Hidden Gem One of Arizona’s best-kept tourism secrets, Sierra Vista delights with unexpected sights. By Alison Bailin Batz   Just three hours southeast of the Valley is Sierra Vista. To most, the area is known as a global leader in military intelligence as well as a bustling hub for cyber security research, workforce development, testing, and certification. And it’s no wonder as it’s home to Fort Huach ...

Shangri La For a brief period of time, a lush Arizona valley was a utopian paradise. By Marshall Trimble When one imagines pristine Arizona’s dry, desolate, sunbaked deserts in the 1850s, it’s difficult to picture any of it as being a utopian Shangri La. But, for a brief period, in a beautiful green valley at the foot of the majestic Santa Rita Mountains, there was just such a place. In his twilight years, ...

Place Your Bets The biggest Kentucky Derby Party in Arizona offers live action and betting at Turf Paradise. By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski   When Jason Rose kicked off the Stella Artois Derby Dayclub event at Turf Paradise last year, it sold out in eight days. As a result, more than double the Derby fans can enjoy the May 6 party, which includes a tent close to the Turf Paradise races, a VIP area, and ...

Contour You North Scottsdale couple brings a wealth of medical experience to body contouring clinic. By Kristin Caliendo and Sondra Barr   Dee Siverhus absolutely loves the sunshine, the outdoors, and playing golf. And, like many of her patients, she knows all about wanting to look good in the latest golf skirts. She also knows that with age and the effects of the sun’s powerful rays, nature is not alw ...

Jupiter Rising   The largest planet in our Solar System dominates spring skies. By Steve Kates   The night skies of Arizona are above for your viewing and enjoyment. We’re lucky to be located in this most amazing location, where the dark of the night sky is just a short drive away. April offers us some amazing treats in the sky. This is the month of Jupiter, the king of the planets. Jupiter is the larg ...

Dr. Mom  Jennifer Geoghegan, M.D., balances motherhood and a growing medical practice. By Michelle Talsma Everson   Geoghegan knows a thing or two about the balancing act it takes to be a working mom. A board certified plastic surgeon, Geoghegan is the owner of Oasis Plastic Surgery in Scottsdale, where she offers cosmetic services alongside both plastic and reconstructive surgery options. At Oasis Pla ...

Ballet Barre Workout Achieve a long and lean dancer’s body with postures inspired by ballet, yoga, and Pilates. By Kim Miller and Shannon Dougherty     If you’ve never tried a ballet barre workout, now is the time. People are often intimidated by ballet barre, especially if they don’t have a background in dance. However, barre workouts are really designed for anyone interested in trying and they can al ...

Gerry Jones Designer of first Carefree home is still developing mountain homes into his 90s. By David M. Brown     When Gerry Jones arrived here, Carefree wasn’t Carefree. The well-known architectural designer and developer, now in his 90s, came to the foothills area north of Scottsdale just after the Korean War, when he had trained U.S. Marines in judo and survival techniques. Before this, he had ...

While Carefree and Cave Creek are often synonymous, Cave Creek was established first, before Arizona was declared a state. Carefree came later. Offering scenic views of Black Mountain, this foothills town is 28.2 square miles. Established along “the Military Road,” a trail between Camp McDowell and Fort Whipple, Cave Creek earned its moniker when cavalry soldiers noticed a large cave butting up to the creek ...

Coup des Tartes French-inspired restaurant serves up delectable dishes. By Andrew Leach Take a trip to a more refined era at Coup des Tartes, Arizona’s longest running, award-winning French-inspired restaurant. Here, the food is delicious and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Housed in a 1922 house situated on a one-acre lot, it has a quaint, romantic outdoor patio cooled by old shade trees and lush gre ...

Improved Vision Dr. Julie Lam on how to eliminate nearsightedness with the Gentle Vision Shaping System.   The Gentle Vision Shaping System (GVSS) uses specially designed vision retainers to gently and gradually reshape the front surface of the eye (the cornea) to eliminate or reduce nearsightedness (myopia) or astigmatism. The principle is similar to the use of a dental retainer used by an orthodontis ...

Getting Crafty  Writer Kristin Caliendo tries out the latest DIY trend. Are you tired of doing the same old thing on date night or girl’s night out? Maybe you’ve wanted to put a different twist on an upcoming birthday party, a wedding anniversary, or a bachelorette party. If so, than a Board and Brush Creative Studio outing may be just what you’re looking for. I recently attended the grand opening weekend o ...

What to Read in March  By Julie Carlson   THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD By Colson Whitehead Throughout history there have been countless stories about the Underground Railroad, from the real-life legacy of Harriet Tubman to WGN's TV series, Underground. Author Colson Whitehead, whose previous work includes the bestselling novel Zone One, which focused on a post-apocalyptic world of zombies, brings us the st ...

Springtime Essentials  Seven must haves for bettering your home, life, style, and health. By Nadine Bubeck Get a good night’s sleep by updating your mattress. Phoenix-based Tuft & Needle offers one style of mattress made with special foam. The mattress is conveniently delivered in a small box (shipped free of charge), and easily unfolds within seconds. Comfortably equipped with a high quality support la ...

The Nifty 50s  State historian Marshall Trimble looks back at a decade worth remembering.  The Nifty ’50s spawned bomb shelters, drive-in movies, Hula Hoops, rock and roll music, car hops, McDonalds, Little League baseball, and Elvis. In 1950, Arizona had a population of 750,000 residents; the city of Phoenix covered only 17 square miles and had a population of 107,000. Scottsdale’s residents numbered 2,000 ...