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2 Paradise Valley Lifestyle | April 2016

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Upcoming Events

April 2016 | Paradise Valley Lifestyle 3

Spring is the quintessential time for growth and new begin-nings, as the newfound warm weather and abundance of

sunshine seems to spark a feeling of change, joy and excitement in all. And nothing better represents this time of year than a beautiful blooming garden.

When I was a little girl growing up in Connecticut I always looked forward to the coming of spring, as that meant it was time to head to the gardening supply store and buy all that we needed to plant our vegetable garden— a sunken little plot of land in our backyard that would soon yield a bounty of ripe red tomatoes, purple egg-

plant, bright yellow and green peppers and fragrant basil during the summer months.

I remember digging into the moist plot with my spade in hand and mother by my side as I tenderly placed the seeds in the earth and covered them with a thick layer of soil. It was certainly a picturesque scene with fresh dew covering the lush green grass, Easter lilies popping their heads out of the ground and birds chirping overhead.

When I moved to Arizona some years later, I thought all those dream-like days spent gardening were gone forever. Little did I know that Arizona offered just as much bloom-ing beauty as my childhood home—I just needed to be a little more creative in finding it. My first experience of spring in the desert came early one morning when I walked outside and found a single white flower budding out of a cactus. In the weeks following, I watched in wonder as all the cacti and dry bushes in my backyard came alive again with a colorful array of unique flowers, making my heart flutter with joyous nostalgia every time I saw a new bloom.

In this month’s “Spring and Gardening” issue we celebrate Arizona’s diverse beauty, from a lush garden oasis in the heart of Arcadia; to tips on how to grow and preserve herbs in the desert; to programs at the Desert Botanical Garden allowing both kids and adults to find their green thumb. We hope you enjoy this most joyous time of year!

Until Next Month,

JOIN US TALK TO USProverbs 3:5-6

Paradise Valley Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of Paradise Valley’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Paradise Valley Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

PVLifestylePubs.com P.O. Box 12608Overland Park, KS 66282-3214

Celebrate Spring!

Lifestyle Letter

APRIL 2016

by Community ™

ON THE COVER Two wooden chairs beside

a blooming tree at The Sweet Life Garden

PHOTOGRAPHY BY IMAGES BY MICHAEL

CORPORATE TEAMCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER | Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING | Brad Broockerd

ART DIRECTOR | Sara Minor

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR | Nicole Sylvester

AD COORDINATORS | Cyndi Harrington, Chelsi Hornbaker, Megan Seymour

LAYOUT DESIGNER | Nicolette Martin

DESIGN SPECIALIST | Ashleigh Thomson

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT | Melanie Carlisle

APPLICATION ARCHITECT | Michael O’Connell

WEB DEVELOPER | Hanna Park

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Danielle Accovelli, Editor

sales director

Eric Williams

advertising sales

Dolly Bayne | [email protected]

editor

Danielle Accovelli | [email protected]

editorial assistant

Michelle Guerrero

contributing writers

Kathleen Blair, Kory Kilmer, Colin Roohan, Alison Stanton, Teresa K. Traverse

contributing photographers

Jasen and Christi Arias, Eric Hausman, Images by Michael, KM Photos


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April 2016

Departments8 Good Times

10 Around Town

12 Renovate & Refine

15 Locally Owned

16 Hot Spot

17 Giving Back

28 Water & Woods

30 Lifestyle Calendar

33 Sold Properties

34 Parting Thoughts

12 Planting Perfection Noelle Johnson gives the how-to on growing herbs.

18 Paradise Found A lush garden oasis in the heart of Arcadia.

24 Caribbean Dream A cultural tour through the vibrant island of Curacao.

18

12 16 24

Lifestyle Publications

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Good Times

Ballet Arizona's Prima Circle Soiree This intimate and exclusive evening saw Prima Circle members enjoy an educational program curated by Artistic Director,

Ib Andersen, a lovely dinner catered by Tarbell's and a post-performance reception with Ballet Arizona dancers.

Colleen's Dream Annual Golf Tournament and Evening of Dreams Gala

Over 500 guests came out for this fabulous, NFL-studded event at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort to support the funding of research for ovarian cancer. PHOTOGRAPHY KEITH & MELISSA PHOTOGRAPHERS.

Kate Groves, Miranda Lumer & Nick Woodruff Joseph & Sherylin Sandor Billie Jo & Judd Herberger

Adrienne & Charles Schiffner

Event Stage

Billy and Nicole Cundiff, Erica Anderson, Michelle Batschelet, Jeff Seaman

Tyson and Ashlee Manuel, Whitney and John Harvey, March Keeton, Julie and Ryan Duncan

Kim Smith, Janel Knaub, Kristen Sapanaro, Samantha Rice

Nicole Cundiff, Teresa Strasser and Andrea Mardak Ovarian Cancer Survivor Terah Young


10th Anniversary of Dancing with the Stars ArizonaThe stars were certainly out as local celebrities showed off their best moves on the dance floor during this

spectacular event benefitting the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MOIRAE CREATIVES- EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY; JASEN & CHRISTY ARIAS.

