By Cassaundra Brooks
Photography courtesy resorts
As far as comfort and relaxation de luxe goes, you Arizona has no shortage of gorgeous resorts at sweet summer rates for that much-needed getaway. Why travel anywhere else when we have plenty of pampering opportunities right here in our own wide backyard? It’s time to take advantage of good deals, good service, and good food while boosting our state’s economy and recharging before fall kicks in.

Hidden Meadow Ranch

Celebrate the lifestyle of the legendary cowboy with a visit to Hidden Meadow Ranch, an exclusive haven in the White Mountains. Though homesteaded in 1916 and operating as a guest ranch since 2000, the 150-acre ranch is a relatively well-kept secret, and we’re sharing it with you. Open the door of your elegantly furnished rustic log cabin and breathe in the cool air as you enjoy exceptional service, Western-themed family activities, luxurious amenities, and savory cuisine. Twelve individual log guest cabins accentuate the region and feature wood-burning fireplaces, custom oversized soaking tubs, scenic covered porches, and hand-carved wood furniture. The ranch house features a well-stocked library, a 35-foot granite fireplace, and five-star seasonal cuisine—try the house specialties, achiote-marinated elk tenderloin and pan-seared lump crab cakes.

At Hidden Meadow, you’re out of the sweltering heat of the Valley and can take advantage of outdoor activities like horseback riding—there are 2,000 miles of trails—fly-fishing on the Ranch pond, leatherworking and woodworking, arts and crafts, roping, archery, canoeing, mountain biking, and horse-drawn carriage rides. Spend a little extra and go off-site for some rock climbing, canyoneering, caving, and more, or visit during the winter for some snow-bound fun. Take excursions into nearby communities Greer and Pinetop-Lakeside, and in wintertime, head to Sunrise Park Ski Resort for some skiing and snowboarding adventures.

Hidden Meadow Ranch is a welcome change from the desert, offering the cooler temperatures and the surrounding forest clustered with mountain lakes and streams as well as maintaining Arizona’s trademark brilliant blue skies by day and star-studded velvet sky by night. Leave behind your multiple technologies and commune with nature instead. In fact, televisions are not a part of the décor. Handwritten poems from the staff, on the other hand, are left on the pillow of your turned-down bed; and quiet evenings spent on the porch or on a peaceful stroll about the place could lead to a meeting with wildlife.

If, after a lovely weekend away, you dream of returning often, consider the Ranch’s ownership opportunities. There are thirty-one shared ownership cabins and sixteen custom lots.

(866) 333-4080 or (928) 333-1000
Greer, AZ 85927
hiddenmeadow.com

Arizona Biltmore & Spa

The name alone conjures images of grandeur, and the luxurious resort has enjoyed worldwide renown for much of its eighty-year reign. A favorite of celebrities and dignitaries throughout the years, the 39-acre splash of luxury is neither myth nor mirage. With exclusive claim to architecture inspired by the great Frank Lloyd Wright, 740 guest accommodations, eight swimming pools, seven tennis courts, six dining offerings, and a full-service spa, salon, and fitness center, the place is hard to miss. Just look for the vibrant green grass and trees providing a landscape-portrait contrast with coffee-colored mountains and turquoise sky.

You may not wish to leave your beautiful room, but if you so choose, you may keep up your golf game at one of two 18-hold PGA golf courses at the adjacent Arizona Biltmore Country Club. Arrange a social event at the Biltmore’s Frank Lloyd Wright Ballroom or use the property as a backdrop for your upcoming nuptials. Take a refreshing dip in one of the pools, or sit poolside and dream up enduring artistic creations, just as composer Irving Berlin did when he penned the beloved classic “White Christmas.” Barrel down the 92-foot-long water slide at the Paradise Pool complex. Gift yourself with a few hours of pampering at the Arizona Biltmore Spa, which offers natural and organic treatments. Dine indoors or outdoors at beautifully appointed on-site restaurants and then work off the exquisite meals at the fitness center. Let someone at the beauty salon doll you up for that special evening. Up for lawn activities? Try life-size lawn chess, croquet, or bocce ball.

To mark its eightieth anniversary, the Arizona Biltmore & Spa unveils an exclusive new addition: Ocatilla. The three-storey 120-room facility is a private club that ups the ante in amenities and special services. Make use of a personal concierge and a media wall with a flat-screen HD TV, iPod dock, and high-speed Internet access, or commune with the natural panoramic views of the stunning grounds and surrounding mountains.

(800) 950-0086 or (602) 955-6600
2400 E. Missouri Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85016
arizonabiltmore.com

Hotel Indigo Scottsdale

This boutique hotel is all about the location. Situated in downtown Scottsdale, it’s a short jog to the fine city’s numerous dining sensations and shopping destinations. Whether traveling for business or vacationing with the family, the rich accommodations and conveniences are only the first reasons for you to make your reservations. Five floors house 126 welcoming guest rooms, while complimentary covered parking keeps your car from becoming an oven on wheels.

