North Valley Magazine Aug/Sept 2020 by Times Media Group

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Successful Women in Business

Putting

Clients First KRISTI MORROW NAVIGATES THE FINANCIAL WATERS

Issue

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CONTENTS

Women in Business She Makes Her Story: North Valley Magazine spoke with female entrepreneurs from diverse industries to get their take on their paths to success. These businesswomen discuss their pivotal moments and decisions that changed the trajectories of their careers.

16 Creative Care

28 Boutique in the Desert

Dr. Julie Lam goes beyond typical eye care needs

Creations brings local makers together for a bohemian vibe

Musical Instrument Museum relies on web content during COVID-19

18 Dual Careers

TASTE

7 Historic Move

20 Family Matters

FRESH 6 Virtually Present

Vince D’Aliesio named Cave Creek Museum board president

9 Hohokam Rebuild Scottsdale elementary school undergoing a modernization

FEATURES 12 Putting Clients First Kristi Morrow navigates the financial waters

14 Life. Change. Naturally Aging gracefully from the inside out with SottoPelle

Kerrie Droban finds writing and law fulfilling Attorney Rebecca Owen helps clients through the most difficult times

22 Music to the Ears

30 ‘Guests Are Not Just A Number’ Bryan’s Barbecue wins awards for atmosphere and good food

Audiologist Dr. Georgine Ray treats hearing disorders

32 Authentic Italian

23 Wonder Women

BETTER

Leaders making a difference at work, home and the community

Pizzicata treats everyone like family

34 Passionate About Her Work

BUSINESS

Susan Clark says education is the key to a perfect massage

26 An Ace

35 Eat the Frog

Golf meets cigars at Carefree’s new Sticks lounge

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FRESH • ARTS

Virtually Present Musical Instrument Museum relies on web content during COVID-19 By Connor Dziawura

he effects of the coronavirus have been felt by many, from the closing of movie theaters and the pause on live music to the halting or limiting of operations by businesses like gyms, restaurants and bars.Those at the Musical Instrument Museum know all too well, as the venue closed this past spring to mitigate the spread of the virus. To remain connected with and involved in the community during the closure, the Musical Instrument Museum continued to share updates and engaging posts to its various web channels.This includes virtual tours, where curators put the spotlight on certain exhibits and instruments; DIY instrument craft tutorials; and the conversion of some kids activities to online instruction. The latter, called the MIMkids Mini Music Makers classes and intended for kids ages 0-5 and their caregivers, have been a popular endeavor at the museum since 2013, according to Katherine Palmer, its curator of education. Described as 30 minutes of song, play and dance, the classes are intended to support child development. As a result of COVID-19, however, MIM took those classes to Zoom on a choose-whatyou-pay basis ($4, $8 or $12) to stay engaged with the community and give “families and caregivers an option for something to do during this time that we all thought would be much shorter than it has been,” Palmer explains. For more information, visit mim.org/ mimkids/mini-music-makers. “We take what is sort of a traditional early childhood music and movement format, where we make music with basic instruments, we sing songs, we dance, we move, and all of it has sort of an underpinning goal of child development,” Palmer describes.

According to Palmer, the classes are based around the idea of “world” music and have alternating themes tied to different regions. Kids can hear songs they know—like “Itsy Bitsy Spider,”“The Wheels on the Bus” and “Mulberry Bush”—put into new contexts, but they’ll also be introduced to children’s songs from other cultures. While in some ways the classes translate well to the online format, she says, the difficulty is providing kids access to materials. Obviously they can no longer experiment with the museum’s collection of instruments, so Palmer says classes are supplemented with additional video content. “The access to instruments has been challenging, but music making can happen anywhere and with anything, and so we just use what we have, much like people have around the world for centuries,” she says. MIM’s YouTube and other social media channels are also hotbeds of content, from live performances and installation teasers to several instrument craftmaking videos in which Palmer explains how to easily create maracas, a musical washboard and spoons, and a Tupperware drum.This inclination toward crafting recycled instruments is a regular practice in the museum’s educational department, she says. The museum has been sharing Virtual Museum Curator Tours, in which staff members showcase different exhibits/regions and their instruments and provide contextual information.This includes a video on Ireland, in which Rich Walter, the museum’s curator for the United States/Canada and Europe, discusses three recent acquisitions: a 1760s fiddle, a set of 20th century uilleann (“elbow”) pipes, and a custom-built contemporary tenor banjo. In another, Walter chronicles the history

AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

of the popularity of mandolins in America, along with examples. Instruments like zithers, dulcimers and bagpipes and regions like the Andes, Cuba and Brazil, among others, have also been covered by curators. These video presentations, Walter tells, cover the type of content normally shared in person. But it’s just a little basic information to get people excited about the museum and make mental notes of what they should look out for when they return. “There’s never a substitute for an in-person visit, of course, so I think we’re all, just like everyone everywhere, looking forward to being able to return to some normal routines,”Walter explains. “But it’s an opportunity just to take a few themes, a few topics, a couple displays occasionally, and point out some things that we find interesting and put them on that platform, which is a little bit different for us.” Meanwhile, Palmer and Walter say staff members have been attempting to adapt to these times as best they can. According to Palmer, that includes ongoing conversation as to programming. And Walter says curators aim to ensure safety in the midst of COVID-19 and improve and continue to develop exhibits behind the scenes. “There’s been quite a bit of energy just going on that premise that we’re still really determined to be as great a museum as we possibly can, and in our typical way of doing things that includes fresh content in the galleries to share,”Walter says. Musical Instrument Museum

For more information about the museum, events and its reopening, which is unconfirmed as of press, visit mim.org or follow @mimphx on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

FRESH • ARTS Vince D’Aliesio in his Carefree home, a masterpiece by architect Gerry Jones. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

Historic Move

ince D’Aliesio has, admittedly, done a little bit of everything. He’s worked with the courts, hosted radio shows and coached high school and college football. Now he’s the Cave Creek Museum board of directors president. The Cave Creek Museum recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. “Vince brings a combination of academic and civic experience that shapes and guides our institution in a thoughtful-yet-decisive way,” says Karri Porter Brace, executive director of the Cave Creek Museum. “From his experience with the Arizona State University coaching staff to advising youth, from his participation as a councilman of Carefree Town Council to historic preservation, Vince is a steadying influence that aligns all our people and

Vince D’Aliesio named Cave Creek Museum board president By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

efforts in forward motion.” D’Aliesio grew up in the Valley and always dreamed of retiring in Carefree. “It ended up happening sooner than we thought,” he says with a laugh. “I wanted to get involved in the community. My first foray into it was helping out at festivals and things on the weekend. Two years ago, I was elected to council.” His philanthropic and volunteerism was sparked by his Carefree home. The Gerry Jones home was the first built in the town. “We found out after we bought it,” he says. “It’s been a whirlwind. We fell in love with the house and the community. The home was built in 1959. I wake up every day and go to bed every night imagining what Gerry’s vision was back then. “The panoramic view of Black Mountain makes you appreciate the culture and the

history of the community that much more.” D’Aliesio’s home was featured on a Gerry Jones home tour that benefited the museum. Jones visited the home and shared the history of the property and the land. “This was goat farms way back when,” he says. “It reverberated through the rest of the community. The house was built around the mountain. There was no blowing anything up. Whatever’s there, they put the house on it. There’s stone inside and outside of it.” The tour gave D’Aliesio his first fix of the community’s history. The board approached him to join, and within a couple months, he was asked to be the vice president. Soon after that, he assumed the board presidency. “It’s been an amazing experience,” he says. “There are a lot of people who haven’t heard of the Cave Creek Museum. It’s

NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020

FRESH • ARTS

based in Cave Creek and been around for 50 years, but it services all of the Desert Foothills. “It’s the only historical museum in Metro Phoenix north of the 101. Our goal is to continue to make it a museum that serves all of the communities. We want it to be a place where people see historical artifacts and celebrate contemporary art and architecture.” Ideally, he’d like to see the museum move to a more visible space with a contemporary look and feel. The facility also boasts a working stamp mill. “It’s an incredible blend of pioneering and cowboy mixed with the contemporary art,” he says. “I’m just so amazed that I get to be a part of this amazing place.” He’s also hoping the Gerry Jones Home Tour will return and, perhaps, hosting Paolo Soleri lectures. “There’s also Bike Week. There’s a big motorcycle influence here,” he adds. “It’s not just a museum of historical artifacts. We want people to appreciate the arts and the modern, contemporary architecture.” Nicknamed “Coach D” and the host of the “JV Sports Show” from 9 to 10 a.m. on KDUS AM 1060, D’Aliesio grew up in Central Phoenix, spending nearly half his adult life coaching football. He was a team captain and offensive lineman at Camelback High in the 1980s and later played football at Scottsdale 8