2016 Celebrity & Legends DancersIvan J. Almonte (People's Choice Winner) and Devorah Kastner Jennifer Mitchell & Nikolay Kralev

Leslee Allen (Silver Star Winner) & Igor Ustymovych Team Enfuego CoChairs Kathleen Taddie & Leslie Rich


Courtesy of Siegal Photographic Inc.

two new restaurants and a bar, a transformed main pool, a significant addition of outdoor meeting and event space, enhanced guest rooms and a more open, welcoming feel throughout. For more information, please visit TheScottsdaleResort.com.

SAM & BETTY KITCHELL FAMILY HERITAGE GARDEN OPENING

The Desert Botanical Garden is pleased to announce the opening of the Sam & Betty Kitchell Family Heritage Garden. The Heritage Garden is located just north of the historic Webster Center and is home to many of the Garden’s oldest plantings, including the iconic cardones and the first accessioned plant, the creeping devil cac-tus. The renovation of this space interprets the Garden’s story and vision for the future, featuring horticultural displays designed to be as treasured and compelling in 75 years as the giant cardones are today. Located within the Kitchell Heritage Garden are two new spaces, the Cardon Plaza and the Fine Family Contemplation Garden. For more information, please visit DBG.org.

HOPDODDY BURGER BAR OPENS AT TOWN & COUNTRY

Hopdoddy Burger Bar ’s first Phoenix location at The Shops at Town & Country has recently opened its doors. Famous for its all-natural, hormone- and antibi-otic-free burgers ground in-house alongside freshly baked buns, this will be the second Arizona loca-tion for Hopdoddy, following its Scottsdale opening in 2013. In addi-tion to the new location, Hopdoddy Burger Bar is pleased to announce its Phoenix/Scottsdale Goodnight for a Good Cause Burger part-ner Alice Cooper ’s Solid Rock, which provides a facility for kids and students from all over the Phoenix area to learn and practice music, creative arts, dance, culinary arts and more. For more information, please visit Hopdoddy.com.

MUHAMMAD ALI’S 22ND CELEBRITY FIGHT NIGHT

The Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night Awards on Saturday, April 9 will be hosted by Grammy Award-winning country superstar Reba McEntire—this will be McEntire’s eleventh consecutive year hosting the event. The black-tie evening will begin with cocktails and a silent auction, followed by dinner, an exciting live auction and entertainment, including performances by Carrie Underwood, Reba, Brooks and Dunn, The Tenors, Sinbad and more. Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer, David Foster, will return for his seventeenth consecutive year as the evening’s Musical Director. This year’s honorees include Carrie Underwood, Carson Palmer, Dr. Francis Yeoh, Yank Barry and the Argyros Family. For more informa-tion, please visit CelebrityFightNight.org.

THE SCOTTSDALE RESORT AT MCCORMICK RANCH REOPENS AFTER MULTI-PHASE RENOVATION

The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, A Destination Hotel, recently reopened following a massive renovation that took place this summer, transforming the independent resort and revitalizing its amenities. As part of the $10 million renovation, the resort boasts

Around Town

AROUND TOWN


Casa Lantana, Buckingham Interiors + Design. Courtesy of Eric Hausman

Casa Lantana, Buckingham Interiors + Design. Courtesy of Eric Hausman

MODERN PHOENIX WEEKScottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) presents the

annual Modern Phoenix Week in partnership with Modern Phoenix LLC., from April 1 through April 10, celebrating midcentury modern architecture and contemporary design. Midcentury aficionados, homeowners and design lovers can look forward to 10 days of events spanning tours, films, educational seminars and mixers throughout the Valley. Highlights of the week include a tour of Paolo Soleri’s Cosanti, a tour of Hotel Valley Ho, Modern Marketplace and the 12th Annual Modern Phoenix Home Tour. For more information, please visit SMoCA.org.

BALLET ARIZONA AWARDED $100,000 GRANT

The School of Ballet Arizona (SBAZ) was awarded a 12-month $100,000 Implementation Award from the Flinn Foundation to support the growth and capitalization of the School of Ballet Arizona. This grant will provide a foundation of support, giving SBAZ finances to invest in staff, marketing resources and new class offerings. With a solid busi-ness plan to grow SBAZ, the grant will focus on specific marketing campaigns for the School, along with introducing and evaluating new class offerings. For more information, please visit BalletAZ.org.

4TH ANNUAL ARCADIA FUN RUNThe 4th Annual Arcadia Family Fun Run, which raises money for

research into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the leading cause of death in infants between one-month and one-year of age, will take place Sunday, April 17 at 8:00 a.m. The event is organized by Katie and Mark Cosmas, whose five-month-old daughter, Taylor, passed away from SIDS in 2010. All proceeds from the Arcadia Family Fun Run will be donated to the Three Butterflies SIDS Foundation, which supports researchers like Dr. Hannah Kinney, whose work has led to the most promising development of our knowledge about SIDS. For more information and to register, please visit TeamTaylorAZ.com.