Enjoy the scenery and mingle while staying cool at the Diving Lounge and Terrace, or get your caffeine fix at the Golden Bean Café. The high temperatures are not conducive to hardcore outdoor exercise, but you can easily stick to your exercise regimen in the state-of-the-art fitness area. Bring along the canine family members, too, as pets are always welcome. Plan parties at the Diving Terrace, indulge in beauty treatments at the nearby Lamar Everyday Spa, swim some laps in the outdoor swimming pool while your friends and family work on their tans, and unwind in nature-inspired rooms comfily equipped with beautiful hardwood floors and plush bedding.

Arizona is a golfer’s heaven, and you can work on North Valley Magazine golf expert Scott Sackett’s golf tips at the 18-hole Tournament Players Club golf course atop Camelback Mountain or at one of several other esteemed golf courses close by. If Arizona is a golfer’s heaven, Scottsdale is a shopper’s paradise, and celebrated Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall and Old Town shops are not the only points of interest within walking distance. Art lovers will enjoy the Scottsdale Art Walk, and families will enjoy trips to urban village Southbridge and the Scottsdale Waterfront. You are practically spoiled with the number and quality of choices for a night on the town. Trendy clubs, bars, and restaurants are less than a mile away. Check out hotspots Myst, Axis-Radius, Suede, and The Jackrabbit Lounge and don’t miss Six, Crown Room, or the many other gathering places. For a more romantic evening out, consult your concierge for help with the best restaurants and activities.

Summer packages are abundant, so book soon.

(480) 941-9400
4415 N. Civic Center Plaza
Scottsdale, AZ
scottsdalehiphotel.com

Hotel Valley Ho

If you belong to the hip crowd, this is the place for you. If you don’t, this is the place to start. Located proudly in its own groovy spot in Old Town Scottsdale, the classic mid-twentieth-century hotel offers accommodations the Hollywood hotshots have been drawn to for years. The complimentary fitness center and steam room help you ward off vacation pounds while the VH Spa gets you feeling your best inside and out. VH (Vitality + Health) Spa offers a number of deluxe packages that include massages, manicures, pedicures, facials, and more. Afterward, you’ll be ready to hit Scottsdale full force with a list of see-and-be-seen places recommended by knowledgeable concierges. More interested in digging the hotel grounds? Take the Hotel Valley Ho architectural walking tours and enjoy stories of famous guests and the history of the hotel’s design. And don’t leave your best friend at home. The pet-friendly hotel offers amenities for your canine companions—they’re sure to love an in-room doggie massage!

Rooms come in various styles, from signature to studio, cabana to terrace and executive. All feature midcentury decor, luxurious beds, and flat-screen LCD high-definition TVs. Soak in oversized tubs, take in the views from private balconies, and start your day right with complimentary espresso or tea.

Those staying in The Tower are in for a special treat. Rooms are reminiscent of the 1950s but feature modern technological conveniences. The vibrant colors and trendy designs are inviting and cheery. Arrive to a fully stocked refrigerator and pantry courtesy of your personal shopper and take advantage of upgraded appliances and daily housekeeping services. Not in the mood to cook? A private chef can provide pre-prepared dinners or cook your favorite meal on demand. Ask the Tower Concierge to beef up your itinerary with private guided tours of local art galleries and special tee times at local golf courses, private shopping sessions, and featured packages. Best of all, you have breathtaking panoramic views of the quaint city and nearby Camelback Mountain.

Dine in style, or dine according to your palate’s particularities. Feast on American comfort food at signature restaurant Café Zuzu, step into Polynesia with Trader Vic’s, dine poolside at Oh Pool Bar + Cabanas, or savor scrumptious meals from the comfort of your own room. Chef Charles Wiley has brought his culinary prowess to Hotel Valley Ho, and the delectable exotic and classic food exemplifies his award-riddled history. Feeling hip now? Make your reservation.

(866) 882-4484
(480) 248-2000
6850 E. Main Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
hotelvalleyho.com

Whether your tastes run to western or modern, serene or see-and-be-seen, Arizona has just the spot for you. With gorgeous desert and scenic mountain landscapes, it’s the perfect getaway destination—for those out-of-state visitors and for those who call this great state home. You don’t need to travel far for a luxurious lifestyle, and with great summer rates and an economy putting strain on the best of the best, you don’t need to pay as much as you might think. Don’t waste the final days of the summer season. It’s time you steeped yourself in a little luxury.

