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Barrett-Jackson is the perfect job for April Rose

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

GetOut Editor

April Rose likens Barrett-Jackson collector car auction to a theme park.

Celebrating its 50th year, the event makes people smile. In lieu of rides, there is a virtual playground of vehicles to view and purchase, and it bustles with anticipation.

As the event’s co-host on A+E Networks’ FYI and The HISTORY Channel, Rose witnesses the plethora of beautiful — and sometimes exotic — automobiles passing through the auction block.

“You could spend your entire life driving through a city and you’ll never see the variety you see coming through Barrett-Jackson auctions,” said Rose, who hosts a classic rock show on terrestrial radio in Chicago.

She’ll eye and discuss more sleek automobiles when Barrett-Jackson The World’s Greatest Car Collection Auction celebrates its 50th anniversary at WestWorld from January 22 to January 30.

Celebrating its 50th year, Barrett-Jackson will feature rare hypercars and customs, as well as a diverse docket that includes a 1955 MercedesBenz 300SL Gullwing that is one of only 855 built in 1955 and one of only 1,400 built from 1954 to 1957.

Selling with No Reserve, this highly desirable Gullwing is powered by the original matchingseeBARRETT page 28

April Rose is joining the broadcast team for the Barrett-Jackson auction next weekend. (Special to

GetOut)

George Michael tribute coming to Mesa center

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

GetOut Editor

Growing up in the MTV era, Craig Winberry was inspired by George Michael’s looks, moves, attitude and music.

“He was not afraid to take risks and had an air of confidence and left a legacy,” Winberry said.

The Piggott, Arkansas, native is now starring as the late singer in “The Life and Music of George Michael,” which comes to the Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater on Sunday, January 23.

“Now that people are venturing out to concerts and shows, I wanted to be a part of that,” Winberry said, giving an additional reason for joining the show.

“I wanted to be a part of that. It’s a great opportunity to get back out. I’m happy to hit the road and share his legacy across America.”

The concert-style show follows Michael’s career through his hits, including those from Wham! and his solo career.

“When I was presented this wonderful opportunity, I was prepared,” he said. “Over the years as a singer, I had been singing some of George’s tracks like ‘Careless Whisper’ and his own spin on Queen’s ‘Somebody to Craig Winberry will be bringing the music of the late George Michael to Love,’ which the Mesa Arts Center next Sunday. (Special to GetOut) was hugely popular. “What I have found challenging was the overall lyrical content—the emotions and where George was in his life. It’s been so fascinating. Through the beginning of his career, the middle and up to his unfortunate death, to see the growth of a gay man coming out of the closet and standing in his truth was amazing.” Singing “Jesus to a Child” and learning of the backstory brought Winberry to tears. The song is a tribute to Michael’s Brazilian lover Anselmo Feleppa, whom the singer met while performing in Rio de Janeiro in 1991. Two years later, Feleppa died from AIDS-related brain hemorrhage. During his grieving, Feleppa penned “Jesus to a Child” in about an hour.

“It’s sad understanding Anselmo’s tragic death from HIV/AIDS and George taking his pain and sorrow and channeling it into art,” he said. “When you understand what the song was about and what he was going through, it’s tragic. It’s a very intimate story that George was sharing with us.” seeWINBERRY page 28

numbers M198 inline-6 engine paired with a 4-speed manual transmission.

Rose slid into Barrett-Jackson’s broadcast team after she and Bob Varsha, a broadcast journalist who covers motorsports, filmed a promotion. During the assignment, Varsha invited Rose to discuss cars at Barrett-Jackson.

She fell in love — and earned respect.

“When I got there, he said, ‘Wow. You’re really into cars. You know a lot about them, and you love them,’” she recalls.

He wrapped up the conversation with, “We’re looking to add someone to our broadcast team.” “It seemed like a dream come true,” she adds. “It was the perfect fit.”

She joins a team of automotive experts, including announcers Steve Magnante, Mike Joy and Rick DeBruhl.

