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Summer Aguirre, Vincent Arrieta, Judy Bluhm, Fred Cicetti, Jan D’Atri, Lin Sue Flood, Eryka Forquer, David Leibowitz
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Two recent news stories illustrate how wretched it is to serve as a police o cer in the 21st century, a time of rampant negativity, social media virality and naked hostility toward law enforcement.
Both stories occurred in Tempe, along Town Lake. Both involve men who entered that lake of their own accord.
One story ended in tragedy. The other ended in a save. You can guess which one you likely never heard about.
First, a disclaimer. By day, I am a public relations consultant. Among my clients: the Tempe O cers Association. I represent a number of other public safety organizations, so I am absolutely biased in favor of the cops.
With that said, my clients have not paid me to write this. I’m doing so because I believe it needs to be said.
The tragedy centers on Sean Bickings, 34, a longtime presence in Tempe nicknamed “Madrox.” Bickings by all accounts was a “big teddy bear,” joking, friendly, even as he and his wife struggled to nd shelter on a consistent basis.
On May 28, Tempe police received a 911 call reporting a disturbance between the couple. Body camera footage shows a long conversation between Bickings, his wife and the o cers. Then Bickings decides to climb over a 4-foot fence and enter Town Lake.
One of the o cers tells Bickings, “OK, I’m not jumping in after you.” Bickings is encouraged to swim to safety, but he can’t. He disappears beneath the water, gone.
What I know in my heart is that no person on earth wanted this story so awfully, including the o cers on scene.
I also know that the cops followed their training, which did not include water rescue, and city policy, which was not to enter the lake, but instead to get the Tempe police boat (check) and summon Tempe Fire (check).
Even so, the story became a national
sensation, covered by the networks and splashed across social media, with many commenters noting that Bickings was Black and accusing the cops of racism.
I’m a realist, a guy who has spent 30 years covering news professionally. I understand why this story got the coverage and commentary it did.
Still, I wish the hubbub had also included some vital context — about police policy, training, and the fact that the o cers had not been provided with equipment to save potential drowning victims. The city has changed all of that in the past few weeks, providing training and throw bags to o cers. That’s a good thing, as the events of September 20 prove.
This story didn’t go national, nor did it make a ripple on Twitter or TikTok.
It began as an indecent exposure call. Police arrived and found a naked man in the lake. O cers threw him a water rescue device multiple times, but he refused to grab it.
“He was pulled into the police boat without incident and turned over to (Tempe Fire),” KTAR radio reported. “He was transported to a hospital for evaluation.”
All told, three news outlets covered this story, a few hundred words total.
Again, I’m a realist. News involves conict, mayhem and gotcha moments. Happy endings aren’t the stu of headlines and clicks.
But I wonder how the rest of us would feel working in a job where to do good is to be invisible while to make a mistake is to be damned? A job where you’re expected to risk your life for people who despise you, and where you’d best be perfect, because keyboard warriors are lying in wait to pass judgment.
That’s policing in 2022. I mourn that fact just as I feel for the loved ones of Sean Bickings. Everyone loses in stories like this.
David Leibowitz has called the Valley home since 1995. Contact david@leibowitzsolo.com.
Mesa, AZ – When it comes to chronic pain and/ or neuropathy, the most common doctor-prescribed treatment is drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin. The problem with antidepressants or anti-seizure medications like these is that they offer purely symptomatic relief, as opposed to targeting and treating the root of the problem. Worse, these drugs often trigger an onset of uncomfortable, painful, and sometimes harmful side effects.
The only way to effectively treat chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is by targeting the source, which is the result of nerve damage owing to inadequate blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet. This often causes weakness, numbness, balance problems. A lack of nutrients causes the nerves degenerate – an insidious
cannot survive, and thus, slowly die. This leads to those painful and frustrating consequences we were talking about earlier, like weakness, numbness, tingling, balance issues, and perhaps even a burning sensation.
The drugs your doctor might prescribe will temporarily conceal the problems, putting a “Band-Aid” over a situation that will only continue to deteriorate without further action.
Thankfully, Mesa is the birthplace of a brandnew facility that sheds new light on this pressing problem of peripheral neuropathy and chronic pain. The company is trailblazing the medical industry by replacing outdated drugs and symptomatic reprieves with an advanced machine that targets the root of the problem at hand.
1. Finding the underlying cause
2. Determining the extent of the nerve damage (above 95% nerve loss is rarely treatable)
3. The amount of treatment required for the patient’s unique condition
Aspen Medical in Mesa, AZ uses a state-of-the-art electric cell signaling systems worth $100,000.00.
Th is ground-breaking treatment is engineered to achieve the following, accompanied by advanced diagnostics and a basic skin biopsy to accurately analyze results:
1. Increases blood flow
2. Stimulates and strengthens small fiber nerves
3. Improves brain-based pain
The treatment works by delivering energy to the affected area(s) at varying wavelengths, from low- to middle-frequency signals, while also using Amplitude Modulated (AM) and Frequency Modulated (FM) signaling
It’s completely painless!
THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT THIS TREATMENT IS COVERED BY MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND MOST INSURANCES!!
The number of treatments required varies from patient to patient, and can only be determined following an in-depth neurological and vascular examination. As long as you have less than 95% nerve damage, there is hope!
Aspen Medical begins by analyzing the extent of the nerve damage –a complimentary service for your friends and family. Each exam comprises a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and comprehensive analysis of neuropathy findings.
Aspen Medical will be offering this free chronic pain and neuropathy severity evaluation will be available until October 31st, 2022. Call (480) 274 3157 to make an appointment
Due to our very busy office schedule, we are limiting this offer to the first 10 c allers Y OU DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER ANOTHER MINUTE, CALL (480) 274 3157… NOW!!
We are extremely busy, so we are unavailable, please leave a voice message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Aspen Medical 4540 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 119 Mesa AZ, 85206
As displayed in figure 1 above, the nerves are surrounded by diseased, withered blood vessels. A lack of sufficient nutrients means the nerves
Effective neuropathy treatment relies on the following three factors:
Depending on your coverage, your peripheral neuropathy treatment could cost almost nothing – or be absolutely free.
If you think oxygen therapy means slowing down, it’s time for a welcome breath of fresh air.
Introducing the Inogen One family of portable oxygen systems. With no need for bulky tanks, each concentrator is designed to keep you active via Inogen’s Intelligent Delivery Technology.®
Hours of quiet and consistent oxygen flow on a long-lasting battery charge enabling freedom of movement, whether at home or on the road. Every Inogen One meets FAA requirements for travel ensuring the freedom to be you.
My colleague reluctantly moved to a new city to be closer to her daughter. She is shy and worriedly asked, “Where can I meet friends?”
Friendships can form, mysteriously, against all odds. A 12-year-old boy with autism, Kyle, was asked by his 74-yearold neighbor, Mr. Brown, if he could help do some odd jobs. What started out as a few mundane weekly chores, like pulling the garbage can in and out, gradually grew to something else.
Kyle did not talk much, had few friends and often slapped himself repeatedly in the head. He lived with his single mom and was an only child. Mr. Brown was a widower and loved to play chess. He also loved to cook. Eventually, Mr. Brown got Kyle interested in the game of chess. And life changed for both of them.
After school, Kyle would go over to Mr. Brown’s house. Together they played chess and ate dinner. Kyle learned how to play a game, sit still and eventually stop hitting himself. He was able to hold a conversation. Mr. Brown found a kind and curious companion, and Kyle found a best friend that he never had. Friendship has no age restrictions and can be entirely unexpected.
My young horse, Sedona, became gravely ill and was placed on stall rest. Two large ravens often sat on her fence rail, sometimes pacing back and forth. I was surprised at the antics of these two huge birds. They would sit for long periods of time, while Sedona was lying down. Sometimes she would get up to
greet them. A routine was established. Every morning and evening the two ravens spent time with my sick horse. One day I watched one of the ravens pick up little bits of apple that had fallen from our tree and y over the barn, dropping them in Sedona’s stall. A bird bringing my horse a treat? Friends y to any heights to give us encouragement.
As Kyle prepared for college, he wrote in his admission letter that Mr. Brown showed him that he was “more” than just autism. Kyle began to believe in himself. After Sedona died, two grieving ravens sat in the Cottonwood trees by the barn and would squawk, “Caw, caw, caw.” For ve days they made their sorrowful cry for their friend.
Time, kindness and attention are the currency of friendship, which are small treasures bestowed upon us that make life worth living. To witness friendship is as joyful as watching ravens communicate with a horse and as sorrowful as hearing their plaintive call when she is gone. It is as special as watching an elderly man see the future potential in a young boy.
I am no expert on friendship. But to my colleague who just moved, I’d say if nding a friend can take place in a barn, helping a neighbor with a garbage can or while learning to play chess, it can happen anywhere. Keep the faith and be open. The possibilities are endless. The results are outstanding.
Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local Realtor. Have a comment or a story? Email her at judy@judybluhm.com.
Becoming an author has been a longtime dream of Biltmore resident Charles Golding, and he has finally made it a reality.
A former U.S. naval officer and corporate accountant, the 65-year-old Golding recently released his first children’s book, “Max the Potato Beetle,” a vision he had since he was a teen.
Through the tale of a young boy disliking his identity as a beetle and instead wanting to be a lion, Golding addresses joy, self-love, humor and adventure — important topics today with many children struggling with mental health issues.
“One of the main things which we don’t have enough now is joy in our lives, and I think it’s really a joyful book that relays the message that you can be anything you want to be,” Golding says.
“There’s so much more to us as human beings than we could possibly imagine. We’re capable of doing so many things. So that’s kind of why he (Max) went from a very small potato beetle to a big lion — if you want to be, you can be anything you want … if you’re willing to put yourself out there and learn the lessons along the way. It’s not going to be handed to you.”
Golding wrote his freshman book with the purpose of encouraging intentional storytime with children and their parents or guardians. He says he believes that the connection established between young ones and the adults in their lives while reading together brings joy back into
their day.
“I think that’s one of the reasons I actually wanted to write a fun book for 7-, 6-, 8-year-olds, because I wanted the parents to read it to them and see the parents having a good time reading it,” he says. “If the child sees the guardian or parent enjoying the book, then they’ll enjoy it even more. So, I kind of wrote it with that in mind.”
“Max the Potato Beetle” is the first book of a five-piece series that Golding has mapped out. It was illustrated by his friends in Austin, Adriana DeCarlo and Marie Lilles, who are recent graduates of a San Diego animation school.
Golding says his work is unique in that it combines a picture book and a graphic novel.
Charles Golding is a former U.S. naval officer and corporate accounting. Now, he is a children’s author. (Dennis Murphy/ Contributor)
“I just did my own thing and it turned out really, really good,” he says.
Although he only recently embarked on his journey as an author, “Max the Potato Beetle” has been alive in Golding’s mind for years.
While carpooling his children and fellow neighborhood kids to their elementary school across town about 20 years ago, he used storytelling to entertain them.
“I decided one day to say, ‘Each one of you, give me a character, any character, and I’ll tell a story about them,’” he recalls. “So, for three days a week for about three years, I told them stories about anything they wanted, so I got really good at telling stories.”
“Max the Potato Beetle” was the most memorable out of all the imaginative characters and worlds that Golding created while carpooling. It wasn’t until 2019, however, that he began putting the tale on
After taking care of his father in California the last two years of his life, Golding relocated to Miami just months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. He figured
that with his need for a break combined with his time off, he should pursue his passion and jumped into his first writing venture.
“What I didn’t want to do is be on my deathbed and say, ‘I didn’t do this’ and ‘I didn’t do that,’” he says.
“So, if you have an idea or a creative side, develop it and just go for it, because that’s half of who we are, is our art. So, I would say if you have something, just put yourself out there and do it and even if it doesn’t turn out great, you’ll be a better person for it. At least you said you did it.”
Golding says that once one “gets the bug” for writing, it starts to grow. He plans to complete his series with Max and has several ideas for adult books in the future.
BY ERYKA FORQUER
This fall’s art season is decorated with a medley of shows that feature artwork and sounds from Norway, Cuba, Mexico, China and local artists in Arizona.
Art aficionados across the Valley can also reminisce about their childhood this fall with while also paying homage to classic bands including Waylon, Willie and Cash.
Audience members can be enter tained with the euphoric combination of music, large drums, high-tech stage effects, comedy and electric paint with performances from the Blue Man Group. As theaters and other venues add more events to this fall’s art season, here is a lineup of musicals, art exhibits, musicians, comedians and other various shows slated to hit the stage in the upcoming months.
8445 E. Hartford Drive, Scottsdale 1-800-785-3318, theravenscroft.com
• October 22: Alicia Olatuja
• November 19: Christian Jacob Trio
Highlands Church: 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale 480-422-8449, azmusicfest.org
• November 7: Brass Transit: The Musical Legacy of Chicago, Highlands Church
• November 12: Marie Osmond, Highlands Church
• November 20: Fall Young Musicians
Mesa
• November 21: Kurt Elling with the Arizona Musicfest Big Band, Highlands Church
525 N. First Street, Phoenix 602-253-8188, vyt.com
• October 7 to October 30: “Spookley the Square Pumpkin”
1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix 602-257-1880, phxart.org
• Opens November 6: “Mr.”
• On view through February 12: “And Let
It Remain So: Women of the African Diaspora”
• On view through June 9, 2024: “Figural Variations”
• On view through June 18: “A Tradition Redefined: Gifts from the Li Family Collection of Chinese Painting”
1825 N Central Avenue, Phoenix 602-254-2151, phoenixtheatre.com
• To October 23: “Bandstand”
• November 16 to January 1: “Cinderella”
330 S. Scott Avenue, Tucson 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix 1-833-282-7328, atc.org
• To October 15: “The Lion,” Tucson
• October 20: “The Lion,” Phoenix
• November 5: “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley,” Tucson
4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix 480-478-6000, mim.org
• October 1 to October 2: Suzanne Vega — “An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories”
• October 3: Carbon Leaf
• October 5: Skerryvore
• October 7: James McMurtry w/Jonny Burke
• October 9: Kiran Ahluwalia
• October 11: The Bad Plus
• October 13 and October 14: The New Power Generation
• October 15: Jane Monheit
• October 16: Griffin House
• October 18: Anat Cohen Quartetinho featuring Vitor Gonçalves, Tal Mashiach and James Shipp
• October 21 and October 22: Chris Botti
• October 23: Flor de Toloache
• October 26: Sophie B. Hawkins celebrating the 30th anniversary of “Tongues and Tails”
• October 28: R. Carlos Nakai, William Eaton and Will Clipman
• October 29: Makaya McCraven
• October 30: MusicaNova
• November 1: Antonio Sanchez
• November 2: Bob Schneider
• November 8: Ingrid “Vismaya” Hagelberg
• November 13: The Steve Adelson StickTet All Stars
• November 15: Bob Shimizu
• November 19: Hermanos Gutierrez
• November 20: Arizona Musicfest Young Musicians Fall Concert
• November 21: Light of Hope
• November 28 and November 29: Irish Christmas in America
250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler 480-782-2680, chandlercenter.org
• October 1: 23rd annual Mariachi and Folklórico Festival
• October 8: Miss Indian Arizona Scholarship Program
• October 9: Chandler Symphony
• October 28: “Hasta La Muerte”
• October 29: George Benson
• November 4: “NORTH: The Musical”
• November 6: Chandler Symphony
• November 11: The U.S. Air Force Band Airmen of Note
• November 12: Marc Broussard
• November 13: Naturally 7 and Hiroshima
• November 25 to December 4: Ballet Etudes Presents “The Nutcracker”
(Above) Chandler Center for the Arts: Folklorico. (Submitted). (Left) Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts: Jake Shimabukuro. (Jake Shimabukuro/Submitted)
Lovin’
Expos
wealth of info
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKIThe Lovin’ Life After 50 Expo is returning to the Mesa Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, November 2, with exhibitors ready to talk about tour and travel, retirement living, health care, financial matters, leisure and more.
The Mesa event is part of Lovin’ Life After 50’s cadre of events, which are Arizona’s longest-running expos for the after-50 market.
“After 36 years, the Mesa Lovin’ Life After 50 Expo is still the most well-attended event for those over 50 to enjoy in all of Arizona,” publisher Steve Strickbine says.
Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet new friends, network with peers and build new relationships. There will also be raffle prize giveaways, live entertainment, and a $100 cash prize each hour.
Entertainment includes Ms. Senior Arizona contestants performing throughout the day.
“I have been working the Lovin’ Life After 50 expos for over 16 years now and have watched them grow and also watched our Arizona seniors flock to each expo all over the Valley,” says Herme Sherry, executive director of Ms. Senior Arizona.
“The expos bring so much information to our seniors. They are there waiting for the doors to open and always leave with a bag full of information to maybe help them in some areas of their lives. The expos have grown each year, and we look forward to working them and meeting and getting to know so many of our seniors we see year after year.”
Sherry shares the expos are a “blessing” to the senior community.
“We get to know so many of them year after year,” she adds. “The Lovin’ Life After 50 expos are something we look for-
ward to each year, also.”
Strickbine is proud of the variety of vendors at the expo. Sponsors include Arizona Priority Care Plus AZ PCP and Area Agency on Aging.
“A wide spectrum of exhibitors and thousands of attendees are at the Lovin’ Life Expos each year,” he says. “There’s bound to have something for anyone over the age of 50.”