TWO BROTHERS TAPPING PARTYIn celebration of its one-year anniversary in Scottsdale and the

commencement of Arizona Beer Week, Two Brothers Tap House & Brewery recently hosted a public tapping party. The beer-centric event attracted nearly 150 guests who were among the first to try the newly brewed Soleil Quemadura, a French-style saison brewed with ancho, pasilla and mulato peppers for a light sweet spice with subtle, earthy chocolate and fruity undertones rounded by rye malt and grains of paradise to add a little extra zest. Guests also enjoyed live music and raffle prizes. For more information, please visit TwoBrothersBrewing.com.


Renovate & Refine

GrowMAKING YOURHERB GARDEN

EXPERT TIPS ON PLANTING AND PRESERVING HERBS FROM NOELLE JOHNSON

ARTICLE TERESA K. TRAVERSEPHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED


Phoenix is usually seen as a barren place. However, horticulturist, landscape consultant and certified arborist, Noelle Johnson, is

out to change that.“My passion is to show people how to create beautiful, drought-tol-

erant gardens using plants that will thrive in our climate,” says Johnson. As the writer behind the blog AZ Plant Lady, (AZPlantLady.com)

Johnson shows her readers that, yes, you can have a thriving, lush garden in the desert. It just requires some work.

Growing HerbsHerbs love the sun, and need six to eight hours of sunshine per day. The best environ-

ment for herbs is a vegetable garden, but if you don’t already have one, you can place them in a pot. Johnson recommends a container that’s one-and-a-half to two-feet wide at the top so the herbs have space to grow.

When it comes to watering, remember this: herbs hate soggy soil. Avoid potting soil, as it tends to hold on to moisture. Water deeply—or let the irrigation drip run for about two to three hours—and allow the soil to dry out before you water again. You’ll want the top inch of the soil to be dry. Stick your finger in to about the first knuckle, which is roughly one inch, to test it. If it’s barely moist, it’s time to water again.

To extract the best flavors, use the herbs within six months after cutting. Above all, you’ll want to spend time researching ways to maintain a thriving garden.

“It really matters to do just a little bit of research about the plants before you put them in the ground,” Johnson says. “My passion is showing people that a garden in the desert can be so much more than rock and cactus.”

Drying/PreservingHerbs

If you can’t use your herbs immediately, dry them.“What’s really great about living here is that herbs dry

very quickly because we’re hot and dry,” says Johnson.You can tie the herbs together with twine and hang them.

Consider covering the herbs with a paper bag to keep dust off. You can also lay them out on a baking sheet, covering it with a towel, then leave them to air out. You’ll know they’re finished drying when the herbs are brittle or crumble after being touched.

Another preserving option is to chop-up the herbs, put them in water or olive oil, freeze them and then add the cubes to cooking.

CONTINUED >


HERE ARE SOME OF JOHNSON’S FAVORITE HERBS TO

GROW IN PHOENIX:

Here are some of Johnson's favorite herbs to grow in Phoenix:

BasilBASIL

Seeing as basil dies after Phoenix’s first frost, plant it at the end of February or the beginning of March. Although basil doesn’t do well in the cold, Johnson says it’s one of the easiest plants to grow and has a nice fragrance that many people enjoy. Putting basil on most foods can help “dress them up.” Johnson advises placing it on top of pasta sauce or pizza to elevate those dishes. You can also make basil salt.

Parsley

ChiveCHIVE

This herb grows year-round. Johnson says she likes chives because of their “delicate onion flavor.” Like basil, chives also look great sprinkled on top of pasta. However, she says chives need to be used immediately, as they lose flavor when cooked. Chives can also be used on a baked potato or eggs. Thyme

Parsley is a classic garnish that can make any dish a little more vibrant. “It adds a little bit of fresh color,” says Johnson. She also suggests adding parsley to Italian dishes like pizza or pasta.

This herb grows year-round, and Johnson says it tastes great with poultry and pork. She sug-gests adding thyme to gravy too.

Renovate & Refine (CONTINUED)


Locally Owned

After years spent working for Massage Envy Corporate, Cheryl and Roger Cole were thankful for what they had learned, but

were eager for something new, as well as something they could make their own. As it turned out, they did not have to look far.

In November 2014, they were introduced to Amazing Lash Studio, an eyelash extension studio founded just four years prior and was on the verge of serious growth across the country. The company’s new CEO, founder and former CEO of Massage Envy, was looking to incorporate much of the same business model to his new venture that made his previous company such an industry leader. Exactly one year later, the couple opened their own studio in Paradise Valley Marketplace.

After a trip to Houston to see Amazing Lash Studio for them-selves, Cheryl and Roger realized that this was their opportunity to not only own a piece of something promising, but to get in early and be a part of shaping and steering the trajectory of the company.

“We were on the ground floor as far as the franchising part of it, and the growth-rate of the company is much faster than Massage Envy was at this point in their history,” explains Roger. “This is a service that applies to all age groups. We see mothers making a day of it with their daughters, and that’s just great!”

Amazing Lash Studio differs from most other eyelash services in that their service is not the strip-lash that is most associated with eyelash extensions. What they offer are individual synthetic strands that are individually applied to each natural eyelash, one-by-one, resulting in a look and feel that is completely natural.

In addition to extension services, Amazing Lash Studio also offers an extensive product line geared toward helping maintain amazing eyelashes, including styling wands, makeup cleansing pads, mas-caras, and even a gentle facial wash.

