By Theresa Willbye

Temperatures are heating up all across the country, and this spring’s 2008 collections are hotter than any of them. This year, there seems to be something for everyone. From vibrant, electric statements to laidback bohemian chic, fashion staples are available to all, regardless of age and body shape.

Fashion as art takes form with hand-painted flowers and designs embellished on garments. Tribal, tropical, and floral prints accentuate outfits. Palette choice is a key to this season. According to the Pantone Fashion Color Report for spring 2008, top season colors include Golden Olive, Spring Crocus, Rococo Red, Pink Mist, Croissant, Freesia, Cantaloupe, Daiquiri Green, Snorkel Blue, and Silver Gray.

Stylish fabrics of silk, chiffon, and lace adorn top models as they maneuver gracefully down the catwalk. Denim has taken a shift from the traditional dark blue, and style icons will now sport shades of light-wash denim.

Dresses are a strong feature in all the 2008 collections. More figure-enhancing shapes are replacing the mock dress, which has graced our closets throughout previous seasons. Think Grecian goddess, as maxi dresses and skirts hit the runway hard, enveloping sensuality and feminism. The spring maxi is more close-cut than the 2007 version. Many designers are employing tiering, allowing them to add extra dimensions to their style, and dresses also favor one-shoulder or halter-neck styles. Shorts are another popular choice this spring. They are shorter than usual, and the most fashionable trend is wide and loose with a smart, casual feel.

The fashion-savvy businesswoman can avail herself of the new in-style sharp tailored lines designed for the work environment. The new asymmetrical cuts are in the new black: silver gray. Pencil skirts make a refreshing comeback, ending either slightly above or below the knee. Trousers wave goodbye to the low hip-hugging style as highlighted in previous seasons and say hello to high waists, low crotches, and wide legs. Shirts make dramatic statement with high or ruffled necklines.

Feet will slip into changes, too. The wedge sandal is the trendiest footwear of the season. Like the previous flat styles, the wedge heel offers great comfort and support, making it a must-have for the extra height and glamour we have been waiting for.

Keeping with current trends, no outfit is complete without the use of accessories. Belts are thin, and worn to accentuate the narrowest part of your waistline. You will still see plenty of oversize tote bags in bright, daring colors, but the clutch bag is making a comeback on the runway. Silk scarves, gypsy hair bands, and hats are all used to adorn the head. Jewelry remains large and chunky, in various colors.

The spring 2008 trends are the most diverse seen in a long time. This season, everyone will be able take their favorite catwalk look to their local high streets.

By Dan Weaver

If you think those massive lions guarding the New York City Public Library should be replaced by statues of housecats because of the diminishing role of the library in an Internet-based society, think again. The library’s role is what it has always been—a place where people go to get information in a variety of formats; but that now includes books, movies, CDs, newspapers, magazines, and computer files. More importantly, it is a place where people go to learn where and how to find information, and how to use and evaluate the worth of the information they have found.

When a Google search returns several googol-bytes of information to a college student, it is difficult for the undiscerning student to evaluate them. He or she might feel that information on the Holocaust from the jazzed-up and carefully disguised Web site that advocates prejudice is better than that written in broken English on a Holocaust survivor’s blog.

Librarians are the key to guiding students to where they can find the best information, no matter what the source. They can also teach students how to evaluate the information they have retrieved. That is why, when I was an adjunct English teacher at my local community college, our first field trip was to the college library. A librarian gave a lecture on how to find and evaluate information in the library and on the Internet. The students then worked on their term papers while the librarian worked one-on-one with each student.

Most libraries have successfully integrated the Internet into the mix of media sources that they already have, and its addition has only enhanced libraries. For example, many college libraries make JSTOR, a Web site where scholarly articles are archived, available for free. The typical Internet user cannot access this valuable resource without a college library card. JSTOR exists because libraries pay fees to use its services. Similar services like ARTstor and Aluka are also offered only through libraries.

Finally, what makes libraries indispensable in this modern era is not only the new technologies they have embraced, like the Internet, but also the old technologies they have not discarded. These include the antiquarian books, maps, and ephemera that they protect against destruction and decay, and make available for scholarly research. Libraries also digitize stereoviews and microfilm before they decompose, and share them with the world. The most important technology of all, of course, is the thousands of books available for public browsing.

