Lovin' Life After 50 - Southeast Valley - Dec. 2022

Robert Bartko o ers fans everything they want

Leibo At Large Arizona knew Lake’s

BS when they heard it

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ

You work close up to elections for 30 years, you have the chance to learn some things about candidates and campaigns.

The most important one is this: Many people vote with their gut, not their head.

In the end, that’s what did in one of the most arrogant candidates ever to grace an Arizona ballot, Republican governor hopeful Kari Lake.

Before her midlife conversion to politics, Lake spent two decades as a news anchor, a job whose main qualification is the ability to read aloud text prepared at a low high school level. This translated into high name identification, which Lake translated as ardor for her as a human being.

On the campaign trail, she spoke about “being in your living room” for decades, about how we knew her so well, about how much she loved Arizona and how much Arizona loved her back.

All I can say is, it looks like she got that half right.

In the end, it was Lake’s seething hatred that sunk her campaign — moments like the Thursday before the election when, standing before a roomful of Republicans, she again attacked the late Sen. John McCain, a politician whose skill as an Arizona campaigner she could never touch.

“We don’t have any McCain Republicans in here, do we?” Lake demanded. “All right, get the hell out,” she ordered. Then she added: “Boy, Arizona has delivered some losers, haven’t they?”

I guess we have, Kari. Except John McCain never lost an election in this state, and you’re zero for a lifetime.

In the days before the election, a conservative consultant told me Lake could be the perfect vice president for Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential run — Robin to Trump’s red, white and blue Batman.

In retrospect, I get the enthusiasm: Lake is smooth with a microphone in her hand, polished delivering Trump’s talking points.

Put her in a crowd of 100 people and 35 will gobble up her act. Meanwhile, another

35 will revile her.

The last 30 — the ones caught in between — will end up trusting our guts. And most of them will end up saying, “Boy, that Lake is really nasty.”

If the candidate herself read this column, she’d surely insult me right back, the way she told reporters, “I’m going to be your worst fricking nightmare for eight years,” or her closing night spiel to voters, where she crowed at the media, “The bastards back there don’t want us talking about stolen elections. Well, it doesn’t matter what they attempt tomorrow, because we’re going to show up like our lives depend on it.”

Republicans did show up by the hundreds of thousands statewide in this election.

The GOP took six of nine Congressional races, and the party built majorities in both houses of the state Legislature.

But atop the ticket, the Trump-endorsed statewide candidates mostly got beaten — Lake, Blake Masters and total wingnut Mark Finchem.

As I write this, the attorney general race remains too close to call with only about 700 votes separating Abe Hamadeh and the Dem, Kris Mayes.

The shining star for the GOP this cycle in Arizona? It was incumbent Treasurer Kimberly Yee, who easily won a second term by notching the most votes of any Arizona candidate in a competitive race.

Notably, Yee was not endorsed by Trump. She campaigned without an incessant focus on the 2020 election and Trump’s grievances. And Yee accepted her victory with grace, thanking Democrat Martín Quezada “for running a professional campaign.”

Lake, locked in her “war room,” where the toadies were reportedly beginning to flee, responded by tweet to news reports of her loss. “Arizonans,” she wrote, “know BS when they see it.”

Yes, we did, Kari. Yes, we certainly did.

David Leibowitz has called the Valley home since 1995.

Contact david@leibowitzsolo.com.

WARNING!

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AND CHRONIC PAIN TREATMENTS

NOT WORKING!!

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.

274 3157*

Enjoy weird facts instead of troubling news

BY JUDY BLUHM

Mental fatigue. Post-election hangovers. So much to contemplate. Winners and losers. Time to reflect and take it all in. And remove all of those campaign signs from every street corner! We need a rest from all the political ads. Let’s give ourselves a timeout.

Did you know that a snail can sleep for three years? A reader emailed me a list of trivia and now my mind is spinning with all kinds of irrelevant facts. How can I concentrate on important news and election outcomes, when I have just learned that all polar bears are left-handed? And why is it that no piece of paper (including this esteemed newspaper) can be folded more than seven times?

The orderly rhyme and reason of life is being challenged by little obscure facts that only create more questions. For instance, why can’t crocodiles stick out their tongues? And how is it that butterflies smell with their feet? I might be able to grasp why elephants are the only animals that cannot jump, but I’ll never figure out just who is conducting all these weird experiments.

I’d love to visit those laboratories with white-coated scientists setting up for their next earth-shattering discovery. It had to be a champagne-popping moment when they determined that if a Barbie doll were life-size, her measurements would be 59-18-33 and she would stand 7 feet, 2 inches tall. Who pays for such breakthroughs? Could this be the “pork” in government funding? Not that some facts aren’t useful. I do appreciate knowing that a person burns more calo-

ries sleeping than by watching television. Some facts are simply scary. Look closely at your eyes in the mirror. They are the same size since birth. Now check out your nose and ears — they never stop growing! This is too shocking for words. It also seems that most people fear spiders more than death! And speaking of death, more people die from falling off donkeys than in plane crashes annually.

Perhaps the problem with our new “expanded knowledge base” is that most adults have too many tidbits of information to process in any given day. We’re like a computer with circuits jammed; an email file that is too full; a glass of water spilling over. Stop — I can’t know one more thing! Now that I realize that women blink twice as much as men, I’ve been noticing this lately. I also am not sure what to do with the new and gross knowledge that most dust particles in our homes are made up of dead skin! Yikes!

Oh, I do have something very important for you to ponder. Did you know that it is physically impossible to lick your own elbow? Try it . . . evidently a team of researchers found out that ninety percent of folks who read this “fact” end up trying to lick their elbows. Mission impossible? Good luck and let me know if you have success! So, until next week, enjoy the weird facts, forget about troubling news, and anticipate the approach of holidays. Good news is coming.

Bluhm is a writer and a local Realtor. Have a comment or a story? Email her at judy@judybluhm.com.

Judy

News Briefs

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Group promotes children’s literacy

The American Association of University Women, Northwest Valley Girlfriends and More Special Interest Group helped pro mote literacy for children at the Young town Public Library.

The ladies were greeted by library manager Mary Vass when they brought a

trunkload of children’s books. She reads to children weekly and indulged the women in a cute and funny story.

Among those who attended were Bon nie Boyce Wilson, Melinda Lewanduski, Anne Burris, Nancy Flann, Suzanne James, Fran Pleschet, co-chairs Rosemary Dough erty and Sharon Phleps, and library man ager Mary Vass.

The American Association of University Women, Northwest Valley Branch meets on the Third Thursday of each month from September to May. Each meeting features speakers, and the orga nization hosts special interest groups.

The organization’s purpose is to raise money for scholarships for women and girls.

Membership is open to anyone who earned an associate’s de gree, bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited col lege or university.

To raise scholarship funds, the AAUW will host a fashion show on Monday, Jan. 16, at the Foun dation Rooms, 14465 RH Johnson Boule vard, Sun City West.

Shopping is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. after the luncheon. The meal is $35, and guests have a choice of chicken piccata or pork tenderloin in apricot sauce. Accompani ments include au gratin potatoes, green beans, salad and roll, with a coconut cake dessert. Wine is available by donation.

To join, call Cynthia Ferguson at 774284-0471.

Athletes collect food for less fortunate

The Sun Cities Senior Softball Club and the Angels in the Outfield collected food and funds for St. Mary’s and Valley View food banks.

The clubs collected $3,700 in food and cash donations during the week of Nov. 7.

Banner Alzheimer’s Institute expands training, mentoring

Banner Alzheimer’s Institute is expand ing a virtual training and mentoring pro gram for Phoenix metro area physicians and other primary care professionals to help them effectively treat patients with cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

The Dementia ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a free, 12-week course funded by Maricopa County. Banner Alzheimer’s plans to train up to 250 frontline clinicians over the next 14 months to help them feel more capable in diagnosing and managing memory dis

orders. The program aims to help patients and caregivers receive more effective care from local providers they know and trust.

“Dementia ECHO leverages technology to disseminate specialist centers’ demen tia care knowledge to frontline practi tioners,” says Dr. Ganesh Gopalakrishna, associate clinical medical director for BAI’s Stead Family Memory Center in Phoenix.

“The Maricopa County grant helps us ex pand the program, thus helping to reduce disparities in health care access in the community.”

For each one-hour session, program participants will connect virtually with instructors/mentors who specialize in Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Each session will include brief lectures to share evidence-based practices in care across a range of topics such as: remote cognitive testing; medications; behavior manage ment; disease progression; caregiver sup port; conveying diagnoses, prognoses, and issues such as driving, advance di rectives, and end-of-life care. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to present their challenging patient cases (de-identified) for expert advice and dis cussion.

More than 6 million Americans have dementia, and as the proportion of old er adults continues to grow in Maricopa County, more Arizonans will be living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Proj ect ECHO, initially developed by the New

The Sun Cities Senior Softball Club and the Angels in the Outfield collected food and funds for St. Mary’s and Valley View food banks. From left are Linda Mellon, Nick Missos, Larry Adams and George Lorentzen. (Sun Cities Senior Soft ball Club/Submitted)

Mexico Health Science Center, is intended to help lessen these burdens on primary providers while elevating their expertise in specialty care. Banner Alzheimer’s Dementia ECHO launched in 2020 with plans to expand across Banner Health and other health systems, and to attract care providers from a range of disciplines in diverse and underserved communities.

