Travel to Cambodia

scenes ranging from everyday life to war.

Inner passages eerily lined with beheaded sculptures belie sinister happenings in the 1990’s. Spirited away by Thai art thieves, these tranquil countenances were sold to collectors. The perilously steep steps of the inner temple reward the brave with large, intact buddhas and the center of the building perfectly compass aligned.

By Kat Thatcher | Resident contributor

The sand-colored, crowns of Angkor Wat preside over the verdant leafy jungle surrounds of Siem Reap, Cambodia. Deemed the world’s largest religious structure, this Hindu relic of the Khmer Empire was dedicated to the god Vishnu in the 12th Century.

“Temple-mountain” and “galleried temple” forms combined to dramatic result with tall, storied center structures secured by a 3-mile moat. By the 13th Century, Buddhistic elements were also incorporated.

Relief carved walls, with tug-of-war rope pulling in Churning the Ocean of Milk, decorate seemingly endless portico passages. Elephants, crocodiles, monkeys and other creatures mix with humans in

For 2023’s Year of the Rabbit New Years ceremony, curtains and gardens of heart shaped pastel folded papers were arranged Guinness Book of World Records. Nearby, Angkor Thom beckons with its own beauty, laid out as a cosmic (mandala) built by conquerors. mountain-like center represents Mt. Meru, the center of the universe on earth.

Famed for its fourfaced towers that survey visitors eerily from every angle, the Bayon Temple features each cardinal direction carved with a different large scale facial profile. These impart mysterious effect, particularly with open eyes and smiling faces. Each wears a filet-style crown, and inverted lotus earrings from elongated earlobes. The serpent god Naga features prominently below them with its many-faced Cobra hood.

Many bas relief scenes here stand in more dramatic relief. They’re either more deeply cut, or less damaged by flawed early restoration attempts that sadly accelerated erosion in Angkor Wat, which suffered cleaning attempts with acid that are still exacerbated with rain. Many scenes depict the war between Khmer and Chams.

Tomb Raider and Angelina Jolie fans flock still further to Ta Prohm Temple, partly ensconced with giant trees. Python-like roots threaten to submerge buildings back under the jungle. Though some restoration has been undertaken, many favor this partially restored state, where blocks, laid without mortar, battle to stay above the jungle floor.

As a grouping, this vast temple complex is surely one of the most exotic sites the world over. Follow Thatcher on Instagram @TheArtfulTourist.

DC Ranch residents report high satisfaction in community survey

Resident satisfaction with informational sources received high marks according to responses in the 2022 Resident Survey.

One section of the survey provides insight into how residents feel about communications. When rating the information sources utilized for DC Ranch, residents were most satisfied with the “This Week on the Ranch” emails (88%) and with Ranch News (84%). Eight-in-ten residents were satisfied with the “Ranch Roundup” emails (80%) and e-invitations (79%).

Residents were significantly more likely to report satisfaction with the Annual Report this year compared to 2019 (69% vs. 61%). Satisfaction also increased slightly for e-invitations this year (79% vs. 74% 2019). Other interesting findings include:

• Six-in-ten DC Ranch residents would like to see more communications in a digital format (61%).

• Nearly three-quarters of residents typically get their information about DC Ranch through emails (72%).

• Another two-in-ten get their information from Ranch News (22%) or postcards (17%).

Scottsdale gives green light to 101 Freeway construction

Scottsdale City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) on June 13. The agreement clears the way for ADOT’s project design and construction to make modifications to four 101 Freeway traffic interchanges: 1) Princess Drive/ Pima Road; 2) Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard; 3) Raintree Drive; and 4) Shea Boulevard.

The ADOT project is slated to start construction this fall. It seeks to improve the traffic flow and increase the capacity and efficiency on the 101 and conjoining intersections, and includes the following:

• Add one general-purpose lane in each direction on the 101 from Pima Road/Princess Drive to Shea Boulevard.

• Add a third southbound left turn lane at Pima Road/Princess Drive Interchange.

• Convert the Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard Interchange to a diamond configuration.

• Add right turn lanes at Raintree Drive and Shea Boulevard interchanges and cross-streets.

• Update sidewalks to make them ADA-compliant.

• Upgrade freeway and ramp lighting to LED. For up-to-date project information visit AZDOT.gov.

Did you know?

Saguaro cacti are protected by the Native Plant Protection Act. Pictured here in 2000, young resident Hilary Stein stands near the hundreds of Saguaros that were tagged and relocated on Thompson Peak Parkway during construction of DC Ranch. If you have an interesting photo or story to share about the early days of DC Ranch, please email history@dcranchinc.com.

By Sarah Kearney | Blue Zones

HonorHealth, Cigna Healthcare and Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona have announced the launch of Blue Zones Project in Scottsdale to help residents live better, longer lives. The Project is a comprehensive initiative that transforms the environments where people live, work, learn and play to measurably improve community well-being, resilience and economic vitality.

Blue Zones Project is a first-of-its-kind population health initiative based on research and principles developed by Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Fellow and New York Times best-selling author who identified the cultures of the world—or blue zones—with the healthiest, longestliving populations.

HonorHealth supported the initial Blue Zones Activate assessment in collaboration with the City of Scottsdale, during which the Blue Zones team did a deep dive into the city to determine if it was feasible to launch a community-wide initiative.

Todd LaPorte, CEO of HonorHealth, shares, “As the largest employer and healthcare provider in Scottsdale, we are committed to improving the health and well-being of everyone in Scottsdale and throughout the Valley, and that means expanding our efforts outside hospital walls. We are fortunate to live in a beautiful place. However, loneliness and isolation have been growing within our community and one out of two Scottsdale residents currently report they are struggling with their health. Now is the time to act to improve the well-being of the communities we serve, and this Blue Zones Project will help us build a sustainable future.”

Studies About Blue Zones

Research shows that where people live has a bigger influence on their health than their genetics, so Blue Zones Project focuses on the Life Radius®—the area close to home where people spend 90% of their lives. Blue Zones Project works with communities to optimize public policies, social connections, and the places and spaces where people spend the most time (streets, parks, schools, workplaces, grocery stores, faith communities and homes) to help make healthy choices easy and more accessible to all.