As an introductory incentive, Amazing Lash Studio offers a first set of lashes for $79.99. For those looking to maintain their lashes throughout the year, there is an opportunity to then join the member-ship program, which for $49.99 per month, includes one eyelash refill every 30 days, as well as discounts on other products and services, such as rewards for referrals. After being open just a few months, in January, the studio welcomed Nicole Miller as their 100th Member.

Besides a high-quality product, Cheryl and Roger are proud to say that their level of customer service also sets them apart from other studios. Since theirs is a proprietary technique, Amazing Lash Studio has an intensive two-week training course for all of their stylists, regardless of experience. Cheryl and Roger can then focus on hiring people who possess the right personality to fit within their culture of doing well by the client through a genuine desire to offer a great experience time and time again.

“They can have all the training, but what we want is that genuine caring, friendly personality,” says Cheryl.

“A full set can take two hours, and even a refill averages just under an hour, so our clients are in there for quite a while and it is important to have somebody who is able to make a good connection,” adds Roger.

For more information, please call 602.529.4366 or visit AmazingLashStudio.com.

Amazinglash

studio

ARTICLE KORY KILMER PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Nicole Miller, 100th Member


EXPERIENCE OCEAN-TO-TABLE DINING LIKE NEVER BEFORE AT BUCK &RIDER

ARTICLE DANIELLE ACCOVELLI PHOTOGRAPHY IMAGES BY MICHAEL

Hot Spot

Driving through the Biltmore area, one is sure to notice the mod-ern-looking green building popping out of a sea of Southwestern-

style structures on Camelback Road. This is the home of LGO Hospitality’s latest restaurant concept, Buck &Rider, an ocean-cen-tric eatery and oyster bar serving up the freshest of seafood from its ingredient-driven menu of classic favorites and new creations.

DISTINCTIVE DESIGN

To create a truly ocean-inspired oasis, the design team at LGO Hospitality modeled the exterior of the restaurant off of a famous house located on the coast of Australia. The restaurant also boasts an expansive patio with incredible views of Camelback Mountain.

“We really used that Australian house as an inspiration to juxta-pose the views of the mountains versus what you would expect to be looking at from a beach home,” says Jordynn Lynn, director of culinary development for LGO Hospitality.

Inside, the dining area is inviting and cozy with wood tables, comfortable banquette seating and a large brick fireplace accented by a gorgeous rustic-chic chandelier. At night, the dining area and patio come to life with twinkling lights that create a magical scene set against the dark sky—almost as if one was dining alfresco on a secluded beach.

FRESH FROM THE SEA

The culinary team at Buck &Rider is always committed to quality and authenticity. They have fresh seafood flown into the restaurant seven days a week, including everything from Maine lobster to raw crab claws from the Gulf Coast and fish from the Pacific Northwest.

“We really wanted to redefine the standard of fresh seafood in Arizona, so we took the time to build relationships with purveyors who

don’t normally service the southwestern United States,” says Lynn.To do this, he curates a seasonal menu highlighting only the fresh-

est ingredients that can be found at the time.“Seafood is really more seasonal than people think, even simple

items like salmon will change three or four times a year depending on what’s in season,” says Lynn.

DIVE RIGHT IN

At Buck &Rider fresh fare is always in season. For example, their oyster bar serves up a mouthwatering selection of raw oysters, pre-mium-quality chilled seafood and their famous Snapper Ceviche—a refreshing blend of true American red snapper, creamy avocado, cherry tomato, citrus, cucumber and red onion.

For starters, the Lobster Roll “Nik Niks” is a definite must-try, fea-turing fresh Maine lobster served atop a fluffy house-made Parker Roll from LGO Bake Shop. Then there’s Lynn’s personal favorite dish, the Thai Style King Crab Salad, tossed with avocado, mango, peanut and cilantro and drizzled with a Thai-style vinaigrette.

“It’s just really light and flavorful, and perfectly highlights the amaz-ing king crab that we’re getting,” says Lynn.

Highlights of the dinner menu include Grilled Campbell River Salmon with a light miso marinade, haricot vert, mushrooms, pine nuts and Fresno chilies; and Fresh Blue Crab Cakes made with size-able pieces of melt-in-your-mouth crab, baby kale, pepitas, radish and sunflower sprouts with pommery mustard sauce.

Be sure to save room for dessert too, as the Lemon Meringue Pie, made exclusively by LGO Bake Shop, is absolutely to die for.

If you’re a fan of seafood, one taste of the fresh fare served at Buck &Rider will have you hooked and coming back for more.BUCK & RIDER

Fresh

Catch4225 East Camelback RoadPhoenix, AZ 85018602.346.0110BuckandRider.com


Giving Back

In 1986, 12 passionate and energetic women got together and organized a dinner and auction at Saks Fifth Avenue in Phoenix with one goal in mind:

to raise funds for ground-breaking cancer research. The event, called Evening in the Park, proved to be a huge success. It raised over $13,000 for research and spurred the women to go on and establish a volunteer orga-nization dedicated to supporting the University of Arizona Cancer Center.