By Jon Kenton
The fundamental technology behind the camera has not changed since they were first invented. Removing artistic composition from the equation, a good photograph requires that the subject be in focus and that the exposure be correct. The principles of exposure have never changed—correct exposure requires a specific amount of light to fall on the “film.”

Three components combine to create the exposure: the aperture (or the hole in the lens that lets light through), the shutter speed (how long the hole is open), and the sensitivity (ISO) of the film (how much light is needed). To create any given exposure, you can have multiple combinations of the three elements as long as they provide the same result. For example, if perfect exposure is obtained with a specific aperture open for 1/30 of a second, doubling the aperture setting (letting in twice as much light) only needs half the time (i.e., 1/60 of a second). The table below shows examples using different combinations that lead to the same result. Note that I have used illustrative numbers, not true photographic values, to keep the math simple.

The actual values used for aperture are known as f-stops. Each full stop halves/doubles the amount of light let through. The exact range of values available will depend on your lens—typical values might be f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, and f/22. Speed is expressed in seconds or fractions of a second. Again, as you double/half each value, you change the exposure by one stop. Sensitivity is expressed as an ISO value, with 100 as the typical base. Each doubling of the ISO makes it twice as sensitive (needs half the amount of light). What do these different attributes do?

Aperture affects the depth of field or the depth of the area that will be in good focus. Large apertures have small DOF—great for those portraits where you want to blur the background. Landscapes usually need a very large DOF so that everything is in focus (small aperture).

Speed is all about the ability to capture motion. For still life, any shutter speed will work—even five minutes using a tripod would be fine, as the subject doesn’t move. To capture your child at a sporting event and freeze him or her in sharp focus will require a shutter speed of at least 1/500s.

Sensitivity lets you change how the film or sensor reacts to light. Low ISOs need more light, and high ISOs need less. As we will see, changing the ISO lets you take better shots in specific situations.

On a nice sunny day in perfectly lit conditions, your camera will probably take great shots in its default auto mode. In less-than-perfect conditions, or when you are looking for a specific result, taking control of the exposure settings will allow you to get the best shots.

Even on a bright day, when shooting indoors, there is rarely enough light for standard auto exposures. The shutter speed will need to be much slower than you can handhold without introducing shake or blur. Setting the ISO to 800 instead of 100 means that you can now shoot three stops faster (e.g., 1/60s instead of 1/8s). Great when you can’t use a flash—say, in an art gallery or museum.

If you want to take an outdoor portrait but the background is unattractive and would distract from the subject, the auto setting would typically have a smaller aperture because of the bright sunlight and render the ugly background in focus. Set your camera to “aperture priority” mode (typically Av on the dial) and set the aperture as wide as you can (lower number, e.g., 2.8). Focus on the eyes and hit the shutter button. Zooming in can also help to decrease the DOF. Set up right and you will have a nice, sharp portrait with a blurred background, which would be desirable.

Understanding the fundamental technology of your camera allows you take control when needed and get the results you want, not the ones the camera wants to give you. Happy shooting!

By Gerald Calamia
Photos by Eric Fairchild
Ebisu in Anthem could sit anywhere along Scottsdale Road and fit in perfectly. But when you step inside, you’ll see the Manhattan-loft-style theme in the décor and atmosphere, with its open ceilings and plush seating accommodations. The interior features a large bar with ample seating, situated off to the side of a spacious main dining room. You have a great view from anywhere in the restaurant of the sushi chefs at work in their open cooking station. Restaurateur and proprietor Kwan Jin sought perfection in the design and the quality of food and its presentation, making for a great overall dining experience; I think he has met those standards throughout.

We started out with two of the many exciting cocktails: the Godiva Swirl and the Bird of Paradise. The Godiva has a sweet, decadent, rich chocolaty flavor, while the Bird of Paradise offers you a tangy, soothing tropical burst with the Cruzan guava and Parrot Bay coconut rums mixed in. Their cocktails offer flavors from lime to raspberry, grenadine to sweet and sour, dry sake to double-espresso vodka. There is also a great shots list if you opt out of having a Sake Bomb to start off with.

The menu is designed so that you can enjoy just appetizers and salad, or drinks and sushi, or a five-course meal—whatever the occasion calls for. The appetizers, salads, and noodle choices offer ample portions that range in selection and preparation: raw, tempura, seared, lightly fried, sautéed, pan-fried, coconut battered, grilled, chilled, and sliced. The nabeyaki udon noodles are served in a piping-hot iron bowl—don’t miss them, they’re fantastic.

Jin believes that having classically trained Japanese chefs allows his restaurant to present dishes that highlight culinary experiences. The appetizers and salads that we began with were the coconut shrimp, fire cracker, and calamari and avocado salads. The salads were light, crispy, and refreshingly light and had fresh, colorful presentations of greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers. The calamari salad was served with a mustard dressing. We added grilled shrimp to the avocado salad, which came with a delicious ginger dressing.

