wineries. Some of the wineries in attendance include Page Springs Cellars, Arizona Stronghold, Burning Tree Cellars,
A special wine dinner on the first night makes it clear
Pillsbury Wine Company and Fire Mountain Cellars. To
that this is no ordinary festival. The dinner, located
add to the enticement, a reusable Govino glass and five
at Blazin’ M Ranch, will commemorate Verde Valley’s
wine tasting tickets are included with admission. The
first winemaker, the late Henry Schuerman, who was
festival also features two craft breweries, a wine mixology
subsequently imprisoned during the prohibition. The
tent and wine judging.
dinner will showcase local wineries and chefs who will recreate a meal that reflects Henry’s era.
Tilted Earth will also be home to a variety of food trucks. There will be classic staples found at the Burgers
The next two nights of the event will be held at
Amore!, RockStar Hot Dogs and Charred Woodfired Pizza
Cottonwood’s Riverfront Park, where a slew of
food trucks. The event will also include trucks with more
entertainment will begin each night at 5 p.m. Setting
of an ethnic flare, such as Pearson’s Louisiana Cajun
the mood for the festival is the eclectic mix of soul,
Food, Jersey J’s, Queso Good and The Great Pho King. Writer Grace
blues, country and rock music that will fill the evening
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Completing the food affair is the Affogato Truck and
Hill
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Tropical Sno, both of which will satisfy the sweet tooth. While lively music, good food and high-quality drinks alone would satisfy many guests, Tilted Earth did not want to simply satisfy. They wanted to raise the bar — and they did just that by making the event a place for the whole family. The event has a Kids’ Zone, which includes a climbing wall, bounce room, teen tent with video games and so much more. But the games are not just for children. Guests of all ages can have fun playing horseshoes, bocce ball, cornhole and Jenga. For a bit more excitement, an extreme sports stunt show will be “ripping it up” throughout the event. However, if a slower pace is needed, look no further than the massage booth or local handcrafted art area. When the festival comes to a close at the end of each night, guests have the option of staying overnight on the festival grounds, either by camping or parking an RV. If that isn’t your scene, there are many affordable bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels and RV parks in Verde Valley. The Tilted Earth Festival is an experience unlike any other and one that cannot be missed. Mark the calendar for a trip to Cottonwood June 16-18 and enjoy being surrounded by music, tasty treats and a starry summer night. tiltedearthfestival.com JUNE 2016 IM AGE S A Z.C OM
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AGAINST THE WIND JASON MAGEE TAKES A SWING AT CONVENTIONAL GOLF
Writer Nigel Spence Photography Brandon Tigrett
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B
elow the Titleist ball cap
instructors in the Valley with a who’s who list
and latest threads that
of clients? The answer: unconventionally.
Peter Millar has to offer,
In between attending Louisiana State
Jason Magee is a little more
University and graduating with a degree in
complex than meets the eye.
meteorology from the University of Michigan,
To the casual observer, he
Jason joined the Marine Corps, where he was
looks like an average golf
stationed in Iceland and served in the Gulf
professional. He calls a patch
War (Operation Desert Storm).
of turf at the southern end
of the McCormick Ranch Golf Club driving
Once back in the United States, Jason set
range his office and, like most instructors,
about becoming a member of the PGA by
his golf bag, embossed with his name, is
taking assistant positions around the country
overflowing with training clubs, swing aids,
and building his resume.
gizmos and gadgets. “I worked at four top 100 courses in America But spend a little time with Jason and you
right out of the gate to start my career,” he
will find he is as generous as he is sarcastic,
recalls. “Talk about a home run!”
and as self-deprecating as he is confident. From Kansas City Country Club to Shoal Most of all, he is devoted to making a
Creek in Alabama, then Atlanta Athletic Club
difference in the golf industry.
to Grandfather Golf and Country Club in North Carolina, he honed his craft — and
Born and raised in small-town Louisiana,
began turning heads in the process. He soon
Jason was not exposed to country club life.
landed his first head professional position at
While other pros grew up taking aim on
Bayou Oaks Golf Club in his home state.
carefully manicured greens, Jason perfected his swing on the family farm, using animals in
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina ravaged
distant pastures as targets.
the city of New Orleans, and Bayou Oaks Golf Club was not immune to the devastation.
“If I could make them move, then I figured I’d
With the course closed for what would be
hit a good shot,” he says with a wry smile.
several years, Jason was flushed from his native Louisiana. He landed in Arizona two
So, how does a boy from the bayou end
days later, looking for seasonal work in the
up as one of the most sought-after golf
golf business.
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“I went from the head pro to being the bag drop and making $10 per hour,” Jason says, with a sense of sarcasm. Jason saw out the season, but as he began to see the day-to-day operations of a traditional golf club with its layers of bureaucracy, rigidity and regulation, he decided that perhaps it was not for him. With a strong playing resume, a military background, a farmer’s work ethic and enough
one-liners to entertain clients for hours, Jason saw an opportunity to escape the golf club environment while still keeping the range as his office. Instructing, he knew, was his true passion and strength. After a four-year stint teaching the game with the John Jacobs’ Golf School based at Camelback Golf Club, Jason went out on his own and began building a name for himself at his current location at McCormick Ranch. As luck would have it, not too long into his independence the 2009 recession hit, and disposable income for high-dollar, hourly golf lessons was hit hard.
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“There used to be 11 of us down here teaching, he says. “Now there are just three. To survive the downturn, I changed my business model. I wouldn’t say it is controversial, but it is certainly the head tilt in the industry. “I charge $50 per month for unlimited golf lessons. I only ask that the student commit for a year. People look at me funny when I tell them that. Here is why it works: it is a two-fold winner. The student commits to a year’s worth of instruction with one instructor and can come whenever they want. I get to work with students consistently for a year, and they get better.
JUNE 2016 IM AGE S A Z.C OM
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“The current model is broken,” he adds. “Golf
began casting his eye over and teaching many of the
professionals charge too much, and no one can learn
Cardinals team members, including Carson Palmer,
anything in an hour.”
Dwight Freeney and Michael Floyd.
Jason does not have a website or a business
“It is pretty simple,” he says. “I don’t ask them about
Facebook page, yet his teaching book is full through
football, I just keep it about golf.”
referrals — to the point that he is selective when taking on new clients.
As the summer arrives, Jason has more time to relax, play golf and travel, but is still available for his year-
One client he did take on four years ago was Arizona
round clients. At 46 years of age, the meteorology
Cardinals fan-favorite Larry Fitzgerald.
major has weathered a physical storm and a financial storm, but has managed to stay true to his passion.
“One day, Larry was just being the man of the people, hitting a bucket of balls here on the range at
He does what he loves, and while he may be
McCormick,” Jason says. “People kept coming up to
challenging the conventional wisdom of the golf
him, and he was gracious to all of the requests, but
industry, he may also be doing a better job of
I could see that he had the golf bug and wanted to
achieving the industry goal of growing the game than
practice to get better. I offered for him to come into
his counterparts.
the teaching area to reduce the distractions. What I didn’t realize was that he was going to turn up and do
Jason Magee may be complex, but he might just be
the same thing for the next four days.”
one step ahead of the curve. And he is having an awful lot of fun being there.
