Lifestyle

Writer Amanda Christmann Larson   In 1954, the town of Cave Creek had only a few hundred residents, but with the county’s blessing, Dorothy Smith and Carolyn Cox stocked a shelf with a few books at what was then the Cow Bell restaurant. Townsfolk hungry for information and entertainment began checking them out, but soon discovered the most convenient way to get their hands on a new novel was to flag down Dorothy Smith, who kept a stash of books in her car. And thus the Desert Foothills Library was born.   In the last six decades, the Town of Cave Creek and its library have come a long way. Just as the early supporters of the Library were resourceful and tenacious, the board and staff of the Desert Foothills Library, located on Schoolhouse Road, are just as creative and indefatigable.   Step into the Library today, and you can become anyone you want to be. Among the aisles of fiction, pirates, vampires, heroes, villains, survivors and detectives patiently wait to draw you into... More

Arizona is a like a great cup of tea. Too much of one thing, and tea is bland and unremarkable; but mix leaves, spices and citrus together from both far and near, and the tastes come together for the ideal brew. Arizona’s mix of indigenous people, snowbirds from the Midwest, and transplants from all over the country (and the globe, for that matter) make for the perfect blend of culture and history.   The first question most people ask new acquaintances is almost always, “Where are you from?” It surprises exactly no one when that answer is somewhere other than here. But for one family, the answer has been the same for four generations. For over 100 years, the LaBarbera family and their predecessors have been from Arizona – not so common for a family full of Irish and Italian bloodlines. Their forefathers have watched, and been part of, Arizona’s ever-changing landscape of politics and personalities.   Chuck and Kelley LaBarbera and their 19-year-old son, Nico, may look like... More

  The Foothills Food Bank is putting together a team to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Inspired by a Food Bank volunteer who battled cancer last year, the team raised the second-highest amount of dollars. This year they are hoping to go one better.   The team is looking for both sponsors and team members to participate in the 12-hour walk, from 6 p.m. Saturday, April 28 through 6 a.m. Sunday, April 29. To make a donation, or sign up as a team member visit the Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center website and click on the Cave Creek Relay for Life tab.   www.foothillsfoodbank.com; 480-488-1145  ... More

  Nationally renowned flautist Mark Holland, known for his unique soulful style of “playing from the heart,” will be playing at the Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek on April 27.   The concert begins at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 with payment due at the time of reservation. Seating is limited and advanced ticket purchase is strongly recommended. A portion of proceeds benefits the library.   480-488-2286... More

Black Canyon Heritage Park, a coalition of organizations including Black Canyon City Community Association, Black Canyon Historical Society, North Country Conservancy, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Friends of the Agua Fria National Monument, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the U.S. National Park Service, has chosen April 21 for a Grand Opening- Earth Day Celebration.   Officially titled A Day for Curiosity, Discovery, Stewardship, their 2nd annual Earth Day event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free event will provide participants a variety of experiences to instill respect, responsibility, and stewardship for the surrounding area’s outstanding cultural, historical, recreation and environmental offerings.   www.imagesaz.com/galleries/view/69/black-canyon-heritage-park  ... More

  The Students of the Veteran Heritage Project in association with the Library of Congress’s Veterans History Project invites all to join in as they honor Veterans from Since You Asked VIII: Navy Edition & Volumes I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII.   Colonel Robert W. “Bob” Patrick (Ret.) who served over 28 years active duty in Germany, Korea and the U.S. will be the guest speaker. Patrick is the director of the Veterans History Project, a program of the American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress to collect and preserve oral histories and documentary materials from veterans of World War I through current conflicts. Visit this reception and book signing and learn more about this very important project.   Arizona State University (4701 West Thunderbird Rd., Glendale) 3 to 6 p.m.; 602-690-6122... More

The Arizona Highway 69 Chamber of Commerce is hosting their second annual Hi-Country Bluegrass Festival, in Arcosanti 13555 S. Stagecoach Trail, Humboldt, AZ. Last year, the event drew more than 1000 folks, with event organizers expecting many more this year. Seven bands full of fiddles are slated to take the stage during the all day event. A children’s ‘petting zoo’ instrument area, as well as street vendors and a beer & wine garden complement the music festival. Proceeds from this event goes to scholarships and non-profit community programs.   Ticket prices are $12 for adults (age 13 and up), $6 for children ages 7 – 12 and 6 and under are free.   www.arizonahighway69chamber.org  ... More

  Canyon Church of Christ is moving to a permanent location in Tramonto Crossing (across from the Good Egg) on North Valley Parkway, and are hosting an open house Saturday, April 14, from 2 to 5 p.m.   Canyon Church of Christ was founded by minister Tom Riley, eight years ago. A small number of families in the Anthem area would meet in two different locations, before settling in at Diamond Canyon Elementary for the past few years. In July of last year, Tom moved back to Nashville, Tennessee to be closer to his aging parents and Tim Gunnells, moved from East Tennessee to help lead the church. Initially the church planned to build on land it owns in Anthem, but later they felt the Lord leading them in a new direction. The church now owns several buildings in Tramonto as well as more acreage for future expansion.   The Canyon church is excited about its new surroundings and looks forward to expanding its influence into new communities. The new location is convenient to major roads... More