What computer users call browsing is not the same as what booklovers call browsing. While Google Book Search has made it possible to look inside a book, the Internet has yet to make it possible to run your fingers along a row of books until you find a title that excites you, a title that sometimes changes your life. It is this act—the act of the flesh touching the word and the word becoming flesh, and not just the successful integration of the Internet into the library—that guarantees that libraries will be around for a long time.

By Jodi Leedy

Are you planning to purchase new kitchen cabinets? Whether for a newly constructed home or for a remodeling project, consider one important factor: your kitchen is the heart of your home! It is not just a place to dine; it is also the main gathering place for family and friends and a place for entertaining. This is particularly true with today’s popular open floor plans and “great room” designs. Because your kitchen plays such an important role in your home, there are a few things to consider in your planning process.

Keep Future Buyers in Mind

Even if you are currently building your dream home, it is possible that someday you will have a need to sell your home. A practical kitchen layout is typically everyone’s goal, but cabinet styles and finishes are more of a personal choice. Are you attracted to traditional or modern styles? Do you like kitchen cabinets with distinct wood grain or nearly no grain? Regardless of which you prefer, always keep future buyers in mind, as they can play an important part in your bottom line.

The Work Triangle

All homeowners seek a functional workspace in the kitchen. When planning your kitchen layout, it is important to consider the distances between your sink, stove, and refrigerator in relationship to one another. Connecting these three workstations from their center points should create an invisible “work triangle.”

Kitchen Cabinet Storage is Key

When designing your dream kitchen, it is important to consider your storage space, along with ample countertop space. Kitchen cabinet layout services are available to help you maximize your space and create the best flow of cabinetry. The first place to look for extra storage space is in your corners. In small, tight kitchens, a blind corner cabinet can make the most use out of the corner. Try adding rollout trays in your base kitchen cabinets to help access your pots and pans, or in your pantries in order to reach cans and dry goods more easily.

Bells and Whistles

Just like purchasing a new vehicle, there are upgrade options to consider when ordering your new kitchen cabinets. Consider glass door cabinets for displaying your keepsakes or china dinnerware, an appliance hutch for hiding small appliances on your countertop, rollout trays for base cabinets, integrated wastebaskets, corner shelves, and wine racks. When selecting your bells and whistles, keep in mind your budget and overall functionality and flow of your kitchen for optimal results.

Remember, your kitchen is the heart of your home! Success in constructing a timeless, comfortable space is a result of creating a balance between an efficient layout and a design with your personal tastes, and keeping with the end goal of adding value to your home.

By Shannon Willoby
Photography by Eric Fairchild

If you’re looking to have fun in the Valley of the Sun, but think you’ve seen it all, check out North Valley Magazine’s list of the Top 20 Places to Go for Entertainment. It’s filled with family-friendly spots to take the kids, exciting ways to enjoy Arizona’s nightlife, amusement parks, and even some fun activities you may not have heard of before. So if you’re looking to add a little culture to your life, have a fun-filled day, or enjoy a sophisticated night on the town, read on for some fabulous ideas that will have you out enjoying our beautiful weather and all Arizona has to offer.

Castles N’ Coasters
9445 Metro Pkwy. East
Phoenix, AZ 85051
(602) 997-7575
castlesncoasters.com

No matter what you’re planning—a birthday party, a corporate event, an outing with the kids or even a date—Castles N’ Coasters has something for everyone, regardless of age. With eighteen holes of miniature golf, thrilling rides, 18,000 square feet of arcade with over 300 games, and a special section for little kids, Castles N’ Coasters will keep boredom at bay year-round!

The Brickhouse Theatre
1 E. Jackson St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 258-7880
thebrickhouse.tv

Located in one of Phoenix’s oldest buildings, the Brickhouse Theatre is the perfect place to support your local arts. Their ever-changing entertainment schedule often includes concerts by local and national bands, art galleries, and fashion shows. Come hungry so you can grab lunch or dinner at the Brickhouse’s very own restaurant, The Chop Shop!

Canal
7144 E. Stetson Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 949-9000
canalaz.com

Let your inner fashionista out at Scottsdale’s newest high-end restaurant and nightspot. Canal, true to its name, features dining overlooking the canal out on the terrace as well as inside next to a fashion runway. The menu consists of sophisticated small plates and entrees; most evening hours include a live DJ and artistic images projected on a huge high-definition screen.