Soon Larry was bringing other players, and Jason
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FIELD OF
BIG DREAMS
MIRACLE LEAGUE OF ARIZONA
B
Baseball is the ultimate American game. The national
Writer Shannon Severson Photographer Lacy Kruger
the chance to play baseball.”
pastime, mom and apple pie all rolled into one glorious notion that blends the seemingly incongruous images of
MLAZ offers children, teens and adults with disabilities or
perfectly manicured fields and empty dirt lots, and calls
special needs the opportunity to experience the joy of
to mind the skilled, sinewy power hitters wielding Louisville
playing baseball in either a non-competitive or competitive
Sluggers in palatial stadiums in almost equal measure to
format, removing barriers and providing one-on-one
dusty little kids swinging sticks on neighborhood streets.
assistance, often hands-on, by a crew of community
In essence, it’s a game that can be enjoyed and played
ambassador buddies. The turf is rubberized and the
by just about anyone.
bases are flat for easy maneuverability by those who use wheelchairs or other devices to get around, or struggle
But for children with disabilities, there are barriers in the
with an uneven gait.
traditional version of baseball that prevent them from
28
playing and enjoying the Grand Old Game with their
“The Miracle League stadium is the only stadium in the
typical peers. Enter the Miracle League of Arizona (MLAZ)
world that is totally accessible to athletes with disabilities,”
in North Scottsdale and their motto: “Every child deserves
says MLAZ board president Al Maag. “Our new field and
IMA G E S A Z . C O M J UNE 2 0 1 6
seating, restrooms and playground — everything has been thoughtfully planned out to accommodate our athletes and families.” The brainchild of Dan Haren Sr. whose son, Danny Haren, played for the Arizona Diamondbacks; baseball legend Harmon Killebrew; Lee Klein; then-board president Frank Udvare and his brother, Gene, the organization received an initial grant of $380,000 from the team in 2008 and secured land via a donated lease from the Scottsdale Unified School District. An initial major capital campaign raised $1.83 million for the construction of the state-of-the art facility, which also boasts flat dugout areas, a scoreboard and sound system. Continued grants from the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority and Thunderbirds Charities followed in 2013, allowing the addition of picnic areas, an adaptive playground, barbecues and the first and only Miracle League batting cage facility in the country for athletes to hone their skills before games. Families are never charged a fee to play; support comes from community fundraisers to help cover the annual operating costs, and the board is always looking to expand. “We want to make the Miracle League in Scottsdale the best experience for special needs families,” says Maag. “We want more athletes, more volunteers and always more donors and corporations who want to associate their brand with our significant and vital activities for special needs kids. Many want to help because they have an affected family member or good friend, or they wish that a loved one could have played ball in the past, so they get involved now to help this next generation be able to play. We hope for more Miracle Leagues to pop up across Phoenix and would like to help mentor, advise and be a model for other fields throughout the United States.” Executive Director Cassandra Switalski oversees the program that has grown to nearly 200 athletes on 10 teams, ranging in ages from 4 to adult. There is a personal connection for Switalski, as her two brothers with special needs have been playing on the MLAZ field since day one. JUNE 2016 IM AGE S A Z.C OM
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LEFT TO RIGHT: JACKSON ENSMINGER AND ADRIAN ENGELMEIER
“I played sports all through high school and college and my
Years of early intervention therapies in their native Minnesota
family was always there supporting me,” says Switalski. “Now,
helped him make huge strides, and today he is a child who
I get to turn the tables and support my brothers and their
loves to chat everyone up and make jokes. When the family,
friends, cheering them on. That is what it’s all about.”
who lives in Gilbert, heard about MLAZ from family friends who also had a son with autism, they decided that despite
It’s that family support that brought Doña and Nick
the distance and having no baseball experience, it was
Engelmeier to MLAZ. Their 10-year-old son, Adrian, was
something Adrian should try. He took to it immediately and
diagnosed with autism at age 3, just a few years before his
now his favorite position is catcher because, he says, “You
older brother, Danny, was diagnosed with, and eventually
don’t have to stand around the whole time.”
passed away from, acute lymphoblastic leukemia. “Choosing Miracle League for baseball was a huge “I was completely blindsided by Adrian’s autism diagnosis,”
step,” says Engelmeier. “When he first transitioned to the
says Doña. “He was non-verbal, had no emotional
competitive league, he was the smallest and youngest, but
recognition and had so many needs, appointments and
the older kids accepted him right away. It has made such a
services. I had to learn to be his advocate, but I see that
difference in his self-esteem. When your child has something
Adrian prepared me for his brother’s illness. My boys helped
he loves so much, you make the time and dedicate to it.”
me learn how to take care of them.”
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IMA G E S A Z . C O M J UNE 2 0 1 6
Writer Shannon Severson Photography courtesy Anthem Community Council
And it’s not just Adrian on the
comfortable that he now enjoys
field. His older sister, Domini,
the cheers and clapping. Jackson
takes time out of her busy jiu-
opts to use a special standing
jitsu training schedule to be a
wheelchair that allows him to be
buddy to Adrian and the kids on
secured in a brace so he can be
his team. The family makes the
upright in the batter’s box. The
trek to Scottsdale an average of
smooth field surface allows him
three times per week and feels
to freely hit, catch and throw
fortunate to get to know the
the ball — which he says is his
other MLAZ families.
favorite part.
“Adrian has a teammate who is
Since children with his condition
partially blind, but bats it out of
can be prone to obesity,
the park,” says Doña. “He has it
Jackson’s family is grateful
figured out!”
for a physically active outlet, and overcoming the challenge
Four-year-old Jackson Ensminger
of trying baseball has now
was born with myelomeningocele
prompted him to try equine
spina bifida, which affects
therapy. Amy believes that
the nervous system, bones,
taking a chance on baseball
muscles and organs. He uses a
has opened up Jackson’s world
wheelchair to get around, as he
to trying and doing more than
has no movement in his lower
he ever would have before. His
extremities. His parents, Amy and
world has expanded through the
Ryan, first heard about MLAZ
power of his adventurous spirit
from their physical therapist.
… and a little help from the game of baseball.
“I was enthralled when I heard about it,” says Amy. “I was
It’s stories like these that keep
so impressed when we met
Maag coming back to the
Cassandra, the coaches and
stadium week after week.
staff. They are so great with him. Jackson is outgoing and
“Prior to Miracle League, I had
silly and can be shy about new
no real experience with people
things, but he has really opened
who have special needs, and
up and progressed. He loves
I’ve come to a whole different
playing baseball.”
realization of the world,” says Maag. “I go to at least one game
In fact, when Jackson first
every Saturday and I always
began, the loud crowd noises
leave with a smile and a good
were distressing, so the game
feeling about life. If our kids can
announcer would ask the crowd
show that they can overcome
to cheer only by waving their
obstacles, so can anyone.”
hands, not clapping or yelling. After a few weeks, he became so
mlaz.org JUNE 2016 IM AGE S A Z.C OM
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Writer Nigel Spence John Ashworth’s portrait by Jordan Philips All other photos by Geoffrey Cunningham
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G
“Golf is a science, the study of a lifetime, in
leather carry bags, sub four-hour rounds and
which you may exhaust yourself, but never
wound golf balls.
your subject. It is a contest, a duel, or a melee, calling for courage, skill, strategy and
In spite of, and perhaps because of evolution
self-control. It is a test of temper, a trial
of the game, John Ashworth is a bastion of
of honor, a revealer of character. It affords
the Golfer’s Creed and a trusted keeper of the
the chance to play the man and act the
game. From setting the standard in golf attire
gentleman. It means going into God’s out-
with his own signature brand, to developing
of-doors, getting close to nature, fresh air,
a new, sophisticated golf wear company, to
exercise, a sweeping away of mental cobwebs,
resurrecting an historic San Diego course,
genuine recreation of tired tissues.”
Ashworth has made golf his lifetime study and passion and exemplifies the true spirit of
The game of golf has evolved tremendously
Forgan’s words.
since David Forgan first spoke these words, a part of what he authored as the Golfer’s Creed,
Raised in San Diego, a young Ashworth was
in 1899. As the son of a master golf club
introduced to the game by his parents, in an
manufacturer hailing from St. Andrews, Scotland,
atypical way.