Thirty years later, the Phoenix Friends of the Arizona Cancer Center (FACC) is still going strong, with 45 caring and enthusiastic members who are constantly planning new events and fundraisers to support cancer research in Arizona.

“When I first joined I wanted to know where the money was going, and I’m proud to say that every penny that the Phoenix Friends raises stays here in Arizona and goes towards research,” says FACC President-Elect Beth Komadina.

The FACC’s most recent fundraiser, An Evening with The Friends 2016, was a western-themed event to “Give Cancer the Boot,” featur-ing dining, dancing and a fabulous auction. Always looking to give, the proceeds raised at the event will go directly towards funding early stage clinical trials at the Cancer Center’s Phoenix location.

NEW HORIZONS

The organization has also played a major role in helping the Center open its new University of Arizona Cancer Center at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. This is a comprehensive outpatient medical facility dedicated to providing top-notch patient care in all aspects of treatment, utilizing world-renowned specialists in symptom management, palliative care, nutritional care, and much more.

“Just the physicians at the Center and their passion to help patients and their families is phenomenal. We even have a nutritionist who will go to the market with patients and their loved ones, walk them through and then go back to the kitchen here and teach them how to cook healthy,” says Komadina.

BUILT TO LAST

It’s relationships like the one between the FACC and University of Arizona Cancer Center that are truly built to last, allowing both organizations to thrive and change the lives of many for the better.

“I really think that the relationships that have been built between the FACC and the physicians and researchers are so truly special, and we really want to get the word out in our community about the new center,” says Komadina. “Because if you know that there are people taking care of you and that are truly concerned, it gives you more confidence to beat it.”

That’s exactly where the heartbeat of the organization lies, in its members’ enormous sense of compassion and sincere dedication to giving patients and their families hope, support and encouragement from diagnosis to treatment, and beyond.

“That’s why I continue to do it, because they truly do care,” says Komadina.With continued support and dedication from the FACC in raising funds

for cancer research, it seems like the possibilities are endless for the University of Arizona Cancer Center. That’s a friendship truly built to endure.

For more information, please visit PhoenixFriends.org.

FRIENDSHIPfor the Future

PHOENIX FRIENDS OF THE ARIZONA CANCER CENTER ARE ALWAYS READY

TO LEND A HELPING HAND

ARTICLE DANIELLE ACCOVELLI PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Beth and Tony Komadina

Barbie Boyle and Nancy Geiger


Savoring the

SWEETLIFE

An Arcadia Couple Seeks to Teach, Inspire and Cultivate a Locally Grown Movement

with their Urban Farm

ARTICLE TERESA K. TRAVERSE PHOTOGRAPHY IMAGES BY MICHAEL & KM PHOTOS


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Just driving by the garden on Osborn Road, you probably wouldn’t think twice about it. But venture past the gate, and you’ll find raised plant beds, a chicken coop, herb pots and even goats, right in the heart of Phoenix.

Her carefully landscaped yard—the Sweet Life Garden has been the site of numerous weddings and bridal showers—features 20 to 25 peach, pear and plum trees.

Touring the garden is a true lesson in agri-cultural. She leads me inside the chicken coop, showing me where the chickens lay eggs, sleep

A bout 15 years ago, Jill Green planted a peach tree, completely unaware that the little tree was the start

of her own urban farm. As trees do, the peaches came up and suddenly she had more than plenty. Her neighbors bought them and asked if she had more, so she planted more. Now, more than a decade later, her neighbors are still asking. She even leaves colorful white, brown, speckled and even blue eggs from her own chickens out for $5 on a table in her yard.

and take dust baths, pointing out which chick-ens were responsible for laying each color of egg. I even got to hold a baby chick in the palm of my hand—one of many that were huddled together in a cardboard box.

Just walking around, you’d have no idea that four goats also live on property. Walking up to the goats’ pen, we pass by an apple tree growing sideways on the fence surrounding the pool.

“People think they have to have a lot of space for a big tree. It’s all about how low you want to prune it,” says Green.

As soon as we approached the gate, two goats immediately started butting heads. She tells me some of their names: Samba, Luna and Nelly. They’re La Manchas, goats from Spain, which she picked because they’re quiet.

“Every morning I get up on the milk stand so we can have fresh milk and make cheese,” she says pointing to a wooden stand beside the goats’ pen. “We also have fresh eggs. Then we have our vegetables. We want to know where our food is coming from, and we want it to be fresh and organic.”

The Sweet Life Garden represents an important movement in this country: urban gardening. Many Americans are now growing their own food to ensure quality, and although the farm-to-table trend in this country is relatively new, Green’s prac-tices are not.

“Only in the last few generations, people didn’t live like this,” Green says. “I think people are remembering, or needing. Now we know that we don’t want to spray poisons in

SAVORING THE SWEET LIFE (CONTINUED)


our food anymore. We don’t want to have genetically modified food. That’s messing with the next generation. We’re learning that to try to return back to that natural way of living.”

Part of her mission is also to educate others on how they can grow their gardens. “People want to know how you do that. How do you sustain yourself and still live in the city and work?” she says.

The answer is that you start small: with an herb pot or two, and keep trying if it doesn’t work out well the first few times.

