Writer Amanda ChristmannPhotography Courtesy of Ryan Sims [dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter all these years, Ryan Sims is still the same. Though his star is rising to levels he’d only dreamed of a decade ago when we first met, he’s still the same humble guy that any girl would be proud to take home to meet their parents. As…
Writer Susan Kern-FleischerPhotography Courtesy of Sonoran Arts League [dropcap]T[/dropcap]hey are eight artists with very different styles and strong opinions about what defines fine art. So, getting together to work on a collaborative project seemed like a crazy idea at first. But with the silver anniversary of the Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour approaching,…
Writer Joseph J. AirdoPhotography by Carl Schultz [dropcap]A[/dropcap]nthem resident Steve Adelson recalls the exact moment that music engulfed and therefore changed the trajectory of his entire life. As a 17-year-old recent high school graduate in 1969, Adelson was encouraged by one of his friends to pick up a guitar and play a single chord. “I…
Writer Joseph J. AirdoPhotography by Carl Schultz [dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen you walk into Lil Miss Butcher, one of the very first things that you see — besides several counters filled with every variety of meat imaginable — is a large mural that reads, “Enter as a stranger, leave as a friend.” It is a message that owner…
Writer Joseph J. AirdoPhotography Courtesy of Tifani Wendt [dropcap]L[/dropcap]arry Wendt loved to cook for people. “One of the biggest ways that Larry showed his love was making an incredible meal for or making sure that people were fed,” says Tifani, Larry’s daughter. “Nobody ever went hungry around Larry and I am sure that anybody could…
Writer Joseph J. AirdoPhotography by Michele Celentano [dropcap]E[/dropcap]arlier in her life, Sierra Litman used to turn her garage into a haunted house for Halloween. She invited neighbors to walk through the small space but, feeling cramped and therefore limited, she aspired to create something spooky on a much grander scale. She gets the opportunity to…
Writer Shannon SeversonPhotography by Arleen Hazen [dropcap]M[/dropcap]usic is one of the most powerful creative forces in the human experience and dance is the physical manifestation of that force. A talented group of tap-dancing ladies called the Desert Cactus Kickers is proving that dancing is also a lot of fun regardless of one’s age. Having entertained…
Writer Joseph J. AirdoPhotography by Mark Laverman [dropcap]F[/dropcap]ew things on earth are as relaxing as lounging lakeside, wading in the water or simply sitting on a boat, staring at the beautiful light that bounces off the canyon walls. Fortunately, Arizona boasts a lot of lakes in every nook and cranny of the state from which…
Writer Shannon SeversonPhotography Courtesy of Bravada Yachts, Arizona Game and Fish Department and Mark Laverman [dropcap]W[/dropcap]ater is healing. It hydrates, cleanses, and soothes the body, mind and spirit. Here in the desert, the presence of water is especially welcome and our Valley is fortunate to have lakes overflowing with active options for the whole family…
Writer Joseph J. AirdoPhotography Courtesy of Arizona Game and Fish Department [dropcap]A[/dropcap]rizona is currently home to 35 native species of fish — 34 of which have been identified as species of greatest conservation need in our state and 20 of which have been federally listed as threatened or endangered. Although these incredible creatures have adapted…