“For patients and families, delayed detection and management of dementia results in worse outcomes, higher caregiver stress levels, and fragmented, often redundant care,” Gopalakrishna says. “For the health care system, a shortage of specialists in this field places a heavier burden on other providers to manage care of these patients.”

Training will involve five cohorts. Medical professionals interested in participating should contact BAIECHO@BannerHealth.com.

Info: banneralz.org.

Optum Opens East Mesa Community Center

In line with its mission to help people live healthier lives, Optum Arizona opened its doors on October 31 to a new community center designed to be a neighborhood hub for people 55 and older in Mesa.

The new Mesa Optum Community Center joins four other centers located across the greater Phoenix area, along with one in Tucson. Each center welcomes local seniors to come together to improve their physical, social and overall well-being through informative educational seminars, engaging physical activity sessions and fulfilling social events. Optum Community Centers, including the center in Mesa, are unique in offering a capability adaptable fitness facility, classes and living room space, all 100% free of charge for anyone 55 and older, regardless of their connection to Optum.

Optum community center activities are led by local experts in their respective fields. Certified personal trainers teach Pilates, chair yoga, Zumba, tai chi; native speakers host foreign language classes; and, dietitians lead nutrition information workshop. Social opportunities include movie nights and a comfortable living room with tables for cards and other games.

Additionally, wellness exams, such as annual check-ups, retinal imaging, bone

density tests and neuropathy tests, to name a few, are provided at the centers specifically for Optum members.

Info: optum.com, optumcare.com/az, 1-866-358-8295

Chandler OKs public housing project for seniors

The Chandler City Council on October 27 approved a development agreement with Gorman and Company LLC to co-develop Villas on McQueen, a 5-acre site at McQueen Road and Chandler Boulevard.

The project will be a newly constructed family and senior multifamily housing site with approximately 157 housing units that will include a mixture of sizes from one to five bedrooms.

The project also will include a multigenerational community space and park area. Seniors, persons with disabilities and veterans will be given priority to reside at this new housing site. There are 22 senior residents currently housed that will be transitioned to the new site once it’s completed, along with 28 additional seniors.

Funding for Villas on McQueen will be provided through multiple state and federal programs. No funds from the city’s general fund will be used for this project. The site is expected to be completed in early 2025.

In July, the Chandler City Council passed a resolution authorizing staff to explore a public-private partnership known as rental assistance demonstration (RAD) program with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The RAD program and other HUD repositioning programs offer Public Housing Authorities (like Chandler) the ability to reposition their public housing assets by creating public-private partnerships to access funding to improve properties and build at other locations.

With this approved development agreement with Gorman and Company, Chandler is one step closer to its goal of repositioning its current public housing stock, modernizing its aging facilities, and creating much needed affordable housing options for families and seniors.

Gorman and Company has a successful track record of co-development projects in the Phoenix area and across the country. In addition, the city will continue to work closely with Gorman and Company throughout the buildout process while ensuring the maintenance of these properties is held to high standards.

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‘Ohana Health Plan, a plan offered by Wellcare Health Insurance of Arizona, Inc. Washington residents: Health Net Life Insurance Company is contracted with Medicare for PPO plans. “Wellcare by Health Net” is issued by Health Net Life Insurance Company. Washington residents: “Wellcare” is issued by Wellcare of Washington, Inc. Washington residents: “Wellcare” is issued by Wellcare Health Insurance Company of Washington, Inc. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings, call 1-877-MY-WELLCARE (TTY 711). There is no obligation to enroll. Wellcare (HMO and HMO SNP) includes products that are underwritten by Wellcare of Texas, Inc., Wellcare National Health Insurance Company, and SelectCare of Texas, Inc. Wellcare by Allwell (HMO and HMO SNP) includes products that are underwritten by Superior HealthPlan, Inc. and Superior HealthPlan Community Solutions, Inc. †Other pharmacies/physicians/providers are available in our network. Provider may also contract with other Plans/Part D sponsors.

©Wellcare 2022 NA3WCMADF90554E_ADWE Y0020_WCM_90554E_C Final1 Internal Approved 07112022

11/16/2022 11:15:04 AM

Introducing Evernorth Care Group. Our doctors and staff are talented medical professionals who keep you healthy with best practices and clinical expertise. They also know your kids’ and your pets’ name. That’s the reason 9 out of 10 patients recommend us. It’s

how we treat you better.

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Consigning Women owner Cathy Parker has a way about her. Her warmth and the tidy Sun City shop make every guest feel at home.

The cozy Consigning Women has racks dedicated to brands like Chico’s, while Kate Spade and Michael Kors sit neatly on the wood display cases created by Parker’s son, Tony Peters. Easy Spirit Traveltime shoes are among fun offerings.

“We look for items from the better department stores or designer brands,”

Parker says. “They have to be no older than 2 years old.”

Customers wishing to consign clothing or accessories must make an appointment.

“We don’t do walk-ins,” Parker says. “We learned that early on. We’ve been here almost 14 years. I think people have a stigma about consignment shops. They’re called a ‘drop and run.’ People bring everything in that they just want to try to sell.

“If I did that, you couldn’t walk in our back room.”

First, Parker consults with the customers and then she sets a consignment appointment, if they meet her requirements. Items must be freshly laundered, ironed or dry cleaned and on hangers. She does not accept anything in bags.

“It’s worked for us,” Parker says. “I think my customers and my consigners appreciate that. I have a good following. I have consigners who will bring items in every 90 days.”

Items are placed on the floor for 90 days and con-

Parker, third from left with her Yorkie, Abbe, couldn’t run Consigning Women without her staff, from left, Pam Campbell, Terry Rodenbeck, Sharon Word, Susan Craver and Marsha Bohstedt. (Dennis Murphy/Contributor)

signers get 40% of the selling price. Anything priced at $25 and under that does not sell is donated to the Big Brothers Big Sisters. Consigners receive a donation receipt.

“I, on an average, put at least 100 new items out every day, just by the appointments,” she says with a smile. “I think I’ve put almost 255,000 items in this shop in 14 years.”

At the end of September, Parker held a contest awarding a gift certificate to whomever brought in item 250,000, and the person who purchases it.

“People were coming in and having a ball trying to find that one item,” she says.

An Indianapolis native, Parker had a consignment shop on the westside of her hometown for almost 10 years. Parker moved to Arizona in 2006 to work for Realtors in home staging.

“That’s when the housing market went really downhill,” she says. “I thought, ‘OK. I love this business and the shop,’ so I opened here. It’s just taken off like crazy.”

She chalks it up to her quality merchandise, which also includes activewear and designers like Kenneth Cole, Gucci and Calvin Klein.

“We sell a lot of western wear in here as well,” Parker says pointing at an Native American embroidered black suede jacket. “A lot of my consigners from Wickenburg bring their western clothes down here — their boots and their hats. We sell Harley-Davidson in here as well.”

Parker is proud of Peters’ woodworking, which is peppered throughout the consignment shop. An exhibit designer at the Mesa Historical Museum, Peters earned his master’s degree from ASU in woodworking, furniture design and ceramics. He built the jewelry cases with repurposed wood from high school bleachers and Arizona copper. Peters also contributed shoe racks and a table made out of a ship hatch door. He bought it for $10 at a garage sale.

He’s not the only family member involved in the business. Abbe’s Closet is named after her rescue Yorkie and features clothing for the fur babies.

Cathy

Ring in the New Year

Celebrate around the Valley this December 31

BY LAURA LATZKO

New Year’s Eve and Day can be a time of celebration, reflection and resolutions. These events in and around Tucson were designed to bring merriment, laughter, music, excitement and joy for Phoenicians and visitors. Consider one of these events to ring in the New Year.

Jim Brickman:

A Very Merry Christmas

For pianist Jim Brickman, playing at the Musical Instrument Museum has become an annual tradition. He will return for the sixth year to perform six shows from Thursday, December 29, to Saturday, December 31. Part of a larger Christmas tour, the show also features electric violinist Tracy Silverman and vocalist John Trones.

Brickman has sold over 8 million albums worldwide and has had 21 No. 1 albums on the Billboard charts. The musician has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards and won a Dove Award, a Canadian Country Music Award and two SESAC Songwriter of the Year awards. The musician also hosts a syndicated radio show in its 22nd season and has written three bestselling books.

With his show “Jim Brickman: A Very Merry Christmas,” he hopes to bring merriment and warmth to audiences during special performances highlighting love, family and the joy of music. He will sing holiday favorites such as “Winter Wonderland” and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” He will also perform songs from his own repertoire, such as “The Gift,” “Sending You a Little Christmas,” “If You Believe” and “Angel Eyes.”

