Writer Shannon Severson Photos Courtesy of Smiles 4 Sick Children [dropcap]1[/dropcap]8,000 sick children are admitted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital each year, and thousands more are treated. Some stay a few hours; others are hospitalized for months at a time. Each represents a family in crisis, experiencing their worst days and trying to maintain hope for…
Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Town of Carefree [dropcap]L[/dropcap]iving in the desert can mean redefining Christmas images of jolly sleighs, jingle bells and snowflakes gently falling in winter wonderlands—but that’s not a bad thing in the Town of Carefree. Thanks to the efforts of a few busy elves at the town offices, there’ll be…
Writer Lara Piu Photography Courtesy of Constance Higley, Kate Nelle Photography and Suzie Goodrich [dropcap]A[/dropcap]t 6 p.m. approximately 50 people will sit at a well-appointed dinner table laid out amongst the Superstition Mountains’ desert expanse. These grounds rarely see people, but tonight a gourmet dinner and the breathtaking landscape are on the menu. This bespoken…
Writer Amanda Christmann Photographers Peter Coskun and Paul Gill [dropcap]W[/dropcap]e often hear about the magic of the holidays, but as we make our lists and check them twice, it’s easy to forget that we are surrounded by sights much more enchanting than anything money can buy. The Sonoran Desert is full of wonder, and her…
Writer Amanda Christmann Photographer Herb Cohe [dropcap]D[/dropcap]riving through downtown Cave Creek, it is not difficult to imagine the town’s early days. Rustic establishments Harold’s Corral, Buffalo Chip Saloon and Las Tiendas Plaza still hold the shadows of a bygone era when dusty cowboys and miners’ mules traveled this once-isolated stretch of dirt. Cave Creek has…
Writer Lara Piu Photography Bryan Black [dropcap]I[/dropcap]n a golf retail world filled with mega chains owned by who knows whom, Hornacek’s Golf is a breath of fresh air. Located in the Pinnacle at Scottsdale Mall, Hornacek’s Golf is privately owned by John Hornacek, who has lived and worked in the area for more than 25…
Writer Lara Piu Photography Courtesy Carrie Curran and Hermosa Inn [dropcap]S[/dropcap]he’s here for the soft morning light, and while it took a six-hour drive, travel planning and rearranging her busy life, no inconvenience can match artist Carrie Curran’s love of painting plein air. “It’s so freeing,” Carrie explains. “It just feels so good to be…
Writer Shannon Severson Photo by Brenna Zumbro [dropcap]F[/dropcap]ounded in 2004 by the Sedona Visual Arts Coalition, Sedona Open Studio Tours allow visitors to see, learn and understand the artists of Sedona with an in-depth, personal experience. This November 10-12, attendees will embark on self-guided tours of artists’ studios in picturesque Sedona and the Verde Valley….
Writer Shannon Severson Portrait by Loralei Lazurek [dropcap]I[/dropcap]n the grand scheme of the most populous U.S. cities, Phoenix is a relative youngster. Yet time and circumstances converged to make it a prime location for mid-century modern architectural design. Modern Phoenix, founded and operated by Alison and Matthew King, is both a comprehensive compendium of the…
Writer Lara Pi Photographer Loralei Lazurek [dropcap]P[/dropcap]aradise Valley resident and Valley arts philanthropist Mary Way has been impacting the arts since kindergarten. As a girl, she studied dance for 12 years and after high school, earned a degree in art history and political science at Whitman College. She then studied classical singing for 12 years…