Articles

  The Anthem Community Council is seeking its next Anthem Idol, or Idols, to sing the national anthem a Capella at its Independence Day Celebration Tuesday, July 3 at the Anthem Community Park.   Auditions will take place Saturday, May 19 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Game Room at the Anthem Community Center. In order to be considered to audition, performers must be available Saturday, July 3 from 6 to 10 p.m. All performers must sing the entire national anthem a Capella (with no music accompaniment or microphone) for the judges. No recorded music will be accepted.   New this year, groups of 10 or less are welcome to audition. All members of the group must be present at the audition and be available on Tuesday, July 3.   Auditions are limited to the first 50 registered applicants. Registration applications can be found online. Completed applications should be returned to Jennifer Solomon, Communications Director, by Monday, May 14. Past winners include Anthem resident Dave Hatley,... More

  Saturday, May 19, 10:30 a.m. Tickets: $12 per class ($10 per class when purchased with museum admission) Location: The MIM at 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. in Phoenix. Experience the sounds of gamelan at MIM’s workshop! Led by curatorial assistant Colin Pearson, these workshops include an introduction to Balinese culture and music, and experience playing authentic Balinese instruments. Musicians and non-musicians will enjoy this unique musical experience, so come join us! Please note that each workshop is an introductory class but participants are welcome to register for more than one session.  ... More

  ProMusica Arizona (PMAZ) will wrap up another successful season with a talent-filled program featuring performers of all ages. “Aesop and other Musica Tales” is an exciting, progressive repertoire starting with simple string music and building in difficulty throughout the performance.   The concert has something for everyone -- from “Duncan’s Tales” based on the children’s book about Duncan the precocious dog, to “Slavonic Legend,” the story of a Gypsy dance, to Mozart’s “Magic Flute” about the bird man Papageno and his magic flute, to “The Winds of Poseidon” with the alluring sounds of the sirens trying to lure Odysseus and his men in Homer’s Odyssey. A highlight of the concert will be the performance of the “Sun and the North Wind,” a classic fable about strength, composed by Boulder Creek High School trumpet player, Bill Fitzgibbons.   Performances will be at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, May 19 at Boulder Creek High School Performing Arts Center,... More

I remember, when I was a girl of about 15, sitting on a limestone outcrop on a hillside near my grandparents' Missouri home. It was springtime, and the dull brown grasses were just beginning to emerge from their winter sleep. The sunshine was warm, but gusts of chilly wind put goosebumps on my arms. The white stone was cold beneath my jeans, and the smell of wet earth and cedars filled the air.   There was nothing earthshattering happening ... no big "aha" moments or huge revelations. But what was happening were the quiet whisperings of my own soul stirring inside. For the first time, I felt the enveloping embrace of Purpose. I felt a buzzing inside of Connectedness, of being a part of something so much bigger than time and the body I inhabit.   "Remember this," I heard my Self say. "Hold this moment."   I had no idea at the time the significance of that instant. In fact, I doubted myself, thinking the whole experience may have been a little foolish. I did remember, though, and over... More

  Desert Foothills Theater (DFT), a division of the Foothills Community Foundation (FCF), finishes its season with Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, Jr., a special DFT Gecko Teatro youth production running Friday, May 18 through Sunday, May 27 on the Main Stage of Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, 33606 N. 60th Street, in North Scottsdale.   This popular fairytale will mesmerize children and adults alike as they follow Belle’s adventure as she tries to escape Gaston, her brute of a suitor, and in the process, becomes captive in the Beast’s enchanted castle. Dancing flatware, menacing wolves, and singing furniture fill the stage with thrills in this beloved story about very different people finding strength in one another and learning how to love.   Show times are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $12 to $15 for children under 18, and from $16 to $20 for adults.   www.desertfoothillstheater.com 480-488-1981... More