Heard Museum
2301 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 252-8848
heard.org

Immerse yourself in traditional and contemporary American Indian art at the Heard Museum. Free guided tours are available daily, and the museum has ten exhibition galleries that showcase permanent and temporary exhibits. Stop in at the Heard Museum Shop to purchase handmade jewelry and pottery, and be sure to grab a bite to eat at Arcadia Farms Café at the Heard.

Scottsdale Culinary Festival
Scottsdale League for the Arts
7309 E. Evans
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 945-7193
scottsdaleculinaryfestival.org

The Scottsdale Culinary Festival, now heading into its thirtieth year, is one of the biggest outdoor parties Arizona has to offer. From April 8 through the 13, the festival will be filled with food, drink, music and, of course, fun! One of their most popular events, the Great Arizona Picnic, will be held April 12–13; it includes food sampling from over fifty restaurants as well as an Absolut Bistro.

Geisha A Go Go
7150 E. 6th Ave.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
(480) 699-0055

Tired of the ordinary? Head to Geisha a Go Go, Old Town Scottsdale’s only Asian bistro lounge that features Pachinko—Japanese pinball machines—and a signature pink Hello Kitty cocktail. Geisha a Go Go provides an intimate dining experience, with a fifty-two seat dining room, or you can opt to sit at the bar for times when a cocktail is the only thing you’re after. But the most unique part of Geisha a Go Go just might be their private karaoke rooms that come with a 40-inch flat screen television and your own server for the evening.

Westgate City Center
6770 N. Hockey Way, Suite 220
Glendale, AZ 85305
Phone: (623) 772-4000
westgateaz.com

The innovative creators of Westgate City Center made sure visitors wouldn’t have a single reason to leave their entertainment plaza. While you’re there, you’ll be able to see a sporting event, show, or concert at the Jobing.com Arena or at the University of Phoenix Stadium, watch a movie in the new 4,000 seat AMC theater, go shopping, dine at one of many great restaurants, and much more—all in one convenient location!

Dave and Buster’s
21001 N Tatum Blvd., Ste. 44-1400
Phoenix, AZ 85050
(480) 538-8956
daveandbusters.com

Age isn’t an issue at Dave and Buster’s, where over 200 games draw countless kids and kids at heart each day. Classic and interactive games are offered, from skeeball to a rapid whitewater adventure, with you controlling the paddles. For the 21-and-up crowd, Dave and Buster’s offers two bars; and if hunger strikes, there is no need to leave, as there’s also a fully loaded menu with items both adults and children will enjoy.

Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Pkwy.
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 941-1225
dbg.org

Come explore the beauty of desert plants at the Desert Botanical Garden. With fifty acres of outdoor exhibits, including 139 rare, threatened, and endangered plant species, the Garden provides a unique learning experience for all. Contact the Garden for information on their special events, such as their Spring Butterfly Exhibit and garden tours.

Wildlife World Zoo
16501 W. Northern Ave.
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
(623) 935-WILD (9453)
wildlifeworld.com

For close encounters of the exotic animal kind, head to Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park where you can feed giraffes, take an African Safari, and watch baby tigers at play! Plan on spending a few hours at the zoo to ensure that you have enough time to check out all 2,400 animals, Australian boat ride, petting zoo, skyride, carousel, and much more! Helpful hint: Purchase a carton of Hickman eggs, and you’ll find a buy-one-get-one-free coupon on the bottom for Wildlife World Zoo.

The Tempe Improv
930 E University Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 921-9877
symfonee.com

If laughter is the best medicine, a dose of The Tempe Improv is in order! Here, you’ll catch undiscovered and well-known comedy acts in an intimate lounge setting. Huge names such as Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, and Tom Hanks have performed at this club in the past, and upcoming acts include Norm MacDonald and Pablo Francisco. Dinner is available, and the club is open to anyone 18 years old and up.

West Wind Scottsdale 6 Drive-In
8101 McKellips Rd,
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
(480) 949-9451

It’s been over thirty years, and the West Wind Scottsdale 6 Drive-In is still a favorite movie-watching spot for Valley residents. With back-to-back movies, a retro-design snack bar, and affordable prices, it’s easy to see why so many people are forgoing regular theaters in favor of a night spent at their local drive-in. Helpful hint: Save even more money by bringing your own snacks and drinks!