Forgan traveled to Canada and then the United States, watching the game grow every step of
“My mom tried to get us all to go to Sunday
the way. But as quickly as it grew, not even
school together. And I just hated it,” Ashworth
Forgan could have envisioned the game today.
recalls with smile. After much complaining, his mother gave him a choice: it was either
Technological advancements in every aspect
Sunday school with his family or caddie for
have changed the game; it could be argued
his father. The choice was easy for the free-
for better or for worse. The riding mower,
spirited youngster.
horticultural practices and automated sprinkler systems changed the surface upon which the
At 7:30 a.m. Sunday mornings, John would
game is played. Progress in club manufacturing
caddie for his father, who had a regular
has advanced to allow the ball to fly further,
foursome at the San Luis Rey Downs Municipal
straighter and faster than ever before, leading
golf course. It was not long before John was
to courses needing to be designed longer with
enamored with the game.
more hazards to increase difficulty. “I loved everything about it. My senses were Perhaps never has the game seen greater
on overload, surrounded by the colors and
disparity between the best and beginning
textures of a golf course void of houses. It
golfer. Perhaps that disparity is part of the
was like being in this never-ending park with
reason that participation is going the way of
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IMA G E S A Z . C O M J UNE 2 0 1 6
and quiet conversations of grown men interrupted by the
Somewhere between these two environments lies the heart
crack of persimmon woods and metal spikes on occasional
of Ashworth’s new company, Linksoul.
concrete. Little did I know that I was signing up for a lifetime of adventure in and around the game of golf.”
Started in 2011, Linksoul is “more of a philosophy than a brand.” In short, it is the collective life’s work of a group
When it came to playing, John was a natural. He rose
of people who believe in making things with their hands,
quickly through junior ranks then high school golf, and
with the people they love, for the good of their families
attended the University of Arizona, where he completed a
and surroundings. They come from a long line of golfers,
bachelor of science degree in agronomy while also playing
craftsmen and artists who see it as their mission to
on the golf team. But if there was one thing about golf
reconnect people to the soul of the game.
that John had not worked out, it was his college uniform, which he describes as “silly looking polyester clothes that I
Operating out of the Linksoul Lab, a 5,000-square-foot
couldn’t stand but was forced to wear.”
refurbished furniture store in Oceanside, California, you will find Ashworth, his longtime friend and designer Rebecca
After a short stint as an assistant golf course
Bray and Ashworth’s nephew, acclaimed artist Geoff
superintendent and a year on tour caddying for friend
Cunningham, moving the Linksoul line forward. The open
Mark Weibe, John found himself working in a sporting
workspace is laced with persimmon woods and leather
goods store. One of his responsibilities was to purchase
golf bags and acts as a storefront, design center, and
merchandise for the golf department. He was once again
art gallery. But don’t expect to catch them on Friday
faced with the fact that the selection ranged from bad
afternoon as the company has an MGF policy – Mandatory
to terrible. When the sporting store closed down, he and
Golf Friday.
friend Jerry Montiel decided to do something to make golf apparel cool. Founded in 1987, Ashworth Inc. would become a ragsto-riches story that saw it reach the pinnacle of the golf apparel world within a decade of its inception. But like so many companies that grow so quickly, external pressures led to philosophical differences; the young man from San Diego whose famed Golfman logo was on the chests of major champions and golfers worldwide walked away from the company that bore his name.
I loved everything about it. My senses were on overload, surrounded by the colors and textures of a golf course void of houses.
John would visit the links land of Scotland on an extended sojourn, drawing inspiration from the rugged land where bunkers are naturally swept out of sand dunes and paddocks. Golf carts don’t exist and golf courses are just naturally there, not contrived or manicured. Golfers are a part of the scene, not necessarily the main attraction. The wind off the North Sea is a stark reminder of who built the courses and icy waves that crash into craggy outcrops provide an ocean spray where only the toughest of gorse and heather survive. Juxtapose this against the sundrenched coast of Southern California where surfers ride waves watched by hundreds of people who have escaped
On display inside the lab is a clothing line where Southern California cool meets Scottish style in a traditional Japanese color wave. It is understated sophistication, a similar concept that John brought to the world in 1987, but with modern textiles. Feather light outerwear, cotton/ cashmere blended sweaters and layering pieces, shorts that you can walk, run, play golf and swim in are all complemented by 100 percent cotton fitted shirts. It is more lifestyle than golf, but why wouldn’t you want to be able to work and play?
the heat of the day with a trip to the beach.
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It was not long before PGA Tour players were once again reaching out to John, and a small stable including John Merrick, Ryan Moore, Geoff Ogilvy and Lucas Glover now walk the PGA Tour fairways wearing Linksoul and grace the pages of Linksoul catalogues. With Linksoul up and running, another project caught the attention of Ashworth, a project dear to his heart. Center City Golf Course, the first course built in San Diego County, had been run into a state of disrepair. The course, affectionately known by locals as Goat Hill Park, was being sold to a developer with the intent of turning it into a soccer stadium before Ashworth and a group of community-minded people went about overturning the decision at an historic town hall meeting. A new management team, including Ashworth and Cunningham, was put in place and volunteer tradesmen and citizens have all contributed to the revitalization of Goat Hill Park. As John explains, “It’s been a journey for the last two years, but the city has agreed to a 30-year lease with two 10-year options if we meet certain criteria, which calls for $3.6 million in improvements to the property over time, including a renovation to the golf course, improving our agronomy and irrigation practices, (building) a new clubhouse and event space, and adding a community garden. “We decided our approach would be different than most, it’s altruistic and completely communitybased. We will be the home of the North County Junior Golf Association, and we will operate as a non-profit with the goal of being sustainable and hope to be profitable once we fix up the site in order to provide scholarship opportunities for our local youth that become involved in our junior programs and caddie academy.” John Ashworth has studied the game. He has walked away from a duel but learned to stand up for what is right. He has demonstrated great character and has come out on top. He has protected a park and made those walking the fairways more comfortable in doing so. He is living the Golfer’s Creed and making it possible for others to do the same. linksoul.com JUNE 2016 IM AGE S A Z.C OM
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There is a very special anniversary
Arizona, and if ever there was a time to
this year and suffice it to say, it is
appreciate these unique gifts in our home
one that affects all of us who love our
state, this is it.
beautiful state and who cherish the wild, untamed lands preserved for our
In 1916, at a time when industry was at
enjoyment and for that of our children
the forefront of American growth and
and grandchildren.
natural resources were often pillaged and exploited, the Organic Act was
The National Park Service (NPS) celebrates
passed by forward-thinking legislators
100 years of preservation of land, animals
led by President Woodrow Wilson,
and resources — and of providing
which created the NPS “to conserve the
opportunities to experience, explore and
scenery and the natural and historic
enjoy the 58 national parks and more
objects and wildlife therein, and to
than 400 public lands it administers.
provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means
38
Twenty-two of these lands, including
as will leave them unimpaired for the
three national parks, are located in
enjoyment of future generations.”
IMA G E S A Z . C O M J UNE 2 0 1 6
A CENTURY OF PRESERVATION GRAND CANYON Writer Amanda Christmann
The act did more than create safe
interconnection with the natural world
havens for nature; it acknowledged
continues to be appreciated and revered
the spirit of stewardship that
as sacred in preserved areas.
conservationists like John Muir, Maj. John Wesley Powell and President
The centennial celebration is more
Theodore Roosevelt had championed in
than an acknowledgment of the past;
the decades before. Creation of the NPS
it is recognition of the continuing
established that, indeed, natural spaces
achievements for our own generations,
— including many of unparalleled
as well as for generations yet to be
marvel — were worth saving.
born. Through our national parks, we are creating an ongoing legacy that,
It could be said that the very resolve
no matter what technology or cultural
that was embraced 100 years ago is at
changes occur, will allow future Americans
the heart of the conservation efforts in
to understand and feel for themselves
our own backyards. From Spur Cross to
the deep interdependence humans, in our
Lookout Mountain, and from McDowell
most basic of elements, have with the
Sonoran Preserve to Daisy Mountain, our
rest of the natural living world.