“It’s worth your patience and time learning.”Besides the fresh produce and food, Green’s garden has also given

her something else: a sense of community. In those pre-Internet days, she would drive around and say hi to anyone she saw with a vegetable garden. She initially shared “custody” of her goats with a neighbor before he gave them to her. And today, she’s part of a thriving community of urban gardeners.

“We’ve met so many people that we didn’t know who lived around here,” she says.

Green also says she loves seeing people’s faces light up when they discover the Sweet Life Garden.

“That’s what makes a difference to us, just inspiring people,” Green says. “Now it’s the time to share what we do.”

To learn more about the Sweet Life Garden or to schedule an appointment,

please visit SweetLifeGarden.com. CONTINUED >


SAVORING THE SWEET LIFE (CONTINUED)


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ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY COLIN ROOHAN


My tour of the beautiful Caribbean island began in Willemstad, the island’s capital city, and one with a most eclectic vibe. As

the tour group made its way through the buzzing streets, my eyes and ears were filled with the variety of different languages spoken and diversity of people passing by. Willemstad’s waterfront, our first stop, is a great place to see the island’s Dutch architecture. One landmark of particular importance is the rare Queen Emma Bridge, a pontoon bridge that opens horizontally rather than vertically to allow ships’ passage into the harbor. From there, the group went to the lively floating market, where vendors from abroad tie up their boats and entice the public to buy their goods, which include everything from seafood to wooden masks. It’s quite the chaotic scene—remem-ber to watch out for flying fish!

After leaving Willemstad, we went to The Curacao Winery, where a Dutch couple founded the island’s first winery. We met the founder, Roelof Visscher, and were given a tour of the vineyards. Roelof showed us different grape varieties in varying stages of growth and explained what he hoped to achieve with each one. During our tasting, he explained that The Curacao Winery currently only serves wine made at their sister vineyard in Holland, but the Curacao vines (planted in 2014) show much promise. We wrapped up our tasting with Roelof and headed back to our hotel, the Lions Dive & Beach

Resort. Upon arriving, I went directly for my bathing suit and headed down to the resort’s private beach where I was able to catch the sun-set while relaxing in the warm Caribbean Sea.

The island’s highest point, Mount Christoffel, was on our itinerary for the following morning. Upon arriving, we were greeted by a park ranger who had a peculiar sense of humor—during the tour he even pierced his hand with a barb to show us how sharp the local cacti were. The drive, done in an old Toyota 4x4, took us up rocky roads toward the peak, with our guide’s maniacal laughter spilling out of the windows with each acceleration.

When we left the park, we drove west to Playa Knip, a gor-geous beach frequented by locals. The pristine sands were cov-ered with families laughing and splashing about in the crystal clear water in a picture of perfection. Later, we boarded the van and headed for our new accommodations, the Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort.

The next morning, the group awoke early for a paddleboard and kayak tour led by one of the resort staff members. We made our way into the harbor just as the wind started to pick up, and everyone, guide included, was nearly blown into the harbor’s surrounding rocks. It was an adventurous few hours that led to two of the members having to be towed back to our resort by a dingy. Everyone had worked up quite the

CONTINUED >


appetite paddling, and thankfully lunch at the Seaside Terrace was next on the agenda. The quaint little restau-rant, mere feet from the Marie Pampoen beach, was incredible. The food was fresh, the vibe was relaxed, and at times it was tough to tell where the restaurant ended and vacationers picnicking on the beach began.

After our seaside lunch, we were scheduled to meet Eric at Eric’s ATVs for a fast-paced four-wheel excursion on the southeast edge of the island. Upon arrival, we met our guides and were given a safety demonstration. Shortly after, everyone was mounted and following our guides up and down dusty pathways, zigzagging through the brush. Roughly thirty minutes in, the guides motioned for everyone to stop and kill their engines. We took a break before they led a short climb through a series of caves, where we summited atop a bluff and were rewarded with a pristine view of the Caribbean Sea— blue and vast in all its glory.

I awoke on the final day and walked the Santa Barbara Resort grounds one last time, taking pictures of the gorgeous bay, sad to see the trip come to an end. We checked out and headed for brunch at Hofi Cas Cora, a stylish restaurant that uses farm-to-table ingredients, hosts yoga sessions and cooking classes for kids. Their menu was simple but their dishes were absolutely phenomenal, and after our meal we were able to tour the gardens with one of the owners. She kept using the word “community” when describing the restaurant’s patrons, and it made me think of the com-munity of Curacao—one where people shout hello from their cars, will lend a helping hand, and where everyone will greet you with comradery and a smile.

TRUE CURACAO (CONTINUED)


DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF CLASSES FOR KIDS AND ADULTSARTICLE ALISON STANTON | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Water & Woods

Since the Desert Botanical Garden first opened in 1939, it has inspired both locals and visitors alike with its beautiful exhibits.

In addition to its 55 acres under cultivation and 50,000-plus plant displays, Desert Botanical Garden also offers a huge variety of outdoor-themed classes for kids and adults.

Luana Vargas, program director, adult education, says Desert Botanical Garden has both formal and informal lifelong learning programs that are perfect for those with a green thumb, as well as those who wish to discover more about the many fascinating critters and creatures who live there.

