Uncovering History  The Desert Foothills Chapter of the Arizona Archaeological Society delves into Arizona’s past. By Julie Carlson Do you have an interest in learning more about archaeology? Would you like to improve your knowledge and skills in the field? The Arizona Archaeological Society was founded in 1964 as an independent, non-profit, state-wide volunteer organization to serve as a bond between profe ...

Haunting Return  David Ira Goldstein brings The Diary of Anne Frank to town.  By David M. Brown David Ira Goldstein always wanted to stage The Diary of Anne Frank. After wrapping a 26-year run as artistic director at the Arizona Theatre Company in June 2017, he opened a production of the show at the Geva Theater Center in Rochester, New York. Now he’s returning to the ATC as artistic director emeritus with ...

Book Your Flight  PNPK’s innovative concept is taking the North Valley to new heights. By Alison Bailin Batz Photos by Connor Sutcliff Ladies and gentlemen, your taste buds have been cleared for takeoff––thanks to PNPK. Named in homage to nearby Pinnacle Peak Mountain, PNPK is one of the newest hot spots in North Scottsdale. The 2,600-square-foot venue, which is located on the southeast corner of Scottsdale ...

The Battle of Picacho Pass  Arizona state historian Marshall Trimble on the westernmost battle of the Civil War. By Marshall Trimble For a brief time in early 1862, cavalry troops from the Texas Confederate Army occupied Arizona. This was part of a grand Confederate plan to occupy New Mexico and open a path to California. The so-called westernmost battle of the Civil War was fought here on April 15, 1862, w ...

No Reservations Required  How to create a five-star Mother’s Day brunch. By Joyce Laszloffy Photos by Stephanie Heymann Photography Did you know Sunday, May 13, is be the busiest day of the year for restaurants? Mother’s Day brunch is a popular tradition for families to gather and celebrate. Gratitude and love for moms will be poured out in mimosas and hot syrup over gourmet waffles. If you want to do somet ...

Cultivating Art  Nicole Royse aims to showcase Valley artists in a fresh light. By Emma Suttell Nicole Royse has spent her career moving between art shows and galleries and writing about emerging artists for North Valley Magazine. Now the owner of her own gallery, Royse Contemporary, she’s extending her art network to showcase Valley artists in a new light. Raised in Orange County, California, by her grandp ...

D-backs utility player Chris Owings brings talent and humor to the ball field. By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Photos Sarah Sachs/Arizona Diamondbacks Arizona Diamondbacks utility player Chris Owings had a powerful start to the 2017 season. With the game versus the San Francisco Giants tied at 5-5 in the bottom of the ninth on Opening Day, Owings slugged a single to bring in Daniel Descalso and win the game. ...

Red Dragon Wings  Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these savory wings are delicious. By Leann Jordan   Red Dragon Wings       Yield: 10 wings Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes   10        chicken wings, trimmed 4          Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1          tsp. kosher salt 1          tsp. cracked black pepper 3          Tbsp. gochujang paste 2          Tbsp. soy sauce ...

Fresh Reads    AN EXTRAORDINARY UNION By Alyssa Cole An Extraordinary Union is a vivid romance novel. Set during the early years of the Civil War, Elle is a free black woman living in the north. She is a Union spy for the Loyal League and has a photographic memory. McCall, a white man, is also a Union spy and a stealthy Pinkerton detective. Both end up working against and with each other––Elle posing a ...

A Chance of Meatballs  The forecast for the Maggiore Group’s new Sicilian Butcher looks bright. By Niki D’Andrea Photos by Debby Wolvos “This is sooo good! It’s sooo good!” The woman at the table across from us is talking to her male dining companion, pointing emphatically with her fork at the dish in front of her. I don’t know what she’s eating, but that doesn’t matter, because we are at The Sicilian Butch ...

Truck Solid  The Honda Ridgeline goes mainstream. By Greg Rubenstein Americans love buying pickup trucks—so much so that the top-three best-selling vehicles in the U.S. for 2017 were trucks (ditto for 2016). U.S. buyers have long loved trucks, too, with Ford’s F150 topping the best-selling charts for the last three-and-a-half decades. So Honda, a manufacturer that consistently scores top-10 annual sales for ...

Forging Ahead  Amy Pieh carries on a family tradition with Pieh Tool Company. By Becky Antioco Photos by Shannon Fisher Amy Pieh is living proof that there’s no such thing as an overnight success, even when you have a 40-year history in your favor. Her business, Pieh Tool Company, is an overnight success 15 years in the making, the result of circumstance, know-how, and hard work. Her two locations sell blac ...

Enchanted Island  Charming amusement park delights young and old. By Julie Carlson One of the Valley’s simple pleasures, Enchanted Island is a charming amusement park. Nestled in the heart of Phoenix’s picturesque Encanto Park, listed by Forbes Magazine as one of the Top 12 Best City Parks in America, Enchanted Island is designed for children ages 2 through 10 and their families. An oasis in the city, Encha ...

Putting Probabilities Golf pro Scott Sackett talks putt data points. There’s no hiding that putting great can lead to lower scores. How good are PGA professionals from various distances? Am I going to three putt? What are my chances of making a putt? I recently read the book, Every Shot Counts, by Mark Broadie. This book outlines the strokes gained statistics from driving, iron play, short game, and putting ...

What a Catch!  A Scottsdale couple runs a lodge…in Kenai, Alaska By Michelle Talsma Everson To say that local businessman and entrepreneur Terry Johnson has lived an adventurous life would be an understatement. Alongside his wife Angelyn and family, Johnson spends part of his year in the North Valley and part in Kenai, Alaska, where he owns and operates the award-winning Salmon Catcher Lodge. “I opened the ...