Heritage Square Historic Phoenix site is a striking reminder of the city’s vibrant Victorian past. By Julie Carlson Heritage Square is the oldest remaining residential block in Phoenix. It consists of 10 fully restored Victorian buildings dating back to the 1800s. Owned by the city of Phoenix, it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is managed by the Heritage Square Foundation, a 501 c-3 ...

Cardio Core Workout  Build a strong base for a tight, firm tummy. By Kim Miller and Shannon Dougherty Photos by Stephanie Heymann, stephanieheymannphotography.com Core muscles are much more than six-pack abs. They create a solid base on which your entire body relies to function. Building a strong core helps with stability and balance, which is essential as we age. Additionally, it assists with the preventio ...

Original Works Couple combine their artistic talents to open Desert Mountain Fine Art Gallery. By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Photos by Kimberly Carrillo As a child, Phillip Payne saw art galleries as his playground. In some ways, he still does. “I used to play hide and go seek in an art gallery,” Payne says with a laugh. “It probably makes most parent cringe, but that was my world.” He and his wife, Gabi, n ...

Greg Davis  Scottsdale attorney focuses on civility and compassion for the best possible results. By Nadine Bubeck Photo by Chadwick Fowler To Greg Davis, being an attorney and poet are one and the same. Davis reflects that both professions are in the business of words––forming persuasive, concise statements and phrases that initiate change and emotion. The esteemed Scottsdale-based attorney proudly touts a ...

Free and Easy  Hometown favorite Dierks Bentley doesn’t want his musical party to end. By Alan Sculley For Dierks Bentley, it hasn’t mattered whether he was playing bars early in his music career, opening an arena show for a country superstar, or playing on some level in between––the place where he’s most comfortable is on stage. “I have some friends in NASCAR, and they’re so busy before the race,” Bentley ...

North Valley Magazine's Top Valley Lawyers 2017  When you find yourself in need of a lawyer, knowing where to turn when times get tough is challenging. You want to make sure your money is spent wisely and that you get the legal outcome you deserve. With that in mind, here are some of the top local attorneys for your consideration. Compiled with the help of third-party attorney ranking systems, these lawyers ...

The Great American Total Solar Eclipse  Get ready for an amazing event in the August sky. By Steve Kates Get ready for an amazing experience The Great American Total Solar Eclipse is coming to the skies near you on Aug. 21. Here in Arizona, however, we get to see a deep partial solar eclipse. Not since 1979 has a total solar eclipse been visible in the continental United States and this is a big event for f ...

Liberty Station  A tantalizing mix of options delight at smokehouse tavern in North Scottsdale. By Andrew Leach Photos by Joanie Simon I often crave dishes from the East Coast, where I grew up––think New England clam chowder, fish and chips made with Atlantic cod, or a lobster roll. Frequently, I also have a hankering for smoked barbecue too. Turns out, I can satisfy both cravings at Liberty Station America ...

Not Your Typical Minivan  Auto writer Greg Rubenstein enjoys the spirited Chrysler Pacifica. By Greg Rubenstein Chrysler invented the minivan more than 30 years ago. Since then, its Caravan, Grand Caravan, and Town and Country people-haulers have continued to define the segment, perpetually leading in sales even as the overall minivan market dropped thanks to buyers’ preferences for SUVs, and especially car ...

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park  With thousands of species on display, there’s always something exciting to see. Learn, explore, and play at Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park. For the last three decades, the Litchfield Park attraction has thrilled visitors of all ages with their diversity of exotic and endangered animals. The menagerie has also grown in size and recently added new ...

Setup  Golf pro Scott Sackett talks course management from the lesson tee. I spend a lot of time on the lesson tee teaching fundamentals like grip, posture, alignment, ball position, and spine tilt. It’s my belief the setup influences most of what happens in the golf swing. I’d like to take a recent lesson in which I worked on swing mechanics and weave that into an on-course example as to how that might ben ...

Coconut French Toast Mama G reinvents a breakfast favorite.   This simple and unique French toast recipe lives up to its full potential. Unlike traditional French toast, this delectable breakfast dish utilizes coconut milk for an inventive twist and ground coriander for a beautiful nutty aroma. Coupled with savory cinnamon, the flavors are irresistible. I created this quick and easy recipe by accident ...

Pyrographer Alexandra Bowers redefines wood burning. By Nicole Royse Artist Alexandra (Lexi) Bowers’ work is greatly influenced by her home state of Arizona. Born and raised in Scottsdale, Bowers is a pyrographer (also known as a wood burning artist). As a child, Bowers spent her days outdoors with her family exploring the natural wonders of the desert. This fostered a curiosity for nature, which developed ...

Yoga Time Avoid boredom and brain drain this summer by keeping your kiddos’ minds and bodies active.  By Kristin Caliendo Yoga postures, relaxation breathing, and learning how to be mindful are simple activities kids can do anywhere, anytime––especially on vacation. Starting kids off doing yoga at an early age has so many amazing benefits. “When children learn and practice yoga, they gain powerful tools tha ...

Summer Style & Essentials Practical, fun, and stylish summer finds for the whole family. By Nadine Bubeck   All Around Playtime Patio with Canopy Create a shaded outdoor play-space for your kids with Step2’s open playhouse with canopy. This all-inclusive set features an attractive and realistic stone-stacked design equipped with a pretend grill, cooking utensils, and a sand/water play table. Severa ...