The artist enjoys releasing Christmas albums. In September, he offered his latest collection, “A Very Merry Christmas,” which features guest appearances from a number of prominent Broadway stars. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Entertainment Community Fund, which helps theater workers, actors, singers and crew going through difficult times.

During his shows, Brickman will share details about his life, infusing his banter with his tongue-in-cheek, self-deprecating style of humor. The performances will have a live-by-request section, during which audiences can call out songs from

his repertoire.

During one song, listeners will be encouraged to sing along with the pianist. The lyrics to the song are printed in the program, and the sing-alongs will be recorded and sent to audience members afterward.

WHEN: 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday, December 29, to Saturday, December 31

WHERE: Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix

COST: Tickets start at $49.50

INFO: 480-478-6000. mim.org

AZ Baby Boomers

NYE 2003 Gala

New Year’s can be a great time to have a staycation and dance the night away. The AZ Baby Boomers NYE 2023 Gala was designed for people of all ages and backgrounds over 21 years old, but it is especially meant for the baby boomer generation. It is a space where people 58 to 76 can gather for good times. Guests will have a choice of a plated dinner of beef, chicken, salmon or a vegetarian meal. Guests should dress to impress. No sneakers or jeans are allowed. Throughout the night, a DJ will play classic rock, and the Kings of Soul will get the crowd moving with soul music. During the event, there will be 50-50 raffle with tickets for sale for $10. The raffle will help to raise money for the nonprofit Vibrant Community, an organization dedicated to building stronger communities and relationships and promoting overall mental, physical and emotional health.

WHEN: 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, December 31

WHERE: Forum Ballroom, Doubletree Resort Paradise Valley, 5401 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale

COST: $160, $10 additional per person for private tables between two and 12 people, $164 a night rate at hotel

INFO: azbb.events/aznye.

Silver Star Theater New Year’s Eve Celebration

The Silver Star Theater’s New Year’s Eve Celebration gives a glimpse into the company’s different offerings, with a night

featuring rock, jazz, pop and country music. The lineup of entertainers will include Elvis impersonator Rick Lenzi and vocalist Devon Lewno. They will be backed by the

Silver Star Band, which includes the saxophone, the flute, piano, bass and trumpet. Viewers will hear a mixture of holiday tunes and popular songs from different decades.

There will be a special holiday dinner menu with items such as turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, rolls, roasted red potatoes, salad and cake. At 10 p.m., or midnight East Coast time, guests can ring in the New Year with a countdown and champagne toast. Little bottles of champagne, sparkling cider and party favors will be provided.

WHEN: Doors open 5:30 p.m. Saturday, December 31

WHERE: 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa COST: $79

INFO: 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

New Year’s Eve Celebration: Broadway Showstoppers

Broadway music has always been part of pop culture, but it has increasingly become even more trendy with contemporary shows. The Chandler Center for the Arts will spotlight Broadway music in a night featuring six singers and Show-

Jim Brickman will return to the MIM to perform his holiday-themed show “A Very Merry Christmas.” (Jeff Klaum/Contributor)

tune Productions’ nine-piece orchestra. Listeners will hear music from some of their favorites, including “Rent,” “Ham ilton,” “Wicked,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables,” “Mamma Mia!” and “Moulin Rouge.” The conductor is JR Alexander, a 35-year theater veteran. The show will feature powerhouse vocalists Matravius Avent, Courtney Washington, Jordan and Kaitlynn Bluth, Kristen Drath man and Jamie Michael Parnell.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, December 31

WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler COST: Tickets start at $28 INFO: 480-782-2680. chandlercenter.org

ImprovMANIA New Year’s Shows

Before moving to a new location in Jan uary, ImprovMANIA will give audiences one last time to share laughs with them at their current club. The improv troupe will perform two all-ages comedy shows in a similar style as “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Each performance is different because of audience suggestions. There will be moments of audience interaction, where members of the crowd will be pulled onstage. At the end of each show, the troupe will do a countdown and a spar kling apple cider toast.

WHEN: 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday, December 31

WHERE: ImprovMANIA Comedy Club, 250 S. Arizona Avenue, Chandler COST: $20 for 16 and under, $25 for 17 and older, $29 for front-row VIP tickets INFO: improvmania.net

New Year’s Eve Concert with Megan Hilty

This year as part of its New Year’s Eve Concert, the Phoenix Symphony will per form with Megan Hilty, best known for playing for playing Ivy Lynn on the TV show “Smash.” The Broadway actress has also portrayed Glinda in “Wicked” and originated the role of Doralee Rhodes in “9 to 5: The Musical.” She recently earned a Tony Award nomination for her work in “Noises Off” and a Critics Choice Award nomination for her portrayal of Patsy Cline in the Lifetime movie “Patsy & Lo retta.” She also has done voiceover work for audiobooks and children’s animated shows. Hilty will be accompanied by the full orchestra. At the end of the night, there will be a special champagne toast

with the audience.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 31

WHERE: Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second Street, Phoenix COST: Tickets start at $34 INFO: 602-495-1999, phoenixsymphony.org

Casino Arizona Rings in 2023

In Casino Arizona’s Showroom, guests can celebrate all night with live music and dancing. The celebration will feature mu sic from R&B/Latin cover band Soulitify

and will be emceed by guest host the Manic Hispanic from Mega 104.3. Guests will have a chance to win cash prizes during drawings, held at 10:15 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. At midnight, there will be a champagne toast and ball drop.

WHEN: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, December 31

WHERE: Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale COST: $50 in advance, $60 day of event, reserved tables starting at $300 INFO: 480-850-7777, casinoarizona.com

Talking Stick Resort Glitter & Glow

New Year’s Eve can be a special time to remember favorite music from years past. The Talking Stick Resort’s Glitter and Glow event will get partygoers in the mood for dancing with music from the tribute band George Michael Reborn and the Michael Jackson experience Who’s Bad. They will perform hits such as “Faith,” “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” “Billie Jean” and “Beat It.” At midnight, guests can take part in a champagne toast.

WHEN: 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, December 31

WHERE: Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale COST: $150 tickets, which include four drinks, a glass of champagne for the midnight toast and party favors INFO: 480-850-7777, talkingstickresort.com

Glendale Glitters

Glendale Glitters brings extra sparkle to

Historic Downtown Glendale during the holiday season. This year, guests will have a chance to explore the lights display through Saturday, January 7. The center of the light display is Murphy Park, but Downtown will be illuminated. As part of the Light the World Giving Machines, visi tors can donate to local and international charities during the holidays.

WHEN: 5 to 10 p.m. nightly through Saturday, January 7

WHERE: Murphy Park and surrounding areas, 5850 W. Glendale Avenue, Glendale

COST: Free INFO: glendaleaz.com

ZooLights

On New Year’s Eve and Day, Phoenix Zoo’s annual ZooLights display will be open and give people an extra taste of holiday cheer. Through Sunday, January 15, guests can experience the zoo’s 3.5 million lights.

This year, there will be a new “Lake Lights Show” with synchronized music and lights, as well as a 50-foot tree posi tioned in the middle of the lake.

The experience will also have more than 50 illuminated animal lanterns, themed light displays and nightly snow fall. In the new Polar Park, guests can take pictures with Santa, try out glowing swings and make s’mores.

Admission to Zoolights also includes Dinosaurs in the Desert, a special expe rience featuring large-scale dinosaur fig ures.

WHEN: 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. nightly through Sunday, January 15

WHERE: Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix

COST: $30 general admission online, $25 member admission online, $35 general admission at the gate, $30 member admission at the gate, children 2 and younger free INFO: 602-286-3800, phoenixzoo.org/ events/zoolights

During Glendale Glitters, Murphy Park and surrounding areas of Downtown Glendale are illuminated. (City of Glendale/Submitted)

Megan Hilty, best known for the TV show “Smash,” will perform with the Phoenix Sym phony during its New Year’s Eve Concert. (Phoenix Symphony/Submitted)

Dinner and a Discount

Nature’s Virus Killer

Copper can stop a virus before it starts

BY CHRISTIAN COPUS-SALLAS AND KAILYNN QUENGA

Things are getting more expensive, and food is no exception. Just to make life a bit easier, what follows is a list of some local restaurants that may give a senior discount. Generally speaking, you have to ask for it. Many of these are valid at multiple locations.

623-977-7272, papajohns.com

Discounts given to those with a valid ID.

Glendale

Haus Murphy’s 5739 W. Glendale Avenue, Glendale 623-939-2480, hausmurphys.com

Senior discounts on Wednesdays with valid proof of ID.

IHOP 6601 W. Peoria Avenue, Glendale 623-878-9631, ihop.com 15% senior citizens’ discount.

Goodyear

Denny’s

1218 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear 623-935-7388, dennys.com

Senior discounts given through AARP and with valid ID; companywide offer.

Arby’s

Avondale

Chick-fil-A 10180 W. McDowell Road, Avondale 623-907-4780, chick-fil-a.com

Seniors earn a free small drink.

442 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear Some Arby’s locations offer a discount of 10%, but it is not a chainwide policy, so ask.

Peoria

Chili’s 7717 W. Bell Road, Peoria 623-979-5850, chilis.com

A 10% discount is given with a valid ID; companywide discount.