In her blood

Rose began her professional career in health and medicine. She earned her EMT certification through Des Plaines, Illinoisbased Oakton Community College and a cardiovascular technologist license from PCCTI Healthcare in Chicago. She was also certified as a medical crisis counselor for Rape Victim Advocates.

Then she fell into modeling. She was voted Maxim’s “Hometown Hotties” winner in 2008 and was subsequently featured as the cover girl on Maxim Canada. She hosted the Chicago Bears’ pregame show and parlayed that experience into other gigs.

She appeared on TV shows like “Guy Code” and “Girl Code.” She parlayed her love of hockey and football into “Chicago Faceoff with April Rose” and “Chicago Huddle,” respectively. Rose has acted in a smattering of films like “Grown Ups 2.”

“It all started falling into my lap. I thought I would be in crisis counseling forever.

“The jobs just kept paving the right path to walk down. I’m also asked to report on hockey and football. However, I’ve always been passionate about — obsessed with — cars. I feel lucky with Barrett-Jackson.”

Rose still occasionally models on special occasions and requests.

“I usually don’t do it if a wardrobe company or designer needs me to wear an out-

WINBERRY from page 27

Winberry’s love affair with performing began at an early age when he took part in his hometown school’s production of “South Pacific.”

From that point on, he knew there would always be a Broadway stage in his future. He expanded on that as actor, singer and songwriter, and in television, film and live theater after moving to NYC eight years ago.

“When I made that choice, I was becoming an entertainer later in life,” he said about the move in his 30s. “I did it differently. I got married and raised kids then when we moved to New York, I decided to jump headfirst into the arts and storytelling. I’m so happy that I did. “It was scary at first, but I’ve had an amazing support system around me. I looked at people like George and he was literally the only one of his generation who was out and open. He was closeted at the beginning of his career. I see his life and legacy as a guiding light to standing your truth.”

Before the pandemic in 2019, Winberry was performing with Abby Payne present “Christmas Spirits: Neat Edition” at Feinstein’s 54/Below on 54th Street in New York City. He held “random TV jobs,” but was mostly focusing on live entertainment.

“New York City is the holy grail of comedy cellars and cabarets,” he said. “Broadway and off-Broadway, that’s where my life has been.” ■

If You Go...

What: The Life and Music of George Michael Where: Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, January 23 Cost: $38 Info: 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com

GOT NEWS?

Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak @timespublications.com

fit,” she said. “I’ll do it if they want me to come to an event for photos. I’m not just a number.

“When I was 19, it didn’t matter if I was a clothes hanger for whatever image they wanted. It shifted a little bit. I feel like I’m more important to the product because they want to use a personality.”

Like entertainment and news, cars are in her blood. She learned early on of the freedom that comes with driving.

“Growing up, parents always tell their kids what to do, where to go,” Rose said. “The first time you’re in a car by yourself, you choose your own path. That realization made a big imprint on me. I really appreciate what cars can do for you.” That first car was a hand-me-down from her brother — a 2005 Camaro. She was gifted it when he wanted to purchase a new car. She admits, with a laugh, that was a dangerous car to give a teenager.

“The rearview mirror is so small and it’s hard to see out of it because the pillars are so wide,” Rose explains. “You don’t have a good visualization of the road.”

She has collected plenty of highlights during her time at Barrett-Jackson. Rose vividly remembers sitting in the origi-

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JANUARY 16, 2022 nal 1966 Batmobile, which was built by George Barris. Tempe logistics company owner Rick Champagne grabbed the vehicle for $4.2 million.

“While we were in it, George spoke about all the gadgets he had in the Batmobile,” she said. “It was neat to see that sell though. Two gentlemen in the front of the auction, who were sitting really close to each other. They were outbidding each one when they stopped and one of the guys suggested flipping a coin and whoever gets it, gets the car.

“They could have kept bidding for eternity. That’s how the owner of the car won — it was a flip of the coin. That was a first for Barrett-Jackson.” ■

If You Go...

