Firefighters Fires were always a menacing threat to frontier towns, explains state historian Marshall Trimble.   The boomtowns of Prescott, Bisbee, Jerome, and Tombstone all burned to the ground several times during their heyday. With all those coal oil lamps and candles it took only one careless mistake and it was Katy-bar-the-door. The first generation of buildings and houses in those western towns w ...

Lawyer on Top Defense attorney Alex Lane is at the height of his profession. By Nadine Bubeck   Photos by CMQ Photos LLC One of the highest awards the State Bar of Arizona gives is the annual President's Award. The president of the state bar presents this prestigious award, “To an individual who has contributed enormous effort toward the furtherance of the president's goals and priorities during the pr ...

Ask Dirk  A guy’s perspective on matters of the heart and home. Dear Dirk, I’ve been wanting to ask someone about the following problem. Until now, the perfect stranger, with absolutely no connection to my life, wasn’t around to approach, until I read your column. Here it goes: I’m happily married with two kids and things are for the most part great at home. We have our ups and downs sure, but who doesn’t? ...

One-of-a-Kind Avoid mass-manufactured gems and opt for a unique jewel that reflects your personality and taste. By Scott Bohall If you only get plain vanilla ice cream, only order cheese pizza, exclusively wear one color, or are a creature of unwavering dedication to uniformity, this article is not for you. Most jewelry is mass manufactured, no matter if you see it on television, cruise ships, malls, or eve ...

Turner G. Davis  Multi-media artist showcases his skills as a draftsman. By Nicole Royse Photos courtesy of Turner G. Davis A multi-media artist, Turner G. Davis creates dynamic and enchanting drawings, paintings, and sculptures that transport his viewers to another place and time. He began exploring art at a young age, beginning with drawing. Davis was inspired by watching his artist father create and took ...

Sedona Getaway  With the opening of The Collective Sedona, there’re now even more reasons to head to the most beautiful place in America.   By Sondra Barr For Phoenicians looking for a respite from extreme summer heat, Sedona offers the perfect weekend road trip destination. A roughly 100-mile drive from the North Valley, Sedona is perfectly situated to take full advantage of the richly hued stone form ...

Western Heritage The rich history of the American West is on display at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West.   Perfectly situated amid the adobe style boutiques and galleries of Old Town Scottsdale is Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West. The 43,000-square foot, two-story building opened its doors in January 2015 and has retained its goal of preserving the history of the American ...

CopaBall 2016 Annual event benefits a wide array of public health programs in Metro Phoenix By Peter Madrid   Diversity is the key word when it comes to describing the annual CopaBall, the primary fundraising event for the Maricopa Health Foundation. While the Valley is rich in charitable and philanthropic events, the CopaBall, established in 2003, benefits a wide array of public health programs in Met ...

TOP VALLEY LAWYERS 2016  When you find yourself in need of a lawyer, it can be difficult to know where to turn. You want to make sure your money is spent wisely and you get the outcome you deserve in court. Luckily, we’re on your side. This guide was compiled with the help of Avvo, a Seattle-based company that helps consumers make better legal decisions by offering free Q&A forums, backed by ratings and ...

Crispy Red Potato Shish Kabobs with Walnut Pesto Mama G. serves up a simple and flavorful dish that’s too good not to share. By Leann Grunwald   I enjoy creating recipes for all types of foods, repurposing and reimagining. One of my favorite tactics is to make a side dish and serve it as an entree. Or, to create a gourmet meal with bits and pieces of previous creations. This recipe began as pesto sauce ...

August Showers Get set for a thrilling sight in the early morning skies––the Perseids meteor shower. By Steve Kates The heat of summer continues. With no end to triple-digit temperatures in sight, the only reprieve we can expect is in the form of monsoon showers. While there’s no guarantee of a monsoon, we’re in store for a far more reliable type of shower––the Perseids meteor shower. The Perseids are one o ...

B2S Style Finds Treat your kids to new clothes, shoes, and accessories for a fresh school year. By Nadine Bubeck   Susie Custom Jeans As seen on North West, Penelope Disick, and other A-list kids, the most fashionable custom ripped jeans for baby, toddlers, and kids run by a husband and wife duo. Seriously the softest and comfiest denim ever. Skinny jean styles are also available for boys and girls in trend ...

Parenting in the Digital Age  Local parents sound off about screen time, cell phones, and social media and how they’re bridging the parent-child digital divide. By Kristin Caliendo   Parents talk iPad use “I’m no expert by any means but we are limited on technology. We don't have strict limits like ‘30 minutes of iPad’ or anything because that makes me feel like if it’s too much of an award and adds to ...

Flavor Profile The dish from the chefs behind The Rogue Tomato, a North Valley restaurant whose name says it all. By Sondra Barr Photos by Shannon Fisher Photography When your restaurant is called The Rogue Tomato, the food better be as imaginative as your moniker. And, it is. Since opening in February, The Rogue Tomato has earned a reputation for serving flavorful Sonoran-influenced food that feature fresh ...

The 2017 Tiguan This little Volkswagen is pretty good at transforming fossil fuel into driving fun, according to auto writer Greg Rubenstein. Car names are a funny business. Some manufacturers go for metaphor, while others stick to meat-and-taters numbers, letters, or combination thereof. A few mix it up, and some go bare bones—as in, a single letter. Then, there are the whacky. Enter Volkswagen. Sure, the ...