  Sunday, May 13, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets: $25-$30 Location: The MIM at 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. in Phoenix. Mehldau is “universally admired as one of the most adventurous pianists to arrive on the jazz scene in years.” (Los Angeles Times) His brilliant re-workings of pieces by contemporary songwriters such as the Beatles, Cole Porter, Radiohead, Paul Simon, George and Ira Gershwin, and Nick Drake have won him critical acclaim by jazz purists and music enthusiasts alike.... More

  Lobsterfest is here again! Kiwanis of New River will be hosting their 16th Annual Lobsterfest on Saturday, May 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Station in New River (47020 N. Black Canyon Highway). Advance tickets are $25 or $30 at the door, however, there is no guarantee that tickets will be available at the door.   These lobsters are LARGE at 1 ½ pounds each. There will be marinated steaks available for landlubbers. Either entrée is a huge value for the money.   Proceeds benefit the New River Kiwanis which serves the New River community. Kiwanis of New River sponsors the New River Senior Center Terrific Kids program at New River Elementary School and maintains the Kiwanis Park in New River which has baseball fields, a playground and two large equestrian arenas that are available to the community. Come out and enjoy some succulent lobster for a good cause!   www.newriverkiwanis.org Gigi: 623-465-0229  ... More

  Spring’s pleasant breezes will soon give way to the scorching Arizona heat, but it’s not too late to enjoy the beautiful gold, pink and purple blooms of desert cactus.   Join other outdoor enthusiasts for Picnic in the Park at Desert Awareness Park Ampitheater Thursday, May 10 at 11 a.m. to give spring blooms one last send-off before they retreat for the season. The event promises fun for old and young alike.   Desert Awareness Park is located one block north of Cave Creek Road on Vermeersch Road, between Binkley’s and Cave Creek Building Supply. It features fabulous desert vistas, picnic and shade ramadas with charcoal grills, a children’s playground and nature, horse and hiking trails. Desert Heritage Education Center, located in the park, features a riparian pond area. There is no entrance fee.   Learn more about desert plants by exploring the park, open daily to the public during daylight hours.   www.azfcf.org... More

NATIONAL CURVES DAY MAY 17TH 2012 12:00 to 3:00 P.M. COME LISTEN AND LEARN   WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE TWO LOCAL PRESENTERS   Victor Milianti, LNMT, CST, PC will be presenting from 12:15 to 1:15 PM Kedzi Morgan A.A.Ed. PSM will be presenting from 1:30 to2:30 PM Questions and answers to follow   Victor Milianti is a Licensed Neuromuscular and CranioSacral Therapist with a background in Holistic Wellness and Body and Mind Counseling. Victor uses treatment techniques like Deep Tissue work, Myofascial Release, Structural Assessment and Holistic Psychology and Wellness.   Kedzi Morgan, A.A.Ed, PSM has integrated 35 years in Health and Healing employing a combination of Hair Analysis (Tissue Mineral Analysis), Customized Nutritional Supplementation, Diet Analysis, Plant Spirit Medicine and BioMedical Emaphthic Therapy. Kedzi Morgan’s approach to Holistic Healing accelerates your return to Homeostasis which is our natural state of being. Kedzi is internationally known for long distance... More

  The Anthem Community Council (ACC) is partnering with several regional businesses to offer a series of social events throughout the area. The events are meant to increase business awareness while providing a diverse range of activities that encourage new relationships.   The first event, a Ladies’ Night Out Spring Fashion Show, took place Friday, April 20 at Pari Boutique. This fun-filled night featured a fashion show, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, raffle prizes, shopping and discounts.   A second Ladies’ Night Out event, this time a spa retreat, will take place at A Wild Hair Salon, May 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. Located in the Anthem Crossroads shopping center, A Wild Hair Salon invites you to sit back, relax and enjoy a well deserved retreat. This ladies night out will be the perfect destination for relaxation and fun.   Further ACC events, including Men’s Nights, are scheduled in future months.   www.onlineatanthem.com  ... More