What: Barrett-Jackson the World’s Greatest Car Collector Auctions Where: WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale When: Various times Jan. 22-30 Cost: Tickets start at $23, with discounts for seniors, military and students Info: 480.421.6694, barrett-jackson.com

ACROSS

1 Even 5 Apply cream 8 “The Good Earth” heroine 12 “Please go ahead” 14 Fork prong 15 The National Pastime 16 Circus structure 17 Cacophony 18 Scalawags 20 Basilica areas 23 Diving duck 24 Soccer legend 25 Brewing gizmo 28 Greek letter 29 Not -- out of place 30 Scull need 32 Kook 34 Ordered 35 Skin breakout 36 Notorious 37 Port city of Poland 40 Former Mideast org. 41 Pealed 42 Pitcher’s tactic 47 “American --” 48 Consume too little 49 Lion’s pride? 50 Meadow 51 Sciences’ partner

DOWN

1 Bar bill 2 “-- tree falls ...” 3 UFO crew 4 One of the Ramones 5 Cannon of film 6 MSN rival 7 Reduced-rate postal delivery 8 Canada’s capital 9 Actor Schreiber 10 Green Gables girl 11 Tennis barriers 13 Baseball stats 19 Cornhusker’s st. 20 iPhone download 21 Mexican money 22 Lost traction 23 Black Panthers leader Bobby 25 Appreciative 26 Rich soil 27 Stow cargo 29 Grade-school basics 31 Flushed 33 Hang loose? 34 Diva Streisand 36 Kismet 37 Bleak 38 Baby’s father 39 Unsigned (Abbr.) 40 Fed. food inspector 43 Chemical suffix 44 -- Lingus 45 Back muscle, briefly 46 USN officers

Sudoku

With JAN D’ATRI

GetOut Contributor

These mashed potatoes win the (Yukon) gold medal

She may be small in stature – slightly over 5 feet tall – but Chef Linda Martin has carved quite a large niche for herself in Arizona. Her cooking classes, based on simple yet gourmet meals have kept her in demand at Sweet Basil Gourmetware and Cooking School in Scottsdale for years! (sweetbasilgourmet.com)

Her catering company, Linda’s Dinner Designs, features many of her favorite family recipes which she finesses based on her formal training at Scottsdale Culinary Institute (now Le Cordon Blue). One of those recipes is her yukon gold mashed potatoes, based on her mom Jean Marinick’s traditional Thanksgiving side dish.

“Growing up in a family of seven children, we always loved mashed potatoes but usually only had them on Thanksgiving. Mom’s mashed potatoes started with butter and milk and that’s where I got my “base” mash recipe. But I love to experiment with new flavors and combinations, and because potatoes can be so bland, they make a great base for flavor.”

So Chef Martin added sour cream and an olive oil and white truffle oil combination to her family mash, and the result is a sensational side that will go perfectly with your chicken, London Broil, meatloaf or pork tenderloin. I thought it fitting to share Chef Martin’s recipe as the 2022 Winter Olympics gear up next month in Beijing. If you’re game for a culinary Olympic medal, this one wins Yukon Gold.

By the way, I’ve just joined the chef staff at Sweet Basil, too!. ■

Ingredients:

3 1/2 pounds medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks 8 tablespoons butter, divided ½ cup sour cream Whole milk 2 teaspoons white truffle oil (or white truffle extra virgin olive oil like Monini Brand)

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Chopped fresh Italian parsley for garnish

Directions:

1. Place potatoes in a large pot. Cover with cool water and place over medium high heat. Bring to a boil and add a teaspoon of salt. Cook potatoes until very tender, about 20 minutes. 2. Drain potatoes. In batches, rice the potatoes into a large bowl (or alternately, place in a standing mixer and whip). Add 6 tablespoons of butter (saving the remaining butter to finish) and sour cream and mix until smooth. Mix in enough milk to thin to desired consistency. Mix in truffle oil and season with salt and pepper. Grease a baking dish and spoon the potatoes into the dish. (At this point, can be made up to one day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) 3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Dot the potatoes with the remaining butter. Place baking dish in the preheated oven, uncovered, for 15 minutes (or, if made a day ahead, cover with foil and heat 15 minutes, remove cover and heat an additional 15 minutes). 4. Serve potatoes directly from baking dish. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Serves eight. ■