Neighbors
www.SanTanSun.com
September 21 – October 4, 2013
43
Neighbors Workshop features ‘green’ plumbing
VUU musical festival celebrates American roots
Neighbors PAGE 48
Spirituality PAGE 64
Where to Eat PAGES 75
Craft beer specialist brings fun, Wagner juggles informative show to the web business, marriage BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
Don’t let the British accent fool you. Although James Swann grew up in England, he is considered an honorary Arizonan by his friends and diehard beer fans. His latest endeavor, the web show “Adventures in Brew,” is equal parts informative, cheeky, fun and educational—and encompasses all things beer. Beer has always been “a thing” for Swann. “I’ve grown up working in bars, restaurants and pubs all my life ... and, as a youngster, all I wanted to do was drink the beer,” says Swann with a laugh. Most recently, after a decade of touring as a musician and working at Whole Foods in Chandler, Swann circled back to Scott Kelly of Black Dog Promotions, who had helped him promote his music. Kelly encouraged Swann to delve into his love of beer via production television. “We began filming and writing about six months back,” Swann notes. The pilot episode is “in the can.” “We began at The Hungry Monk (Chandler) where we interviewed Steve Sierra from Deschutes Brewery (Bend, OR) then Steve McFate from FATE Brewing (Scottsdale) and comic Travis Thurman (with Crescent Crown Distributing). Then we hopped on to the Arizona Brewery Tours bus over to SanTan Brewing for a tour and a chat with Gabe Wilson, the head brewer.” In another fun segment in the pilot, Swann and company took part in a keg-rolling race at The Hungry Monk while trying to not spill a mug of beer held over their heads. “You’re literally holding four pints of beer over your head and then rolling a keg down the street and trying not to spill it all over yourself,” Swann explains. “The idea is to really make it sort of a ‘variety show’ of beer, if you will,” states Swann. “There will always be a review of one particular beer that happens to be hot at the time. There will always be a brewery tour—the coolest, hottest or newest brewery.” Additionally, there will be interviews with brewery owners and brewmasters and a fun, beer-centered challenge of some sort. Swann has big aspirations for “Adventures in Brew.” “You, know where I’d really like to see myself? As a Netflix-only show sitting right next to Kevin Spacey with ‘House of Cards,’” Swann says. “If I could sit right next to Kevin Spacey, I’d feel like I’ve accomplished everything in the world.” Every great show host needs a co-host or sidekick that is game SEE BREW PAGE 49
THE BREW CREW: On set for the new show, “Adventures in Brew” are, from left, Ben VanderMeer from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., host James Swann, co-host Kimber Leigh, Steve McFate of FATE Brewing, event planner Melissa Lynch and comic Travis Thurman. Photo courtesy of Brooke Abbatantuono
and motherhood BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
Being a successful woman can encompass many different components. One woman in Chandler helps to run a well-respected business, co-owns a restaurant and is a busy mother and wife. Misti Wagner has been a Valley staple for nearly 15 years. She acts as a primary talent coordinator at Dani’s Agency, co-owns Spices Mediterranean Kitchen with husband, Etgar, and is doting mom to a busy 5-year-old son. As one of the busiest talent agencies in the state, Dani’s Agency was founded by Wagner’s mother, Dani Green. Wagner had her first taste of performing at age 7 when she was booked into commercials, television shows and for voice-over
BUSINESS AND FAMILY: Husband and wife, Etgar and Misti Wagner, co-owners of Spices Mediterranean Kitchen. Submitted photo
work. She learned the ins and outs of the industry, and started working at the agency part time in high school. In the early 2000s she began booking talent and helping run the agency. “In 2003, after years of working as talent and with talent, I spoke with several legitimate SAG and AFTRA talent agents about all the companies SEE WAGNER PAGE 51
Owner expands business into Chandler BY MEGHAN MCCOY
After more than five years in business, AlphaGraphics of Gilbert owner Brandon Bagley is expanding his services into Chandler with a new facility. Bagley purchased a building in Chandler and received the permits in early August. He is targeting a late-November grand opening for the location that will predominantly be used as a production facility. “I always wanted to be able to service an area that I live in,” he says. “A year ago in July my wife and I moved to Chandler. We lived in Tempe before that.” Bagley says his vision came to fruition in a few months. “I want to make sure I am giving back to the individuals that I live with and who are my neighbors,” he says. Bagley stumbled into this line of work. He realized he enjoys working with other businesses and helping them grow by finding out-of-the-box solutions. AlphaGraphics acts as a marketing partner for its clients, a creative resource to produce what they need. Those services, Bagley says, run the gamut because AlphaGraphics works with businesses ranging from mom-and-pop shops to larger entities. “How I help our clients, is growing their business and trying to find new ways and new applications to do that more successfully and efficiently,” he explains. The franchised business, which celebrated its fifth anniversary in February, is young but its employees carry a lot of experience, Bagley explains.
GIVING BACK: It is important for Brandon Bagley to give back to the community in which he lives and works. STSN photo by Kimberly Hosey
“We have 93 years of experience within AlphaGraphics,” he says. “That is a lot of experience. That is an average of 11 1/2 years of experience per person.” Due to the culture of employees, a new company motto was recently implemented— “Do good work, take care of our customers and have fun.” “We believe in those three things,” he says. Bagley recently added three new staff members to his team—a general manager and two outside sales representatives, which he says will help the business dramatically. His efforts to help others goes beyond his business. Bagley is a board member for ICAN, a nonprofit organization in Chandler founded 22 years ago to help youth get off the street. SEE BAGLEY PAGE 49