Long John Silver’s 8301 W. Peoria Avenue, Peoria 623-979-6090, ljsilvers.com

Ask the server for the discount, available with a valid ID

Scientists have discovered a natural way to kill germs fast.

Now thousands of people are using it against viruses and bacteria that cause illness.

Colds and many other illnesses start when viruses get in your nose and multiply. If you don’t stop them early, they spread and cause misery.

Hundreds of studies confirm copper kills viruses and bacteria almost instantly just by touch.

That’s why ancient Greeks and Egyptians used copper to purify water and heal wounds. They didn’t know about viruses and bacteria, but now we do.

“The antimicrobial activity of copper is well established.” National Institutes of Health.

Scientists say copper’s high conductance disrupts the electrical balance in a microbe cell and destroys it in seconds.

Culver’s

1025 N. Avondale Boulevard, Avondale 623-792-8649, culvers.com

A discount is given with a valid ID; companywide offer.

Subway 11435 W. Buckeye Road, Suite A109, Avondale 623-643-9371, subway.com

Discount given with valid ID.

Buckeye

Papa John’s 944 S. Watson Road, Suite 103, Buckeye

Phoenix 5 & Diner

5220 N. 16th Street, Phoenix 602-264-5220, 5anddiner.com

A 10% discount given to those 60 and older.

Applebee’s 2180 E. Baseline Road, Phoenix 602-323-5680, applebees.com

Any day with valid proof of ID.

The EPA recommended hospitals use copper for touch surfaces like faucets and doorknobs. This cut the spread of MRSA and other illnesses by over half, and saved lives.

“It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold never happened. I used to get 2-3 bad colds every year. Now I use my device whenever I feel a sign I am about to get sick.”

Colds Flu

Sinus trouble

Cold sores

Fever blisters

Canker sores Strep Night stuffiness Morning congestion Skin infections

Users say:

“I can’t believe how good my nose feels.”

“Is it supposed to work that fast?”

“One of the best presents ever.”

“Sixteen airline flights, not a sniffle!”

“Cold sores gone!”

“It saved me last holidays. The kids all got sick, but not me.”

“I am shocked! My sinus cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.”

“Best sleep I’ve had in years!”

The strong scientific evidence gave inventor Doug Cornell an idea. He made a smooth copper probe with a tip to fit in the bottom of the nostril, where viruses collect.

When he felt a tickle in his nose like a cold about to start, he rubbed the copper gently in his nose.

Seniors can eat for less at these restaurants (paid advertisement)

He hasn’t had a cold in 10 years. After his first success with it, he asked relatives and friends to try it. They all said it worked, so he patented CopperZap® and put it on the market.

Soon hundreds of people had tried it. 99% said copper worked if they used it right away at the first sign of bad germs, like a tickle in the nose or a scratchy throat.

As thousands more tried it, some found other things they could use it against.

The handle is curved and textured to increase contact. Copper can kill germs picked up on fingers and hands after you touch things other people have touched.

Scientists placed millions of viruses on copper. “They started to die literally as soon as they touched it,” said Dr. Bill Keevil.

Made in America of pure copper. 90-day full money back guarantee. Price $79.95. Get $10 off each CopperZap with code AZLL11. Go to CopperZap.com or call tollfree 1-888-411-6114.

Buy once, use forever.

Statements are not intended as product health claims and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Not claimed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

New research: Copper kills viruses in seconds.

Giving Hope

World’s smallest heart pump makes a huge impact

BY KAILA MELLOS

Sean Cannoles woke up on March 11, 2021, and followed his usual routine.

The Sun City West resident worked out and started to make breakfast for his wife and kids. Then, his day took an unexpected turn.

“I got ready for work and then went downstairs, cooked breakfast, and sat at the table joking around with Vicky and the kids,” Sean recounts.

“I got up to get some water and don’t remember anything from there on; it just all went blank.”

Sean had a heart attack. Vicky performed CPR on him as he lay on the kitchen floor, nonresponsive. Her parents who live with them called 911.

He was transported to Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, where doctors confirmed he had a heart attack. By the time he had arrived at the hospital, Sean received 105 minutes of chest compressions from his wife, painters at a neighboring house, EMTs, police officers and hospital staff to keep him alive.

“He was in the hospital for three weeks, and the first week and a half, he was not conscious,” Vicky says. “When he woke up, he literally remembered nothing.”

In 2017, Sean learned he had a congenital heart defect that caused mitral valve regurgitation. He underwent open heart surgery to repair his mitral valve and ultimately recovered.

Given Sean’s medical history and his

5% ejection fraction, he was a candidate for Impella, which is called the smallest heart pump. Interventional cardiologist Dr. Pradeep Agarwal inserted the Impella CP heart pump. After three days, Sean was transferred to Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix for escalated care.

After two more days of support, Sean’s heart recovered enough to function on its own and Impella was weaned.

“It was moment to moment on Sean’s status, and that’s when the Impella implant came in,” Vicky says.

“The implant was the thing that saved his life. It gave his heart time to rest and heal, while his body was also resting and healing, but it kept everything pumping.”

Created by Abiomed, Impella is designed to assume heart functions so patients can recover before further procedures. In Sean’s case, he needed a pacemaker and defibrillator.

Abiomed Vice President Dr. Seth Bilazarian has witnessed what the device has done for more than 200,000 patients.

“The device’s main values are two things,” Bilazarian says.

“One is to allow support for the physician to do some kind of corrective procedure, whether improving blood flow by fixing arteries or other procedures and two by just allowing time to help the heart recover.”

Patients receive Impella quickly to maximize the ability for it to work correctly.

Discounts...continued from page 15

Blimpies

10645 N. Tatum Boulevard, Suite 400, Phoenix 480-922-2675, blimpie.com

Discount given when asked at the register with valid ID.

El Pollo Loco

4102 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix 602-955-0791, elpolloloco.com

A 10% discount is given with a valid ID.

The Old Spaghetti Factory

1418 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix 602-257-0380, osf.com

A menu specialized with discounted

“From the time the patient arrives in the procedural room, in about 7 minutes, they can be on that level of support that Impella has to offer, which is really extraordinary,” Bilazarian says.

There are three Impella models that last various times.

“The different devices have different approved durations from four days out to 14 days,” Bilazarian says.

The devices have been known to last long, though.

“Many times, they’ve been used for much longer than that, with some of the devices used for more than 100 days,” Bilazarian says.

“But four to 14 days is what the FDA has allowed us to put in our label.”

Once Sean was released about a month later, he had a couple more cardiac events. Without the Impella as a bridge to the defibrillator, it could have been worse. This time, it took cardioversions to restore his regular heartbeat.

“Knock on wood and thank God that we haven’t had anything since last September, and he’s been doing very well,” Victoria says.

Now that he hasn’t had any event since last September, Sean has resumed his life.

“I’m just trying to live as normal of a life as normal as possible,” he says.

Schlotzsky’s

4445 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix 602-808-9800, schlotzskys.com

A 10% discount is given with a valid ID.

Song Lynn Vietnamese Restaurant

2755 N. 91st Avenue, Suite A150-160, Phoenix 623-936-9535, songlynn.com

Any day of the week with valid ID.

smaller portions made for seniors.

Pho Laveen Vietnamese Cuisine

3424 W. Southern Ave, Unit 180, Phoenix 602-825-1131, pholaveenaz.com

A 10% discount is given to those 55 years and older.

Sonic 4302 E. Chandler Boulevard, Phoenix 480-704-9151, sonicdrivein.com

Ask the server for the discount, available with a valid ID.

Sean Cannoles’ life was saved by Impella, a small heart pump. He’s grateful for the time he can spend with his wife, Vicky, and daughters Riley, 11, and Stella, 9. (Dennis Murphy/Contributor)

‘Doo Wopified’

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

With credits like “Jersey Boys,” “Motown: The Musical” and “A Bronx Tale,” a group of charismatic Broadway actors wanted to fill their off time with a special project that utilized their talents.

They founded the Doo Wop Project, which blends the classic sounds of acts like Frankie Valli and the Drifters with the 2000s’ Maroon 5 and Jason Mraz. In June, they were featured on PBS.

The Doo Wop Project will play three shows in Arizona in December — Tucson, Wickenburg and Chandler.

“We love coming to Arizona,” singer Dominic Nolfi says.

“Everyone’s ready to party when we come to Arizona. They’re ready to have a good time, and we love that kind of energy. We’re high energy.

“We come from a Broadway background, so we’re used to performing a lot of shows in a week — sometimes eight in a week.

“When we started this group, we were doing three a weekend, maybe four at the most. We’re just full of energy, and we leave people surprised. There is a lot more action and energy than people maybe expect.”

Back with its new holiday show, the

Doo Wop Project traces the evolution of doo wop from the classic sound of five guys singing harmonies on a street corner to the biggest hits on the radio.

With Nolfi, Charl Brown, Dwayne Cooper, Russell Fischer, John Michael Dias and Sonny Paladino, the set will also feature nonholiday tunes.