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W
We would be remiss, of course, if we didn’t begin with the grandest of them all! We are fortunate to be home to the only one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World located in North America. The colossal Grand Canyon is the most recognized canyon and one of the most recognizable land formations in the world. Each year, five million visitors come to see its beautiful magnificence and experience the timelessness of this spectacular landmark. The 277-mile-long chasm is an average of one mile deep and up to 18 miles wide. There is still debate over just how the Grand Canyon was formed. The most commonly held belief is that erosion from a great river carved its way through the strata over a period of four to six million years, baring layer upon layer formed over nearly two billion years. For the casual observer, it doesn’t really matter how the canyon came to be; its rugged character and sheer vastness are enough to render a person speechless. Shadows shift from moment to moment, altering the palette of red and purple hues that mix with sandstone, shale and limestone. History of the Canyon The Grand Canyon was home to many Native Americans long before pioneers heading westward discovered its beauty. Ancient Puebloans, or Anasazis, are believed to have occupied the area first, as well as the Cohina, who were ancestors of the Yuman, Havasupai and Walapai peoples who inhabit the area today. The Sinagua people lived on land southeast of the Grand Canyon, between the Little Colorado River and the Salt River, and are believed to be the early ancestors of several Hopi clans. Then the Europeans came, but the seldom-told story of what happened next is a victory in the annals of Native American history. In September 1540, conquistador Capt. Garcia Lopez de Cardenas and his small group of men traveled with a group of Hopi guides to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon between Desert View and Moran Point. They were in search of the mythical Seven Cities of Cibola and hidden gold.
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The men descended a section of the canyon, but were forced to return when they ran out of water. They never did return, and the Hopis likely celebrated this significant triumph. Unknown to the conquistadors, the Hopis frequently traversed the canyon to obtain access to the river and surely knew safe, accessible ways to get there. Their cunning paid off; Europeans did not return to the Grand Canyon for another 200 years. A handful of adventurers with a variety of motivations for visiting the canyon came to explore it in the late 18th and 19th centuries. In 1869, one-armed Civil War hero Maj. John Wesley Powell, namesake of Lake Powell, led the first expedition down the 1,400mile Colorado River in what was then called the “Big Canyon.” With nine men, four boats and food for 10 months, he set out from Green River, Wyoming and arrived near present-day Moab, Utah three months later. Two years later, Powell dubbed the landmark the “Grand Canyon,” and the name stuck. Environmentalist, adventurer and author John Muir spent time exploring the canyon and remarked, “It seems like a gigantic statement for even Nature to make all in one mighty stone work. Wildness so Godful, cosmic, primeval, bestows a new sense of Earth’s beauty and size … But the colors, the living, rejoicing colors, chanting morning and evening in chorus to heaven! Whose brush or pencil, however lovingly inspired, can give us these? In the supreme flaming glory of sunset, the whole canyon is transfigured, as if the life and light of centuries of sunshine stored up in the rocks was now being poured forth as from one glorious fountain, flooding both earth and sky.” In 1882, the railroad forged a path along the Grand Canyon. The Santa Fe Railroad first came through based on a collective hunch that, with all of the color and layers in the canyon, surely mineral riches would be found. Those betting their lives on it lost plenty, but when railroad officials began billing the canyon as an exciting stop along the way to the gentle climates of California, tourists began to flock to the area. Twenty years later, automobiles would become the main form of transportation, bringing families and thrill-seekers to the Grand Canyon.
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Roosevelt’s Legacy Perhaps the most dedicated outdoorsmen in presidential
In 1908, Roosevelt went a step further, designating the
history, President Theodore Roosevelt visited the
canyon and surrounding forest lands a United States
Grand Canyon with Muir in 1903. An avid hunter and
national monument. He wanted to reclassify it as a
conservationist, he established the Grand Canyon Game
national park, but landowners and mining claim holders
Preserve with the best of intentions in 1906. As a result,
stalled the process for 11 years. President Woodrow
predators such as mountain lions, eagles and wolves were
Wilson was finally able to urge legislation through, and the
eradicated which, in hindsight, may not have been the
Grand Canyon National Park was established in 1919.
most ideal plan for land management.
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“The Grand Canyon fills me with awe,” he said. “It is
Today, the Grand Canyon is an exciting destination for
beyond comparison — beyond description; absolutely
millions of visitors from around the globe. The South
unparalleled throughout the wide world … Let this great
Rim is open year-round, weather permitting. The North
wonder of nature remain as it now is. Do nothing to
Rim is generally open mid-May to mid-October.
mar its grandeur, sublimity and loveliness. You cannot improve on it. But what you can do is to keep it for
Recent Developments
your children, your children’s children and all who come
In 2007, the Hualapai Tribe unveiled a remarkable
after you, as the one great sight which every American
manmade feat that both embraces the canyon’s beauty
should see.”
and reveres its boldness. The Grand Canyon Skywalk, a JUNE 2016 IM AGE S A Z.C OM
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IMA G E S A Z . C O M J UNE 2 0 1 6
transparent horseshoe-shaped cantilever bridge and tourist
2016 Centennial Celebration
attraction some 500 to 800 feet above the canyon floor,
With the centennial anniversary of the NPS this year, now is
was commissioned by the tribe in an effort to attract
the time to reintroduce national parks and the work of the
much-needed tourism dollars. Just west of the main canyon
organization to your family. A campaign called “Find Your
tourism area, the skywalk can be accessed from the Grand
Park” (#FindYourPark) is underway in collaboration with the
Canyon West Airport, or from a 120-mile drive from Las
National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of
Vegas. The Skywalk is east of Meadview and north of
the NPS.
Peach Springs. On 16 days in 2016, all NPS sites that charge an entrance The Hualapai and other Native American communities that
fee will offer free admission to everyone. Although one of
surround the Grand Canyon struggle to maintain their
those days has already passed, 15 dates remain, including
ancient cultures and traditions in the wake of urbanization,
several this month. Mark your calendar for these entrance
globalization and a local economy centered on tourism.
fee-free dates in 2016:
Since the 1880s, outposts for jewelry and other crafts have provided both income and awareness of the importance of
August 25-28: National Park Service Birthday
native traditions. Today, these venues have helped to keep
September 24: National Public Lands Day
traditions alive and are some of the most popular sources
November 11: Veterans Day
of Native American handicrafts in the world. More than 400 national parks are open to everyone, every Wildlife and botanical life has also been preserved in the
day; 127 normally charge entrance fees. These fee-free
Grand Canyon: an estimated 89 species of mammals, 17
days include entrance fees, commercial tour fees and
species of fish, 355 species of birds, 47 species of reptiles
transportation entrance fees. There is no better opportunity
and amphibians, and 1,500 flowering plants.
to visit a new place or an old favorite, and to experience our country’s history and the natural beauty of land
These species are safe in these special lands, and the
unscarred by human profiteering.
NPS hopes to provide stewardship for the ecology and everything reliant on it for centuries to come. It is a
Our national parks are always a treat to visit. Even on
continuing challenge to maintain the delicate balance often
days not designated as fee-free days, those that charge
threatened by the impact of humans.
entrance fees range in admission cost from $3 to $30. If you have a fourth grader, your student also qualifies for a
The Grand Canyon Railway was brought back to life in
free annual pass through the Every Kid in a Park program.
1989, nearly 60 years after it last traversed the beautiful
Active duty military personnel and citizens with a permanent
South Rim. Today, it is the only railroad operating in a
disability can also get free passes.
national park in the United States. Though its mission has changed since its early 20th century purpose, its
Visit our parks. Preserve our history. Celebrate the sublime.
significance remains.
Happy 100 years to the National Park Service — here is to 100 more years of conserving America’s natural splendor!
Visitors can now experience the anticipation and excitement that generations of Americans — including many of their
nps.gov
grandparents and great-grandparents — felt when trains first chugged through pine forests, high desert and along the breathtaking ridgelines of the canyon itself. As in days gone by, passengers alight at the Grand Canyon Depot next to the El Tovar Hotel, built by the railroad in 1905.