“We offer about 500 programs a year, and in 2015 had approximately 25,000 students—both children and adults—who attended our programs,” Vargas says, adding that when it comes to fun and educational classes, Desert Botanical Garden truly has it all.

“We have classes for families and kids, and even for infants and toddlers—our Baby Boojums program was a hit this winter. We also have programs designed specifically for adults, including gardening, art, photography and birding classes.”

The following is just a small sampling of the many classes offered at Desert Botanical Garden:

SUMMER CAMPS FOR KIDSFor parents who are looking for great ways to keep their kids happily occupied

during summer break, Desert Botanical Garden has drop-off camps that offer a ter-rific way to explore the Sonoran Desert.

GARDEN DELIGHTS


Vargas says that the different camp programs are designed for kids ranging from 5 to 12 years, and include hands-on experiences that are fun and interactive.

For example, Pollination Pals, which runs from June 6-10, teaches kids about the diversity of the Sonoran Desert. This hands-on camp allows kids to discover the fascinating world of bees, butterflies, hum-mingbirds, bats and the plants that depend on them.

GIRL SCOUTS PROGRAMFrom October through May, Desert Botanical Garden hosts a Girl

Scouts program that is open to Daisies, Brownies and Juniors.For example, in the Water Wizards class, scouts can learn about

the amazing ways that desert plants adapt to help them collect, contain and conserve water. The Scouts will then investigate these characteristics as they think about a world inspired by desert plants, which starts in their very own garden.

FAMILY CLASSESThe whole family can create meaningful memories together by

attending one of the Garden’s desert exploration programs.“Kids, parents and grandparents alike will leave with a shared

enthusiasm for the plants and animals around us,” Vargas says, add-ing that these programs are designed for families with children ages 5 to 12, although all children under 17 are welcome.

One of the many examples of this will take place on May 14, when kids and adults can sign-up together for the Desert Book Club—Butterflies and Birds event. After walking through the Garden, local children’s author Natalie Gagnon will read to the class from her latest books, which describe monarch butterflies and Gambel’s quail.

LANDSCAPING AND GARDENINGPeople who want to start a garden but are unsure if a ground-level

or raised bed is the way to go can learn more about both options at the Raised Bed Gardening class on April 3.

The class will cover the differences between the two types of gar-dens, including the pros and cons of each. Attendees will also learn about the different types of construction materials, designs and soil mixes that go into a raised bed.

For more information on Desert Botanical Garden’s classes, please

visit DBG.org.

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by Chef Kevin Binkley of Binkley’s Restaurant Group. Indulge in a glass of Moscatel and seasonal tapas before sitting down to a sump-tuous four-course meal held in a special Garden location. DBG.org

APRIL 8 - 10CENTRAL ARIZONA CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY SHOW PHOENIXThis spectacular display of flora returns to the Desert Botanical Garden, where visitors will get to see hundreds of amaz-ing, beautiful and bizarre examples of cacti and succulents as members of the CACSS display potted specimens of desert plants from around the world for visitors to both admire and purchase. DBG.org

APRIL 9OVER THE EDGE PHOENIXThe legacy of Fred Harvey and his company’s success as the first national hotel and restaurant enterprise remains pervasive in region-al tourism. However, the Heard Museum’s exhibition tells of how the lesser-known part of Harvey’s enterprise came to leave a lasting im-pression on today’s Southwest. Heard.org

APRIL 1012TH ANNUAL MODERN PHOENIX HOME TOUR PHOENIXPart of Modern Phoenix Week, this full-access tour celebrates the fabulous mid-century modern architecture and contemporary design of homes in Uptown Phoenix. Highlights include four Ha-ver homes in Marlen Grove and Northwood, and custom builds in the Biltmore area

APRIL 1 - 3FALSTAFF PHOENIXFitting for an April Fool’s Day opening, Verdi’s masterful interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic Elizabethan buffoon, John Falstaff, comes to life in Arizona Opera’s newest production. Watch as Falstaff concocts a plan to seduce the wealthy Wives of Windsor, only to see it unravel in a serious of elaborate pranks. AzOpera.org

APRIL 4FIRST INTERNATIONAL JAGUAR FESTIVAL PARADISE VALLEY Held at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort, this afternoon affair will show-case some of Arizona’s finest artisans, artists and craftspeople, fit-tingly called “Best of Arizona.” Featured artisans include Watson’s Hat Shop, Usher Brands, Queen Creek Olive Mill, Zak’s Chocolates and many more, with participation from The Frank Lloyd Wright Founda-tion too. JaguarFestival.com

APRIL 5 - 1042ND STREETPHOENIX This quintessential backstage musical comedy tells the story of a starry-eyed dancer named Peggy Sawyer who leaves her home and comes to New York City to audition for Pretty Lady, finding fame when the star of the show breaks her ankle, in this heartwarming rendition of the classic American Dream story. AsuGammage.com

APRIL 7SEASONAL TABLE DINNER SERIES PHOENIXThe Desert Botanical Garden Seasonal Table Dinner Series continues with an authentic meal celebrating the tastes of Catalonia prepared