For a taste of the show, visit their website at: https://bit.ly/ DooWopProjectHoliday.

“The holiday songs we do are vintage, with the exception of the ‘doo-wopified’ George Michael’s ‘Last Christmas,’” Nolfi says. “But we do the Drifters’ ‘White Christmas,’ which has a doo-woppy feel.”

As a child in San Francisco, singing came naturally to Nolfi. His mother choreographed musicals and is a dancer, so he grew up in rehearsal studios, he says.

“When they needed kids to be in the show, my brother and I were always volunteered,” he adds with a laugh.

“We liked it. We ended up enjoying it.

Both of us went on to do it professionally. My brother went on to a more lucrative field, but it’s in my blood these days.”

He went on to study youth acting at the acclaimed American Conservatory Theatre. He studied voice at the San Francisco Conservatory and attended the Boston Conservatory on scholarship, where he graduated with a BFA in theater.

Upon graduation Dominic joined the European production of “Grease.” It was there that he met his future wife Sonia Iannetti; they have a daughter, Vivienne.

Nolfi most recently performed on Broadway in Chazz Palminteri’s “A Bronx

Tale – The Musical,” directed by Robert De Niro and Jerry Zaks.

When the men formed the Doo Wop Project, it was just for fun. Nolfi says he’s pleasantly surprised at how it took off.

“This was an idea where we said, ‘We’ll do this a couple times for fun,’” he explains.

“Then people were like, ‘Can you do this here?’ So we got an agent who said we could go all over the country if we did it right. We started with 10 gigs, and three years later we’re doing 60. That’s a huge

Six Broadway veterans pay tribute to the greats by putting their own spin on the vocals

Santino Paladino, Charl Brown, John Michael Dias, Russell Fischer, Dwayne Cooper and Dominic Nolfi are The Doo Wop Project. They have three Arizona shows in December. (The Doo Wop Project/Submitted)

What a Gem

Xtra Ticket musician grew up surrounded by minerals

BY MARC FLEISCHER

Some people know Evan A. Jones as a member of Xtra Ticket, a Grateful Dead tribute band that started in 1994. The Cave Creek resident takes on Bob Weir’s role, playing guitar and vocals.

But Jones is well established as a seri ous gem and mineral collector and dealer, he’s taking part in the 50th annual Flagg Gem & Mineral Show Friday, January 6 to Sunday, January 8, in Mesa Community College’s southwest parking lot.

The Flagg Gem & Mineral Show is very special to him. The son of Bob Jones, editor of Rock and Gem Magazine and author of “The Frugal Collector,” he has been surrounded by minerals his entire life.

“My father gave me a fossil set at age 7 along with fossil and geology books, which really started things for me. Prior to that, minerals were just the cool things in my dad’s cabinets and collection draw ers. No other family members were really interested at the time,” Jones says.

Doo

Wop

...continued from page 18

jump. Now, this year, we might break 70.” He says it works out nicely.

“We researched other groups that do this,” says Nolfi, who is writing and helping develop Broadway shows. “We thought if they could do it, we could, too. We have a Broadway pedigree that can help sell us, too.”

By age 12, he was attending shows with his father. Later, as an adult, he began participating as a dealer.

“Back in the old days it was all about visiting rock shops and attending shows,” he says. “What’s great about the Flagg show is that many of the dealers have been participating for decades, and they’ve passed their love of collecting down to their kids and grandkids.”

It’s the largest and longest-running gem and mineral show in the metro Phoenix area, and it attracts thousands of people every year, ranging from seri ous collectors to families with young chil dren. Admission and parking are free.

This year’s Golden Anniversary event will feature more than 100 dealers who will showcase and sell a variety of min erals, fossils, gems, beads, jewelry and lapidary materials. In addition, several organizations will exhibit educational in formation and the event features fun chil dren’s activities, including gold panning.

A native of Arizona, Jones found it

The Doo Wop Project

WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday, December 15

WHERE: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street COST: Tickets start at $25 INFO: 520-547-3040, foxtucson.com

Evan A. Jones will showcase his collection at the Flagg Gem & Mineral Show from Friday, January 6, to Sunday, January 8. (Evan A. Jones/Submitted)

natural to specialize and collect minerals from the Grand Canyon State. He was on the advisory board in the early planning stag es of the new Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Over the years, he has split his time between performing with his band, buying and selling miner als, and attending gem and mineral shows.

“I chose to join a Grateful Dead tribute band because it’s my favor ite genre of music,” Jones says.

“They basically invented what’s now known as ‘jam band’ music. Xtra Ticket has played for deadheads all over the country.”

He says he knows many mineral collec tors and dealers who started collecting or vending while on Grateful Dead or other

jam band tours.

In addition to going to shows, Jones has explored more than 100 underground mines throughout the state. “Most were devoid of specimens, but the thrill of ex ploring underground is a strong pull,” he says.

He estimates that his current collection

Gems...continues on page 20

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 16

WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler COST: Tickets start at $32 INFO: 480-782-2680, chandlercenter.org

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 17

WHERE: Webb Center, 1090 S. Vulture Mine Road, Wickenburg COST: Tickets start at $45 INFO: dewpac.org or thedoowopproject.com

Honoring His Home Country

The Romantics’ Wally Palmar supports Ukraine efforts

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

As the lead singer of the power-pop band The Romantics, Wally Palmar ran into former Detroit hero Alice Cooper plenty of times.

When the two were playing a St. Jude’s benefit in Palm Springs, they hatched a plan for Palmar to play Cooper’s annual

Christmas Pudding show at 7 p.m. Saturday, December 3, at the Celebrity Theatre.

“I’m not going to turn Alice down. I’m not that crazy,” says Palmar, whose band scored hits like “Talking in Your Sleep” and “What I Like About You.”

He’ll be joined by Sammy Hagar, Rob Zombie, Gin Blossoms, SIXWIRE and co-

median Jim Breuer. Proceeds benefit Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers.

“He’s such a wonderful fella,” Palmar says. “At this point, I’ll do whatever I can do to help. The last five or six years, I find myself doing different events, charity events or shows like that. I love doing them. It gives me a chance to break away from the norm of what I’ve been doing over the last 40 years.”

Palmar was born Volodymyr Pala-

there

for you.

“I did the harp and we started talking about filling out the rest of the song. I came up with the chorus. The song is in English, but the chorus is sung in Ukrainian.”

Palmar visited Ukraine with his mother the year following his father’s death.

“I had a fantastic time there,” Palmar says. “I was there once again when I was touring with Ringo Starr in 2011. We played in Kiev. It’s such a great city. It’s such a shame to see what’s gone on there since then. My heart and head were in this 100% to get this done. I think it came out pretty damn good.”

Christmas Pudding

Ukrainians after the Russian invasion.

“I’m Ukrainian/American,” he says. “I’m very fluent in the language. I can read and write it. He had an idea for a song, and he wanted someone on the harmonica. I told him I could throw something in

Gems...continued from page 19

has more than 1,000 specimens, all from Arizona.

“It’s hard to pick a favorite. I really love wulfenite, the official state mineral of Arizona,” he says.

“It has tabular crystals with a bright orange-red to yellow-orange color. I also love azurite, which is characterized by its soft, deep blue color. Cuprite is also a mineral I enjoy collecting. A soft, heavy, red oxide mineral, it’s also called red copper ore and it can form beautiful crystals.”

Great deals and fair prices

Jones credits the internet with reviving interest in collecting gems and minerals. “I’m seeing a lot of new collectors, and many are very knowledgeable and sophisticated,” he says.

But attending a show provides a chance to meet dealers and examine specimens in person.

“If you’re just starting your collection, go to as many shows as you can,” Jones says. “Look at mineral dealers’ inventory, examine their specimens and read the labels. That’s the quickest way to learn

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, December 3

WHERE: Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix COST: Sold out INFO: celebritytheatre.com

minerals and the hobby.”

Jones says one reason he likes the Flagg Gem & Mineral Show is because there’s really something for everyone.

“I like the friendly, hometown attitude and easygoing nature of the show,” he says. “There’s good camaraderie with other dealers, there are plenty of great finds for seasoned and new collectors, it’s a ton of fun for kids, and there are amazing deals and fair prices.”

The Flagg Mineral Foundation is a memorial to A.L. Flagg who was a renowned and inspirational founder of the Mineralogical Society of Arizona. The Flagg Mineral Foundation is a non-profit scientific and educational organization.