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Junior League of Phoenix
A
Writer Lara Piu
After running through the noodle forest, a little
also teaching and training women how to be
girl stops to admire a CD dangling from the
strong members of their communities.”
massive chandelier. She explores for awhile longer before finally taking a seat to create a craft. It’s all fun and games — little do the girls and
Bianca gave JLP a try when she moved to Scottsdale six years ago from Chicago. She thought it would be a good way to meet people.
boys know they are problem solving, developing critical thinking and exploration skills, and
“We didn’t know anyone and I wanted to make
creating foundations that will be critical to their
friends and get involved in the community,” she
long-term academic success.
says. “It was the best decision I made when we moved out here.”
This is par for the course each First Friday at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. That’s when
Instead of a “ladies who lunch” society, Bianca
admission is free and the science is flowing
found the women were down-to-earth and had a
in the Raising Our Children’s Knowledge by
genuine drive to help the community.
Educating Through Science (ROCKETS) room, a place for kids to develop an early appreciation
“It’s not clique-y,” she says. “It’s a group of
for science through hands-on learning. Junior
women who are extremely diverse in terms of
League of Phoenix (JLP) volunteers guide 1,200
backgrounds and career paths.”
little experimenting hands for three hours; it’s one the many programs they have helped establish,
Many members work outside the home; however,
fund and staff.
former career gal turned stay at-home-mom Bianca says she fits right in, too.
“We’re a volunteer training organization,” explains
46
Bianca Cords, JLP community team leader. “We
Junior may be its namesake, but JLP members
are not just going out and volunteering, but we’re
come in a wide range of ages and stages,
IMA G E S A Z . C O M J UNE 2 0 1 6
starting at 22, the minimum age for entry, and
JLP is also a founding sponsor for Fresh Express
running through their 90s. After a one-year
Mobile Market, a program that uses a donated
provisional period, members are typically active for
Valley Metro bus that has been retrofitted with racks
approximately 10 years, after which they can choose
and refrigerators. Likened to an ice cream truck for
to become a sustaining member.
produce, it sells fruits and vegetables at a low cost in food deserts, especially in areas where seniors
Locally, there are 300 active and 500 sustaining
and children live. The bus accepts Supplemental
members to date. Active members participate in one
Nutritional Assistance Program cards. Volunteers
or several of JLP’s activities. This year, the group
interact with customers, providing recipes and
has recorded more than 2,000 local service hours
education while they’re at it.
and counting. Each hour contributes to JLP’s threepiece mission to develop the potential of women,
“It’s fun to see people who would otherwise not be
improve the community and promote volunteerism.
able to afford to buy fresh produce have access to it and try something new,” says Bianca.
For example, 10 years ago, the group founded Kids in the Kitchen, a healthy eating and cooking
As a Fresh Express Mobile Market founding
education and outreach program aimed at children
sponsor, JLP committed funding and volunteers
who otherwise would not be exposed to these
for three years to get the program off the ground.
areas. Three years ago, the program received
They’ve founded or supported a comprehensive
a boost when JLP committed its efforts toward
roster of other Valley programs since the League
building a healthy Arizona.
was founded more than 80 years ago, including Arizona Science Center, Ronald McDonald House,
“We felt that that’s where we could make the most
The Ryan House, Orpheum Theatre and Rosson
impact on a pressing issue in Phoenix,” says Bianca.
House restorations, Komen Race for the Cure and Children’s Museum of Phoenix.
The ladies set out to improve access to healthy food, provide nutrition education and combat obesity
JLP is also currently conducting a Nutrition Night
trends. Focused on food deserts — residential areas
program at Phoenix Day, an early childhood
that have no grocery stores in close proximity —
education center in the Central Park neighborhood
they’re working with areas like downtown Phoenix.
of Phoenix. Finally, they also provide one-day volunteers for programs like Dress for Success,
“You have to go far to find a grocery store,” says
which helps women select career clothing, and Feed
Bianca. “Residents are doing their grocery shopping at
My Starving Children, which creates nutritional food
the gas station, which does not have healthy choices.”
packs for developing areas.
Things really amped up when they brought the
Late last month, JLP hosted its third annual White
program to Boys and Girls Clubs across the Valley.
Party fundraiser at Scottsdale Resort at McCormick
Now JLP is gifting clubs with kits and training
Ranch. The organization is now in the early
leaders to implement the program and keep up
planning stages for a January 2017 health fair it
with requests.
will host thanks in part to a generous grant by General Mills, and is also currently hosting the final
“I’m really excited about it because we do a similar
three information sessions of the year for women
‘train the trainer’ event with ROCKETS [in the school
interested in joining the League.
system], which has been very successful,” says Bianca.
jlp.org
JUNE 2016 IM AGE S A Z.C OM
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Growing Community:
The Orchard Phoenix
S
Writer Shannon Severson
Step onto the two-acre grounds of The Orchard Phx
Pomelo is The Orchard’s full-service restaurant,
and and you’re hit with the keen desire to relax
serving contemporary American food. The attention
and stay awhile. What began as a citrus farm in the
to detail and sense of history are glimpsed
early 1900s is now an unexpected oasis in Central
throughout this building that was once the adobe
Phoenix, mixing old and new elements to create a
homestead of the Wasser family in the 1920s.
space that feels warm and welcoming — as if it
Original fixtures are complemented by vintage
has always been here. The signature water tower,
elements: the copper tea service atop a mid-century
representing the well on the property, is surrounded
modern secretary in the entry, stamped tin ceilings
by pomelo trees, and the scent from the 80 citrus
and stained glass elements by local artist Chris
trees on the property perfumes the air. With three
Powers. Large black-and-white aerial photos on
different dining options and ample outdoor space,
the walls trace the history and development of the
it’s certain to become a favorite for couples, families
property through the yeas. Throwback bar stools
and large groups.
invite you to sit down for one of the specialty cocktails — including the Pomelo Spicy Mule with
“We are here to celebrate Arizona, the history of
Hatch green chile vodka, or the Desert Blossom,
Phoenix and the five Cs of Arizona: cotton, copper,
which blends tequila with Elderflower liqueur,
citrus, cattle and climate,” says Lucia Schnitzer,
lavender syrup, fresh basil and blueberry.
one of the owners of the project, along with her husband, Ken, and partner, Jerry Mansoor. “We have
The cozy lounge was once the home’s living room,
tried to capture that in the decor and on the menu.
boasting a massive brass chandelier; tea sofas with
We hope that we have created an oasis in the
mid-century flair; stamped concrete floors that mimic
desert that will really delight people.”
Saltillo tile; the original, working fireplace; and a quirky assortment of vintage whiskey bottles that
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IMA G E S A Z . C O M J UNE 2 0 1 6
belonged to Ken’s grandfather. The home’s
on the restaurant’s back patio. Cushioned
basement, enhanced with natural light from
patio furniture by Iron Creations graces the
clerestory windows, is one of the many
outdoor dining area, which can be rented for
private spaces available to groups on the
large parties. Lucia points out that utilizing
property, along with the homestead’s original
local artists, makers and purveyors was of
dining room, flooded with light from windows
paramount importance throughout the project.
on three sides and painted a riotous shade
The “barn” is another structure available for
of lime green. At its center is a massive,
group events, with garage-style roll-up walls
live-edge dining table hewn from a century-
that open onto the lawn. Mature trees allow
old eucalyptus tree that once stood on the
for dappled shade above the long, communal
property.
picnic tables (also made by Horvath) scattered about. It feels as though you’ve been invited
The dining room, with its large windows,
to a neighbor’s beautiful backyard for a
modern and vintage light fixtures, and glass
relaxing party with family and friends.
doors, draws in the green from the patios and lawns outside, but keeps the warm feeling
“The whole property is here to bring people
with alder and mahogany wood elements.
together,” says Lucia. “We get so caught up
Diners will enjoy hot pizzas from the huge
in our work, in our lives and our devices that
oven imported from Italy — so large that
we forget how to be human to human again.
the kitchen was actually built around it after
This, we hope, is a place where you want to
installation.
let it go and enjoy your surroundings. We want people to have the chance to appreciate
In addition to pizzas, the menu continues to
the little things and experience those moments
pay homage to the bounty of Arizona with
that truly count.”
locally sourced ingredients. As a starter, the Chef’s Stone serves up a selection of
Across the lawn is the former home of Ralph
cured meats from Schreiner’s Fine Sausage,
Castro, whose family once operated Ralph’s
accompanied by cheeses, roasted vegetables,
Citrus Nursery on the property. True to the
olives and caramel nut brittle. Or, begin the
adaptive reuse goals of the development,
meal with mussels braised in local Huss
the original home has been preserved and
Brewing Company beer. Pomelo’s barbecue
expanded to hold Luci’s at The Orchard,
pork ribs are slow smoked with Arizona red
an upscale market with simple, clean decor
oak, glazed with sweet and spicy barbecue
that gives an urban European feel. It is the
sauce, and served with coleslaw and polenta
second location for the successful Luci’s
cakes. Salads, pasta, seafood and sides round
Healthy Marketplace just a few miles away.
out a menu that has something for everyone.