WHEN: 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, November 2
WHERE: Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center Street, Mesa
COST: Free
INFO: lovinlife.com
Exhibitors at the Lovin’ Life After 50 Expo talk about tour and travel, retirement living, health care, financial matters and more. (File photo)
1 E. Main Street, Mesa 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com
• October 6: “Classical Music Inside Out”
— Adam Golka
• October 7: Tower of Power
• October 8: Miranda Sings featuring Colleen Ballinger
• October 9: A Wonderful Bharatnatyam Program by Silabam Phoenix
• October 14: Nella
• October 19 and November 16: “National Geographic Live”
• October 22: The Fab Four
• October 27 and October 29: “Cry Havoc”
• November 4 to November 20: “Grease”
• November 5: Wardruna
• November 6: Belinda Carlisle
• November 9: Metropolitan Youth Symphony
• November 12: Lila Downs
• November 13: Salt River Brass
• November 20: Brian Culbertson
• November 25: Under the Streetlamp
• November 27: Mannheim Steamroller
7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale 480-499-8587 scottsdaleperformingarts.org
• October 3: ariZoni 32 Annual Theatre Awards of Excellence
• October 7, October 8, October 14, October 15, October 21, October 22, October 28, October 29: Julia Chacón Flamenco Theatre, “Flamenco Intimo”
• October 9: Scottsdale Philharmonic
• October 14: California Guitar Trio with Montréal Guitare Trio
• October 15: Aida Cuevas 45th Anniversary “Yo Creo Que Es Tiempo” accompanied by Mariachi Aztlán
• October 25: Soweto Gospel Choir
• November 12: Alan Cumming
• November 15: Vienna Boys Choir
• November 19: Matthew Whitaker
• November 20: Altan
• November 26: Jake Shimabukuro
700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe 480-350-2822 tempecenterforthearts.com
• October 1: Lisa Fischer
• October 1 to October 15 (various days): “Ghosts of Bogota”
• October 12: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic Night
• October 12: AZ Storytellers Project: Food and Family
• October 13: Noche Mexicana: Cancion y Sinfonia
• October 18: Piano Students of Dr. Cathal Breslin
• October 20: Arizona Wind Symphony
• October 21: Tempe Comedy Series
• October 23: Fushicho Daiko: Re/Kindle
• October 27: Dia de los Muertos Mini Ofrendas Workshop
• October 27: 48 Live Sugar Thieves
• October 28: No Man’s Land Film Festival
• October 29: Live Love Dance Balle Noire
• November 5: Higher Octave Healing
• November 10: Blackbird
• November 15: Versatile Violins with Students of Katherine McLlin
• November 18 and November 19: CaZo Dance Theatre: “Bloody Mary”
50 W. Page Avenue, Gilbert 480-497-1181
haletheatrearizona.com
• October 1: “Lucky Stiff ”
• To November 22: “Wait Until Dark”
• October 6 to November 26: “Sister Act”
• October 26 to November 5: Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn: A Tribute to Their Music and Friendship
• November 16 to November 26: Waylon, Willie and Cash: A Tribute to the Highwaymen and Outlaw Country
10580 N. 83rd Drive, Peoria 623-815-7930, theaterworks.org
• To October 16: “Matilda the Musical”
• October 19: “Shrek the Musical”
• October 21: A Night with Edgar Allan Poe
• October 22: A Night with Harry Houdini
• November 12: Damon J. Bolling
• November 17: Retro Radio
42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite B100, Anthem 623-336-6001
musicaltheatreofanthem.org
• October 4: Improv Troupe Showcase
• November 3 to November 6: A year with Frog and Toad Kids
Princess is ready To Welcome Everyone On Board!
want your vacation to be as easy, hassle-free and safe as possible — and with our updated
we’re able to welcome even more guests regardless of their vaccination status.
better — no testing requirements for vaccinated guests on most voyages!
COMPANY
United
Premium
Registration
Policy Fee
Pre-existing Health Conditions
Costs on Entry to Hospital
Maximum Period of Coverage for Any One Benefit
Skilled Nursing Facility
Medical Coverage for Part B
Physician care for hospital or office services, surgery, anesthesia, X-ray, laboratory, injections, splints, casts, dressings, physical and speech therapy, radiology, ambulance, prosthetics, etc.
Travel Restrictions Out of Area
NONE
NONE
$175.00 days 1-7
Hospital - unlimited number of authorized, medically necessary days. Other limitations may apply for other benefits
$0.00 days 1-20/ $196.00 days 21-33/ $0.00 days 34-100
Covered in full after applicable copayments/coinsurance.
$0 Preventative Screenings. $0 copay for PCP and $10 for specialist. ER Copay $90, waived if admitted, DME 20%. Ambulance - air and land copay $1950. Outpatient surgery at hospital/$175 and outpatient surgery at ASC is $75. Lab copay $0. Xray copay $15. Copays and coinsurance count toward the out of pocket max of $2,500.
*NO PART D Deductibles and Tier 1/2 drug coverage in the gap.
Plan allows for 100 day Rx fill. $35 monthly insulin copay max*
Tier 1 is $0 copay, Tier 2 is $8, Tier 3 is $45, Tier 4 $95, and Tier 5 is 33% to the initial cover age limit of $4660. Coverage for Tiers 1 and 2 in the gap. Remaining tiers are paid by the member until out of pocket costs equal $7400. Castastropic level applies after $7400 and member would pay 5% or $3.60 for Generic and Preferred Brand, All other 5% or $8.95.
Guaranteed renewable for life.
Worldwide coverage for emergency with a $90 copay (waived if admitted to hospital). Routine & preventive care is covered out of member’s residence county w/Passport Benefit.
Plan includes: Fitness benefits, routine eye exam and hardware, routine podiatry visits, hearing aid coverage, OTC, improved dental coverage, and a large network of Providers
additional plan options (PPO) www.aarpmedicareplans.com
United
NONE
NONE
$145.00 days 1-7
Hospital - unlimited number of authorized, medically necessary days. Other limitations may apply for other benefits
$0.00 days 1-20/ $196.00 days 21-33/ $0.00 days 34-100
Covered in full after applicable copayments/coinsurance.
$0 Preventative Screenings. $0 copay for PCP and $10 for specialist. Emergency care/$90, waived if admitted. DME/20%. Ambulance - air and land copay $210. Outpatient surgery: at hospital/$145 at ASC/$50. Lab copay $0. Xray copay $15. Copays and coinsurance count toward the out of pocket max of $2,500. NO REFERRALS NEEDED FROM PCP TO SEE A SPECIALIST WITHIN THEIR CHOSEN NETWORK
*NO PART D Deductibles and Tier 1/2 drug coverage in the gap. Plan allows for 100 day Rx fill. $35 monthly insulin copay max*
Tier 1 is $0 copay, Tier 2 is $8, Tier 3 is $45, Tier 4 $95, and Tier 5 is 33% to the initial coverage limit of $4430 . No coverage after $4430 until out of pocket costs equal to $7050. Then 5% or $3.60 for Generic and Preferred Brand, All other 5% or $8.95.
Guaranteed renewable for life.
Worldwide coverage for emergency with a $90 copay (waived if admitted to hospital). Routine & preventive care is covered out of member’s residence county w/Passport Benefit.
Plan includes: Fitness benefits, routine eye exam and hardware, routine podiatry visits, hearing aid coverage, OTC, improved dental coverage, and a large network of Providers
additional plan options (PPO) www.aarpmedicareplans.com
COMPANY
Blue Medicare
(HMO) (Maricopa and
NONE
Physician care for hospital or office services, surgery, anesthesia, X-ray, laboratory, injections, splints, casts, dressings, physical and speech therapy, radiology, ambulance, prosthetics, etc.
Days 1-6 $250 per day
364 days in a calendar year
Days 1-20 $0/Day
Days 21-40 $196/Day
Days 41-100 $0/day
Covered in full after applicable copayments/coinsurance
$0 Primary Care, $35 Specialist Copay, $35 Urgent care, $20 Copay Physical/ Speech/ Occupational Therapy, $0 Lab copay, $20 most x-rays, $200 ASC, $275 Ground Ambulance
Blue Medicare Advantage
(HMO) (Maricopa and Pinal Counties)
NONE
BluePathway Plan
$0
(HMO)
BlueJourneySM PPO
and
T1 Preferred Generic $0, T2 Generic $9
Extended Day supply for T1/ T2 100 days for one copay; T3 Preferred Brand $ 47; T4 Non Preferred Brand $100; T5 Speciality 33%; T6 Part D Vaccines $0 Network Pharmacies nationwide.
Days 1-6 $225 per day
364 days in a calendar year
Days 1-20 $0/Day
Days 21-40 $196/Day Days 41-100 $0/day
Covered in full after applicable copayments/coinsurance
$0 Primary Care, $25 Specialist Copay, $25 Urgent care, $10 Copay Physical/ Speech/ Occupational Therapy, $0 Lab copay, $10 most x-rays, $150 ASC, $275 Ground Ambulance
T1 Preferred Generic $0, T2 Generic $9 Extended Day supply for T1/ T2 100 days for one copay; T3 Preferred Brand $ 47; T4 Non Preferred Brand $100; T5 Speciality 33% ; T6 Part D Vaccines $0 Network Pharmacies nationwide.