The 50th Annual Flagg Gem & Mineral Show

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, January 6, to Sunday, January 8

WHERE: Southwest parking lot of Mesa Community College, 1833 W. Southern Avenue, Mesa

COST: Parking and admission are free

INFO: flaggmineralfoundation.org

Calendar of Events

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

“Home for the Holidays,” 6 p.m., repeats December 2 to December 3, December 7 to December 10, December 14 to December 17, December 21 to December 23, Barleen’s Din ner Show, 2275 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction, tickets start at $40 for adults, 480982-7991, barleensdinnershow.com

Game Day: Mexican Train Dominoes, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays, Humana Neigh borhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeigh borhoodcenter.com

Holiday-Themed Bingo, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana neighborhoodcenter.com

Game Day: Rummikub, 2 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana neighborhoodcenter.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2

“A Silver Star Christmas,” 5:30 p.m. repeats December 3, December 8 to December 11, De cember 15 to December 18, December 21 to December 23, Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49 for adults, $35 for children, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

Guided Meditation, 9 to 10 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humana neighborhoodcenter.com

Cornhole, 11 a.m. to noon, Humana Neighbor hood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighbor hoodcenter.com

Movie and Popcorn: “12 Mighty Orphans,” 1 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Westernaires Chorus of Sun City West’s “A Merry Little Christmas,” various times through December 5, Sun City West in the Star dust Theater, 14401 N. RH Johnson Boulevard, Sun City West, $12 in advance, $15 at the door, https://bit.ly/WesternairesConcert

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3

Vinaigrettes and Salads, 2 to 3 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, $30, registration required, 480488-2286, dfla.org

Crane Dance-Gentle Tai Chi, 9:15 to 10:10 a.m. Saturdays, Kaleidoscope Dance, 2848 S. Carriage Lane, Mesa, $14 drop in, $48 for four classes, 602-

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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.

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345-0496, kaleidoscope-dance.com

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, 623-3863465

Voyager: A Tribute to Journey, 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, call for charge, 480-672-3223, yourconcerttix.com, t2presents.com

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4

Holidays with Orpheus: Celebrate the Season, 3 p.m., Church at Litchfield Park, 300 N. Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park, $25 adults, $20 seniors/students, free for children younger than 12, orpheus.org

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5

Veterans Coffee Chat, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Gourd Holiday Ornaments, 10 a.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6

Holidays with Orpheus: Celebrate the Season, 7:30 p.m., Velda Rose United Methodist

Church, 5540 E. Main Street, Mesa, $25 adults, $20 seniors/students, free for children younger than 12, orpheus.org

Gentle Tai Chi Qigong, 1 to 1:55 p.m. Tuesdays, Kaleidoscope Dance, 2848 S. Carriage Lane, Mesa, $14 drop in, $48 for four classes, 602-345-0496, kaleidoscope-dance.com

Gentle Tai Chi Sequences, 11 to 11:55 a.m. Tuesdays, Kaleidoscope Dance, 2848 S. Carriage Lane, Mesa, $14 drop in, $48 for four classes, 602-345-0496, kaleidoscope-dance.com

Mahjongg, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Wii Bowling, noon to 1 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7

Mindful Art, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Helping Seniors Navigate Through Life’s Changes: Part 2, 10 a.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

How to Prevent Falls, 1 p.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

Stop the Bleed, 3 p.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8

Support Group for Family Caregivers, 10 to 11:30 a.m., repeats December 22, Christ Evangelical Church, 918 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, free, reservations required, 602-274-5022, ext. 115, poulos@duetaz.org. The second and fourth Thursday of every month.

“The Curious Savage,” 7 p.m.; repeats 7 p.m. December 9; 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. December 10; 3 p.m. December 11, Sun City Grand Sonoran Theater, 19753 N. Remington Drive, Surprise, $15, granddrama.com, suncitygrand.com

Brain Stroke and Aneurysm Survivor Support Group, 2 to 4 p.m., Acute Rehab Unit, first floor conference room, Abrazo Central Campus, 2000 W. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, free, registration required, 1-877-649-3311, abrazohealth.com

Gentle Tai Chi Qigong, 10:30 to 11:25 a.m. Thursdays, Kaleidoscope Dance, 2848 S. Carriage Lane, Mesa, $14 drop in, $48 for four classes, 602-345-0496, kaleidoscope-dance.com

Farm Basket Bingo, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Game Day: Yahtzee, 2 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10

The Catholic Daughters of America, Court Our Lady of Lourdes, Sun City West, “Cookie Walk,” 1 to 5 p.m., Our Lady of Lourdes, Madonna Hall, 19002 N. 128th Avenue, Sun City West, free admission, charge for cookies, 623760-8479

A Beach Boys Christmas (Tribute Show), 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, call for charge, 480-6723223, yourconcerttix.com, t2presents.com

Oh What Fun! A Family Holiday Festival, 11 a.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

Oh What Fun! After Dark: A Holiday Cabaret, 6:30 p.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, 480-4881090, hollandcenter.org

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11

Holidays with Orpheus: Celebrate the Season: 3 p.m., Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley, $25 adults, $20 seniors/students, free for children younger than 12, orpheus.org

Swing into Christmas, 3 to 5 p.m., The Wigwam Resort Lawn, 300 E. Wigwam Boulevard, Litchfield Park, free, azswingkings.com

Late Nite Catechism: Sister’s Christmas Catechism, 2 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, call for charge, 480-672-3223, yourconcerttix.com, t2presents. com

Swing into Christmas with AZ Swing Kings Jazz Orchestra, 3 to 5 pm., Wigwam Resort Lawn, 300 E. Wigwam Boulevard, Litchfield Park, free, azswingkings.com

9

Gentle Tai Chi Qigong, 1 to 1:55 p.m. Fridays, Kaleidoscope Dance, 2848 S. Carriage Lane, Mesa, $14 drop in, $48 for four classes, 602-3450496, kaleidoscope-dance.com

Mesa Art League Reception and Sale, 5 to 8 p.m., OneOhOne Gallery, 101 W. Main Street, Mesa, free admission.

Protein: Are You Getting Enough? 10 to 11 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-3254707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Healthy Cooking Demo: High-Protein Recipes with Chef Lucille, 11 a.m. to noon, Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Movie and Popcorn: “Elvis,” 1 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12

Coffee and Word Search, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Holiday Recipe Swap Makeovers, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-3254707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13

Game Day: Mahjongg, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-3254707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Loteria! 1 to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Scottsdale Civil War Roundtable with Jeffrey William Hunt, 5 p.m., Zoom, 203-6451387, scottsdalecwrt.org

The Supreme Court: Jim Sherbert Lecture Series, 4 p.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, 480-4881090, hollandcenter.org

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14

Stamping and Card Making, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Scottsdale Society of Women Writers Welcome Carolyn V. Hamilton, 6 p.m., Zoom. RSVP: 480-250-5556, patricia@plbrooks.com

Be Our Guest Luncheon, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Brain Games: Holiday Teasers and Trivia, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Holiday Scams: FBI Community Outreach Series, 5:30 p.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, 480-4881090, hollandcenter.org

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15

Farm Basket Bingo, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Gelli Printing 102: More Basics, 1 p.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

Game Day: Rummikub, 2 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16

Fellowship Square Holly Jolly Holiday Event, 5 to 7 p.m., Fellowship Square Historic Mesa, 35 W. Brown Road, Mesa, free admission, 480-8340600, fellowshipsquareseniorliving.org

Staying Connected: A Key to Better Health, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter. com

Cornhole, 11 a.m. to noon, Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Movie and Popcorn: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” 1 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Art, Coffee and Conversation: Pre-Raphaelites, 10 a.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17

“No More Dried Chicken Breast or Overcooked Veggies,” 2 to 3 p.m., Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, $30, registration required, 480-4882286, dfla.org.

Country Christmas, 7 p.m., The Venue at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Drive, Mesa, call for charge, 480-672-3223, yourconcerttix.com, t2presents.com

“You Can Be Happy…No Matter What!” 1 p.m., The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th Street, Building B, Scottsdale, 480-488-1090, hollandcenter.org

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18

Happy Hanukkah!

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19

Coffee and Sudoku, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Neighborhood Meet and Greet Social, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-3254707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20

Game Day: Mahjongg, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-3254707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

December Birthday Social, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21

Coloring and Conversation, 10 to 11 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Book Club: “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” 11 a.m. to noon, Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Charity Crafting, 1 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22

Farm Basket Bingo, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Game Day: Yahtzee, 2 to 3 p.m., Humana

Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23

Guided Meditation, 9 to 10 a.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24

Merry Christmas Eve!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25

Merry Christmas!

MONDAY, DECEMBER 26

Christmas Day Observed

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27

Game Day Mahjongg, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28

“Old Time Rock ‘n’ Roll,” 6 p.m., Barleen’s Dinner Show, 2275 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction, tickets start at $40 for adults, 480982-7991, barleensdinnershow.com

Travel Around the World: Germany, Streamed, Humana Neighborhood Center, 480-325-4707,

humananeighborhoodcenter.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29

“Rockin’ and Rollin’ Throughout the Years,” 6 p.m., Barleen’s Dinner Show, 2275 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction, tickets start at $40 for adults, 480-982-7991, barleensdinnershow. com

Farm Basket Bingo, 1 to 2 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

Game Day: Rummikub, 2 to 3 p.m., Humana Neighborhood Center, 5943 E. McKellips Road, Suite 106, Mesa, free, 480-325-4707, humananeighborhoodcenter.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30

“Variety Show Spectacular,” 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $49 for adults, $35 for children, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31

New Year’s Eve Celebration, 5:30 p.m., Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa, $79 for adults, 480-288-0300, silverstartheater.com

“Variety Spectacular,” 6 p.m., Barleen’s Dinner Show, 2275 E. Old West Highway, Apache Junction, tickets start at $40, 480-982-7991, barleensdinnershow.com

Casinos

George Michael Reborn

Robert Bartko o ers fans everything they want

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Robert Bartko has George Michael’s look and sound down pat, complete with the tight jeans, black leather jacket and sunglasses.