Community College. He later attended Paradise Valley Community College. D’Aliesio returned to Camelback as an unpaid freshman assistant as a college undergrad for his first football coaching job for the late Pete Kellen, later graduated from ASU, and continued this journey through eight high schools and three colleges, including ASU. He has a Pac-10 championship ring

AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

Vince D’Aliesio’s home in Carefree was built around the mountain. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

as a result of spending two seasons as a graduate assistant coach under the late Bruce Snyder at ASU in 1996. “That was the year we went to the Rose Bowl,” says D’Aliesio, who has three teenagers with his wife, Cheryl. He earned a master’s degree in education from NAU and, in better times, is the color commentator for Ottawa University NAIA Arizona Football and does play by play for the men’s and women’s basketball programs. He also does color commentary for the Hohokam Junior College Athletic Conference Football teams and is the PA announcer for Camelback and Campo Verde high schools. The benefit of working with the Cave Creek Museum is being surrounded “by great people,” he says. “That makes it that much easier,” he adds. “It’s a great staff all the way around. During this pandemic, the museum is going through a facelift, so we’ve been shut down during the pandemic. “I just have a passion for being around people. The Desert Foothills is the most beautiful, amazing place. The people here a really great, and I’m not just talking about Carefree or Cave Creek—it’s all of the Desert Foothills.”

FRESH • SCHOOLS

Hohokam Rebuild Scottsdale elementary school undergoing a modernization By Alison Bailin Batz

Hohokam Elementary’s new cafeteria space will connect to a new physical education building. (Rendering courtesy SPS+ Architects)

ohokam Elementary School is undergoing a year-long update to revitalize an important piece of Scottsdale’s history. “Hohokam Elementary School was originally constructed in 1959 and designed by renowned architect Ralph Haver,” says Vicente Terán of CHASSE Building Team, which is working with the school district and SPS+ Architects on the build. According to Modern Phoenix’s Ralph Haver archive, the sloped roofline, beamed ceilings and ribbon windows are all typical hallmarks of his preferred building style, echoing what he did with local single-family homes as well. “Not only are Haver designs beloved, but many people who still live in the community once attended Hohokam themselves, so they were personally invested in anything that might happen with the school, especially a modernization,” says Darlene Cadman of SPS+ Architects. As a result, before any plans were even developed to modernize the school, the Scottsdale Unified School District, along with SPS+, CHASSE and others, worked directly with faculty and administrators as well as members of the neighborhood via public meetings to determine the best path forward. Stakeholders and the building team determined that the small schoolhouse

buildings and courtyard spaces would stay, preserving the historical importance of the property as well as the lush greenery that has been growing proudly in the space for the past seven decades. “One area that we certainly needed to address was the administration building and cafeteria, as well as indoor and outdoor physical education and recreation space,” says Cadman, who worked with CHASSE on a paperless 3D model of the school and its potential new plans. The new plan will move the administration and lobby of the school to the front of the property, which will help with security and check-ins by visiting guests as well as parents and guardians. It also adds a shaded outdoor amphitheater where children can gather and take advantage of the Valley’s 300-plus days of sun. “A new cafeteria space is also in development, which will connect to a new PE building and be near the amphitheater so together they can serve as the heart of the school,” says Terán, noting a new roof developed in Haver’s style is also part of the new plan. “All materials and colors, even those being used on the roof and windows, are mid-century modern in homage to Haver’s preferred style including brick, unpainted blocks, metal accents and more.” Other upgrades—including propertywide Wi-Fi, upgraded insulation to new and

existing buildings, and sweeping upgrades to all mechanical and electrical systems—are also in the new plans. Design also takes modern ergonomics into account. “The final element for us was finding a way we could get this all done in a year,”Teran says. “It sounds daunting, but with our partners and a lot of communication and planning, we are going to make it happen.” The team utilizes CHASSE Lean to ensure it keeps costs down and gets done on time. “CHASSE Lean is a collaborative process to achieve maximum value on all of our projects while minimizing project waste such as cost, material, time and effort,”Terán says. From the baseline construction schedule prepared during the design phase, CHASSE Building Team invites the entire project community to participate in a Pull Planning Session. Using a graph schedule, each community member can map out their task, what they need to start, how many days the task will take, and how many team members are involved.This innovative approach is very different than typical construction scheduling methods. “The end result is a project schedule the community collaboratively creates, agrees upon and takes ownership of,”Terán says. “And when this school is complete, it will be something we will all be proud to have had a role in creating.”

NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020

SHE MAKES HER

STORY orth Valley Magazine spoke with female entrepreneurs from diverse industries to get their take on their paths to success. These businesswomen discuss their pivotal moments and decisions that changed the trajectories of their careers. ...Continues on page 12 10

AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

Putting Cli KRISTI MORROW NAVIGATES THE FINANCIAL WATERS By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski risti Morrow likens her job as a financial adviser to a puzzle. She and her partner in InReach Wealth Advisors, Jason Ayala, help clients make sense of their financial situation using pieces of their lives. “I like to do puzzles and play games in my free time,” Morrow says. “I take a million little pieces and see how they fit together. A lot of creativity goes into being a financial planner.” InReach Wealth Advisors is a comprehensive financial planning practice that works with individuals to help them create a plan for their short- and longterm financial goals. The team helps clients accumulate and preserve wealth, in addition to managing their emotions through the ups and downs of life and the market. A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services LLC, InReach Wealth Advisors puts its clients first. Morrow and Ayala strive to understand what’s truly important to their clients through their Confident Retirement Approach. Confidence and financial control are the goals. Morrow, a Minnesota native who graduated from ASU with a marketing degree in 1998, began working in the field shortly thereafter, when she and Ayala’s company was part of American Express Financial Advisors. She left the field to raise her two daughters, Natalie, 16, and Emily, 13, but returned to work after eight years. 12

Kristi Morrow is a certified financial planner, accredited portfolio management adviser, certified divorce financial analyst and certified long-term care specialist. (Submitted photo)

AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

ients First “I love being a mom, but getting back to work was a priority for me, for sure,” the DC Ranch resident says. Reteaming with Ayala, Morrow wanted to come up with a strong name to represent their philosophy. InReach Wealth Advisors just made sense. “It took a lot of thought between my partner Jason and I,” Morrow says. “It was really the one name we kept coming back to. It just resonated with us. Clients would sit with us and say, ‘These are our dreams. We just don’t feel we’ll ever be able to accomplish this in this lifetime.’ “All your dreams are in reach. You just have to put a plan together. I say that in meetings with our clients.” Morrow and Ayala work with clients of all ages—it’s never too early or too late to formulate a financial plan. “It’s always a good time to come in for an initial meeting,” Morrow says. “It’s a little exposing for people. We’ll always be encouraging. We’re never negative about where they are. We’ll tell them if they don’t need a financial adviser at that moment.” Morrow is a certified financial planner, accredited portfolio management adviser, certified divorce financial analyst and certified long-term care specialist. She enjoys helping folks who are in transition—transitioning into a retirement home or going through a divorce or death. “That’s why I chose my designations— mostly for women in transition,” she says. Meanwhile, Ayala handles retirement planning and wealth preservation strategies, investment management, financial strategies for LGBTQ couples and families, charitable giving, taxplanning strategies and estate-planning strategies. “We work as a team,” she says. “If you’re hiring us, you get both of us and the entire team. We have four people, and we really enjoy keeping our company small. We don’t want our clients to feel like they’re being lost, that they’re just another number.”

InReach Wealth Advisors is a comprehensive financial planning practice that works with individuals to help them create a plan for their short- and long-term financial goals. (Submitted photo)

Clients sometimes feel slightly uncomfortable talking finances with the team, but Morrow and Ayala do their best to put them at ease. “They know we are there strictly to help them achieve their goals,” she says. “It’s their money. It’s their decision. They’re their ideas. We just suggest how to get there. “We bring all the pieces together. It’s like having a road map. The plan breaks it down for them, step by step. Finance may not be their strength, so they get overwhelmed and don’t know how to lay it all out. That’s what we’re here for.” Charity is important to InReach Wealth Advisors, which has 100% client retention. Each quarter, the team is involved in charity or volunteer work that involves its clients. Most recently, it teamed to raise funds for St. Mary’s Food Bank. Morrow saw this project as vital. “The food banks are overrun with

people who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic,” she says. In August, InReach Wealth Advisors will host a water drive tied with free, 15-minute financial advice. (Call the number below for more information.) Every year, Ayala, Morrow and their team assemble food and gift baskets for families through Los Ojos de la Familia AZ, which means “eyes of the family.” “We’re looking to help local families in need any way we can, based on the need in the world,” Morrow says. “We always invite our clients, and our clients are so wonderful in participating. It makes them feel like they’re part of the family as well.” InReachWealth Advisors 14500 N. Northsight Boulevard, Suite 213, Scottsdale 602-825-3212, inreachwealth.com kristi.morrow@ampf.com

NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020

Life. Change.

