By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Amie Miksta relaxes in the shade. The task comes easier to her these days, after a whirlwind, arduous bout with brain cancer. Her Instagram is @aminspirational, a play on her first name and her friends’ description of her. “I’ve been through a lot,” says Miksta, a former teacher who lives near Desert Ridge Marketplace. “A lot of people get very saddened, but I try to inspire. “ ...

By Kamala Kirk Since 2011, the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships has been the United States’ premier polo event, attracting thousands of people from around the world, including top polo players, sponsors and celebrities. This year’s event will return on November 7 under a new name, The Stella Artois Polo Classic: Presented by Ketel One, accompanied by socially distanced safety measures and a focus on he ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Sunny Parker isn’t one to cancel appointments. But when brush fires are approaching Cave Creek and the town’s mayor, Ernie Bunch, comes calling, there’s no time to waste. Parker founded Arizona Foothills 911, a 9,000-member Facebook page dedicated to neighbors helping neighbors in emergency situations. The target audience is Cave Creek, Carefree, Desert Hills, Rio Verde and Nor ...

By Connor Dziawura The effects of the coronavirus have been felt by many, from the closing of movie theaters and the pause on live music to the halting or limiting of operations by businesses like gyms, restaurants and bars. Those at the Musical Instrument Museum know all too well, as the venue closed this past spring to mitigate the spread of the virus. To remain connected with and involved in the communit ...

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 ...

Outlets at Anthem erects Arizona’s tallest Christmas tree   By Garrison Murphy   The Outlets at Anthem has set up Arizona’s largest Christmas tree for the 17th year in a row. The tree is a white fir and stands 80 feet tall, 22 feet wide and weighs close to four tons completely decorated.   “For many Arizona residents, the Outlets at Anthem tree arrival is truly the start of the holiday season ...

Expert Legal Guidance The criminal defense attorneys at Suzuki Law Offices use insider knowledge to guide clients through the criminal justice system. Richard J. Suzuki, the founding attorney at Suzuki Law Offices, L.L.C., is approachable, talkative, and down to earth. “Because of my background, I’m living proof that if you always work hard, you can succeed,” Suzuki says. “I faced many hurdles to accomplish ...

Youth in Action  All that glitters is gold when it comes to these North Valley teens. By Breanne Krager When it comes to top honors in Girl Scouting, there’s one award that outshines them all—the Gold Award! And for these three North Valley gals, their futures are sure to glitter. While often compared to the Boy Scouts’ Eagle Scout merit, the Gold Award is more rigorous in that it requires sustainable chang ...

Rick Ueable Local CEO investing internally, leading courageously. By Alison Bailin Batz Long-time North Valley business Foods 2000, Inc.––recently honored at the Subway National Convention as among the top Subway franchises on the globe––was never supposed to make it past 1999. And that is coming from its co-founder and CEO Rick Ueable. Rewind to 1983, when Ueable partnered with Ken Clark on Real Investment ...

All the Pretty Horses  Scottsdale hosts the largest Arabian horse show in the world. By Leisah Woldoff The largest Arabian horse show in the world began as a small event for Arizonans who owned Arabian horses. The 1955 inaugural show, organized by the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona (AHAA), was held at the Arizona Biltmore and featured 50 horses and more than a dozen exhibitors from Arizona and neighbo ...

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 ...

Designed by You Kingdom is changing the bike business, one option at a time. By Bradley Callow In a world where social media companies like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter are thriving as the result of creating their own consumer driven cultures, businesses with more physical products are moving to do the same. Startup entrepreneurs and established businesses alike are trying to create products t ...

Beyond the Pavement Duo takes camping to the next level. By Sondra Barr Photos by CMQ Photos LLC Where the road ends is where the adventure begins for Rick Russek and Ron Bernaud, the owners and co-founders of North Valley-based Bivouac Camping Trailers. The duo started Bivouac Camping Trailers (BCT) to not only provide high quality, unique, expedition trailers/toy haulers for the outdoor enthusiast, but as ...

Home Sweet Home                   Keystone Homes introduces Eastwood, a new luxury development in Carefree. By Michelle Talsma Everson There’s a certain type of pride in his voice when Rich Eneim, Jr. talks about his family business. As the vice president and principal of Keystone Homes, he has a lot to be proud of as the family owned and operated homebuilder has been continuously developing communities in ...

Crazy for Cookies  The Fourth Annual Girl Scout Cookie Challenge. By Alison Bailin Batz Everyone has a special place in their hearts for Girl Scout cookies. Not only because they’re spectacularly delicious, but because the Girl Scout Cookie Program helps girls fulfill their dreams, follow their passions, and change the world. “Girl Scout cookies not only help our local Girl Scouts earn money for fun, educat ...