But there’s no gimmick here. He didn’t choose the tribute. In fact, it was the opposite; it chose him.

“From the time I was in high school, I looked like George Michael when he began to emerge on the scene,” says Bartko, who leads George Michael Reborn.

“I could grow a full beard at 17. I was a football jock and sang in the drama club. Usually, those are very polarized worlds in high school.”

But friends and family saw something special — his uncanny vocal resemblance to Michael.

“In 1988, I went to his big show at the Orange Bowl in Miami. I thought I was going to lose my life that night,” Bartko says about the reaction to his look.

He spent the 1990s producing songs for rock acts like Korn (“A.D.I.D.A.S. Level X Mix,” “Wicked” and “All in the Family,” which features Fred Durst) and dance artist Stevie B.

In 2018, he saw a resurgence of his dance career. When a booking agent called him to perform, he said, “‘Man, you look and sound just like George Michael. If you could put together a George Michael act, we could book it a lot more than we could book you on your own.’ Again, it chose me.”

Thus, George Michael Reborn was off and running. Bartko, who recently played a gig for Dita Von Teese’s birthday, stages a retrospective of Wham! and Michael’s careers. He says he “nails” the whole “Faith” era.

“He’s a hard act to pull off,” he says. “It’s a hard vocal, especially in America, where

most think of 1988 George Michael, where he was just fighting fit trim. His vocal range was absolutely amazing. That’s what people remember.”

And fans lose their minds at his shows, which includes a New Year’s Eve show at Talking Stick Resort.

“I did a show in North Carolina and these women went absolutely crazy and were just tackling me,” he says. “I thought I was really going to get hurt there. But at times, it is quite flattering because whatever I’m doing is working.”

Glitter & Glow

New Year’s Eve

WHEN: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, December 31; George Michael Reborn from 9:30 to 11 p.m.; Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience from 11:20 p.m. to 1 a.m. WHERE: Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale COST: Tickets start at $150 INFO: 480-850-7777, talkingstickresort.com

Robert Bartko channels Wham’s frontman in George Michael Reborn. (Taylor Brooks/Submitted)

John Tesh: A Jazzy Swingin’ Christmas

8 p.m. Friday, December 2, Desert Dia mond Sahuarita Diamond Center, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita, tickets start at $49.50, ddcaz.com

ZZ Top

8 p.m. Friday, December 2, The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $45, 480850-7777, talkingstickresort.com

DSB: An American Journey

7:30 p.m. Friday, December 2, and Saturday, December 3, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, sold out, 480-850-7777, casinoarizona.com

KC & Moonshine Band

8 p.m. Friday, December 2, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Re sort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort. com

One of These Nights: Tribute to the Eagles

8 p.m. Friday, December 2, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $25, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com

Desert Diamond Band

9 p.m. Friday, December 2, and Satur day, December 3, Cliff Castle Casino, 555 W. Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, free, cliffcastlecasinohotel.com

Mike Epps

8 p.m. Saturday, December 3, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, $65, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com

Dynamite Draw

8 p.m. Saturday, December 3, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Powerdrive

8 p.m. Friday, December 9, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Re sort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort. com

Cheap Trick

8 p.m. Friday, December 9, Desert Dia mond Sahuarita Diamond Center, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita, tickets start at $40, ddcaz.com

Tracy Lawrence w/ Randy Rogers Band

8 p.m. Friday, December 9, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, 15406 Maricopa Road, Maricopa, tickets start at $65.50, caesars. com/harrahs-ak-chin/shows/calendar

Mick Adams and the Stones

7:30 p.m. Friday, December 9, and Saturday, December 10, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $20, 480-850-7777, casinoarizona. com

Country Image Band

9 p.m. Friday, December 9, and Satur day, December 10, Cliff Castle Casino, 555 W. Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, free, cliffcastlecasinohotel.com

The Mavericks: Very Merry Christmas w/JD McPherson

8 p.m. Friday, December 9, Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scott sdale, tickets start at $30, 480-850-7777, talkingstickresort.com

Voyager: A Tribute to Journey

8 p.m. Friday, December 9, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, $25, 1-800-WINGILA, playatgila.com

T-Pain and Rick Ross

9:30 p.m. Saturday, December 10, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $69, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila. com

Diamond Rio: Holiday & Hits

8 p.m. Sunday, December 11, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, $40, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com

Mogollon

8 p.m. Friday, December 16, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Pat Benatar Experience

7:30 p.m. Friday, December 16, and Saturday, December 17, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $15, 480-850-7777, casinoarizona. com

Yuyines de la Sierra

9 p.m. Friday, December 16, and Sat urday, December 17, Cliff Castle Casino, 555 W. Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, free, cliffcastlecasinohotel.com

Harry Luge

8 p.m. Saturday, December 17, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Matt Farris

8 p.m. Friday, December 23, and Saturday, December 24, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Priminition

8 p.m. Friday, December 23, and Sat urday, December 24, Cliff Castle Casino, 555 W. Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, free, cliffcastlecasinohotel.com

Arizona Blacktop

8 p.m. Friday, December 30, WKP Sports & Entertainment, We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Hit Squad 17

9 p.m. Friday, December 30, Cliff Castle Casino, 555 W. Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, free, cliffcastlecasinohotel.com

Ring in 2023 in the Showroom

9 p.m. Saturday, December 31, Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $50, 480-850-7777, casi noarizona.com. Hosted by MEGA 104.3’s The Manic Hispanic. Entry includes a com plimentary champagne toast at midnight, balloon drop, party favors, and a chance to win cash prizes.

David Voss and Big Country

9 p.m. Saturday, December 31, Cliff Castle Casino, 555 W. Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, visit website for charge, cliffcastlecasinohotel.com

Glitter & Glow New Year’s Eve

9:30 p.m. Saturday, December 31, Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $150, 480850-7777, talkingstickresort.com. Per formers include George Michael Reborn from 9:30 to 11 p.m. and Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience from 11:20 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets include four drinks, entertainment, party favors, and a celebratory toast at midnight.

Lake Geneva

BY REGINALD DOMINIQUE

Arriving at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, guests are immersed in a grandeur society as it propels them into a Renaissance-like world.

Located 80 miles from Chicago and 40 miles from Milwaukee, Lake Geneva is known as one of the most stunning lake destinations in the country. It’s been historically known as a permanent xture of wealth and hosting the upper-echelon society.

Known since the 1880s as the “Newport of the West” and the “Hamptons of Chicago,” the small lake town hosted summer retreats for prominent families like the Wrigleys, Wackers, Chapins, Drakes and Schwinns. This drove many to want to see the Southern Wisconsin lakeside retreat for themselves.

More than 100 of those homes are still standing in their Gilded Age glory; however, today Lake Geneva is known for more than its star power. The four-season resort town is a favorite for families with young children, friend getaways, chef-driven cuisines, trendy shopping, and tons of water activities.

A grand welcome to Lake Geneva is a stay at a AAA, Four-Diamond resort like the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. Opened in 1968 as the Lake Geneva Playboy Club Hotel — yes, that’s right — this property o ers luxurious guest rooms, suites and opulence.

Decadent dining options include the Geneva Chop House specializing in hand-selected, custom-seasoned steaks prepared to perfection by executive chef

Dustin Urbanik and his sta . The Iberico pork and Japanese whisky porterhouse are highly recommended and can be paired with the perfect wine by the resident sommelier Andy Kulakowski.

Although the lake experience is amazing, the adventures go far beyond. The Yerkes Observatory is a must. Known as the birthplace of modern astrophysics, Yerkes Observatory has welcomed astronomers and astronauts to its majestic and iconic location of scienti c discovery and education of space since 1897.

It is most famously known as the home to the world’s largest refracting telescope and was one of the two places Albert Einstein asked to see on his 1921 tour of America. Today, Yerkes is owned by the Yerkes Future Foundation. With restoration and revitalization, the nonpro t is taking Yerkes Observatory to new heights.

Returning from space at the Yerkes Observatory, guests can experience the pristine waters of Lake Geneva by way of the mail delivery by boat.

Since 1916, the town of Geneva has been delivering its mail via boat on the lake, which is a rarity now. This two-anda-half-hour cruise around the entire lake is exciting and scenic. It gives passengers the chance to learn more about the estates’ history and get close to the properties as the mail carriers deliver mail.

Working up an appetite is no problem in this town. Dining options are aplenty, but PIER 290 serves up Lake Life as the only waterfront restaurant on Lake Geneva. The friendly restaurant boasts beautiful lake views in its large dining room,

front deck or covered canopies.

