Videos

I have a confession: I live a double life. OK. If I'm really honest with myself, it's more of a triple or quadruple life. There are so many things I'm passionate about, and I have a really difficult time not doing any of them. I love writing, I love school, I love family life, and I love my life in Africa. I am still waiting for that Star Trek "beam me up" technology to come along so that I can pop here and there and be several places at once, but in the meantime, I live a life juggling plates, so to speak.   One of the things I'm most passionate about is creating awareness about child trafficking and making a difference in the lives of children who are living as slaves. There are an estimated 27 million women and children living in our world as slaves today - many of whom are American cities and towns. They are invisible. They have no voice. My friends and I are trying to give them a voice, and also maake a very real difference for a group of slave children in Ghana, West Africa.... More

March 15-25 The Wallace & Ladmo Show Desert Foothills Theater (DFT), a division of the Foothills Community Foundation, presents “The Wallace & Ladmo Show,” running Thursday, March 15 through Sunday, March 25 at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center’s Black Box Theater, 33606 N. 60th Street, in North Scottsdale. The show is designated as an official Centennial Legacy project.   Written and directed by Ben Tyler, “The Wallace & Ladmo Show” is an original comedic play that looks at the true meaning of success. In 1964, mock-rock band Hub Kapp (Pat McMahon) and The Wheels premiered on “The Wallace & Ladmo Show.” Because of the popularity of “The Wallace & Ladmo Show,” the band was an overnight sensation—even appearing on the Steve Allen Show. Locally, their sales skyrocketed and they were beating out The Beatles on the charts. Hollywood record producers came to call and the next thing they knew, cast members were being asked to move to Hollywood—being... More

  Start your 2012 season by playing in a tournament that will save thousands of lives! This tournament is much more than winning a trophy - it is the opportunity to show our boys that kids can be difference makers! Organizations drill a well in Uganda, Africa. This well will provide safe drinking water to over 10,000 people living in the village where it will be drilled.   January 28th - 29th, 2012 Anthem Sports Complex Rio Vista - Peoria Victory Lane - Glendale Ages 9u - 14u Major/AAA/AA Divisions 9u - 12u $450 13u - 14u $475 3 game guarantee   All proceeds benefit Water 4 Kids International with the goal of supporting an entire village with over 10,000 people with fresh, clean drinking water.... More

The Ballet Academy of Arizona, in collaboration with United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona, brings you a life-changing experience. Come see how magic is made as typical and special needs children dance, act and sing side-by-side in this wonderful production of Cinderella. Be a part of the magic as we take you on an unforgettable journey.   Venue: Herberger Theater   Date and Time: Oct 8, 2011 at 2 PM and 5 PM   Price: $23.50 (purchase through Box Office) and $27.00 (purchase online)   www.herbergertheater.org... More

If you haven’t found your way over to the hidden gem in the middle of Carefree called “The Carefree Station Grill & Bar” you now have another spot to add to your list of places to check out. We went last weekend with good friends, and enjoyed every morsel of food that was served. Dishes were obviously put together with much forethought given to taste and pairings. Just when we thought that the parade of decadence was over, the Haleakala Pie was wheeled out. Named after the giant volcano on Maui, this tower of treats featured a macadamia nut-strewn chocolate volcano filled with molten chocolate. Covered with rich macadamia amaretto ice cream, toasted coconut, whipped cream, and erupting with flaming rum. What a treat after a long work week!   Carefree Station Grill & Bar: 7212 Ho Hum Road, Carefree, AZ 85377; 480-488-8182... More

Sneak peek! For our August edition of ImagesAZ, I had the opportunity to write a story about Bennet Nordstrom and his family. Last year, without warning, Bennet got very sick, and about four months ago, he got the gift of a heart transplant. Now he is on a mission to share the importance of healthy habits, EKGs in sports physicals and organ donation.   Bennet's family is amazing. They have stuck together through the most difficult times a family could possibly face. A friend of theirs put together this beautiful video that brought tears to my eyes as I watched. Please share, and please register as an organ donor at www.donatelife.net. It's easy. It's free. It saves lives.         Amanda Christmann Larson is Director of Compassionate Journeys, a volunteer organization dedicated to bringing resources and awareness to empower people in Ghana, West Africa. In the summer of 2012, Amanda and friends will be traveling from San Diego, California to St. Augustine, Florida with Babes... More

Fight against breast cancer while you sip semi-sparkly Rose. Aveleda, one of the leading producers in Portugal, will donate $2 for every case sold in June of Casal Garcia Rose to the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure.   The grapes come from the Vinho Verde Region of Portugal. Vinhos Verdes wines are light and fresh, and are intended to be drunk early. The name means “Green Wine”, referring to the youthful freshness.  Check out the video to get  a feel for the region.   Aveleda Casal Garcia Rose is available at Bev Mo for $8. This wine is perfect for fish, spicy cuisine or a poolside afternoon. With a low alcohol content (10.5%)and natural acidity, the wine is light, fresh and has an effervescent mouth feel. Served chilled.   To learn more about this producer go to www.CasalGarcia.com.   Holly Matson WinoGal... More

We returned last week from Ghana, where we had the opportunity to set up some great volunteer opportunities with some wonderful people. Check out our video to see one of those projects. We need teachers, agriculture specialists (farmers, etc.), doctors, paramedics, nurses and people with big hearts to volunteer abroad!   Visit us at www.compassionatejourneys.com!... More

It’s your serve!   OUT DAY is an opportunity for you to serve others in our community in need of assistance.   Locally. Regionally. Nationally. Internationally.   When: Sunday, March 6th Where: Meet at Cross of Christ Church 39808 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway 623-551-9851 How: There are 12 different opportunities and organizations we are teaming with. For inquiries e-mail laurie@anthemcross.org If you are not available that day you can still help donate to our list of growing needs. We are taking anything and everything you have to give to distribute to those in need.... More

BCHS Golf team having some fun!  ... More

One of our projects we're working on at Compassionate Journeys is a project to bring clean water to Christ Outreach Orphanage and School in Kasoa, Ghana. Here's an article for more information: http://blog.compassionatejourneys.com/2010/11/14/compassionate-journeys-joins-water-for-our-world-to-bring-clean-water-to-ghana.aspx Also, feel free to visit www.compassionatejourneys.com for more on what we're about, and www.christoutreachghana.com for information on the orphanage. Join the movement! Together we can make a difference!... More

Start your 2010 season by playing in a tournament that will save thousands of lives! This tournament is much more than winning a trophy - it is the opportunity to show our boys that kids can be difference makers! By participating in our Water 4 Kids Baseball Classic, you will be joining our Sonoran Black Sox and the High Desert Rattlers Organizations drill a well in Uganda, Africa. This well will provide safe drinking water to nearly 7,750 students and over 4,400 people living in the village where it will be built.... More