Renewability of Contract Renewable annually Renewable annually
Out of Area
Coverage throughout the United States and its Territories for emergency and Urgently needed care only; WorldWide: Covered outside of the United States: Emergency Care, Urgent Care and/or Emergency ambu lance transportation from the scene of an emergency to the nearest medical treatment facility. Transporta tion back to the United States from another country is not covered. Copay/Benefit Limits apply.
Coverage throughout the United States and its Territories for emergency and Urgently needed care only; WorldWide: Covered outside of the United States: Emergency Care, Urgent Care and/or Emer gency ambulance transportation from the scene of an emergency to the nearest medical treatment facility. Transportation back to the United States from another country is not covered. Copay/Benefit Limits apply.
A.M. Best Rating
Silver&Fit, over-the-counter allowance, No charge upgrade to rechargeable hearing aids, eyewear allowance, 30 visits for Complementary Medicine (Chiro/ Acupuncture/Therapeutic Massage) using preferred network providers, Coverage Limitations apply; Preventive/Comprehensive Dental $2,000 max. benefit
Silver&Fit, over-the-counter allowance, No charge upgrade to rechargeable hearing aids, eyewear allowance, 30 visits for Complementary Medicine (Chiro/ Acupuncture/Therapeutic Massage) using preferred network providers, Coverage Limitations apply; Preventive/ Comprehensive Dental $3,000 max. benefit
NONE
Days 1-6 $200 per day
364 days in a calendar year
Days 1-20 $0/Day
Days 21-40 $196/Day Days 41-100 $0/day
Covered in full after applicable copayments/coinsurance
$0 Primary Care, $35 Specialist Copay, $35 Urgent care, $10 Copay Physical/ Speech/ Occupational Therapy, $0 Lab copay, $10 most x-rays, $150 ASC, $275 Ground Ambulance
Days 1-6 $250 per day
364 days in a calendar year
Days 1-20 $0/Day Days 21-40 $196/Day Days 41-100 $0/day
Covered in full after applicable copayments/coinsurance
$0 (INN), $30 (OON) Primary Care, $30 (INN) $50 (OON) Specialist Copay, $30 (INN) $30 (OON) Urgent care, $40 (INN) 40% (OON) Copay Physical/ Speech/ Occupational Therapy, $0 (INN) 40% (OON) Lab copay, $0 (INN) 40% (OON) most x-rays, $200 (INN) 40% (OON) ASC, $275 (INN) 40% (OON) Ground Ambulance
For More Information
T1 Preferred Generic $0, T2 Generic $7 Extended Day supply for T1/ T2 100 days for one copay; T3 Preferred Brand $ 47; T4 Non Preferred Brand $100; T5 Speciality 33%; T6 Part D Vaccines $0 Network Pharmacies nationwide.
Renewable annually
Coverage throughout the United States and its Territories for emergency and Urgently needed care only; WorldWide: Covered outside of the United States: Emergency Care, Urgent Care and/ or Emergency ambulance transportation from the scene of an emergency to the nearest medical treatment facility. Transportation back to the United States from another country is not covered. Copay/ Benefit Limits apply.
Silver&Fit, over-the-counter allowance, No charge upgrade to rechargeable hearing aids, eyewear allowance, 30 visits for Complementary Medicine (Chiro/ Acupuncture/Therapeutic Massage) using preferred network providers, Coverage Limitations apply; Preventive/ Comprehensive Dental $2,000 max. benefit
T1 Preferred Generic $0, T2 Generic $9 Extended Day supply for T1/ T2 100 days for one copay; T3 Preferred Brand $ 47; T4 Non Preferred Brand $100; T5 Speciality 33%; T6 Part D Vaccines $0 Network Pharmacies nationwide.
Renewable annually
Coverage throughout the United States and its Territories for emergency and Urgently needed care only; WorldWide: Covered outside of the United States: Emergency Care, Urgent Care and/or Emer gency ambulance transportation from the scene of an emergency to the nearest medical treatment facility. Transportation back to the United States from another country is not covered. Copay/Benefit Limits apply.
Silver&Fit, over-the-counter allowance, No charge upgrade to rechargeable hearing aids, eyewear allowance, 30 visits for Complementary Medicine (Chiro/ Acupuncture/Therapeutic Massage) using preferred network providers, Coverage Limitations apply; Preventive/ Comprehensive Dental $3,000 max. benefit
Medicare STAR ratings released in October Medicare STAR ratings released in October Medicare STAR ratings released in October Medicare STAR ratings released in October
For more information about all of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Medicare Advantage plans or to register for a seminar please call
1-888-273-4093, TTY:711.
Daily 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Oct 1 - Mar 31. Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. - 8:00p.m. April 1 - Sept 30.
For more information about all of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Medicare Advantage plans or to register for a seminar please call
1-888-273-4093, TTY:711.
Daily 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Oct 1 - Mar 31. Mon-Fri
8:00 a.m. - 8:00p.m. April 1 - Sept 30.
For more information about all of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Medicare Advantage plans or to register for a seminar please call
1-888-273-4093, TTY:711.
Daily 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Oct 1 - Mar 31. Mon-Fri
8:00 a.m. - 8:00p.m. April 1 - Sept 30.
For more information about all of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Medicare Advantage plans or to register for a seminar please call
1-888-273-4093, TTY:711.
Daily 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Oct 1 - Mar 31. Mon-Fri
8:00 a.m. - 8:00p.m. April 1 - Sept 30.
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Graham Nash listens to his wife, photographer Amy Grantham.
When she suggested he perform his first two solo albums, “Songs for Beginners” and “Wild Tales,” in their entirety, he did it — and released it as “Graham Nash: Live.”
“I’d always loved those two albums,” he says. “I play ‘Songs for Beginners’ from start to finish and then do ‘Wild Tales’ from start to finish. It was my wife who said, ‘I would love to see that show. Why don’t you do it?’”
He’ll bring “An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories with Graham Nash” to the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix on Sunday, October 16, and the Fox Tucson Theatre on Tuesday, October 18.
He has fond memories of being in Tucson in 1966 with fellow Hollies member Allan Clarke.
“When the Hollies played in Tucson, Allan and I went to a gun store and bought two 45s, antique guns, and we took them back to England in our luggage,” he says with a laugh. “It isn’t like it is today. So, Tucson is where I bought a gun.”
He no longer has the firearm.
In Phoenix and Tucson this time around, he will cover his career from the Hollies through Crosby, Stills & Nash and his solo career, while weaving anecdotes
and tales from his career.
“There are two things I want my fans to know,” he says. “The first thing is I really want to be there making music for them. I’m not going to phone it in. I perform them with the same passion that I wrote them with.
“Secondly, I’m very grateful that some of them saved their tickets from two years ago when the show was canceled.”
At the shows, Nash will be accompanied by his longtime collaborator and “This Path Tonight” producer Shane Fontayne on guitars and vocals, and former CSN keyboard player and vocalist Todd Caldwell.
While the tracks on “Songs for Beginners” and “Wild Tales” are largely autobiographical — dissecting Nash’s relationship and subsequent breakup with Joni Mitchell, recalling his 3,000-mile sea voyage with David Crosby from Florida to San Francisco by way of the Panama Canal, and remembering his parents — they also show the depth and breadth of Nash’s songwriting and storytelling, chronicling society’s frayed edges during the Vietnam era, championing the defense of free speech, calling for prison reform as well as political reform, and more.
“I’ve had an incredible life,” he says. “My audience knows every word, I mean,
every word that I think. They’re loving the tour and all the songs that I’m bringing. I’ve written a lot of music in my life. I’m going to be playing music from the Hollies to the songs I’m writing today.”
Performing since 1958, Nash quickly answers what keeps him passionate after more than 64 years.
“Curiosity about life itself,” he says. “I once visited the church where King Arthur’s roundtable is on the wall. I realized that it might not be King Arthur’s actual roundtable, but it’s been on that wall for over 400 years.
“I was approaching the church when I saw a beefeater. He had a tray in his hand, and he said, ‘Here you go.’ Quite frankly, I was on LSD. I said, ‘I’m sorry. What do you mean?’ He pushed the tray toward me and said every traveler on this road for the last few hundred years has been entitled to a bread and a drink of water. I looked at him, not quite understanding what was going on. He said, ‘Well, don’t you know it’s just OK to be?’ I thought that was one of the heaviest things that’s ever been said to me.”