Arizona Science Center
600 E. Washington St.
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
(602) 716-2000.
azscience.org

If your little one is tired of hearing “Don’t touch that!”, it’s time you took a family field trip to the Arizona Science Center. With more than 300 hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, and a five-story high IMAX Theater, you and your children will discover just how fun interactive learning can be. Be sure to check out Awesome Atoms, where you can purchase fun and educational items to take home; and don’t miss Titanic—The Artifact Exhibition, where real objects from the Titanic are on display.

Altell Ice Den
9375 E. Bell Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 585-RINK
coyotesice.com

Altell Ice Den is a perfect spot to beat the heat—and to have a lot of fun while you’re at it! Altell is a 120,000-square-foot ice skating center that offers public skating, in addition to hosting practices for many NHL teams, including the Coyotes. You’ll also find a Peter Piper Pizza restaurant/game room, Chilly Bean, and full-service pro shop in Alltel Ice Den.

Rattlers
U·S Airways Center
201 E. Jefferson St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 514-TDTD (8383)
usairwayscenter.com
azrattlers.com

Missing football season? Head to U·S Airways Center and get your fix of arena football! Season and individual tickets are very reasonable, making this a fun and affordable sport for fans. And don’t forget about the Rattlers cheerleaders—the Sidewinders. You’ll find them on the sidelines of every game, cheering on the players.

Fighter Combat International
Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
5865 S. Sossaman Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85212
(480) 279-1881
fightercombat.com

Have you ever wanted to be a Top Gun fighter pilot? Fighter Combat International gives you the chance by letting you take the controls of a high-performance aerobatic airplane equipped with sound, smoke, dual controls, and gunsight. There are various packages to choose from that range from basic to advanced, and you can even get into a midair battle with an adversary—with simulated bullets, of course. That leaves us with just one question: Who will you be for the day—Goose or Maverick?

IMAX Theatre
IMAX Theatre Arizona Mills
5000 Arizona Mills Circle Ste. 667
Tempe, AZ. 85282
(480) 897-IMAX

Watch as sea monsters, dinosaurs, rock stars, whales, and more come to life before your eyes at the IMAX Theatre in Arizona Mills. Movies are between 45 to 60 minutes in length; depending on the film, they will be viewed in either IMAX 2D or 3D. Upcoming movies include Grand Canyon Adventure 3D: River at Risk, Dolphins and Whales 3D, and Shine a Light: The IMAX Experience.

Big Surf-Golfland
1500 N. McClintock
Tempe, Arizona 85281
(480) 947-2477
tempe.golfland.com

If you’re daring, you’ll definitely want to check out the speed rides at Big Surf, including Cyclone, Tahitian Twister, and Avalanche. But if you feel like relaxing in a simulated ocean, check out the wavepool; just don’t forget to rent a raft or inner tube first! Little kids will love Captain Cook’s Landing, where they can splash around in a safe play area with other children. Big Surf also has an arcade, picnic areas, an ice cream parlor, and locker rentals. But don’t grab your swimsuit just yet—Big Surf will be opening to the public on Memorial Day weekend.

Enchanted Island Amusement Park
Encanto Park
1202 W. Encanto Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 254-1200
enchantedisland.com

Arizona natives are sure to remember riding the carousel at Encanto Park when they were children, but it may come as a surprise that the park is still home to the beloved 50-year-old carousel. Today, Enchanted Island at Encanto Park is a popular amusement park filled with fun rides and attractions geared to children 2–10 years of age. Rides include the C.P. Huntington Train, pedal boats, canoes, bumper boats, Parachute Tower, Dragon Wagon, and Red Baron airplane.

Orpheum Theatre
203 W. Adams St.
Phoenix, AZ 85003
(602) 534-5600
http://phoenix.gov/STAGES/orpheum.html

Built in 1929 in hopes it would be the most opulent theater Arizona had, the Orpheum Theatre stands today as a beautiful reminder of Arizona’s past. Through the years, the theater has endured many modern renovations, but the architecture was carefully restored to keep its historical value intact. The Orpheum Theatre has 1,364 seats in which one can watch anything from a Broadway play to a classical ballet.