  Binkley’s, located at 6920 E. Cave Creek Road in Cave Creek, will host “Farmer in the House” dinner featuring organic vegetables, specially nurtured to full-flavored perfection in Arizona’s arid climate, Wednesday, May 9. The dinner is part of the annual fundraising series organized by Patrick Duncan of Duncan’s Trading Co., to benefit the Association of Arizona Food Banks. Chef Kevin Binkley will present an innovative menu incorporating fresh vegetables from Duncan’s farms, with wine pairings available to complement each dish. Guests will experience a unique opportunity to appreciate colorful, organic produce and to experience the intense and unparalleled flavors that result from the local growing conditions. Cost of the dinner is $89 per person, with wine pairings available throughout the evening for $42. Guest seating will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner from 7 – 9 p.m. Seating is limited. Reservations are required.   480-437-1072... More

  Boulder Creek High School is hosting 2012 Citizen Safety Forum and Expo, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 12. The expo will take place in the school cafeteria and will feature free lunch with keynote speaker Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery taking place at noon.   The topics covered during the expo will include, but are not limited to, identity theft, investment fraud, protecting your home and consumer scams.   To register for this event log on to the following website and click on “Book Now.”   www.acpa.net/expo2012.htmwww.acpa.net/expo2012  ... More

  Camelot, a non-profit organization that teaches horsemanship to children and adults who have physical disabilities, is hosting its Eleventh Annual Open House and Fundraising Event – Hooves & Heroes. This fun family event will take place May 5 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the ranch located at 6250 E. Jomax Road in Scottsdale. Admission to this event is free.   Delectable food by Bruce Brown Catering, as well as dessert by JJ’s Delicatessen, Wine tasting by Vino 100, and beer from Four Peaks Brewery will all be available for purchase. 100% of all food and drink proceeds benefit Camelot.   Dress in proper Renaissance attire and receive a free raffle ticket! Festivities include a silent auction and raffle, live music, kids’ activities, musical riding performances by Camelot students, demonstrations by the Scottsdale Police Mounted Unit, entertainment by Fools of Fairhaven and the Mounted Archery Desert Warriors.   www.camelotaz.org... More

  Can’t make it to the Churchill Downs this year? Head north to the English Rose Tea Room in Carefree for an all day Kentucky Derby celebration with fancy hats, fascinators and mint tea juleps to commemorate the annual Run for the Roses, perhaps the most famous horse race in the world.   For nearly 140 years, the Kentucky Derby has been held during the first weekend in May. This year, restaurant owner Joanne Gemmill will be hosting an all day celebration from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, May 5 to commemorate America’s longest running sporting event.   Guests attending are encouraged to dress for the occasion, sporting racing hats and proper attire suitable for a day at the track. Hats will also be available for purchase at the event. Guests will be treated to coverage of the race on large screen televisions, a chance to sip on Mint Tea Juleps and other English Rose favorites, a vast array of classic British finger foods from cucumber sandwiches to scones, and an opportunity to... More

Kevin Binkley, owner of Binkley’s in Cave Creek and Café Bink in Carefree, has recently made it onto the finalist list for the James Beard Foundation’s Best in the Southwest Award – the first time for any Arizona chef since 2007. In doing so, he has not only put his restaurant on the culinary map, but also the entire Cave Creek and Carefree area in the spotlight.   James Beard Foundation awards are known as the “Oscars of the Food World.” The foundation will hold their awards ceremony and gala May 7 in New York City, and awards will be presented by Food Network personality Alton Brown. Other Southwest finalists include Bruce Augden (Biga on the Banks, San Antonio), Bruno Davaillon (Mansion Restaurant at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas), Jennifer Jasinski (Rioja, Denver), Hugo Ortega (Hugo’s, Houston) and Paul Qui (Uchiko, Austin).   Binkley is understandably excited, but punctuates his excitement by acknowledging that it is already gratifying to advance to the... More