Natura

placed under the skin, the heart regulates it. At rest, AGING GRACEFULLY FROM THE everything’s great. Your blood INSIDE OUT WITH SOTTOPELLE isn’t rushing through you as much. But when you’re By Carol Pener stressed, your blood goes faster. There’s a need for more hormones. Your body is taking t age 42, CarolAnn Tutera felt she exactly what it needs 24/7. had the insides of a 92-year-old “The body’s a beautiful tool, and we’re woman. She had all the classic helping the body regulate and function.” signs of menopause. Tutera has held steadfast in supporting “I don’t know how I was the mission, determination and dedication putting one foot in front of the to the only thing that matters—helping other,” she says. people. She turned to her nowCommon sense, coupled with naturally late husband, Dr. Gino based bioidentical hormone replacement Tutera, for help with therapy delivered via a medically based and feeling better. She proven protocol, has elevated SottoPelle to wanted to get her life back as where all success with its patients and as a corporate others who were receiving pellet therapy. entity. She is now the co-founder and CEO Notably, Tutera has led the charge of SottoPelle Therapy, an international in advancing the healthy and balanced company that trains medical providers on approach to authentic aging. What sets Tutera apart as a leader and influencer is her the product’s proprietary methodology of dedication and persistence. The next step working with bioidentical pellet hormones. and evolution for SottoPelle is to support As a medical entrepreneur, she has won the growth of empowerment in the 50-andnumerous awards and recognition for her older demographic. ability to succeed in a male-dominated industry. Tutera advocates that “you can be the best She has become the “leading lady you want to be at any age.” of authentic aging” and someone who Ageism and the negative connotations commands respect in the bioidentical associated with getting older are slowly hormone therapy field. dissipating under Tutera’s careful watch. “Adventures in Aging” is her way of life. The pellet is the size of a grain of rice, and Tutera supports regular meditation, it is slipped under the skin. exercise, eating nutritiously and balanced “The pellets offer a nice, steady stream hormones. She found inspiration in LifeFit, of hormones,” Tutera says. “When it’s 14

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a program of low-intensity formative exercises for integrated transformation. This method focuses on biomechanics and utilizes the innate strength within each person’s complete biostructure to maximize his/her strength physically and mentally. “Everyone has to find their preferred medium to maximize their lifestyle and achieve overall balance; anything that keeps you active, happy and healthy is the ultimate goal,” Tutera says. “Your way of life is typically established by a pattern of habits or behaviors over time. As we age, how we use our time and energy becomes a topic of focus and concern for many. It is never too late to refocus and redirect your energy to have the life you want at any age.” As a 60-something, Tutera says she has never felt more vibrant and happy. “I strive every day to learn something new and direct my life toward positive energy through my work and helping people,” Tutera says. “I have discovered there is no one panacea for aging, but finding a healthy lifestyle and balance puts you on the right path. “As the old cliche says: Age is just a number. Don’t let yourself be defined by how old you are but how young you feel.” SottoPelle 8412 E. Shea Boulevard, Suite 101, Scottsdale 323-986-5100, info@sottopelletherapy.com

ally CarolAnn Tutera has become the “leading lady of authentic aging” and someone who commands respect in the bioidentical hormone therapy field.

(Photo courtesy SottoPelle)

NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020

Creative

Care

DR. JULIE LAM GOES BEYOND TYPICAL EYE CARE NEEDS By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

r. Julie Lam shadowed an optometrist as a youngster and one thing struck her: Patients aren’t afraid to see their eye doctor. “I’m a people person, and that fits with the profession,” Lam says. “I communicate with people. It’s a rewarding profession, and that was my goal.” In 2013, Lam founded Eye Care North in Cave Creek to treat patients like her grandfather, who suffered from eye disease. She specializes in ocular disease management, dry eye treatment and

Neurovisual Medicine. Lam is the only optometrist in Arizona currently practicing Neurovisual Medicine. As a consequence, many patients travel a distance, including outside of the state, to see her. “Neurovisual Medicine is a new subspecialty,” she says. “It helps people who have misalignment of the eye muscles. On a routine exam, when you get your regular eye exam, it might not be detected. Most people have compensated for it, but when you’re constantly doing it all day long, every day, it can cause

AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

dizziness, headache, nausea and anxiety.” Many patients who suffer from those symptoms get frustrated due to lack of a proper diagnosis. Lam treats that with glasses with prism, and she has had up to 90% to 100% improvement in people who have gone through a gamut of specialists. “Most people are familiar with prism,” she explains, “What we work with is microprism, which is a lot more accurate with smaller increments. It’s a different technique than what we were taught traditionally in optometry school. I like doing this type of treatment. It’s

School House Road is memorialized on these frames from the Cave Creek Eyewear line founded by Dr. Julie Lam and her husband, Bryan Barber. (Photo courtesy Dr. Julie Lam)

Dr. Julie Lam is the only optometrist in Arizona practicing Neurovisual Medicine, which helps patients who have a misalignment of their eye muscles. (Photo courtesy Dr. Julie Lam)

integrative, as we work with different specialists. You have to look at the whole picture—balance and how the ears play a role with how we see as well.” Born in San Diego, Lam moved to North Scottsdale in middle school. She attended ASU, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree and graduated summa cum laude. At the Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton, California, she earned her Doctor of Optometry degree and was also awarded honors for academic excellence. She studied optometry in California

because, at the time, Arizona colleges didn’t offer the field of study. Lam completed externships at the Center for the Partially Sighted in Los Angeles, Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital in Sacaton and Southern Arizona Veterans Hospital in Tucson. Following college graduation, Lam returned to the Grand Canyon State— right in the heart of the recession. “That was challenging, because there weren’t too many job opportunities,” she says. “I was lucky enough to find a job filling in at first at retail places like Walmart and Costco.” She then landed a position at a large medical clinic in Sun City, where she was inspired to work with geriatric patients. There she treated and managed complex eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. When it came time to open her own practice, she found the perfect spot in a former yogurt shop. “We started from scratch,” she says. “It was all orange. We had to tear down the dispensers and things. My dad did the

buildout. That’s why I wanted to have my own practice. My parents have always been self-employed. That was set in my head since I was young. “We really like our patients in Cave Creek. We get a broad range from young to old.” At Eye Care North, Lam and her husband, Bryan Barber, created Cave Creek Eyewear with frames named after hotspots around town—Foothills Food Bank (to benefit the nonprofit), local schools, hiking trails and streets. “We tried to get creative with it,” she says. “My husband and I, when we were creating the line, went around town and took photos of the frames with their namesakes. We hiked up to the top of Black Mountain and took photos, too. The patients have really liked the frames.” Eye Care North Dr. Julie Lam 29605 N. Cave Creek Road, Suite 102, Cave Creek 480-361-7040, eycarenorth.com

NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020

Dual CAREERS KERRIE DROBAN FINDS WRITING AND LAW FULFILLING By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski hether it was through her work as an attorney or as a true crime author, Kerrie Droban has made her mark. As a former Maricopa County attorney, Droban has been a criminal defense attorney for 27 years, litigating major felonies, complex white-collar fraud cases and death penalty matters. Her capital appeal, State v. Timothy Ring, was heard before the U.S. Supreme Court. The decision resulted in the remand of more than 180 death row cases nationwide. “That’s why we have jury sentencing for capital cases,” she says. “We’re one of several states now that do jury sentencing.” In addition to criminal law, Droban also specializes in family law—specifically divorce cases—helping people in crisis, through her firm KBUNITED. It’s her forte. “Helping people navigate the worst times of their lives is rewarding work.” Droban keeps her practice small so she can devote her attention to her clients. “People in crisis need to talk to their lawyer, not a middleman like a paralegal or a secretary,” she says. “Being a lawyer is not a 9-to-5 job. When I was a criminal lawyer, clients in custody reached out sometimes at midnight and on weekends. It became part of the way I like to practice law.” Droban parlayed her experiences into a career writing true crime books, specifically “The Last Chicago Boss: My Life with the Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club”; “Vagos, Mongols and Outlaws: My 18

Kerrie Droban practices law four days a week and dedicates the weekends to writing.