By Michael van den Bos

The love story is like the ocean: it’s a genre that comprises an essential element covering movies the world over. The cinematic sea of love is most thrilling when the love boat rides on tempestuous emotional waves and only stays afloat if the romantic leads are of equal ballast somewhere in their temperament, ego, or spirit. This goes for such extreme cases as the fiery relationship between Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler, or the sweetly neurotic coupling of Annie Hall and Alvy Singer. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is a spirited love story that expertly navigates the deep, mysterious waters of romance between two unlikely lovers who couldn’t be more similar.

It is England, the turn-of-the-last-century. Mrs. Lucy Muir (Gene Tierney), newly widowed, leaves her controlling in-laws to start a new life with her young daughter. With her late husband’s money, Lucy purchases a quaint seaside cottage, even though she’s warned that it’s haunted. Lucy indeed discovers the cottage is haunted by the ghost of the cantankerous Capt. Gregg (Rex Harrison), but she’s not scared off. A living (and dead) accommodation is reluctantly agreed upon by Lucy and the captain. As tolerance leads from admiration through fondness, and finally to love, Lucy’s money runs out, so the captain helps her and her daughter by “ghostwriting” his salty seagoing adventures, which become a best-selling book. Along the way, Lucy falls in love with a living writer (George Sanders) who manipulates Lucy for his own pleasure, much to the pain of Capt. Gregg.

Rex Harrison defined the cliché of the crusty seadog who once led a seafaring life of wine, women, and song. Though his ghost wants his home to his own, the captain is captivated by Lucy’s timeless beauty, and then touched by her unsuspecting strength and determination to be neither controlled by irritating in-laws nor frightened by an annoying apparition. The captain’s spirit softens as he realizes Lucy is his kindred spirit; two unlikely people from different dimensions align their hearts because they not only share the same characteristics, but they also lovingly share what the other needs to voyage through life and the afterlife.

Gene Tierney was one of Hollywood’s great beauties who could act well with good material when guided by a strong director. Tierney’s felinelike visage has an ephemeral quality in Mrs. Muir, which is fitting for this supernatural love story, as opposed to her erotic and icy-cold mask as the evil wife in the great Technicolor film noir, Leave Her to Heaven.

Joseph L. Mankiewicz, one of Hollywood’s best screenwriters (All About Eve), elegantly directs from Philip Dunne’s droll script. Not usually noted as a visual master, Mankiewicz displays elegant style as crafted by Charles Lang Jr.’s sublime and haunting black-and-white photography (in which all love stories and ghost stories should be photographed).

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is that rare Hollywood love story that balances romance, wit, and genuine sentiment into a completely charming film about transcending the physical plane to a spiritual solstice.

By Patti Jares

When Shannon Nelson heard her daughter begin to make plans for a Super Sweet 16 party, she decided to propose an idea of her own.

“Right now, MTV’s My Super Sweet 16 is all the buzz,” Nelson says. “It’s a competition on who can have the most outrageous sixteenth birthday party. I wondered how, as a parent raising a child in North Scottsdale, I could refocus her energy away from something so self-serving.”

It was the recent visit to an orphanage in Raymond, Haiti that brought about Shannon’s brainstorm: to challenge her daughter, Shaelyn Mercer, to build an orphanage in lieu of a Sweet 16 party, and aim for December 16, Shaelyn’s birthday, to be the completion date. When Nelson approached Shaelyn with the idea, the 15-year-old became excited after the initial shock wore off.

“I was kind of surprised my mom came up with an idea so big,” admits Shaelyn, “but when I realized we could do it, I was thrilled.”

The two have collaborated to establish S3 For a Purpose (S3 standing for the first letters of Super Sweet Sixteen), a nonprofit organization developed to raise money for the expansion of an existing orphanage in Haiti. The goal is to purchase seventeen acres surrounding the orphanage and build a house, a school large enough to contain 800 students, a community center, and a recreation area. On March 12, Nelson and the organization’s board of directors will accompany Shaelyn to Haiti to view the site for the new facility. While many of her friends are partying during spring break, Shaelyn will be meeting children who will benefit from her labor of love.

“Shaelyn has a gift of mercy,” Nelson says. “We have to give our kids tools that can make them a part of something larger than themselves. When I got her to think about this, there was no hesitation. It opened her eyes.”

Because of the generosity and activism of Shaelyn Mercer and Shannon Nelson, children who have had little sweetness in their lives will remember this more-than-super Sweet 16.