AprilLifestyle Calendar


and Central Avenue Corridor, including three spectacularly restored homes. ScottsdalePerformingArts.org

APRIL 14CAREER CONNECTORS SCOTTSDALE Come and discover Career Connectors, a nonprofit organization con-necting professionals to high-quality resources and hiring compa-nies. Events are held three times a month and include professional career speakers, three to four featured hiring companies, networking, resume help, career coaches, LinkedIn coaches and business por-traits. CareerConnectors.org

APRIL 14UNBRANDED SCOTTSDALE This award-winning documentary film comes to Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West with its spectacular tale of danger and resilience as four young cowboys hatch a plan to adopt, train and ride 16 wild mustangs from Mexico to Canada in what becomes an epic journey of self-discovery. ScottsdaleMuseumWest.org

APRIL 23FIESTA BOWL RUGBY & BALLOON CLASSIC SCOTTSDALE One of the nation’s largest rugby events returns to Scottsdale Stadi-um with what is sure to be a thrilling game as Arizona State University Men’s Rugby Team faces the Mexican National Rugby Union Team. After the showdown, enjoy a hot air balloon glow featuring Darth Vader and Yoda balloons. TheRugbyBowl.com

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Find your Perfect home this Spring

NEIGHBORHOOD ORIGINAL LIST SOLD $$ Per Sq Ft DOM* BDRMS BATHS

Paradise Valley $9,495,000 $7,400,000 $490 165 5 9

Paradise Valley $8,750,000 $6,175,000 $478 386 7 11

Paradise Valley $6,750,000 $6,250,000 $591 27 5 6

Arcadia $3,895,000 $3,475,000 $417 93 6 7.5

Paradise Valley $3,495,000 $3,000,000 $350 86 5 6.5

Arcadia $2,895,000 $1,900,000 $253 479 4 6

Paradise Valley $2,795,000 $2,000,000 $166 229 5 9

Paradise Valley $2,750,000 $2,650,000 $404 51 5 6

Arcadia $2,700,000 $2,600,000 $519 0 4 6.5

Paradise Valley $2,638,000 $2,500,000 $405 222 5 6.5

Paradise Valley $2,500,000 $2,450,000 $405 14 4 6

Paradise Valley $2,495,000 $2,400,000 $400 24 6 6

Paradise Valley $2,350,000 $1,730,000 $394 396 4 5.5

Arcadia $2,300,000 $2,040,000 $352 79 5 5

Paradise Valley $1,700,000 $1,500,000 $295 189 3 3

Biltmore $1,695,000 $1,500,000 $356 96 4 4

Paradise Valley $1,595,000 $1,380,000 $337 73 4 4

Paradise Valley $1,525,000 $1,463,500 $289 52 5 4

Information obtained from Comparative Market Analysis for 02-01-16 through 02-29-16. *DOM=Days on Market.

WORDS ALISON STANTON

New BeginningsWhen I was a little girl growing up in

the Pacific Northwest, the first signs of spring were always found in the garden.

I have fond memories of visiting my grand-mother’s house after school and dashing out in the chilly March rain to her backyard to look for the tiniest hints of green emerging from the soggy soil.

My grandma, who was blessed with a prover-bial green thumb, enjoyed growing flowers from bulbs, and it always seemed that the cheerful crocus was the first one to peek through the dirt.

While there would still be plenty of rain and cold weather ahead, those tiny green shoots gave me hope that winter was officially ending and a new beginning was upon us in the form of spring.

Here in the Valley of the Sun, we have to come up with other ways to notice and welcome the com-ing of spring. While I’ve seen a few talented garden-ers manage to successfully grow other traditional spring bulb flowers like daffodils and the occasional tulips, I have yet to find any crocus poking their way through the warm and dry desert soil.

Because of our temperate climate, people who have not been to the Southwest often claim that we don’t have a change of seasons, but I’ve always maintained that we definitely do—we are just a bit more clever about looking at it.

In addition to temperatures starting to warm up, local signs of spring also include the return of Spring Training, roses blooming to beat the

band and, if you look closely, the tall and spindly Ocotillo desert plant just starting to send out tentative shoots of growth.

Another sure sign of spring can be found in our collective positive attitudes. As the late, great comedian Robin Williams once said, “Spring is nature’s way of saying let’s party!”

When March 20 rolled around and you real-ized that the official first day of spring had come, did you feel that little jolt of energy, adrenaline and hope? I know I sure did.

In fact, while January 1st gets all of the attention for its resolutions, new beginnings and promises of a shiny new year, I actually find that the start of spring lends itself to an even better fresh start.

Maybe it’s because I’m too tired from all the copious and wonderful celebrating in December to really appreciate all that a new year has to offer, or maybe it’s because—like the crocus and ocotillo—I know in my heart that this is the per-fect time of year to focus on new and wonderful positive changes.

Hey, if Mother Nature uses this time of year for new life and beginnings, who am I to argue?

So while the rose bushes are going nuts in your backyard and the Ocotillo are celebrating spring alongside freeways and medians, we should also feel free to revel in this time of year by embracing the promise of new life and rejuvenation.

Parting Thoughts


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