(Photo courtesy Kerrie Droban)

Infiltration of America’s Deadliest Biker Gangs”; “Prodigal Father, Pagan Son”; “Running with the Devil: The True Story of ATF’s Infiltration of the Arizona Hells Angels”; and “A Socialite Scorned.” She has also appeared on national television on CNBC’s “American Greed,” “A Widow’s Web,” A&E’s “Gangland” “Behind Enemy Lines,” the American Heroes Channel, “Codes and Conspiracies,” Investigation ID and the Discovery Channel’s “Deadly Devotion.” “It dovetailed really nicely into criminal law,” she says. “Both careers are pretty involved. I can’t say that one is less than the other. I get clients asking me to write their story, or they worry that I won’t be able to devote enough time to their case. “I’m able to do both pretty well. That’s my passion.” Droban says her dual career is exciting

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and sees a commonality between the two. “Writing is a passion,” she says. “It makes me a well-rounded lawyer. I’m not just about crime or divorce. I bring a lot of experience to the table. My strength is navigating crises and helping clients see the bigger picture.” She balances the two well. Droban practices law four days a week and dedicates the weekends to writing. “I don’t find my projects,” she says. “People have approached me to write their stories. And though at times, on deadline, I’ve written for 20 hours at a time, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.” Kerrie Droban KBUNITED 480-612-3058, kdrobanlaw.com

Family MATTER

AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

ATTORNEY REBECCA OWEN HELPS CLIENTS THROUGH THE MOST DIFFICULT TIMES

RS Rebecca Owen was named one of the top 50 attorneys in Arizona by The Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

By Kamala Kirk

hroughout the years, Rebecca Owen has helped a significant number of clients reach successful outcomes with divorces, child custody and other family-related legal matters. Named one of the top 50 attorneys in Arizona by The Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education, Owen has been practicing law since 1997 and founded her Phoenix-based law firm in 2007. “I enjoy helping people get through what I consider to be one of the top two worst things in their lives,” Owen says. “Even though it may seem like it at the time, it’s not the end of the world when a divorce is happening. Probably the most satisfaction that I get out of doing this is seeing people thrive in the end and move on with their lives.” Raised in the small town of Lake Station, Indiana, Owen joined the U.S. Air Force out of high school and served for seven years. She was stationed in Texas, New Mexico, Turkey, England and California before receiving an honorable discharge in 1991. While in the military, Owen earned an associate degree from the Community College of the Air Force in 1990. In 1993, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland, then went on to earn her juris doctorate degree from the Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1996. “Getting an education was important to me when I was growing up,” Owen says. “I knew that I would have the opportunity to attend college while I was in the military, and I wanted to move on to bigger and better things in life. My clients include a lot of military families, so having that background has been particularly helpful in my career as well.” Prior to starting her own firm, Owen worked for the Law Office of Merrill W. Robbins from 1996 to 2002, then joined the Law Office of O. Joseph Chornenky until 2006. She has been a sole practitioner since 2007, and in addition to

being a member of the Maricopa County Bar Association and the State Bar of Arizona, she is also a judge pro tem. Being involved and helping others is of great importance to Owen, who was previously named Attorney of the Month by the Volunteer Lawyers Program. She began her volunteer work as a Guardian Ad Litem working with children, and she previously volunteered with the Family Lawyers Assistance Program at the Maricopa County Superior Court, in addition to providing legal assistance for residents at the Salvation Army and volunteering for the Arizona Stand-down for military persons. She is also a member of the Military Legal Assistance Committee. “It’s important to keep up on things, because it’s another way that I can contribute and be of service,” Owen says. “A lot of people need help out there. I wanted to stay involved in the community and keep up on local issues.” Owens takes great pride in the ability to relate to many of her clients, and they appreciate the fact that she is straightforward and gets the job done, resulting in a positive outcome for everyone involved. “Losing my mother when I was a child has made me sensitive to the issues that my clients are dealing with,” Owen says. “It gives me an additional perspective when helping them work through various custody issues, because I know what it’s like to only grow up with one parent. I’m also kind and patient, while at the same time straight to the point. I work efficiently because I have no desire to prolong anyone’s divorce—let’s get it over with. My goal is to do the best job possible for my clients so that they can move forward with their lives.” Rebecca L. Owen 301 E. Bethany Home Road, Suite A-200, Phoenix 602-635-2765, arizona-divorcelawyer.com NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020

Dr. Georgine Ray and her staff are patient-driven and focused on providing individualized care. (Photo courtesy Dr. Georgine Ray)

Music

Ears to the

AUDIOLOGIST DR. GEORGINE RAY TREATS HEARING DISORDERS By Kamala Kirk

or almost 40 years, Dr. Georgine Ray has helped improve the quality of people’s lives by diagnosing and treating various hearing disorders. From young children to the elderly, she works with people who are struggling with issues such as hearing loss and tinnitus, offering an advanced level of expertise, quality care and support to her patients. “I see patients of all ages because hearing loss is not discriminatory to any particular age,” Ray says. “Some people are born with it, while others have a genetic predisposition. The two biggest factors are age-related and noise exposure hearing loss—most patients have one or the other. Another important part of our scope is monitoring patients for ototoxicity, especially those undergoing chemotherapy or heavyduty antibiotics. We dig deeply to understand what a patient’s personal needs are, then we customize a treatment plan around that.” Prior to opening her private practice in Phoenix, Ray worked in pediatric audiology for a decade, which gave her a deeper understanding of children’s needs. “Treating children with hearing issues helps foster language development, which is critical because speech development won’t happen easily without good hearing,” she shares. “When people get older and develop hearing issues, they tend to become more introverted and recede from activities they 22

can’t participate in. Studies have shown there is more depression among people with hearing loss who don’t get it treated, while ongoing studies are being done to see what’s happening to the brain when a person can’t hear well. It’s very important to us to help treat hearing loss.” Born in Pennsylvania, Ray spent most of her childhood in Ohio before moving to Arizona in 1975 to attend ASU. While there, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1979, followed by a Master of Science in 1983. She planned to pursue a career in education, but while working in special education at ASU with deaf and hearing-impaired students, she developed an interest in communication disorders and ultimately changed her major. “Not everyone realizes that speech pathology and audiology are cousins,” Ray says. “When entering graduate school, most people studying communication disorders focus either on hearing or speaking. I chose hearing, which helped shape my career path.” Prior to founding Affiliated Audiology Consultants in 1991, Ray worked in various settings, including hospitals, ENT offices, and field clinics for Indian Health Services in Arizona. Then, in 2003, she earned her doctoral degree in Audiology from the University of Florida. When treating patients at her practice, the first thing Ray does is perform evaluations to diagnose their condition to determine the best treatment plan.

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“We work closely with primary care physicians and ear, nose and throat specialists to determine the nature of the hearing loss,” she explains. “Only 10% to 15% of hearing loss cases are treatable by medication or surgery.” If a patient’s hearing loss isn’t treatable by medical means, the next step is an amplification device. There have been many advancements in medical technology over the years, which are helping to lessen the stigma of wearing a hearing aid. “Most of the newer devices have Bluetooth capabilities and can be connected to one’s phone,” Ray says. “There have been a lot of exciting developments in the industry. I remember feeling at odds years ago when there was very little that we could do to modify a prescription. Now we have almost full control over customizing and personalizing a patient’s prescription to meet their specific needs.” Outside of her practice, Ray is a firm believer in being active in professional organizations. On a national level, she is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology, where she previously served on the board of directors. She also served on the inaugural board of governors for the American Board of Audiology, and she was on the Arizona Department of Health Services’ Advisory Committee for seven years. At a local level, she is a past president of the Arizona-Speech-Language-Hearing Association and also served as program chairwoman of its annual convention. “It’s a very rewarding experience because these involvements help me stay active on a local level and keep me up to date at a national level so that I can be better prepared for what’s coming down the road,” Ray says. Through it all, Ray remains passionate about assisting her patients and helping them achieve their desired end results when it comes to hearing loss. “We take pride in our office that no two people are alike and everyone’s needs are different,” Ray says. “We’re extremely patient driven and focused on providing the best service. I love what I do because it helps improve one’s quality of life at any age.” Dr. Georgine Ray Affiliated Audiology Consultants Inc. 4545 E. Shea Boulevard, Suite 174, Phoenix 602-910-2680, hearphoenix.com

LEADERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT WORK, HOME AND THE COMMUNITY By Alison Bailin Batz

here’s no rest for the wicked, and even less for the wickedly smart and successful women across the North Valley. And they wouldn’t have it any other way. Here is a look at how several local female business leaders got to where they are today, each making a difference in Phoenix by carving their own path.