Patrons will find a selection of organic and natural products and unique gifts, along with
And everyone is exactly who Lucia and her
sandwiches, salads, coffee, fresh juices, baked
partners had in mind when they created
bread and a full bar.
the lush, outdoor space. Adirondack chairs, built by artisan Andrew Horvath of
Aside from indoor tables, there are several
Anastasis in Prescott, surround a fire pit
ways to enjoy the delights offered here: call-in
JUNE 2016 IM AGE S A Z.C OM
49
Explore
orders can be picked up at the drive-
is adorned with little handprints
The Orchard Phx
through window, customers with Fido
that belong to the children of the
7100 N. 12th St.
in tow can use the dog-friendly patio
ownership group and developers.
Phoenix, 85020
on the east side of the property, and
602-633-2600 theorchardphx.com pomelophx.com
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IMA G E S A Z . C O M J UNE 2 0 1 6
those who want to dine al fresco can
“All of us involved with creating
picnic on the lawn or use one of the
this space either have children or
tables on the central patio adjacent
grandchildren,” says Lucia. “We
to the market — just steps away
thought of how fun it would be for
from a huge, old shade tree and
parents or groups of friends to be
splash pad for use during warmer
able to come and relax, have a nice
months. The pad’s cement surround
meal and not have to always be
In the spirit of community, many events are planned for the future, including yoga on the lawn, movie nights and “The Sharing Table,” a communal dining experience that will include a four- to six-course meal and wines, served familystyle. The dinners feature a brief on the food and wine, and a chance to meet new friends. “You’ll be sharing a table with potential friends,” says Lucia. “We will host the dinners on the lawn starting in October. We miss those connections, being able to meet new friends in everyday life. The Sharing Table will connect people.” As a breast cancer survivor, Lucia is also acutely aware of the need to highlight members of the community who are fighting diseases and disabilities. Luci’s will represent a child each month who is fighting a disease or disability. “Our goal is to make the community aware and provide an opportunity to support these families,” says Lucia. “I believe with all my heart that you have to give back. God has blessed us with this amazing opportunity and I want to use that telling their kids to be quiet. Here, the kids can run
platform to help others. This community is very
and enjoy themselves.”
special. This neighborhood and our employees are very special; we couldn’t do any of this without
Kids and adults will enjoy Splurge, an ice cream
them. It’s working together and understanding
and candy shop adjacent to the splash pad with
where it all comes from. For me, my satisfaction
soft serve ice cream, homemade cookies and other
comes from seeing people enjoy themselves here.
ice cream novelties, including adult shakes and
If you’re an elderly person, you have a place
popsicles to please the over 21 crowd. Orders
to go, you can be a single person, a family …
can be made from inside or outside from service
anyone. We will take care of you here.”
windows that open onto an outdoor counter. pomelophx.com JUNE 2016 IM AGE S A Z.C OM
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IMA G E S A Z . C O M J UNE 2 0 1 6
THE NEXT STAGE Desert Stages Theatre
F
Writer Rebecca Zaner
For more than 20 years, Desert Stages Theatre
and Mainstage Theatres, the Academy, as well as
has called Scottsdale home. In 1995, auditions for
The Actor’s Cafe, an intimate setting that showcases
its first production, “The Ugly Duckling,” were held
long-running productions. The mainstage theater
in the parking lot of Scottsdale Fashion Square.
consists of 136 seats in the round, which means
Gerry and Laurie Cullity, co-founders and executive
they circle the stage rather than face only one
directors, auditioned 13 young hopefuls, all of whom
direction toward the stage — not your typical
were cast in the first of what would become more
theater arrangement.
than 250 productions. “Theater in the round is much more intimate for our Gerry was a classically trained musician holding a
audience,” says Laurie. “I absolutely love the concept.”
master’s degree in fine arts from the Mason Gross School of Fine Arts. His career included jobs as an
Alongside musical productions, Desert Stages also
actor, director, playwright, lyricist and musician. Sadly,
dedicates their priorities to education through
Gerry passed away a few years ago, leaving Laurie
their Academy of Theatrical Arts. This program
to continue the success of the theater alone. Laurie
provides young actors with the skills necessary for
holds a bachelor’s degree in dance from Rutgers
stage performance.
University and spent the majority of her life owning and operating dance schools.
“It’s wonderful because children will start with us at age 3 and continue well into their teens,” Laurie
“Gerry was a humble actor when we met in New
says. “Performance at our theater has become
Jersey,” Laurie shares of their beginning. “I was
multigenerational. We are all family.”
passionate for dance and musical theater. After a few years together, we decided we wanted to expand our
Desert Stages has come a long way since “The
art. Gerry had a wonderful plan for a theater, so we
Ugly Duckling” in 1995. From 13 actors to more
moved to Arizona with his mother and thus began
than 300 young performers, the organization has
our adventure.”
certainly grown and continues to share music with the community.
Desert Stages is a unique title. Most believe it to be stages, as in the physical platforms actors perform
“When it was just Gerry and me, we did it all — the
on; however, the stages in the name are meant to
musical directing, stage directing, choreographing,
represent the stages or phases of a performers’ life.
marketing, etc.,” says Laurie. “When he passed away in 2005, I felt empty. I have since hired others to
Desert Stages became a nonprofit organization as
help me staff and run the theater and I am so
it continued to grow in popularity. In 2004, the
grateful for them all. The theater has not felt empty
theater moved to its current location in downtown
again since.”
Scottsdale. This is where they host their Children’s
JUNE 2016 IM AGE S A Z.C OM
53
After every show and every bow, Desert Stages
purchase this new theater of their dreams.
stays true to Gerry and Laurie’s dream of sharing the love of performing with the community.
“It is a huge undertaking for us, but we feel this is the right decision and the right time,”
“We just have a special love and passion for
Laurie explains. “Harkins left it to us in perfect
performing and sharing joy,” Laurie said. “I always
condition and they even donated all of their
tell my students that we are giving the audience
theater chairs! We are so grateful and excited to
a gift and in turn, that gives us joy. I like to
begin this next chapter.”
think we invite the world and see what happens.” She hopes to see new and returning faces in the
Next Stage Campaign is focused on promoting
audience at every show.
the future of Desert Stages Theatre to gain support during this large venture. The purchase
Because of Desert Stages Theatre’s enormous
includes many renovation projects that are
growth, the time has come to find a new location
needed to convert the former movie theater into
to put down roots. Recently, the former Harkins
a functional performing arts theater. Laurie hopes
Theatres at Scottsdale Fashion Square closed,
to incorporate the “theater in the round” concept,
and the venue was put up for sale. Laurie saw
complete with a second level of seating. She hopes
this as a perfect opportunity to grow their theater
to also include two separate theaters, classrooms,
company and immediately started their current
dance and green rooms for rehearsal and teaching
fundraiser, the Next Stage Campaign, which she
space. They plan to relocate in the fall.