Anyone interested in donating to S3 for a purpose to help realize Shaelyn’s project can contact Shannon Nelson at (800) 430-6322, ext. 1616. For more information, view the organization’s Web site at futurewithpurpose.org.

By Matt Sheker

Hosting a wine dinner is not for the faint of heart. You may love attending them, but being the host or hostess involves the pressure of meeting your guests’ expectations of good food, good wines, and good times. Advance planning will allow you to be an attentive host, and relax and enjoy yourself at the same time. Here are a few guidelines that will help make your party a hit.

First, a few weeks before your party, create a guest list of people who enjoy wine and gourmet cooking. Getting the invitations out early will ensure that fewer of your guests make other plans. It almost goes without saying that you should invite guests who will get along, This will make for not only an enjoyable evening, but also for lots of conversation about the wine, food, and preparation.

Second, determine the number of courses (arrival, appetizer, main entrée, and dessert) and what wines to serve with each. A bubbly wine like a prosecco or champagne would be perfect for your arrival appetizer, while a sauterne port would complement your dessert. If you serve a hearty main course like beef tenderloin, then decant a bottle of cabernet sauvignon or Bordeaux a couple of hours ahead of time. This will allow the wine to breathe and open up before serving so as not to overwhelm the main dish. Check with your local wine store to determine how long the wine you choose should decant.

Next, create a menu and fit your wines to it. Begin with a chardonnay or pinot grigio to go with your appetizers because, just like the wine, you want your food to go from lighter to heavier. You can then graduate to a merlot or pinot noir, again depending on your food pairing for your next course. During the dinner, serve smaller-than-normal portions; if the servings are too large, your guests will not have room for the scrumptious dessert you have prepared.

During dinner, announce to your guests what each course is, and name a few ingredients. Tell them a little about the wine you have chosen to accompany the course. You do not need to be specific; explain for example why you chose a white Bordeaux to go with the shrimp scampi. This will add to the elegance of your dinner party. Your guests will appreciate it, and it probably will spark more conversation.

For the pairing of the wines, make sure they are compatible with each course, keeping in mind different textures, flavors, aromas, colors, and food compatibility. Choose recipes and wine pairings that you have already tried and tested. You would hate to go through the efforts of preparing an incredible meal and have it ruined with a wine that does not complement the food. Keep the portions of wines within reason—you do not want your guests getting inebriated before the entrée arrives. A good rule of thumb is to serve a single four-ounce serving of wine with each course, which is enough to get the nuances and note the flavors that complement the food and not become intoxicated.

Last is the presentation. Consider a theme to match the ambience and environment when laying out and decorating the table’s surface. You’ll want your table to be beautiful and inviting.

On a final note, as the dinner winds down and the guests begin to leave, feel free to talk about the evening and ask what people liked or disliked. This will help when you are ready to organize that next wine dinner party.

ENDLESS WAKE

As the only wakeboarding camp in the Valley, Endless Wake provides instruction for people with beginner to intermediate skill levels through daily lessons from a professional wakeboard competitor. It could be the best time you’ve ever had on the water, and is a great way to spend the hot summer days. Camp instructors emphasize boating safety, character, teamwork, new friendships, skill, and confidence building. Whether a person is just starting out as a wakeboarder or wishes to perfect that sweet jump, the camp helps to promote learning a new skill and experiencing a new sport.

Sessions begin in June and focus on ages 9–17. For more information, call (623) 523-7350 or visit endlesswakeAZ.com.

OPTICAL GALLERY ARIZONA

Luxury eyewear has taken on a whole new meaning at Optical Gallery Arizona, located at the Village at Arrowhead. The showroom is lined with unique designer eyewear from all over the world, for adults and children, and only state of the art lenses of the highest quality are used, including the new HD High Definition lenses. For athletes, Optical Gallery Arizona carries specialty sports frames with prescription lenses. Included are prescription goggles for skiing, along with safety frames for basketball, baseball, and racquet sports. Contact lenses are custom fit and made to order to accommodate patients with astigmatism and those in need of bifocals. Dr Lampert, with over twenty years experience, provides complete eye exams, including consultations and evaluations for LASIK.

To learn more, visit opticalgalleryaz.com.

By Michael Greaney

Possibly the single most important rule of investing for any purpose is to stay away from things you know nothing about. As Peter Lynch observed in his investment manual, One Up on Wall Street, don’t invest in anything unless you’ve done your homework first—and be prepared to do plenty of it. The second rule is, don’t invest in anything you can’t control in any meaningful fashion.