Graham Nash once bought an antique gun in Tucson, but he no longer has the firearm. He comes to Phoenix and Tucson in October. (Sacks & Co./Submitted)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, October 16
WHERE: Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix COST: Tickets start at $36 INFO: celebritytheatre.com
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 18
WHERE: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson COST: Tickets start at $41 INFO: foxtucson.com
Graham Nash’s latest project is thanks to his wife
The Buckeye Valley Chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution, 1 p.m., the first Saturday of each month, except for May to August, Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce, 508 E. Monroe Avenue, Buckeye, free, 623-386-3465
Crane Dance-Gentle Tai Chi, 9:15 to 10:10 a.m., Kaleidoscope Dance, 2848 S. Carriage Lane, Mesa, $14 drop-in per class, $48 for a four-punch card, 602-345-0496, kaleidoscope-dance.com
One of These Nights: A Tribute to the Eagles, 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, tickets start at $20, fhtheater.com
Saturday Park Tours, 10 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of each month, Desert Awareness Park, Vermeersch and Cave Creek roads, Cave Creek, free, hollandcenter.org. Stroll through the native desert park with a Desert Awareness naturalist. Learn the plants of the Sonoran Desert upland and how they survive.
It’s Name Your Car Day!
Active Aging Week — Inspiration Board, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-3254707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Veterans Coffee Chat, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Active Aging Week — Trivia Trends from the Past, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Art Critique, 4 to 5 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. School House Road, Cave Creek, free, 480-488-2286, dfla.org
Gentle Tai Chi-Qigong, 1 to 1:55 p.m. Tuesdays, repeats Thursdays and 1 to 1:55 p.m. Fridays, Kaleidoscope Dance, 2848 S. Carriage Lane, Mesa, $14 drop-in per class, $48 for a four-punch card, 602-345-0496, kaleidoscope-dance.com
Active Aging Week — Meditation Moment, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E.
McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Mexican Train Dominoes, 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-3254707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Wii Bowling, noon to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Quilters Anonymous, a chapter of the Arizona Quilt Guild, 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month, at Christ’s community United Methodist Church, 104 W. Western Avenue, Avondale. For more information, please contact Julie at 623-363-5187.
Gentle Tai Chi Sequences, 11 to 11:55 a.m. Tuesdays, Kaleidoscope Dance, 2848 S. Carriage Lane, Mesa, $14 drop-in per class, $48 for a four-punch card, 602-345-0496, kaleidoscope-dance.com
Mindful Art, 10 a.m. to noon, Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Harmonicas for Health Series: Week One, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-3254707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Sun City Democratic Club Meeting, 6 p.m., Fairway Recreation Center, 10600 W. Peoria Avenue, Sun City, and via Zoom, free, suncitydems.com. Adrian Fontes, Democratic candidate for Arizona secretary of state, and Stephanie Holbrook, Democratic candidate for District 28 Arizona House of Representatives, will speak.
Game Day: Mahjongg, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays, Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-3254707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Farm Basket Bingo, 1 to 2 p.m. Thursdays, Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Safety First Series: Trending Scams, Criminals Taking Advantage, 2 to 3 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. School House Road, Cave Creek, free, 480-488-2286, dfla.org
The Phoenix Astronomical Society: “A Half Century of Astronomical Photography” by Dr. Klaus Brasch, 7 p.m., Paradise Valley Community College Main Campus, Room LS-205, or via Zoom at https://bit.ly/ PhxAstronomical, free, secretary@pasaz.org
Gentle Tai Chi Qigong: Mornings, 10:30 to 11:25 a.m. Thursdays, Kaleidoscope Dance, 2848 S. Carriage Lane, Mesa, $14 drop-in per class, $48 for a four-punch card, 602-3450496, kaleidoscope-dance.com
The Franciscan Renewal Center Day Retreat, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., carpool from Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 19002 N. 128th Avenue, Sun City West, $85, 623-243-6952, https://bit.ly/FranciscanYourStory
Active Aging Week — Social Hour with Pumpkin Snacks, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Stamping and Card Making, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Active Aging Week — Movie and Popcorn, “Growing Bolder,” 1 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
West Valley Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Club, noon, Briarwood Country Club, 20800 N. 135th Avenue, Sun City West, reservations required, 623-826-0101. Lunch and a technical presentation by Dr. Robert Farrell, who will discuss “The Science Behind Alien Encounters: UFOs Are Real.”
Gentle Tai Chi Qigong, 1 to 1:55 p.m. Fridays, Kaleidoscope Dance, 2848 S. Carriage Lane, Mesa, $14 drop-in per class, $48 for a four-punch card, 602-345-0496, kaleidoscope-dance.com
Solid Gold Rock ‘n’ Roll, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, visit website for ticket information, silverstartheater.com
It’s Leif Erikson Day!
Coffee and Word Search, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Sun Lakes Democratic Club, 6:30 p.m. meet and greet, 7 p.m. meeting, 25601 E. Sun Lakes Boulevard North, Chandler, or Zoom, free, donations suggested to Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank, 480-8995696, rbsldc13@gmail.com, for Zoom link, email wlkariz@aol.com. Speakers are Martin Quezada, candidate for Arizona treasurer; Javier Ramos, candidate for U.S. House, CD 5; Jennifer Pawlik, candidate for LD 13 AZ House of Representatives; and Cindy Hans, candidate for AZ Senate, LD 13.
Loteria, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-3254707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Charity Crafting, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Breast Cancer Awareness Lunch, noon to 1 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, call for charge, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Harmonicas for Health Series: Week Two, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-3254707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Stroke and Aneurysm Survivor Support Group, 2 to 4 p.m., Abrazo Central Campus’ acute rehab unit first-floor conference room/ classroom, 2000 W. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, free, 1-877-649-3311, abrazohealth. com/events
West Valley Survivors of Stroke, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., second floor conference room, Abrazo West Campus, 13677 W. McDowell Road, Goodyear, free, abrazohealth.com/ events
Duet Support Group for Family Caregivers, 10 to 11:30 a.m., repeats October 27, Christ Evangelical Church, 918 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, free, reservations required, 602-274-5022, ext. 115, poulos@duetaz.org. Held the second and fourth Thursdays.
Rock the Boat: A Celebration of the Greatest Hits of Yacht Rock, 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, tickets start at $20, fhtheater.com
Coffee and Cards, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Demo with Chef Melanie, 10 a.m. to noon, Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Movie and Popcorn: “Other People,” 1 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Variety Show Spectacular, 5:30 p.m.,
Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, visit website for ticket information, silverstartheater.com
Fairchild Blues: A Tribute to the Blues Brothers, 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, tickets start at $20, fhtheater.com
It’s World Food Day!
Coffee and Sudoku, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707,
humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Over the Counter Game Day: Wii Bowling, noon to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-3254707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
AZ Author Series: Bart Ambrose, 4 to 5 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. School House Road, Cave Creek, free, 480-488-2286, dfla.org
HMO Plan Review 2023, 9 to 10 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E.
McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Coloring and Conversation, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Book Club: “Minding Frankie,” 11 a.m. to noon, Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Harmonicas for Health Series: Week Three, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Candle in the Wind: The Elton John Experience, 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, tickets start at $20, fhtheater.com
AZ Author Series: David Stanasolovich, 4 to 5 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. School House Road, Cave Creek, free, 480-488-2286, dfla.org
Now you can finally have all of the soothing benefits of a relaxing warm bath, or enjoy a convenient refreshing shower while seated or standing with Safe Step Walk-In Tub’s FREE Shower Package!
✓ First walk-in tub available with a customizable shower
✓ Fixed rainfall shower head is adjustable for your height and pivots to offer a seated shower option
✓ High-quality tub complete with a comprehensive lifetime warranty on the entire tub
✓ Top-of-the-line installation and service, all included at one low, affordable price
Now you can have the best of both worlds–there isn’t a better, more aff ordable walk-in tub!
Safety First Series: Residential Security and Being Safe in Public, 2 to 3 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. School House Road, Cave Creek, free, 480-488-2286, dfla.org
Boombox Blast, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, visit website for ticket information, silverstartheater.com
Coffee and Cards, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Movie and Popcorn: “The Quiet Place,” 1 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
AARP Smart Driver Program: A Refresher Course in Safety and Skills, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. School House Road, Cave Creek, pay instructor at class $25 or $20 with AARP card,
plus $5 Desert Foothills Library registration fee, 507-288-1717, 480-488-2286, dfla.org
Pink Lady Ginger Pico de Gallo Class, 2 to 3 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. School House Road, Cave Creek, $30, 480-488-2286, dfla.org
Northwest Valley Connect Fundraiser: Motors and Meals, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Beardsley Recreation Center, 12755 W. Beardsley Road, Sun City West, free, 623-2829300, northwestvalleyconnect.org. Features live entertainment, food trucks, car show, wine and beer tent, and exhibits from local businesses and organizations. The North Country Fire and Medical will offer a drone demonstration.
