Stephanie Kotula gives back to organization that aided her By Annelise Krafft Stephanie Kotula was used to making fresh starts. “As a child, my father’s job moved us around,” says Kotula, who formerly lived in snowy cities across Michigan and Ohio. “In high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to do it somewhere warm.” But, getting out of the cold took some time. While still in hig ...

Grant Ganzi finds his peace on the polo grounds By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Grant Ganzi is busy. Ganzi balances studying international business at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, and sharpening his polo skills for events like the 2019 Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships at WestWorld on Sunday, November 3. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it,” Ganzi says. “It’s not easy. It’s easier in the fall semest ...

Folds of Honor Arizona supports veterans’ families By Alison Bailin Batz O n November 11, the nation will observe Veterans Day, honoring the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. But for Folds of Honor Arizona, Veterans Day is every day. “Folds of Honor Arizona was technically founded in 2015, but our history goes back far longer than that,” says co-founder Rod Martin. In 2007, Ma ...

AXA Advisors goes beyond rainy day funds By Alison Bailin Batz The team at the North Valley’s AXA Advisors Southwest works under one simple principle: we make dreams happen. “As a financial planning firm, that seems a pretty obvious mission statement,” says executive vice president of AXA Advisors Southwest Dillan Micus, who took the role in 2005 at 29. At the time, it made him the youngest executive vice p ...

The disorder has a variety of potential causes By Dr. Joseph Sirven, Neurologist, Mayo Clinic Epilepsy is a surprisingly common neurological disorder. It affects 1 in 26 Americans, including men and women of all races, ethnic backgrounds and ages. Yet many people don’t understand epilepsy unless they have first-hand experience with it. After spending my entire medical career focused on treating patients wit ...

Sandwiches are helping to save the day of area youth By Alison Bailin Batz Several local Subway franchisees were at a cross roads in 1999. The brand had been growing in the Arizona market since 1983. Given their successes, while the franchisees were fulfilling as many food donations for local charities as possible, they wondered how they might do more. Although it had never been done by a market, brand lead ...

Author James L. Thane’s books are a study in the North Valley By Madeleine Williamson North Scottsdale crime novelist James L. Thane brings fiction and reality together into his books by creating settings using Valley landmarks. Eddie V’s, Mastro’s and Pinnacle Peak all make cameos in his three books, “No Place to Die,” “Until Death” and his recent offering, “Fatal Blow.” “I just simply enjoy the area so mu ...

Realtor Kimberly Tocco shares her story to help eradicate suicide By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Kimberly Tocco and her family were eating breakfast, when a minor argument ensued. Her 13-year-old son, Jason Legere, went upstairs and shot himself. “He died in my arms,” Tocco says about the March 22, 2011, nightmare. “It was quite traumatizing. We had to just figure out a way to wake up every day after that.” ...

The Cave Creek pet store gets to know its customers By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Mike Murray says his Cave Creek pet store, Bonnie’s Barkery, goes beyond food and treats. He and his staff offer personalized service, nutritional guidance and a full array of natural, organic and holistic food and treats. Freezers hold raw foods for dogs and cats. Grooming services are available. “Each product we carry has go ...

Consistency is the key to Brisam’s success By Eric Newman Brisam’s Grill, Bar and Patio has become a staple in Cave Creek for creative dishes and drinks, and a great atmosphere. Having recently celebrated its 13th anniversary under owner Steve Buchanan, Brisam’s regularly feeds the Cactus Shadows football team before games and has a steady flow of guests. It’s hard not to believe there’s another 13 years or ...

By Greg Rubenstein Stuffing a high-output V8 engine into an otherwise vanilla sedan has been a recipe for success since the Rocket 88, created in 1949 when Oldsmobile shoehorned the model 98’s 5.0-liter V8 into the smaller, lighter model 78. Seven decades later, just about every manufacturer offers at least one super-sedan, and anyone who’s piloted a mid-size four-door with high-output engine knows why it’s ...

Dr. Brandon Gough stresses a healthy lifestyle to his orthopedic patients By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brandon Gough wants what’s best for his patients. To do so, Gough feels he has to show them he’s in a good frame of mind himself. Gough sets an example by spending time in the gym, biking down mountain trails and advocating for his patients. “I’m a big advocate of promoting a health ...

With 27 years as a trial attorney, Christopher Zachar, owner of Zachar Law Firm, prides himself on his work ethic and commitment to his clients. He grew up in Iowa, played high school and college football, worked in cornfields from dawn to dusk and understood the meaning of hard work at a young age. In fact, Zachar says, he is really still just a “good ole’ hard-working, Midwestern boy” with a passion for d ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski ohn McDonnell and Travis Ranville were watching football and drinking scotch when Ranville asked, “Why isn’t there a brand named Scotchdale? I want to live in Scotchdale.” Immediately, McDonnell trademarked the name online. The former Michigander’s subtle joke led to their latest Scottsdale Airpark-based business venture, which launched in March. “It grew from that idea,” Ranvi ...

By Alison Bailin Batz It’s amazing what one can see when really looking. Rewind to 1960. Dr. James Tupper, a 26-year-old Naval officer who had recently graduated from Wisconsin Medical School, sat on an icebreaker, a specialty Navy vessel that cuts through ice so it can sail. Along the way to its destination, Antarctica, the ship docked in several ports along South America’s west coast. When Tupper disembar ...