AMY COTTON PETERSON

National Health Law Practice chairwoman, Quarles & Brady LLP Amy Cotton Peterson started her career in health care as a physical therapist but pivoted to law after earning her degree in 2005. “As a physical therapist, you are often working one on one,” Peterson says. “And while I certainly felt I was making an impact, by transitioning into health-focused law, I felt I could make a bigger difference to a larger group of people.” She formally began her legal career at Quarles & Brady in Phoenix in 2006, was named a partner at the firm in 2013 and the national chairwoman of its health law practice group in 2018. “My practice focuses on health care transactions, regulatory and compliance issues, business development and provider defense,” Peterson says. “These are critical issues, especially now as we fight

through this global pandemic.” Beyond her talent, skill and dedication, Peterson brings empathy to her position. She maintains a physical therapy license via ongoing education to ensure she understands health issues. Peterson is as committed to healthrelated causes outside of the office, serving for many years as a member of the Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues and the Arizona Autism United Board. She did both while working full time and taking care of a new baby, who was born prematurely. “Today, my passion beyond my family and legal practice is Chrysalis,” Peterson says. “Chrysalis is committed to ending domestic violence through a holistic and traumainformed approach. Chrysalis gives survivors of domestic violence the safety and support they need to heal and build better lives through dozens of programs available statewide.” Peterson serves on both the board of directors and executive committee for the organization. NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020

a cost-effective model combined with highly experienced builders to create a winning formula for the clients we serve, not to mention a focus on helping the community always, including granting computers, essential items and monetary donations to help schools and nonprofits amid COVID-19,” says Huval, who also volunteered for Valley Partnership, Phoenix’s advocacy group for responsible development.

JERI ROYCE

President and CEO, Esperança Dani Huval

DANI HUVAL

Development director, Chasse Building Team To effectively lead, one must be adaptable to change. “The past six months have brought some of the biggest changes to our trade in decades,” Dani Huval says of the construction industry. “As an essential business, it has been paramount to be proactive in our preparation, safety protocols and enhanced measures at all levels while building schools, nonprofits and other critical developments in our state.” Change is something Huval knows well. Born in Guam and raised in San Diego, construction has been Huval’s third career. She studied marine biology in college, but after having her daughter, she changed her major to management. She worked in that industry until she married her husband,Tim. By 2007, they launched a successful engineering business in Phoenix. “We partnered with a fellow firm to grow, but within months both leaders on their team were diagnosed with cancer, and then Tim was diagnosed in 2012,” Huval says. “During his battle, we sold the business.” Tim died in 2015, but she persevered, pivoting her career to construction. “Though I’d never worked in the field, given my technical background I understood the intricacies—from civil engineering and subcontractors to working with city councils— of that world,” says Huval, who helped grow the business from 40 employees to over 150 employees and $350 million in annual projects. Last summer, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce named Chasse the Business of the Year. “We have created an organization that has 24

For Jeri Royce, family vacations many years ago set her on the path that led her to Arizona and Esperança. As a child, her family vacationed in Mexico. While there, she was struck by the region’s welcoming-but-impoverished families. So much so that she and her sister hosted bake sales and sold mistletoe back home to raise funds to help. Those seeds of giving grew in Royce as she got older, leading her to work in the nonprofit sector starting in the early 2000s and eventually to the role of president and CEO of Esperança in 2017. Locally, the nonprofit serves the Valley’s most at-risk populations through health education

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and by providing critical resources such as oral health and medical supplies to those in need. “Globally, we coordinate volunteer surgical missions by connecting with local partners to provide ecological housing, disease prevention/education, food security and clean water,” Royce says. “Providing access to care while respecting individual cultures is paramount to us.” This year marks Esperança’s 20th anniversary. “As with everyone, this is certainly not the year—nor the anniversary—we planned,” Royce says. “We’ve altered how we provide service amid COVID-19, but our resolve is as strong as ever.” In response to COVID-19, Esperança has been providing bilingual health education videos through its social media channels including at-home exercises, how to properly brush and floss, and healthy meal recipes. The organization’s health educators are also conducting weekly phone check-ins with seniors to lend support and identify their specific needs. “We also reimagined our May Hope Breakfast, meant to serve as our 20th anniversary celebration, into a virtual event,” Royce says. With the funds raised during the event, Royce and her team have provided technological help to deliver virtual training and coaching for each participant. “The funds were also used to hire additional community health educators to support the expansion of health education and our new youth development program, and support additional volunteer surgical teams for new missions,” Royce says.

SABRIN ABUNAIB

Vice president and senior relationship manager, WaFd Bank Arizona

Jeri Royce

In the United States, parents assume their children will get an education and many will go to college. “I was born and raised in Sudan,” Sabrin Abunaib says. “Education at any level— especially for females—is neither guaranteed nor easily accessible the way it is here.” Abunaib lost her father at age 2. Her widowed mother, with the help of Abunaib’s oldest brother, made it work. “My mother’s biggest goal was for one of her daughters to complete her education, as it was a rarity in Sudan back then,” Abunaib says.

Sabrin Abunaib

Abunaib graduated high school and enrolled in college. During her sophomore year, she met Nadir Ali. Love blossomed, save for one small issue. “He lived and worked in California at the time, which was about 8,500 miles away,” Abunaib says. In 1995, Abunaib married Ali and moved to the United States, even though she didn’t know English or complete college. However, she taught herself English, had her first child and enrolled in community college. Over the next 25 years, Abunaib earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She also became a mom for the second time, relocated to Arizona and got her start in banking. She started as a teller and now works as an executive at WaFd Bank Arizona’s commercial division overseeing more than $20 million in projects. “My story may seem unique, but it really isn’t,” Abunaib says. “There are stories like this from business owners and employees across Arizona, and that is why we need to step up and help them right now more than ever.”

KRISTEN HOWARD

Business development, IMEG Corp. Kristen Howard is an accomplished professional with more than two decades of experience working in the architecture, engineering and construction industry. Besides her job in business development at Phoenix’s IMEG Corp., a national consulting engineering firm, she sits on the board of directors for the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) and is treasurer for the Central

Arizona Society for Healthcare Engineers (CASHE). “Organizations like AAED and CASHE are vital for the growth of Arizona,” Howard says. “They reflect the professionalism of their members in the efforts to support their missions. AAED, for example, is Arizona’s unified voice advocating for responsible economic development through professional education, public policy and collaboration. CASHE focuses on advancing the development of effective health care facilities management in health care institutions.” IMEG Corp. understands the value of Howard’s involvement in the industry. She is AAED’s board liaison for the organization’s awards banquet and spring conference committees. She is known for advocating for and improving her company’s market presence. Howard’s expertise in planning and strategy is obvious in her professional life

Kristen Howard

and when she plays pool. She used to play in a lot of tournaments but now plays just for fun. Howard says you can find a lot of similarities between shooting pool and working in the AEC industry. “Being proficient on a pool table takes planning, creativity and precise execution of every shot,” she explains. “It’s no different than what our team delivers every day for clients, whether it is for a new health care facility, a hotel renovation, a LEED-certified police station, a data center buildout or a residential project.”

Lynda Riford

LYNDA RIFORD

Marketing director and staff liaison officer, Southwest Behavioral & Health Services As a young adult, Lynda Riford was labeled a savior of animals. She brought home stray animals and nursed them back to health. Her dream was to be a marine biologist, a passion so deep that she traveled from Miami to Key Largo weekly to volunteer with marine mammal trainers. “I had fish scales under my fingernails for a solid year and a half and loved it,” Riford says. She moved to Arizona when her father was diagnosed with leukemia. “I’m happy I had the chance to spend time with my dad before he passed,” Riford says. “It was nice to be surrounded by family and drove my decision to stay in Arizona.” In 2000, Riford accepted a position with the Southwest Network—a consortium of behavioral health agencies—building policies, procedures and rosters for tracking patient care. “I had the opportunity to interact with a number of different consortium agencies,” Riford says. “Southwest Behavioral & Health Services’ mission of inspiring people to feel better and reach their potential really spoke to me. I made the leap and joined their team.” Riford started her career at Southwest Behavioral & Health Services in 2005 as an executive assistant to then-CEO Jeff Jorde. Thanks to Riford’s efforts, the organization has increased visibility and awareness for its services, helping over 30,000 members last year. “The best part of my job is acknowledging the amazing work of my peers,” Riford says. “Our members are inspiring, and I love sharing their success with the community.”

NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

An Ace

Golf meets cigars at Carefree’s new Sticks lounge By Connor Dziawura

arry Foppe commonly heard in Carefree that a laidback gathering place was missing—the key word now being “was.” So, he took his local cigar shop, moved it and rebranded it as Sticks Golf & Cigar Lounge. Located off Cave Creek Road and Tom Darlington Drive, the new venue is like Topgolf mixed with a cigar lounge, but with a country club feel. “ The one thing I commonly hear from the locals is there’s just no local place where you can bring some friends, sit down, have a drink and it’s not loud, you’re not dealing with drunken cowboys, etc.,” Foppe says of the facility’s lounge aspect. “People are starved for entertainment, especially with the coronavirus. They’re just dying to get out and do something. So we said let’s take the cigars (and) put 26

in a bar, which always helps. There are a lot of cigar lounges out there, and so we wanted to be different. And the way to differentiate ourselves was basically put in the entertainment.” Keeping with the cigar lounge feel, the venue has a walk-in, glass-cased, cedar cigar humidor stocked with more than a thousand brands of cigars. Smokers will find the likes of Padron, Daniel Marshall, Ashton, Arturo Fuente, Paul Garmirian, Alec Bradley, AVO, Rocky Patel, Montecristo and Oliva. Foppe calls it “high end.” “ We deal with premium cigars, so if you’re looking for a $5 cigar, you’re probably not going to find it here,” he says. The lounge area includes leather chairs, televisions, and a bar serving beer and wine. There are several outdoor patios at Sticks, too. “Everybody up here belongs to country clubs,” he says. “It’s like the club away from

AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

Larry Foppe moved and rebranded his cigar shop as Sticks Golf & Cigar Lounge, which he calls “high end.” (Photo courtesy Larry Foppe)

the country club, and that’s the environment we want. It’s the second country club. So, you bring your guests up and feel like you’re sitting at the country club but in a cool environment.” As for entertainment, Sticks uses indoor Full Swing simulators, which Foppe says have been endorsed by golf pros like Tiger Woods and Jason Day. In addition to featuring numerous renowned courses on which players can practice their skills, the simulators can provide lessons from instructors. Other games are also included, like soccer, football, baseball, lacrosse and a laser shooting gallery. There will be golf leagues, too. “My wife and I are addicted to zombie dodgeball, which is a great aerobic workout, by the way,” Foppe says. Although a visit to the venue’s website yields a 21-and-over warning for access, Foppe says the gaming room is a separate suite from the cigar lounge and doesn’t allow smoking, so youths are allowed to use the

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT sports simulators. One of the patios will also be nonsmoking, he says. “ What we’re trying to do is create a neighborhood gathering place. That’s kind of the best way to say it,” Foppe says. “We want you to come in and see your neighbors here, bring your friends in, not be intimidated, and be able to sit and have a drink or a smoke and have a nice conversation. “Or, if you want entertainment, we’ve got a whole separate golf room—called the Golf Room—with the simulator in it,” he continues. “And if you’re not a golfer—most people up here have guns and shoot—it’s actually got a laser shooting range in it also.” While the simulators can be rented hourly, various memberships for the moreinvolved guests are a large part of Sticks’ business model. Daily, monthly or annual golf practice passes allow 24/7 access to the simulators, and there are two types of rentable humidified cigar lockers, which include different benefits. Corporate, individual and seasonal memberships will allow 24/7 access to an additional private lounge when it opens in October, among other perks. Applications are available online. Foppe describes the private lounge as two rooms—one designed like a library, the other like a poker room—a wet bar with mixers, and separate cigar and spirit

Sticks Golf & Cigar Lounge features a beer and wine bar. (Photo courtesy Larry Foppe)

lockers. A BYOB license allows members to bring their own spirits to the private lounge, he says. There’s even a private patio and putting green, as well as additional TVs, a restroom and an office. “If you want to entertain your client, you can come up here at 9, 10 o’clock at night, go in the lounge, have a drink, you’ve got your own liquor there, the bar’s there for you,” he says. “It’s a very unique concept. There’s nothing like it in Arizona, quite frankly.” All in all, the goal at Sticks, according to Foppe, is to be “the neighborhood Cheers.” Foppe feels the location is perfect for

Sticks Golf & Cigar Lounge uses indoor Full Swing simulators, which feature numerous renowned courses on which players can practice their skills; lessons from instructors; and other games, like soccer, football, baseball, lacrosse and a laser shooting gallery. (Photo courtesy Larry Foppe)

hosting events, and he says the venue will play host to live background musicians. The venue is available for private booking, and while Sticks itself doesn’t serve food, it can help accommodate catering for private parties. “ We can do so many things with this location. It’s a beautiful corner location,” he explains. “We have two patios, and they’re elevated patios, so the view of the mountains is spectacular. We sit out every night and watch the sunset, my wife and I. It’s absolutely gorgeous. And it’s right on Cave Creek Road, so the visibility is very high.” And out of caution for COVID-19, Foppe reveals Sticks is ensuring it remains compatible with social distancing and masks, segueing onto the subject of its ventilation system for the cigar smoke. “Our employees are wearing masks, we’ve put half the number of chairs in the lounge that we intend to have, and the funny thing is we have two smoke eaters in the main lounge, and the smoke eaters are equipped with five filters, including a HEPA filter and then a carbon filter at the end,” he explains, admitting he feels he “over designed” the ventilation. “The entire volume of our lounge, the air volume, is exchanged 12 times per hour. “It’s probably the cleanest air you can breathe right now,” he adds with a laugh. Sticks Golf & Cigar Lounge 37555 E. Hum Road, Suite 109, Carefree 480-575-0993, sticksgolf-cigarlounge.com

NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

Boutique in the Desert

Creations brings local makers together for a bohemian vibe By Annika Tomlin

Shop Local” means something special to Tucsonbased Creations Boutique. Olivia Verma Smith’s family features its Angie Brand throughout the store, the latest of which opened at Desert Ridge Marketplace. Dubbed the “boutique in the desert,” Creations is peppered with locally made candles, artists and creators. “Many things that are developed by local makers, like our main candles, are produced here in Arizona,” Verma Smith says. “We are always trying to find creative people, creative makers here in the community to showcase their brands and products alongside the Angie Brand.” Family run since its founding in 1971, Creations Brand is finding its niche at Desert Ridge. “We like the Desert Ridge as an outdoor mall, and that community in North Phoenix is very family oriented,” Verma Smith says. “The community was really a good fit for what we sell.” Creations Boutique exudes a modern desert vibe. Angie Brand features bohemian ﬂare styles made from Arizona designers. “The fact that our designers are here in Arizona helps us stay very connected to our community,” she says. Desert Ridge is Creations Boutique’s sixth store, and like the others, it is decorated by local artists. The others are in Tucson, Tempe Marketplace and San Diego. “The fixtures in the store are what 28

Founded in 1971, Creations Boutique opened its newest location in Desert Ridge Marketplace. (Photo courtesy Creations Boutique)

set us apart from a lot of the national retailers, because most of the fixtures are handcrafted in Tucson,” Verma Smith says. “Many of the materials that we use are reclaimed, say, from a historic building before they are torn down. We really try to stay very authentic to the materials of our community.” Verma Smith says customers remark that their stores look like “a gallery or an art installation.” “We hold events where we partner with a local artist and we showcase some of their creations in our store,” she says. “We are hopeful that once this pandemic goes down, we can go back to hosting parties for the community in our stores and having a local DJ come in and spin or there is a local artist or stationer to come in and create greeting cards.”

AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

Opening a new location during the COVID-19 pandemic was easy because it is locally owned and operated. “As soon as the governor permitted retailers to open in May, we knew first because we’re here on the ground versus some of the big national guys who are trying to respond to all of the policy changes and all of the communities around the country,” she says. “The North Valley community was supportive of us, and I think we filled the need right away, especially for a lot of folks

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

Creations Boutique Desert Ridge Marketplace 21001 N.Tatum Boulevard, Phoenix 480-687-5401, creations24.com

Creation Boutique’s capstone “a boutique in the desert.”

from Northern Arizona, middle of Arizona and in the mountains. They drive down from their rural areas and at that point they really need supplies, and a lot of national retailers were still shut down all the way through mid-May.” Verma Smith was happy the store could open, but it still struggled to keep up with the health needs, sanitation and safety measures. “We are constantly navigating all of these changes in policy and trying to stay on top of everything to keep everyone safe and

considerate of the community as possible and still provide a need for the community,” she says. That said, one of the must-have items at Creations is the locally made face masks. She says local makers cut and sew the fabric, which is rewarding. “We have been making clothing in Arizona since the early ’70s, and so we have quite a bit of vintage (clothing); and some of the items in our warehouse have some rips or damages, so we have been converting or upcycling these beautiful vintage

Creations Boutique Tempe Marketplace 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Suite 1246,Tempe 480-448-1687, creations24.com

garments into face masks,” she says. Other pandemic bestsellers are the basics: camisoles, T-shirts and sweatpants. “All of the comfy clothes that people need just to refresh their wardrobe and stay comfortable,” Verma Smith says.

NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020

TASTE • DINE Donna and Bryan Dooley run Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue in Cave Creek with their family. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

Arizona blues legend Chuck Hall signed a guitar that hangs on a wall Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue in Cave Creek. Chef/owner Bryan Dooley and Hall are good friends. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

‘Guests are Not Just a Number’ Bryan’s Barbecue wins awards for atmosphere and good food By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

ook around the airy and bright interior of Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue, and the wood walls are covered with awards from the eatery’s 11 years in Cave Creek. Owner/chef Bryan Dooley chalks it up to good food and the staff ’s caring nature. “We’ve made a conscious effort in the beginning to make sure that we take people’s names,” Dooley says. “Guests are not just a number. We want to get to know everybody by name here. We’re a small town. We like to be part of the community. Donna and I have worked really hard to create an atmosphere—especially one that was really welcoming.” Dooley’s talents shine on the limited

Bryan’s Black Mountain

Barbecue is tucked in Las menu, which is offered in a cafeteriaTiendas in Cave Creek. style setup. (Photo by Pablo Robles) Sandwiches ($9.50 to $13.50)— filled with a quarter pound of pulled pork, beef brisket, pulled chicken or “I would say our ribs are our signature “pulled” squash—are served on a toasted bun dish,” Dooley says. “We have a small menu on with a choice of one 6-ounce side. purpose so we can really just concentrate on Plates and combos are available as well with just the barbecue. a half-barbecue chicken ($14.95), half-pound “We are a traditional barbecue restaurant. beef brisket ($18.50), two-meat combo I’m the chef, but we try to have fun, with little ($17.95), rib and meat combo ($17.95), pork twists and turns on our menu. But if I had to ribs half or full slab ($17.95 or $26.95).These choose one signature dish, it would be our come with a choice of two sides—baked potato ribs, which were recently chosen as best ribs in salad, olive coleslaw, six-pack cowboy beans, Arizona by the Food Network.” French fries or black-eye brisket chili. On special this summer at Bryan’s Black Barbecue chicken is available as a whole Mountain Barbecue is a summer tomato or half, individually, for $15.95; pork ribs are sandwich, which Dooley says is popular for a whole or half slab, $24.95 or $15.95. meat-based barbecue restaurant. Pulled pork, beef brisket and pulled chicken “It has a huge cult following,” he says. “That’s ($16.95 to $17.95) are available by the pound kind of a fun thing.” as well. A Culinary Institute of America graduate, Everything is homemade, and the recipes are Dooley was inspired to open a barbecue Dooley’s original recipes. restaurant by his grandfather. He remembers

AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

TASTE • DINE

Food at Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue is served cafeteria style, but don’t let that speak for its quality. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

“I fell backward and broke my ankle,” he says. “I was in a cast for several months and I wouldn’t work in the kitchen in the hotel. It was off work for a while. Donna said, ‘Hey, you don’t want to go back, do you? You want to open that restaurant you’ve been talking about.’ We took advantage of that time that I wasn’t working—the first time in many years, 13 years—to think about it. She really pushed me just to make that decision and do it.” Donna shares, “I had him trapped in a cast, and he couldn’t do anything. I drove him around town and looked at all the vacant buildings.” A Realtor introduced the couple to the current spot in Las Tiendas off East Cave Creek Road. “My whole career was about fine dining restaurants,” he says. “But we decided we wanted to do something a little bit more family friendly with comfort food. Barbecue sauces and “Donna had the merchandise are available at Bryan’s Black Mountain ideas for the decor and Barbecue in Cave Creek. what this restaurant (Photo by Pablo Robles) was going to look like even before we started. Everything fell together relatively simply—except we opened during the recession back then.” They acknowledge that couples who work together don’t necessarily stay together, but the Dooleys make it work.

collecting hickory from the woods around his grandfather’s house. Afterward, he’d watch him slow smoke pork ribs on a red brick barbecue pit. Dooley’s grandmother created signature barbecue sauce in the kitchen. Just as important to Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue is Dooley’s wife, Donna.The two met in Texas, where he was a grill cook and she was the restaurant’s cashier. “The setup in the kitchen was really weird,” she recalls with a laugh. “So we stared at each other all day. We moved up here and we worked at the Fairmont Scottsdale.” The Dooleys knew it was time to open their own restaurant after he was injured ice skating with their children.

Their children, who are 21 and 23, help out around the restaurant. Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue survived through the pandemic because, Dooley says, “barbecue translates well for takeout.” “We did well enough to keep our head above water, and our customers were extremely generous with their gratuity,” he says. “It really helped maintain the staff.” Now that the dining room is open, tables are socially distanced at 50% capacity. “We pulled tables out,” she says. “We’ve made a waiting area so people don’t have to sit too close to each other. It’s been an interesting transition, an interesting year. “We also had the fires. That was really scary.” The Dooleys considered opening a second restaurant, but they stress they want to concentrate on this one and not spread themselves too thin. “We want to make sure that we maintain the quality of the food and the service and everything here,” she says. “We’re closed Monday and Tuesday, and that’s great. We still come in one day or so and work, but we, fortunately, like each other.” Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue LasTiendas 6130 E. Cave Creek Road, Suite 2, Cave Creek 480-575-7155, bryansbarbecue.com 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday

NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020

TASTE • DINE

Authentic Italian Pizzicata treats everyone like family By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

izzicata owner Federico Venturini considers his guests and employees family at his Carefree Italian restaurant. Guests impart stories of visits to Italy, from which Venturini hails. In turn, Venturini shares authentic dishes like Pinsa Romana, pizza (starting at $10) with 48% less sugar, 85% less fat and no cholesterol. “We’re the first to make Pinsa Romana in Arizona,” Venturini says proudly. “People love and enjoy our patio, and it’s a beautiful area up here.” Venturini and his chef/ wife, Viola, moved to the North Valley two years ago from a small town in Umbria, an Italian region bordering Tuscany, Lazio and Le Marche. They opened the restaurant on September 26. He didn’t expect the success he has garnered. “People love our food,” he says. “We are the only authentic Italian restaurant in North Scottsdale and Carefree.” He chose to open Pizzicata in Carefree after visiting a friend from Paradise Valley. “I came here to stay together with his family,” Venturini says. “He showed me this country. I changed completely my life. Five years ago, I started my plan to open this 32

Pizzicata is led by chef Viola Venturini and her husband, Federico Venturini. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

and two in Italy. Soon, they will open Pomodoro Italian Grill and Seafood, an upscale restaurant in the former Cartwright’s location in Cave Creek. Pizzicata is a bit more casual, The Montebianco pizza—one serving pizza—which is 65% ball of fresh buffalo mozzarella, to 70% of the business—and prosciutto di parma and extra virgin olive oil—is a specialty of homemade pasta such as Pizzicata. It sells for $21. fettuccine, gnocchi, ravioli, (Photo by Pablo Robles) lasagna and tortellini ($18-$28). “People love our pasta,” he restaurant. First, it’s very hard to get the says. visa. But I realized my dream in five years. Appetizers at Pizzicata include caprese, Italians love Americans, and Americans which features fresh tomatoes, buffalo love Italians.” mozzarella, burrata and prosciutto di Pizzicata is part of a chain that also has parma ($14); and polpette al sugo, simply locations in Nice, France; Barcelona, Spain; meatballs in tomato sauce ($10).

AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

TASTE • DINE

The red-and-white-hued Pizzicata in Carefree is nestled in historic Spanish Village in Carefree. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

Salads are aplenty, with insalata di gamberi a showpiece—arugula, shrimp, mango, avocado, red onion and yogurt dressing ($15). All desserts are $10—lava cake, tiramisu, cannoli, cheesecake, lemon sorbet stuffed, coconut sorbet stuffed and creme brulee. Venturini is managing to make it through the pandemic, thanks to a successful winter season and the Paycheck Protection Program loan. “I think the government did a great job,” he says. “My employees are more like my sons and daughters. We have one big family. I kept all my employees at work during the quarantine. I didn’t fire no one. We survived.” Those familial feelings carry over into the atmosphere. Walls are adorned with paintings and photographs of Italy and Tesla lamps. A well-stocked bar separates

Tucked in historic Spanish Village in Carefree, Pizzicata and its patio are teeming with atmosphere. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

the red-accented dining rooms. “There is no Italian atmosphere like this place,” he says. “My guests try to speak in Italian, and they share with me their experiences of them being in Italy one time in their life. It’s a nice atmosphere. I have special customers, and I’m very happy.”