Coffee with Mesa Police Department, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
October Birthday Social, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
PPO Plan Review 2023, 9 to 10 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Charity Crafting, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Harmonicas for Health Series: Week Four, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter. com
Situational Awareness, 2 to 3 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. School House Road, Cave Creek, free, 480-488-2286, dfla.org
Haha Tukee Comedy: The First 60-Plus Comedy Competition, 6:30 p.m. seating, 7:30 p.m. showtime, Cactus Jack’s, 4747 E. Elliot Road, Phoenix, $6 in advance, $8 at the door, 480-753-4733. Features hosts Anthony Solimini and Jan Brenner.
AZ Swing Kings Band with Jazz/Gospel Vocalist Sherry Robertson, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Grace Community Church, Sun City Grand, 16165 W. Mountain View Boulevard, Surprise, $10 suggested donation, reservations required, 623-975-9038, grace@gcc-epc.com
Guided Meditation, 9 to 10 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Emotional Eating: Kick the Habit, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Movie and Popcorn: Tyler Perry’s “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” 1 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, reservations required, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com
Stop the Bleed, 1 to 3 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. School House Road, Cave Creek, free, 480-488-2286, dfla.org
Can’t go wrong here: It’s National Cat Day!
True Country, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, visit website for ticket information, silverstartheater.com
Happy Halloween!
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Thirty years ago, when Sophie B. Hawkins created the album “Tongues and Tails,” she wanted to make a classic album.
As a result, the hit “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” kick-started her career. It sounds as fresh as it did in 1992.
“The lyrics are still so appropriate,” Hawkins adds via Zoom. I really was conscious of wanting to make a classic album and I feel that, in my own heart, that was achieved because every song is so valid. The melodies in these chord structures are so good.”
Hawkins will celebrate the album’s anniversary with a show at the Musical Instrument Museum at 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 26. She says the songs are still fun to perform.
“I perform songs from ‘Tongues and Tails,’” she adds. “Then there are the new songs, which I’m previewing, and I’m excited about that. ‘Love Yourself’ is dropping October 6. So, I will definitely be singing that song and a few others from the new release.
“Then there are going to be some covers that people have never seen me play before. Of course, I’m going to do the cov-
er from ‘Tongues and Tails,’ ‘I Want You’ (by Bob Dylan). So, the question is always how to slim down the set and really make it the perfect time. We’re really working within the music to bring something new without leaving the old behind.”
“Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” didn’t just help her career, it broke through a sensitive barrier of LGBTQ understanding.
“I was fighting for that without fighting,” she says with a smile as she lies on her bed with her dog.
“I would not let them take that third verse away,” which refers to said lover as a “her.” “I had to get my vision across, but I never named what I was doing, but I knew what I was doing. I thought if I named it, those big guys would never let me get away with it.”
WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 26
WHERE: Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix
COST: Tickets start at $38.50
INFO: mim.org
Sophie B. Hawkins’ song “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” reached No. 5 on The Billboard 200 chart. (Submitted)
Anthony Solimini is a longtime comedi an and a baby boomer. Lately, he’s noticed clubs and festivals don’t cater to those over 50.
So, he’s hosting the first 60+ Comedy Competition at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Octo ber 27, at Cactus Jack’s. It’s part of his HaHa ‘Tukee Comedy night.
“I’ve been doing comedy for a long time,” says Solimini, who just turned 60.
“A lot of the comedy festivals here and in Asia, they just cater to up-and-coming, young comedians. Some of them had age limits. I decided to do things differently.”
Competing are Chris Cluff, Ira Summer, Bob Howard, Sandra Risser, Arizona Lou and Sherie Hayes. Solimini and Jan Brenner are co-hosting. The winner receives $300; second prize is $200, and third place gets $100.
They will be judged on originality, stage presence and audience participation. The audience will determine the winner by bal lot.
The event is part of a three-part series: 60 and older, all-female, and under 30 competitions.
“A lot of competitions are all over the place,” he says. “There’s no fun theme to it, just people ranging from 25 to 60. The young kids won because that’s who’s in the audience. We do it by audience partic ipation.
“Having just turned 60 myself, I’ve no ticed a lot of great comedians over 60
who weren’t getting booked that much because of their age. I’m not saying it’s a major problem. People want new. They want young. There’s a lot of millennials in the audience. There aren’t a lot of elderly people coming out to these shows.”
Solimini regularly hosts HaHa ‘Tukee Comedy at Cactus Jack’s. Prospective co medians send their tapes to Solimini for consideration. The goal is to have “really good comedians.”
Born in Boston, Solimini says he’s been “making people laugh since 1962.” Being the youngest of four, with three older sis ters and an Italian grandmother, Solimini adds he had no choice but to enter com edy.
This, along with his travels overseas, has provided plenty of material.
An Ahwatukee resident, the banker by trade lived overseas for 30 years in London, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong. His resume includes stints at Groupon, Deut sche Bank, JP Morgan and Societe General.
On the comic side, he’s been featured on Comedy Central Asia and in the movie “I Need You to Kill” with Tom Segura, Chad Daniels and Pete Lee.
“Right before I left the States in 1989, there was a resurgence of comedy in the 1980s in Boston — and even more in New York,” he says.
“I used to go to shows every night during the days of Steve Martin. I’m a huge come
dy buff. I used to do community theater.”
When he moved to Asia, he performed at venues like TakeOut Comedy Club Hong Kong, which was founded in 2007 by Jami Gong, a Chinese American stand-up co median. It’s the first full-time comedy club in Asia, and it fosters local English- and Cantonese-speaking talent.
“I performed at the Comedy Store in London,” he says. “I’ve also performed in China; Singapore; Philippines; Australia; Hong Kong; here at the House of Comedy in Minnesota; and Off the Hook in Naples, Florida.”
Besides HaHa ‘Tukee, Solimini is behind Stand Up and Deliver, a creative course for wannabe jokesters.
“I’m extremely positive about this, not only about the venue but the monthly show as well,” he says. “This has been a drug for me. It gives me energy to get on stage. This is a good market for HaHa ‘Tu kee.”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 27
WHERE: Cactus Jack’s, 4747 E. Elliot Road, Ahwatukee
COST: $6 in advance; $8 at the door
INFO: standupbanker.com
Ahwatukee comedian Anthony Solimini has performed around the world. (Dennis Murphy/Contributor)Deposit: Service deposit may apply. Limits: Purchase & line limits apply. Credit approval, activation (up to $45/line) and other fees, advanced payments and other charges apply. Additional monthly fees & taxes: Apply per line and include Regulatory Cost Recovery Fee (up to $1.50), Administrative Fee ($1.99) & other fees which are not government-required surcharges as well as taxes. Additional one-time Fees may apply. See www.att.com/mobilityfees for more details. Coverage & svc not avail. everywhere. You get an off-net (roaming) usage allowance for each svc. If you exceed the allowance, your svc(s) may be restricted or terminated. International and domestic off-net data may be at 2G speeds. Other restr’s apply & may result in svc termination. Pricing, promotions, programming, terms & restr’s subject to change & may be modified or terminated at any time without notice. AT&T svc is subject to AT&T network management policies, see att.com/broadbandinfo for details. Pricing, promotions, programming, terms & restr’s subject to change & may be modified or terminated at any time without notice.
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The drummer for what was once the most popular band on Earth is 6,000 feet above sea level.
Doug Clifford, the steadfast heartbeat of Creedence Clearwater Revival — the soundtrack for countless American walks of life for the last 55 year — is high in the Sierra Nevada mountains surrounded by trees, deer and the occasional human.
“There’s a lot of interesting people around here,” Clifford says via phone from his home outside Reno, Nevada. “And all of them have been successful in their en deavors and in the world, so there’s a lot of interesting conversation.”
Clifford, a part-time Scottsdale resident, is entering a new chapter of his life with the release of “California Gold” — an al bum recorded in 1978 with keyboardist/ vocalist Bobby Whitlock of Derek & the Dominoes, bassist Donald “Duck” Dunn, and others that had yet to see the light of day until now. The record is a crisp time capsule, simultaneously capturing the lighting-in-a-bottle feel of live musicians in a studio in 1978 while also outlining a direction that Clifford never really fully embarked on while a member of CCR.
While Dunn passed away in 2012, Whitlock is residing in Texas in a state of semi-retirement. The keyboardist — who played organ on George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass,” helped Eric Clapton write “Bell Bottom Blues,” and acts as Clapton’s vocal foil on the entirety of the masterful and heartbreaking “Layla” al bum — seldom performs live and rarely speaks to the media these days, but gave Clifford his blessing to release their col laboration after nearly 45 years.
So, the question remains; how does an album comprised of three rock ‘n’ roll greats just go missing for nearly half a century?
“Well,” Clifford starts. “The band that re corded it and the band ended up going in different directions.” Around that time, Dunn joined the Blues Brothers (even ap pearing in the hit 1980 film of the same name), while Whitlock and Clifford were pulled away by various session commit ments and other projects. “At that point, I said, ‘At least we’ve got the songs,’” Clif ford says. “Bobby Whitlock and I wrote all
the songs, so we put them in the vault and knew when the day was due, we’d put it out and see what the world thinks of it.”