  Musical Theatre of Anthem (MTA) announces auditions for the Broadway hit “Annie,” a combined age production for ages 6-adult. One of the most beloved musicals of all time, Annie tells the tale of the spunky orphan Annie who is determined to find her parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan.   Vocal auditions will be held on Saturday, April 14 at 11 a.m. The dance call for all auditioners will be on Sunday, April 15 at 11 a.m., with callbacks at 1 p.m.. Auditions, callbacks and rehearsals take place at the MTA rehearsal suite at 39512 N. Daisy Mountain Drive, Suite 182 in Anthem, in the Fry’s Marketplace. Those auditioning should prepare a musical theatre song, 16-32 bars or one minute in length. Bring an accompaniment CD or iPod to sing with; you may also sing a capella if needed. Please have your registration materials (available on the website) completed prior to coming to the... More

  Starlight Community Theater presents “Once Upon a Mattress,” on two weekends from Friday, April 13 to Sunday, April 29 at Safeway Regency Center, 3655 W. Anthem Way, Suite B-119, Anthem.   If you thought you knew the story of “The Princess and The Pea,” you may be in for a walloping surprise in this rollicking musical spin on the familiar classic. This production features the direction of Barbara Surloff, who has produced and directed more than 100 shows in her 38-year career, vocal direction of Peter Wilson, choreography by Nathalie Velasquez, and a wonderful cast.   Evening performances are on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.   Tickets are available online at www.starlightcommunitytheater.org. Adults $15, Students $12. At the door, cash only.   Performance Dates: Two Weekends: Friday, April 13, 2012 7:00 PM Friday, April 27, 2012 7:00 PM Saturday, April 14, 2012 3:00 and 7:00 PM Saturday, April 28, 2012 3:00 and 7:00 PM Sunday,... More

  Step back in time to visit with a Mexican/American Vaquero. His world changed dramatically in 1848 when the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo made him an American, without his ever leaving his home. When many Mexican Hacendados (ranch owners) packed up and went to Mexico, the vaqueros, cattle and horses were, more often than not, left behind.   As Americans laid claim to the land and livestock, they found that they needed help handling the huge herds of wild, mean, feral, long-horned cattle and wild horses. That meant hiring the Mexican vaquero to teach them and their men how to be cowboys. Now, you can meet one of these intrepid herdsmen who became so influential in the shaping of the culture we now associate with the American cowboy.   C.L. “Lee” Anderson, a living historian, and his horse Concho will guide you through this historical journey as you step back in time at Cave Creek Regional Park. You will relive the days of the Mexican cowboy as Lee reveals the hardships they had... More

  April’s for the Arts, the Sonoran Arts League’s inaugural art auction and fundraising event, features an evening of wine, art, music, food and fun to help raise funds for the work of the League.   More than 150 works of art donated by League members and patrons will be part of the silent auction and the live auction will feature sculptures, paintings, glass and more. There is also a drawing to win the grand prize – a seven-foot tall steel sculpture by Cave Creek artist Gordon Paul Mischke. Master of ceremonies will be Cave Creek Mayor Vince Francia.   Saturday, April 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Holland Community Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. Admission is free, but due to limited capacity, RSVP to 480-575-6684 or info@sonoranartsleague.org.   www.sonoranartsleague.org; 480-575-6624... More

  This event is your opportunity to meet representatives from local and state universities, gather admissions and tuition information, and hear about transferring your major or program of study. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the PVCC Black Mountain Campus (34250 N. 60th St.). Representatives from Arizona Christian University, Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, Midwestern University, Northern Arizona University, Ottawa University, University of Arizona and University of Phoenix will be present to answer questions and provide information.   602-493-2600  ... More

  This debut signature event is a fundraiser for the Foothills Community Foundation (FCF) It will be held on Sunday, April 1 at the Holland Community Center, 34250 North 60th Street, Scottsdale, 5 to 9 p.m. It includes a reception, formal dinner, live auction, raffles and entertainment. “We are bringing out the red carpet to make this a memorable and festive evening to support needed services for the community and the many important and popular FCF programs” said Diane Vaszily, Chair of the Hearts and Hands Gala Committee and an FCF board member.   FCF serves all residents in the communities of North Scottsdale, Carefree, Cave Creek, North Phoenix through their support of Desert Foothills Theater, Partners in Education program, CCUSD Teacher Vision grants, Desert Awareness program, Caring Communities program, Foothills Food Bank and Holland Community Center.   www.azfcf.org  ... More