Ordinarily, these rules dictate staying close to home and investing in your own business, since that is generally where you have the most control and thus can obtain the best information. Currently, the most widespread method of investing in your own business is through a sole proprietorship. For those who work in a corporation, the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) has some advantages, although such an arrangement is what the law calls “beneficial ownership,” and does not generally convey any direct control over the investment, or even in many cases how much is invested. IRAs and 401(k)s also have certain advantages with respect to security, as well as substantial drawbacks when the issue is control.

Current economic and legal institutions, then, virtually mandate investment in publicly offered stocks and bonds in order to reach some degree of control over your assets and to reach your investment goals. There is also the issue that, having reached a level of “capital self-sufficiency” by following Andrew Carnegie’s advice of putting all your eggs in one basket and watching that basket very carefully, you will follow the prudent rule of taking whatever eggs may be overflowing and diversifying them to spread out your investment risk. For both of these goals, domestic and foreign exchanges offer a number of advantages as well as some serious drawbacks.

In almost all investments on the secondary market (as transactions on stock exchanges are called), minority shareholders have virtually no power, and thus, practically speaking, no meaningful control. For this reason, it is vitally important to keep a close watch on those economic and political factors that do have the power to have a significant impact on secondary markets for stocks and bonds.

If your goal is short-term investment for immediate gain, the current political and economic situation in the United States represents a unique opportunity to buy low with the expectation that, as they always have in the past, matters will improve immediately after the upcoming elections. Those with the liquidity to invest now have the possibility of seeing substantial gains in the short term.

If your goal is retirement or any other long-term objective, the foreign markets offer the opportunity to take advantage of rapid economic growth, particularly in Asia, and most particularly in China. Europe, while temporarily doing better than the United States, is tied too closely to the U.S. economy, and will eventually begin to decline unless serious steps at reform are taken. In addition, due to the decline in the dollar, European stocks are overpriced relative to those in the United States. While Asian stocks are also overpriced, they have the growth potential to offset the decline in the dollar, which Europe does not have.

Unless the United States soon adopts an economic and tax reform package along the lines suggested in Norman G. Kurland’s book Capital Homesteading for Every Citizen, there will be a continual decline in both the dollar and the domestic stock market, making the long-term investment potential more risky, and enhancing that of the Asian markets.

By Ben Miles

You are a genius! That’s the premise of Susanna Lange and Otto Siegel’s recent book that is titled, appropriately enough, Yes, You Are a Genius, Whether You Know It or Not. If you’ve any doubt about this declaration, or even if you don’t, it’s worth the time it takes to explore the authors’ contention.

In a taut and easy-to-read 122 pages (including a support-oriented afterward and a helpful four-page list of suggested readings), Lange and Siegel have partitioned their treatise into eleven brief but comprehensive chapters. With chapter headings such as “You Are a Natural Genius,” “Re-connect to Your Natural Genius,” and “Stop De-Genius-izing Yourself,” Yes, You Are a Genius takes a step-by-step approach to demythologizing the phenomenon we’ve come to recognize as genius.

Lange and Siegel assert that “genius isn’t just found in the Mozarts and Einsteins of the world.” They offer as their initial evidence Einstein’s oft-stated belief: “There is genius in everyone.” The claim seems, at first glance, to defy intuition. After all, we are accustomed to understanding genius as a rare state of mind. But Lange and Siegel make a strong case for their argument. They pose three questions to the reader: What is my unique set of genius abilities? Which environment brings them out? How and where can I intentionally leverage them? If you don’t know the answers to this trio of brain-tickling queries, the Genius writers suggest that “your genius is still dormant.”

In deconstructing and reframing terminology such as desire, passion, and love, Genius becomes an uplifting lesson in the how-tos of learning and living, offering a clarifying and systematic approach to self-enhancement. Lange and Siegel are also generous in the litany of proffered resources. For instance, at the Genius Web site, geniuscoaching.net, readers may download audio files on body meditation, the creative visualization process, and a “free genius training” program.

To paraphrase a wise old axiom, genius is a terrible thing to waste. Studying Yes, You Are a Genius may serve to minimize such waste. At the very least, Genius is certain to stimulate the reader’s thinking while providing rich insight and valuable guidance.