The album is finally out on Clifford’s new record label Cliffsong Records, a business venture he says he wished he had embarked on long ago. “I’m a record company mogul now,” Clifford says with a chuckle. “I’m doing something in music, but it’s totally different. I can do it out of my studio in my house. I’ve done so much traveling and missed so many birthdays and events. … There is a sacrifice that you have to be willing to do (when you) tour. This will be the first time in my career that I won’t have to audit my label.”
Given CCR’s infamous struggles with Fantasy Records in the early ’70s, Clifford says it’s a relief to be the person with their hand on the button as opposed to be ing the button. “I’m surprised more guys
don’t do it,” he says. “Every song that is in that vault and every song that is released from that label, I’m the writer or co-writer on. So, I’ve got control of my copyright ed endeavors. And now I have a vehicle to put them out without having to go through the (crap) that you go through with a label. I’m the label now. I’ll do it on my terms.”
Cliffsong Records is distributed by Sony, so Clifford’s ability to get his material out there is a non-issue. All he’s waiting for is the record to arrive in the ears of listen ers and maybe get a song or two played on the radio. “What I’d like at this stage is airplay,” he says. “When people hear this thing, they love it.”
While “California Gold” is a rootsy blues-rock record that is certainly the forte of both Clifford and his fans, Whit lock’s extraordinary leather-lunged voice
and torrential organ playing gives the record a heaviness that its relatively new territory for the CCR timekeeper. Many of the tracks have the kinetic momentum of mid-70s groups like Foghat or Bach man-Turner Overdrive, while others lean into Whitlock’s gospel-tinged sensitivity. Other musicians include Tom Miller on bass and David Vega and Mike O’Neill on guitar.
Clifford goes on to say that there is much more in the vault and a series of ar chival releases is due soon from Cliffsong Records, but he has yet to ponder what exactly. “More archival releases for sure,” he says. “But, you know, I’m just going along with the knowledge that I have of the business and the connections that I have. I put one foot after another. I can’t think about what I’m going to do after this because I’m in the thick of it right now.”
Unfortunately for lovers of his music, Clifford says his touring days are behind him. Having the better part of the last 25 years on the road with the CCR offshoot band Creedence Clearwater Revisited (alongside original CCR bassist Stu Cook), Clifford says he has no intentions of hit ting the road or even performing live again, with reason. “I have Parkinson’s,” Clifford says. “I don’t have the energy re quired to play rock ‘n’ roll — after all, it’s got to rock,” he says, chuckling. “Twen ty-five years with (Revisited) was 20 years more than we were hoping for.”
Despite his diagnosis, Clifford says he is quite happy with how he has ended up. More than 55 years removed from the release of CCR’s debut singles in 1967, he says he’s in a good place. “More than that,” he says. “I’ve had more dreams come true than anyone should have in one lifetime. I’ve been married to my wife for 54 years, and we’re together for 60 years. I’ve been in a No. 1 band, and one point we outsold the Beatles. It’s not always (about) win ning. Winning is a different game. I like succeeding.”
Though he may not be a live perform er anymore, Clifford admits that every once in a while, he’ll sit behind the kit and knock out a few of the bars and changes from Creedence’s mighty seven-minute epic “Ramble Tamble.”
“Because I still can,” he says.
CCR drummer talks long-lost album, retirement from touring Doug Clifford, a part-time Scottsdale resident, was the drummer for Creedence Clearwater Revival and Creedence Clearwater Revisited. (Submitted)
Photo Credit: Todd Rosenberg Photography
Photo Credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
ACROSS
1 Piratic quaffs
5 605, in old Rome
Last write-up
Like some vaccines
Ecol. watchdog
Stratagem
Turkey’s most populous city
Actress Falco
Second of two
Church keyboards
21 Six, in Sicily
22 Harvest
23 Fireplace residue
26 Society newbie
28 Golf great Sam
31 Coach Ewbank
33 Passing craze
35 Capital on a fjord
36 Cardiff ’s country
38 “Uh-huh”
40 Kids’ game
Antitoxins
French article
Juan’s pals
Cease-fires
Track assignment
Brazil’s most populous city
Karaoke prop
Brit. record label
Bridal cover
Writer Kingsley
Wee bit
Old U.S. gas brand
Stir up
-- Major
“The Martian” actor Damon
Bed boards
Question after a mission
PC’s brain
Bravery
Pizza sauce herb
Hungary’s most
populous city
10 “The doctor --”
11 Casual tops
16 Must have
Scale members
“How adorable!”
24 Mermaid’s home
25 Finland’s most populous city
27 Inlet
Carte lead-in
30 Pooch
32 “Stayin’ Alive” band
34 Shoulder muscle
“No seats” sign
Criminal, to cops 42 Plus 44 Debonair 45 -- mater
46 Hurt severely
The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the gures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once.
Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.
Moderate
Challenging
HOO BOY!
Moderate
Challenging
HOO BOY!
Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers di er from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.
Unscramble the letters within each rectangle to form four ordinary words. Then rearrange the boxed letters to form the mystery word, which will complete the gag!
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Clay Aiken wasn’t overly sold when he was approached to host the “Wheel of Fortune Live” tour.
“I wasn’t skeptical, I’d say,” Aiken explains.
“‘Wheel of Fortune’ is legendary, and there’s no game show that’s more popular in the America, etc. How to make it work live was something I was very curious about, and — holy crap — it does work. It really does.”
The tour comes to the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, formerly the Tucson Music Hall, on Thursday, November 3, and Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino on Friday, November 4, and Saturday, November 5, with Aiken as host.
During “Wheel of Fortune Live,” guests can audition to go onstage and feel like they stepped into the game show. Randomly selected players will have the chance to spin a replica of the iconic wheel and solve the puzzles to win prizes, including up to $10,000 in cash and trips to the likes of Paris and Hawaii at every show. Additionally, hundreds of audience members can win cash and prizes.
“It’s so fun,” he says. “Audiences lose their absolute minds. I’ve been on tour 11 times on my own with my own shows. In all the years I’ve been touring, I wish I had audiences who were that fun, but I’m not giving away trips to Paris at my concerts. They have a reason to be more excited about ‘Wheel of Fortune.’ It’s really fun to watch.”
Aiken recently starred on Broadway, alongside Ruben Studdard, in “Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show” at the Imperial Theater.
This came 10 years after Aiken’s Broad-
way debut in Monty Python’s “Spamalot.” On the heels of “American Idol,” he became the rst artist to have his rst single debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
His subsequent album, “Measure of a Man,” also debuted at No. 1 with the highest rst-week sales by a debut artist. His 2004 holiday release, “Merry Christmas with Love,” set a record for the fastest-selling holiday album of the SoundScan era and remains tied for the highest-charting debut of a holiday album.
The father to son Parker, Aiken served nine years as a UNICEF ambassador and in 2003 co-founded, with Diane Bubel, what is now the National Inclusion Project to advocate and increase opportunities for children with disabilities to be included in extracurricular activities (such as summer camps and after-school programs) with their nondisabled peers.
Aiken is looking forward to bringing “Wheel of Fortune” back to Arizona.
“Everyone in America is a fan of ‘Wheel of Fortune,’” he says. “It’s been on for 40 years. Even if you’re not a nightly viewer, you’ve seen clips on YouTube. Holy crap. It’s the game that more people play in their living room than anything else.