hopes will help raise the funds necessary to
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IMA G E S A Z . C O M J UNE 2 0 1 6
“We are delighted to be moving into such a prominent location within Scottsdale Fashion Square,” says Laurie. “Our beautiful new space will be more modern and much larger, featuring 12,500 square feet compared to our current 6,500. We are looking forward to the wonderful experiences this will offer both our audiences and our actors.” There are many ways to support this endeavor. Some fundraisers within the campaign are the Future 500 ($500) and Look Into Your Heart ($100) donations, which give supporters an opportunity to purchase a plaque in their name with full proceeds going toward the campaign. Supporters can also purchase seats in the theater — one seat for $600 or two seats for $1,000. Naming opportunities are available for large donations of certain spaces within the venue. Online and phone donations can be made directly through the theater. Those who may not be able to donate but are still interested in supporting the theater can volunteer for many available positions, including ushering, promoting, stage hands and more. “This is an opportunity to give our audience a better theatrical experience, and we know that our walk-in interest will increase with
“Harkins left it to us in perfect condition and they even donated all of their theater chairs! We are so grateful and excited to begin this next chapter.”
our new location in the mall,” Laurie shares. “I am mostly excited for the new space and the idea that we will continue to bring great theater to the Valley and enable the community visiting Scottsdale Fashion Square to have a choice with the performing arts — a viable option in the place they shop. We hope to see a thriving new business and share our gift with many more people within the community.” desertstages.org JUNE 2016 IM AGE S A Z.C OM
55
THINK GLOBAL EAT LOCAL
K
Writer Lara Piu Photography Scramble, A Breakfast Joint
Kids and knives are normally a bad combination,
quarterly series teaches hands-on cooking skills to
but four times a year at Scramble, A Breakfast
children ages 6 to 16, accompanied by an adult.
Joint, executive chef Rick Moses pairs them with great success.
“We’ve developed this series in cooperation with our valued vendors to help teach youths how much fun
“I like teaching kids to cook,” Moses explains, “not
food can be,” says Talbot. “They’re introduced to
simply because it’s fun for myself and them, but
the basics of cooking and how to get creative with
also because it’s an essential skill to know how to
food, along with learning to use healthy, fresh, local
prepare food well to feed yourself. It is also very
ingredients.”
rewarding for you, as well as others, to be able to enjoy something you created with your own hands.”
It was such a hit, the restaurant brought it back for another run.
Co-owner Don Talbot introduced the series last year
56
in an attempt to introduce healthy cooking to kids
“Given the overwhelmingly positive response we
in a fun way, and they placed local ingredients at
received from attendees last year, we knew we had
the center of it all. The “Think Global – Eat Local”
to bring this series back again in 2016,” he adds.
IMA G E S A Z . C O M J UNE 2 0 1 6
Taste Think Global - Eat Local Scramble, A Breakfast Joint 6590 N. Scottsdale Rd.
attended several classes at this
June 15, Sept. 14 and Dec. 7
point, and Denise’s 10-year-old son
$25, 6-7:30 p.m.
has also joined them.
azscramble.com Each class spotlights a local food producer or artisan purveyor that helps teach the kids about what happens before food gets to the grocery store and how to best cook their wares. This year’s vendors are Hickman’s Family Farms, Peddler’s Son Produce, Strictly From Scratch and Sun Orchard Juicery. “Scramble is Grade AA on whipping children into egg cooks,” says Sharman Hickman, director of community care for Hickman’s Family Farms. “It’s an honor for our family to present the family history movie, ‘Angel and The Eggman, From Hen to the Table,’ and then to use the product in creme brulee!” Denise Millington and her 8-yearold daughter, who heard about the series through a friend, attended the Hickman’s Family Farms class that was held in March. She says she enjoyed learning about the behindthe-scenes business aspect of their operation and more importantly, she enjoyed a chance to have time with her daughter. “It was something fun to do together and it gave her the experience of a cooking class,” says Denise. “She thought it was fun.” It’s become somewhat of a family affair for the Millingtons. They’ve
“We thought we’d try other menus,” adds Denise, who cooks regularly at home. “Nothing fancy.” Besides the family bonding, she’s discovered a residual bonus: her kids now help her in the kitchen. “They’ve been interested in helping now that they know more,” says Denise. Her daughter learned basic cooking techniques like how to use a knife and how to make egg pockets, or a “bird’s nest.” “The classes are very kid-friendly,” Denise says. “It’s a great, clean atmosphere — everything is provided for the kids, and they keep their apron.” Denise also likes that Scramble presents everything in a way to make it easy for kids to follow along. Registration includes a handson cooking class, a chance to eat what you cook and a goodie bag to take home. “Everything is prepped in advance, which makes it an easy class for them,” she adds. “The owners are great and family-oriented. We absolutely will do it again in the future.” azscramble.com JUNE 2016 IM AGE S A Z.C OM
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THE ATHLETE’S HOME Writer Lara Piu Photography The Athlete’s Home
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IMA G E S A Z . C O M J UNE 2 0 1 6
H
Healthy living communities have been popular over the last 15 years, with homeowners now enjoying miles of walking, hiking and biking paths throughout communities like DC Ranch and Anthem, in addition to fitness centers and classes, pools, golf, medical complexes and more. Now in other cities, the trend has made its way inside the home, with new home builders marketing wellness properties. Canyon Ranch in Tucson, for example, offers new homes designed to mimic its iconic destination spa. And in Chicago, new homes by Evolutionary Home Builders monitor and evaluate health and track stamina and performance. In search of their own health and lifestyle-centric home, local architect, general contractor and real estate broker John Landry and his wife, Kim, took matters into their own hands. Not wanting to move out of the neighborhood they loved, they took their existing home down to the slab and started from scratch, all to create a new home catered to their lifestyle as triathletes. “Necessity is the mother of invention,� says John, who recalls the first order of business for the new home was to address a challenge most can relate to: car storage.
JUNE 2016 IM AGE S A Z.C OM
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IMA G E S A Z . C O M J UNE 2 0 1 6
“We needed to store Kim’s fully restored ‘66
triathlon bikes like art, just off the front door in
Mustang Shelby GT-H, along with a half dozen
the main living room so they can grab their bikes
bikes,” he says, “and we needed room for bike
and go. There’s also what they call a pain cave: an
repair and training. But the slab only had enough
indoor computerized bicycle trainer that increases
room for a two-car garage.”
and decreases load so they can train conveniently at home.
His solution was to design the garage roof tall enough to fit a four-post, 9,000-pound car lift, which
Already thinking bigger and better, the couple
he says worked out better than they imagined.
is selling their current home with plans to build another one with even more amenities. They also
“The kids can’t scratch the car, which turned out
refocused their business on helping other families
to be a perk, and once we started customizing, we
with similar needs.
realized the potential,” he says. “We really get lifestyle living,” says John. “We Both Ironman competitors, John and Kim run, swim
thought it just made sense for us to focus on the
and bike frequently. They also have two sons and,
people and community we know and the lifestyle
naturally, juggling it all is tricky. Familiar with athletic
we understand.”
amenities, they had installed a lap pool in a prior house, but with a blank slate in front of them, they
John says a home could be built to suit any kind
designed everything to be squarely centered on
of athlete, including around non-competitive fitness
their needs. The new home was completed in April;
activities such as yoga or dance. Other amenity
it took a little more than eight months, but it was
possibilities include a recovery room with a steam
worth the wait.
room and recovery compression boots; a treadpool, which gives the experience of a treadmill and is
“My nest is important, so even though we had
placed in a smaller pool; an indoor climbing wall;
to adjust temporarily, it was absolutely worth it
batting cage; volleyball court; putting green and an
because the end product is really quite nice,”
endless list of other possibilities. Even a workout,
says Kim, “especially since it’s designed around
yoga or dance room have special architectural
our lifestyle. For us, it wasn’t as if money was
considerations, such as flooring and ventilation.
no object, so we had to find a way to make our dreams feasible and affordable.”
“It might not even be athletic,” John adds. “It’s about making our homes fit our lifestyles and
The new home includes a fully-equipped bike
thinking more openly about it.”
workshop in the garage, with creature comforts such as air conditioning, television and internet.