The menu features casual American fare for lunch, dinner and boozy brunch on the weekends. Along with dining options, guests can also sit with a drink in their hand on the lakefront beach and their toes in imported sand around re pits. The fun doesn’t stop when summer ends; PIER 290 is a year-round spot for weekly specials, lakeside dining, live music and fun.

Although Lake Geneva is known for its beautiful waters, there is more beyond the lake shores, including several wineries for sipping and savoring. A day of wine tasting starts at Hill Valley Dairy, which o ers great wines and small-batch, high-quality cheeses with locally sourced milk. Growing up on a dairy farm, Ron Henningfeld loved working alongside his family members, caring for the animals and farmland.

That passion remains, as he and his wife create a variety of artisan cheeses with Romari Farms fresh milk. He remains passionate about making quality cheeses using quality milk and connecting local people to local food products. Make sure you try the black pepper cheddar, whiskey gouda and cheese curds.

Fruit wine lovers should check out Apple Barn Orchard and Wines. This fourth-generation farm invites parents to bring the kids for strawberry picking in June or apple and pumpkin gathering in autumn. Or, just leave the kids at home to enjoy wine.

Their bakery uses seasonal fruits in delicious goodies like apple cider doughnuts and strawberry/rhubarb pies. Taste the

selections outside, under their beautiful 140-year-old maple tree.

Magic in Wisconsin may not be the rst thing you would consider during a visit to Lake Geneva, but here is where that may change. While it may not be the typical thing on your to-do list, you will want to get tickets for a show at the Tristan Crist Magic Theatre. The shows are clever, funny, engaging and ba ing.

A 6-year-old and a 70-year-old were equally as thrilled, which is a testament to the range of illusions. Appearing birds, disappearing motorcycles, appearing helicopters, ladies cut in half — it is a taste of Vegas. The award-winning, 175-seat Tristan Crist Magic Theatre is an amazing and entertaining event and a great way to end a Lake Geneva visit.

Visitors easily fall in love with Lake Geneva, with its charming downtown district lled with distinctive shops, restaurants and entertainment venues, all within walking distance of the water.

Anchored by its history, the lakefront beckons visitors from its pristine beaches, picturesque parks and, of course, the famous Geneva Lake. From cruising the lake aboard a U.S. Mail Boat Lake Geneva tour to taking in the Yerkes Observatory, relaxing at the Grand Geneva Resort, or sipping fruity wines at Apple Barn Orchard under maple trees, it is easy to live your best lake life in Lake Geneva.

Riviera Beach. (Photo by Rachel Brockett)

GO FIGURE!

by Linda Thistle

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.

SUDOKU TIME

EVEN EXCHANGE

Donna Pettman

SCRAMBLERS

No Wok in the Park

YC’s de es challenges to open new store

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

The pandemic was tough for restaurants, and Geo Stanisic can attest to that.

The owner of build-your-own stir-fry concept YC’s Mongolian Grill says he is grateful that the industry has returned to some semblance of normalcy.

“We’re just very grateful,” Stanisic says. “A lot of establishments didn’t make it out of COVID. We had some minor setbacks, but we circled the wagons and we’re growing again.”

His “minor setback” was the bankruptcy of the Scottsdale Pavilions location near Salt River Fields. His other restaurants survived Gov. Doug Ducey’s pandemic-dictated closure of restaurants and bu et restaurants.

In October, he brought his avorful bowls back to Scottsdale when he opened a new store at 14850 N. 87th Street, near Raintree Drive and Loop 101.

“People’s dining habits changed,” he says. “In Tempe, there were no students. In Chandler, there were no movie theater patrons. Scottsdale was all entertainment driven. We didn’t know what was going to happen with COVID. Nobody did. We had to shutter those. Now, when we reopened, we’re less reliant on any one type of demographic.

“We have to be able to draw in busi-

nesspeople and residential guests. This location is the perfect t for all of them. In the last week, I’ve met so many people at the Scottsdale store who said they had driven from Scottsdale all the way to (Gilbert/Mesa) for our food. I had no idea. I was awestruck by the amount of people who made the trek.”

YC’s Mongolian Grill Scottsdale features the restaurant’s signature small, large and unlimited bowls with avorful, world-inspired sauces including Calcutta curry, spicy Thai, curry-yaki and spicy black pepper. Guests are encouraged to pack their bowls full of fresh veggies, rice, noodles and sauces to customize their bowl experience. Each bowl is then stirfried by a YC’s chef on the restaurant’s signature at-top grill.

“What separates us are our noodles,” Stanisic says.

“You don’t know why you like our lo mein noodles, but we hand-steam them. Most places, whether it’s Mongolian barbecue or others, will boil noodles. We steam. It’s much more time consuming and labor intensive.”

The noodles absorb the avor from the sauce and the grill, while with boiled noodles it just runs o .

“Our lo mein noodles don’t have the glisten of moisture, but that’s because they’re absorbing all the sauce,” he says.

“They’re in that absorbent stage.”

YC’s Mongolian Grill has been a locally owned and operated Valley staple for more than 30 years, opening its rst location in Tempe in 1991. He has already purchased space for his next location: Downtown Phoenix behind The Vig on Fifth Avenue.

“It’s a 1913 home that we’re going to keep historic in the front and we’ll put the kitchen in the back,” he says.

“It’s a new feel for us. It’s more of a neighborhood place. Folks near there, they don’t drive. They walk their dogs, ride their bikes. Kids take their scooters.”

A graduate of Catalina High School in Tucson and the NAU, Stanisic would love to expand throughout the state, but he has bigger priorities.

“I’m still a dad,” he says. “My kids are 14 and 15. My kids need a dad at home, more than they need a restaurant. Plus, opening this restaurant was not easy, especially during this supply-chain era.”

YC’s Mongolian Grill

14850 N. 87th Street, Suite 140, Scottsdale 480-590-5479

752 W. Elliot Road, Tempe 480-777-2929

4770 E. Ray Road, Suite 101, Gilbert 480-457-8681 ycs-mongoliangrill.com

YC’s Mongolian Grill was founded by Geo Stanisic, a devoted father who grew up in Tucson. (Dennis Murphy/Contributor)

Columns

Hospice Is Hope Dementia education ready for doctors

BY LIN SUE FLOOD Hospice of the Valley

It’s staggering to think that 6.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. You may even know a relative, friend or neighbor who has it. With the highest growth rate for dementia in the nation, Arizona is projected to reach 200,000 cases by 2025.

Family members who are suddenly thrust into the “caregiver role” are desperate for support, unprepared to face a disease that lasts years and becomes more challenging as it progresses. The lack of health care professionals trained in dementia care a ects us all.

The good news is… there is help — and it’s literally coming right to your doctor’s o ce. Hospice of the Valley’s Dementia Care and Education Campus is launching an unprecedented education project aimed at training more than 3,000 health providers over the next 14 months to enhance dementia care for those with early and moderate stages of the disease. The extensive campaign is being funded by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.

“Half of all primary care physicians feel the medical profession has little to no preparation for serving the burgeoning numbers of people living with demen-

tia,” says Hospice of the Valley Dementia Program Director Maribeth Gallagher, citing a recent Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures Report.

“There is a tremendous and critical need for dementia care education and training that will help providers deliver evidence-based skillful and compassionate care. And that need will only grow as the incidence of dementia rises each year.”

This education project covers a wide

Trained dementia caregivers like Sonja Marti help create moments of joy with reading, gardening, music, art and pet therapy. (Hospice of the Valley/Submitted)

variety of topics, from assessing and diagnosing mild dementia to understanding which medications help or harm dementia patients. The presentations also give doctors practical tools they can share with family caregivers, such as the soothing e ects of “Vitamin M” — music — or ways to decode behaviors that express unmet needs like fear, anxiety or pain.

Hospice of the Valley already o ers an

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Without support, family caregivers often feel isolated and alone, often to the detriment of their own well-being.

(Hospice of the Valley/Submitted)

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in-home Supportive Care for Dementia program at no charge to family caregivers who are caring for loved ones — from pre-diagnosis through the early and middle stages of dementia. This new initiative focuses exclusively on medical professionals, equipping them with tools to help their patients manage early and moderate stages of the disease with knowledge and dignity.

“We can educate providers — and through them, families — to improve quality of life for people living with all types and all stages of dementia,” says Supportive Care for Dementia Medical Director Gillian Hamilton. “Physician o ces are the rst stop for families concerned about memory loss, and how they talk to families sets the stage for the whole journey through dementia.”

Hospice of the Valley Executive Medical Director Ned Stolzberg is con dent this unique training opportunity will be widely embraced.

“Having been in primary care myself, I know how helpless physicians and nurse practitioners can feel when confronted with patients struggling with dementia,” he says. “Not only problems related to diagnosis and treatment, but also the myriad challenges that arise in the social realm. Awareness of even the basic tools to address some of this will greatly empower our medical community.”

Call 602-767-8300 or email education@ dementiacampus.org to schedule presentations for health care providers.

Lin Sue Flood is director of Community Engagement at Hospice of the Valley. For information on services and programs, visit hov.org.

Favorite songs engage and enliven people living with all stages of dementia. (Hospice of the Valley/Submitted)

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