Pizzicata 7212 E. Ho Road, Carefree 480-488-2848, pizzicatausa.com

NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020

BETTER • HEALTH

Passionate About Her Work Susan Clark says education is the key to a perfect massage

Licensed massage therapist Susan Clark uses all-natural creams and oils that do not have harmful additives or parabens. (Photo by

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

usan Clark is all about education. When her Clark Bodywork Therapies clients visit her, she shares her treatments on an oversized muscle chart on her wall. “I show them where muscles connect and why I worked the areas,” Clark says. “A lot of people who have low back pain have super tight psoas and illiacus muscles, which are in the pelvic region.They’re amazed at how their low back pain has diminished or is gone after I’ve worked those muscles. “I work the deep core muscles that are often missed.” Clark, a board-certified, licensed massage therapist, is a member of American Massage Therapy Association and a 2004 graduate of Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe, specializing in therapeutic massage. Clark, who works out of her Cave Creek home, says one patient’s chiropractor suggested she have an MRI because she wasn’t improving. After her first treatment with Clark, she started feeling better. “She could walk normal again. It’s so gratifying. I love doing this work.” she says. “When the psoas muscles are tight, it affects low back pain and posture.” Clark decided to pursue a career in massage in 2003, when she was 49. She attended Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe. “It’s something I had been thinking about for a while,” Clark says. “I was tired of working in the corporate world. I thought I could be working for myself. I worked in research and development and saw

Pablo Robles)

how the FDA worked. Drugs have their place; however, I think people end up using them chronically. It’s causing degeneration rather than regeneration. I always had a passion for exercising, working out and weightlifting. I was a speed skater when I was younger in Chicago. I also loved horseback riding and owned my own horses. If a horseback rider wants to improve their riding, a massage is excellent for that. If someone is tense, the horse can feel it.The gait may not be as smooth because the rider is stiff.” For patients’ first appointments, Clark offers a consultation, during which she describes pain and referral pain. “A lot of people say, ‘I just want you to focus on this one particular area where it hurts,’” Clark says. “They could be hurting in a localized area, but the pain can actually be referred from another area. I usually tell them I’ll do a fullbody massage but focus on the area of concern.” When she founded Clark Bodywork Therapies, she quickly learned that people don’t always understand the connotation “deep tissue massage.” “They think that deep tissue has to hurt,” Clark says. “I try to explain to them there’s so much involved in deep tissue therapy.” “We have fascia that runs through our body like a three-dimensional web.The purpose of the fascia is to hold each individual muscle together. If the fascia is tight it becomes ‘sticky’

AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

and the muscles can’t glide against each other. I work the fascia first and then go into the deeper muscle tissue. In doing that, I can get into the deeper tissue without excruciating pain. It’s more like a ‘good hurt,’ where the client feels like something is being accomplished and there is healing and relaxation involved.There are ways to make it less painful by slowing down the stroke, stopping at a trigger point and holding it while the tightness relaxes or ‘dissolves.’” “When my clients tell me ‘That’s a good hurt,’ that’s wonderful. When they start tensing up, it’s counterproductive.They’re tensing their muscles and undoing the therapy work.” Besides deep tissue massage, her services include Swedish massage, manual lymphatic drainage, hot stone massage, prenatal massage and reiki. For deep tissue issue and Swedish massages, her prices are $45 for 30 minutes, $60 for 60 minutes and $85 for 90 minutes. For pricing on other modalities, visit clarkbodyworktherapies.com For products, she uses all-natural creams and oils that don’t have harmful additives or parabens. She also uses high-quality essential oils to enhance the massage. Susan Clark, LMT, NCBTMB Clark Bodywork Therapies 480-578-2943 clarkbodyworktherapies.com

BETTER • HEALTH Eat the Frog Fitness uses heart rate-based workouts that include flexibility, strength and cardio. (Photo courtesy

Eat the Frog Fitness)

Eat the Frog New fitness spot inspired by science-based training By Annika Tomlin

ounded by Olympic medalist Bryan Clay and Joe Culver, Eat the Frog Fitness was born from decades of elite, science-based athletic training and expert knowledge of the fitness industry. The company’s name is inspired by Mark Twain’s quote, “Eat a live frog first thing every morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” This 24-hour-accessible facility opened a new location at Desert Ridge Marketplace with owners Connie and Garrett Lee. “We actually worked out at the North Scottsdale location,” Connie says. “We were members there and just fell in love with the concept.” Garrett also owns a moving company, but the couple had aspirations to be a part of the fitness industry. The parents of four wanted a place close to home and that matched their values. “We always wanted to do something in the fitness industry, but we didn’t want to start from the ground zero,” Connie says. “We wanted something that would be already created for us that we could just open. Once we started working out there, we fell in love and decided that this is something that we wanted to do.” A short commute from home, the Lees

Connie and Garrett Lee own Desert Ridge Marketplace’s Eat the Frog Fitness.

opened the Desert Ridge location two months shy from the start of the pandemic but were ready to tackle the new challenge head on. “When the first shutdown happened, we actually started doing Zoom classes,” she says. “They were live Zoom, coach-led classes for our members. “Corporate had actually created a workout for our members so that if they didn’t do the live classes they could do those workouts classes at home.” Nestled between The Joint and Amazing Lashes, Eat the Frog Fitness was a welcome addition to Desert Ridge along with Reformed Pilates, which will open later this fall. Emilie Andrews, regional marketing director at Vestar, Desert Ridge Marketplace’s parent company, says being able to safely open new businesses in the center “is critical.” “We had had other fitness concepts that had been within the center, but Eat the Frog is so unique, and I think, for us, it means offering a completely different, absolutely convenient way for people to be able to workout,” Andrews says. “It is definitely different than any other fitness company

(Photo courtesy Eat the Frog Fitness)

...Continues on page 36 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020

BETTER • HEALTH that we have had within the center previously.” Virtual classes play on a screen in the facility every hour on the hour, while coach-led classes take place in the morning and evening “All of our members will get key fobs that unlock the studio and a workout will automatically play,” Lee says. “If they want to workout at midnight or 2 in the morning, our members have that access to come in and workout.” Prospective members are offered one free session to try out the facility before signing up for the personally customized eight-week workout regimen. New members must be assessed for base heart and max heart rates, as workouts are based on Eat the Frog Fitness opened a those. The assessment includes a 1,200-meter new location at Desert Ridge row, a sit and reach for ﬂexibility, a workout Marketplace shortly before the pandemic hit. (Photo courteon a TRX and then pushups. Every workout sy Eat the Frog Fitness) is timed, and reps are logged during specific timeframes. “Once you do your fit assessment test, we create a weekly workout you redo your fit assessment test and then we can see how much has as what you should be doing weekly,” Lee says. progressed.” Classes are broken into ﬂexibility, strength and cardio. In a Membership is on a month-to-month basis with no contracts. separate app, a workout program will be made specifically for Because the studio is small, it was able to remain open after Gov. members’ needs. Doug Ducey’s executive order. It allows a maximum of 10 people “Obviously every week it is going to be different up until your and hanging out in the lobby is not permitted. eight weeks,” Lee says. “Once you get to your eight weeks, we have COVID-19 brought new opportunities for Desert Ridge Marketplace that allowed them to be “more innovative and creative than before to be able to adapt to the needs of the community,” according to Andrews. The Lees make sure members stay 6 feet apart and are spaced out every other station. Operating during a pandemic has been no small feat for the couple. PROGRAMS AT CCUSD “For us it is kind of like a day-by-day basis,” Lee says. “We are trying to be positive through it all and be as clean and follow protocol to the best of our ability. We try to go above and beyond when it comes to sanitation and cleaning.” Lee says what sets Eat the Frog apart from other fitness centers is they “care more about our members and building that strong relationship.” “Obviously the workouts are important, but we care about us being close and having a strong relationship with our members,” Lee says. “Creating a community where everyone can come together and feels comfortable working out and they want to come and not just workout but hang out as well.” The five trainers at Desert Ridge keep members engaged and 2020 Enrollment is now open for motivated while providing assistance when needed to modify a Chinese and French Immersion Programs at CCUSD. workout. Trainers assist members while the virtual class plays on the Spaces in kindergarten & first grade are filling up quickly! screen above. “They have more time to be able to give that more personal training feel,” Lee says.

Language Immersion

REGIST

ER TODAY!

480.575.2000 www.CCUSD93.org 36

AUGUST 2020 | SEPTEMBER 2020 NORTHVALLEYMAGAZINE.COM

Eat the Frog Fitness Desert Ridge Marketplace 21001 N. Tatum Boulevard, Suite 18-1090, Phoenix 480-459-4940, eatthefrogﬁtness.com

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North Valley Magazine Aug/Sept 2020

Articles inside

Guests Are Not Just A

Family Matters

Authentic Italian

Eat the Frog

Music to the Ears

Putting Clients First

Historic Move

Virtually Present