The couple created a website designed to match
There’s ample space to store their eight mountain,
athletic-minded home buyers with an athletic-
road and kid bikes, thanks to a pulley system.
minded home. It is also a resource for ideas
Another two spots hang Kim and John’s favorite
on how to improve any home to make it more conducive for athletes.
“We really get lifestyle living,” says John.
“People want more than just being close to work or
“We thought it just made sense for us to
a good school,” says John. “It’s really about a home
focus on the people and community we
that fits all aspects of your life. For me and Kim, it
know and the lifestyle we understand.”
also allows us to be in the community that we love and, at the same time, help others.” theathleteshome.com JUNE 2016 IM AGE S A Z.C OM
61
football and into a new nickname: “Johnny Unemployed.” While he is the most notorious player for his offfield issues, the list of football stars who do stupid things is 100 yards long, from Plaxico Burress, who shot himself in the leg at a nightclub, to one of the newest Arizona Cardinals, Robert Nkemdiche, whose fall from a hotel window in a drug-related incident was a metaphor for his later fall on draft night, a “character issues” plunge that probably cost him millions of dollars. Scores more have wasted their talent, in what boils down to one thing: choices. At Saguaro High School, making good, solid decisions in the community is stressed even more than making the correct reads in games. Around Scottsdale, just about every weekend of the fall season had a fun gathering going on — and, as happens all around America, seniors would be doing things euphemistically known as “partying.”
SAGUARO FOOTBALL STARS TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL Writer Tom Scanlon Photographer Katy Ruben
someone would say to Byron Murphy, back at Saguaro on Monday mornings. “It was crazy!” “I would hear that all the time,” Murphy says, with a knowing grin.
I 62
“You should have been there,”
In football, there are many important
Yet it has become painfully obvious
choices to make on the field. Cut
that choices off the field are far
right, or try to run over the defender?
more important. Take (please)
Pass the ball deep and hope for the
Johnny Manziel. The former “Johnny
best, or take a sack?
Football” partied his way out of
IMA G E S A Z . C O M J UNE 2 0 1 6
But partying was not on the agenda for Murphy’s senior year. For one thing, there was Jason Mohns, who seemed to be half football coach, half CIA agent.
“I remember he sent a message to the football team
Lyles had a stunning 43 touchdown passes and 3,561
saying, ‘Whoever goes to parties, I will find out about
yards in his senior season. Murphy was his go-to guy,
it,’” Murphy says.
with 88 catches for 1,733 yards and 21 touchdowns. Carter, who would have been the No. 1 receiver at
Murphy also had family support: “My mom did not
just about any other school, had 41 catches for 626
allow me to go to parties.”
yards this season.
And, perhaps most important, he had the support of
And now, with high school already fading into the
his fellow football stars, Kare Lyles and Julian Carter.
rearview mirror, it’s time for the three to move full
All three knew they had too much at stake to waste
speed ahead into college football.
their chances. One prominent scouting site had Murphy, a
The overachiever Lyles
wide receiver/defensive back,
graduated early and is
ranked as the No. 2 recruit
already working with his new
in the state. Carter, a wide
team at the University of
receiver, was ranked No. 11,
Wisconsin-Madison, the Big
just ahead of quarterback
10 powerhouse that was 10-3
Lyles, ranked No. 12.
last year. His old receivers are headed north, Murphy
While many of their classmates
to Seattle’s University of
were hitting the party circuit
Washington, Carter to Boise
on the weekends, the three
State University in Idaho.
football stars would gather at the Lyles’ home. While they
“Julian’s going to be three
would have barbecues and
hours away; we’re planning
share laughs, they spent hours
to meet up on weekends,”
on drills, with Lyles dropping
says Murphy.
back and firing passes to Carter, running routes against
“I’m excited to meet a new
Murphy — and then Murphy
set of brothers and create
running routes against Carter.
new bonds,” adds Carter.
The hard work paid off with another championship
While there will be classes, meetings, workouts,
football season, culminating in a 38-20 win over
practices, games and road trips, there will also be
Marcos de Niza High School. Lyles padded his
more free time than they’ve ever known in their lives.
monster stats with four touchdown passes, two going
And, instead of the big choice of the day being, “What
to Murphy (9 catches, 128 yards) and one to Carter
should I get for lunch?” they will be deciding on going
(4 catches, 74 yards).
to frat parties or staying mellow, drinking from the keg or sticking with protein shakes.
It was Saguaro’s third straight state championship, as Mohns is building quite a McCormick Ranch dynasty.
In a nutshell, will they be Johnny Manziel-esque party
Few high school coaches are blessed with three
boys, or Russell Wilson-like All-Americans?
players as highly skilled as this year’s superstar trio. JUNE 2016 IM AGE S A Z.C OM
63
Murphy and Carter say their families — and the Saguaro High School community — have prepared them to make the right choices. “Coming to Saguaro is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” says Carter, who transferred here from Horizon High School for his senior year. Indeed, many of the coaches who came to Saguaro recruiting Murphy soon had their heads turned by “that other receiver.” “Most of my credit goes to coach Mohns,” Carter adds. “When I transferred to Saguaro, he really made me feel Julian Carter
at home.” He said he quickly learned the key to Saguaro football was “the competitive edge, the 110 percent effort every day.” That mentality will be the key to succeeding at the next level, where they will be lining up against huge, fast, powerful players. And yet, to know what they can do as freshmen, they only have to look to Christian Kirk, a Saguaro grad from the previous year. The wide receiver had an electric freshman season at Texas A&M University (yes, Manziel’s alma mater), catching 80 passes for 1,009 yards and seven touchdowns, with another two return touchdowns. “I’ve talked to Christian Kirk a lot,” says Carter. “He said college football is a different level; it’s a grind, 24/7.”
Kare Lyles
Murphy has had similar advice from Kirk: “You have to have a different mindset. Football is your life, you have to do your job — and there’s always someone trying to take your job away from you.” After winning a state championship, the motivated pair spent the rest of their senior years training, hitting weights and drinking protein shakes, as they tried to bulk up to go against the beasts of college football while simultaneously trying to improve speed and footwork. With Mohns and his coaching staff continuing to push them, Carter and Murphy both realized scoring a college scholarship wasn’t like catching a touchdown pass, it was more like fielding a kickoff: Now what are you going to do? Byron Murphy
It’s all about choices.
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JUNE 2016 IM AGE S A Z.C OM
65
Confetti Ice Cream Sandwiches
Sweeten your summer with these colorful Confetti Ice Cream Sandwiches. A generous scoop of your favorite ice cream is situated between two buttery soft cookies and loaded with sprinkles to create the ultimate summer treat. No matter what the occasion, the bright colors and unbeatable combination of cookies and ice cream are bound to turn any get-together into a celebration.
Confetti Ice Cream Sandwiches Yield: 10 sandwiches 1½ cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking soda
To make the confetti cookies:
into a ball or use a cookie scoop to place
Preheat the oven to 350 F and line two
the cookies onto the lined baking sheets,
baking sheets with parchment paper. Sift the
leaving at least 2 inches in between.
flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt together in a bowl. Set aside.
are slightly golden brown on the edges.
¾ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon kosher salt ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
Using a stand or hand mixer, cream the
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking
butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar
sheet for a couple of minutes before
on medium high speed until fluffy, about
transferring to a cooling rack.
½ cup granulated sugar
2 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and
½ cup light brown sugar
egg and mix until combined.
1 cup rainbow sprinkles, 1½ quarts ice cream (any flavor),
To make the confetti ice cream sandwiches:
½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1 egg
Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the cookies
Fold in the dry ingredients until combined,
Place a generous scoop of ice cream onto
then fold in half of the sprinkles (½ cup).
a cookie and top with a second cookie.
Be careful not to overmix.
Coat the outside of the exposed ice cream with the remaining sprinkles. Serve
slightly softened
Roll about two tablespoons of the dough
immediately. Writer and photographer Monica Longenbaker
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