“‘Jeopardy’ is wonderful, sure. There’s only a subset of people who are smart enough for that. ‘Wheel of Fortune’ is the most accessible and approachable game show. We can all sit at home and play it. To do that in person and get to spin the wheel, I’m surprised it took this long.”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 3
WHERE: The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, formerly the Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Avenue, Tucson COST: Tickets start at $38 INFO: 520-791-4101, tucsonmusichall.org
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, November 4, and Saturday, November 5
WHERE: Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, 15406 Maricopa Road, Maricopa COST: Tickets start at $38.50
INFO: caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin/ shows
7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 1, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $10, 480-850-7777, casinoarizona.com
8 p.m. Saturday, October 1, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com
7:30 p.m. Friday, October 7, and Saturday, October 8, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $15, 480-850-7777, casinoarizona.com
8 p.m. Friday, October 7, Poolside, We-KoPa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com
7:30 p.m. Friday, October 7, Desert Diamond Sahuarita Diamond Center, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita, tickets start at $30, ddcaz.com
8 p.m. Friday, October 7, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $25, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com
9 p.m. Friday, October 7, and Saturday, October 8, Cli Castle Casino, 555 W. Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, free, cli castlecasinohotel.com
8 p.m. Saturday, October 8, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com
7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday, October 8, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $49, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com
8 p.m. Saturday, October 8, Talking Stick Resort’s The Showroom, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $30, 480-850-7777, talkingstickresort.com
Clay Aiken is looking forward to bringing “Wheel of Fortune” back to Arizona Thursday, November 3. (Submitted)8 p.m. Sunday, October 9, Talking Stick Resort’s Salt River Grand Ballroom, 9833 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $55, 480-850-7777, talkingstickresort.com
8 p.m. Friday, October 14, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com
9 p.m. Friday, October 14, and Saturday, October 15, Cli Castle Casino, 555 W. Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, free, cli castlecasinohotel.com
8 p.m. Saturday, October 15, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com
7:30 p.m. Friday, October 21, and Saturday, October 22, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $15, 480.850.7777, casinoarizona.com
9 p.m. Friday, October 21, and Saturday, October 22, Cli Castle Casino, 555 W. Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, free, cli castlecasinohotel.com
8 p.m. Friday, October 21, and Saturday, October 22, Conference Center Ballroom, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, tickets start at $39, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com
8 p.m. Friday, October 21, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com
8 p.m. Saturday, October 22, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, $25, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com
8 p.m. Saturday, October 22, Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, tickets start at $30, 1-855-765-7829, casinodelsol.com
8 p.m. Saturday, October 22, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort,
10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com
8 p.m. Thursday, October 27, Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, tickets start at $30, 1-855-765-7829, casinodelsol.com
7:30 p.m. Friday, October 28, and Saturday, October 29, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $15, 480-850-7777, casinoarizona.com
9 p.m. Friday, October 28, and Saturday, October 29, Cli Castle Casino, 555 W. Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, free, cli castlecasinohotel.com
8 p.m. Friday, October 28, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com
8 p.m. Saturday, October 29, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com
9 p.m. Saturday, October 29, Talking Stick Resort’s Salt River Grand Ballroom, 9833 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $60, 480-850-7777, talkingstickresort.com
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Some things are worth the trip. Especially when they’re handcrafted food products that are local, organic and gourmet.
Yes, it’s worth the drive out to Queen Creek to visit the Queen Creek Olive Mill, where you can take in a factory tour or stroll the orchard, savor gourmet olives, sample g or pomegranate white balsamic vinegars, try tasty tapenades and take home fresh pressed extra virgin olive oils infused with chocolate, white tru es, bacon, roasted garlic, Meyer lemon or blood orange.
Then there’s the Tuscan-inspired eatery, wine tastings, music and dancing. The Queen Creek Olive Mill is Agritourism at its best, and the booming town of Queen Creek has had Arizona’s only olive working farm and mill all to itself for the last 17 years.
If Queen Creek is too far of a trek, you can visit Queen Creek’s Oils and Olives at Kierland Commons in Scottsdale. But the Olive Mill is certainly worth the drive.
Owner Perry Rea started with 10 acres, 1,000 olive trees and a retired career in the automotive industry. Now with 25 acres, 16 varieties of olives and 40 products under the Queen Creek label, many
of us are happy that Rea switched from motor oil to olive oil.
At the heart of everything that Rea does is creating a fun, friendly atmosphere where families can gather around the table and enjoy good food, whether it’s at the olive mill or in your own home. So that brings me to my new favorite product from QCOM — bacon-infused extra virgin olive oil. What that means is you now get all the tantalizing avor of bacon without any of the bacon fat. What better way to enjoy this dynamic duo of olive oil and bacon than with a good old fashioned spinach salad with warm bacon dressing, the avor richly enhanced by full-bodied Queen Creek g balsamic vinegar? This recipe was created just for you by Perry — for olive us to enjoy!
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If sesame seeds are not toasted, in a small dry skillet, toast sesame seed over medium high heat until golden brown in color. Set aside to cool. In a skillet, add vinegar, bacon olive oil, lemon juice and sesame seeds. Stir to combine over medium heat until hot. In a large bowl, combine the spinach and green onions. Add the warm dressing and toss to evenly coat. Sprinkle with Gorgonzola cheese and serve. Serves 4.
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Forget bingo. Forget “old movies.” Ron Parmley has no interest in the activities his housemates enjoy at Lincoln Heights, an assisted living home in Phoenix. “I’ve always liked to work with my hands,” the 82-year-old explains.
Ron used to build co ee tables, end tables, pool tables and shu eboard tables in his woodshop — and that was just as a hobby. When his health declined, his three doting daughters put their heads together to gure out what could replace woodworking. “We thought, ‘Maybe he’d like Lego.’ So we got him the Lego kit for the Golden Gate Bridge,” Robin Parmley recalls.
It was the rst of more than 40 elaborate sets that now adorn the living room of Lincoln Heights, where he is known as the “Lego Master,” no relation to the Fox TV show. They include the Taj Mahal, White House, Disney Castle, Ice Castle, Hogwarts Castle, a three- oor police station, Barcelona’s Camp Nou soccer stadium, Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night,” and
a 10,000-piece masterpiece called the Haunted House.
“It’s not that di cult if you just follow directions,” says Ron, who calls The Lego Store his happy place.
But a few weeks ago, Robin wondered if her father would ever complete another Lego project.
“We were taking Dad to the ER a lot and knew he needed more care, so we called Hospice of the Valley. Like a lot of people, we felt like we were giving up,” she shares. “But we don’t feel that way anymore. In fact, it’s just the opposite. They have been so attentive to his needs — physically, mentally, emotionally. It’s been amazing. I feel that we are a team with a common goal.”
The goal: to help Ron regain his energy and appetite. His family believes the personalized care and 24/7 support have allowed him to bounce back. “Once we called at 2 in the morning and a nurse came out. Having constant access is very comforting,” Robin says.
Hospice of the Valley social worker Cathy Jacobsen couldn’t help but notice Ron’s Lego projects while visiting her other patients at the group home. Now that she is part of his care team, she loves watching him build each set from scratch, sometimes in a matter of days.
“What he does is so unique, we had
to tell his story. I knew it would boost his spirits,” she says. “I’m very happy that more people will be inspired by his Lego creations.”
So now, when Robin visits Ron and sees him working on his latest Lego project, “I see a lot more than a toy. I see progress,” she says. “Our family knows hospice was the right decision, and that’s
a great feeling.”
What’s next for Ron? “He’s waiting for Lego to come up with a kit for the Arizona Cardinals stadium,” Robin says with a laugh. “I hope they realize how therapeutic Legos are for grown-ups.”
Lin Sue Flood is director of community engagement at Hospice of the Valley. To learn more about services and programs, call 602-530-6900 or visit hov.org.
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QI’m a senior who’s having surgery, and the one thing that scares me more than anything else is the anesthesia. Can you tell me anything to reduce my fear?
AThere are probably several sources for your fear. The rst is that you’re older and wonder if you’re at greater risk than someone younger. The second is that anesthesia can be dangerous to anyone. The third is that you’ll lose total control when you’re under. I hope some of the facts about anesthesia will help with all of your fears.
Anesthesia is risky, but today it is safer than ever for all age groups. Your age is not as important a risk factor as your medical condition and the type of surgery you are having.
Safer drugs and major advances in the monitoring equipment doctors use in surgery have reduced anesthesia complications. In the last decade alone, deaths caused by anesthesia have dropped 25fold, to 1 in 250,000.
In addition, shorter-acting drugs, more speci c drugs and new intravenous drugs can minimize the nausea and vomiting that sometimes occur after anesthesia.
There are three main types of anesthesia: general, regional and local.
General anesthesia makes a person unconscious so that the entire body is pain free. Regional anesthesia is used to block sensation in one area of your body. Local anesthesia numbs a small part of your body.
General anesthesia is used for extensive surgeries. The drugs used in general anesthesia are given intravenously or are inhaled. They act as hypnotics, painkillers
and muscle relaxants, and they block your memory of the surgery.
Regional anesthesia is injected around a single nerve or a network of nerves that branches out and serves an area. For example, spinal, epidural and caudal anesthesia are injected into or near the spinal uid, e ectively numbing nerves that serve the lower half of your body.
Local anesthesia may be used to numb only a small area of nerves at the site where the surgeon plans to operate, such as for cataract surgery. Local anesthesia is also used for minor procedures such as skin biopsies and stitching a cut.
During local and regional anesthesia, patients often receive intravenous drugs for sedation so they can be comfortably drowsy during surgery and remember little of their time in the operating room.
Before your surgery, you can also expect questions from your doctors regarding your anesthesia. The following have to be considered: medical problems you might have, medications you take, whether you smoke or drink alcohol, any allergies you have, previous negative experience with anesthesia, and adverse reactions to anesthesia by other family members.
The information collected by your doctors guides them in their treatment. For example, smoking or alcohol consumption can in uence the way an anesthetic works in your body during surgery. Knowing whether you smoke or drink alcohol allows your anesthesiologist to choose anesthetics that are suited to you.
And some anesthetics include components of certain foods, such as albumin from eggs. Discussing food and drug allergies beforehand helps your anesthesiologist make important drug choices.