The coconut shrimp were large and tender, covered by a crunchy, light coconut batter. The sweet red chili sauce that accompanied them was the perfect accent to the dish. The fire cracker, as its name indicates, is for the “heat lovers” out there. It has a spicy tuna core mixed with tomatoes, Masako caviar, and green onion. The heat of the spicy tuna is initially subdued by the caviar so you can taste its full flavor, and then is turned up again as you just start to finish your serving. Make sure to keep water on hand. The nabeyaki udon noodles are mixed in with shitake mushrooms, green onions, eggs, konnyaku (mountain yam), cabbage, fishcake, and shrimp tempura. The flavorful broth, large udon noodles, and the seafood infusion all come together for a wonderful filling dish that is light and delicious.

Our entrees included the chicken katsu, the Chilean sea bass, and Ebisu’s beef ribs. The chicken katsu tastes as good as it looks. It’s assembled by taking the tenderized slices of panko-breaded chicken topped with a special tonkatsu sauce and building them up over an ample portion of rice atop grilled fresh asparagus. This was a flavorsome dish, light and palatable. The Ebisu’s beef ribs were tender, soft, thinly sliced beef short ribs marinated in Ebisu’s own Japanese-style barbecue sauce. The Chilean sea bass was a soft, layered filet marinated with a deep miso flavor that effectively brought out the fish’s full flavor.

We chose a few selections from Ebisu’s Special Sushi Rolls menu as well as some sushi nigiri (fresh, raw fish over tender rice). The rolls we chose were the Heart Attack (Ebisu’s most popular), the Dynamite, the Monsoon, and the Cherry Blossom. The Heart Attack takes jalapeño, splits it, and then stuffs it with spicy crabmeat. It is then lightly fried and topped with sweet eel sauce. This roll is a must-try. The Dynamite has mixed scallops, crab, and cheese served on top of a California roll with sweet chili sauce. For seafood lovers, this roll should be an automatic check on the sushi and rolls order form. We chose yellowtail, snapper, crab, and whole scallops for the traditional sushi atop rice. Everything was fresh and appetizing.

We finished the meal with two choices from the dessert menu: the chocolate lava cake and fried bananas, and Ebisu’s fruit roll, which doubles as a dessert roll or vegetarian sushi. The chocolate lava cake was rich in flavor and served warm with a soft center. It was drizzled with a sweet raspberry sauce to balance the richness of the chocolate. The bananas were fried just right, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The flavors that surrounded the bananas made it a savory treat. The fruit roll was surprisingly scrumptious. I wasn’t sure how rice was going to taste with kiwi, strawberries, and whipped cream, but it works—very well, in fact.

Our visit to Ebisu would not have been as fluid and complete were it not for the help of our server, Nicolas Eeman. He and Jin kept us entertained, filled our glasses when empty, brought us hot, delicious food, and shared with us what Ebisu is really about. Great times, delectable food, excellent service, a warm ambience—all of this comes at a very affordable price. Make sure to visit the wonderful staff and chefs at Ebisu Sushi and Grill for your next great Japanese dining experience.

Ebisu Sushi & Grill is located in the Fry’s Shopping Center at 39510 Daisy Mountain Rd., #160 in Anthem. Call (623) 465-1600 or visit ebisurestaurants.com for hours and reservations.

By Dale Gardon

With many of us hesitant to sell our homes because of the depressed real estate market, we should turn our focus to adding value to our residences through minor or major improvements. These undoubtedly can add great long-term value to your home and help distinguish it in the marketplace when the market for real estate returns. Perhaps even more significant is the fact that this is the time to take advantage of the current beneficial cost of construction, which can afford greater livability to your home, indoors or out.

Many of us live in homes that are now ten to twenty years old, some perhaps older, and frankly, we become comfortable just sitting around and not paying attention to what we really don’t see about our homes’ quality and character. They may be dated or worn and generally need sprucing up. This is often painfully obvious to our guests, but not to us. What you need to evaluate your home’s aesthetic needs is an objective critique from professional resources like architects, interior designers, or qualified homebuilders and remodelers. I’m sure that, if you are like most people, you have recently considered a few ideas on how to refresh the appearance of your home’s interior or exterior.

Whoever you are and wherever you live, it may not seem obvious at first, but now is the perfect opportunity for those ideas. There has been no better time in the past ten years to consider a makeover, regardless of how minor or major. Homeowners who are reasonably financially secure enough to invest in their homes are the real winners and can now reap the benefits of market conditions that have caused a lot of stress in the residential contracting industry. Factors such as rising unemployment, falling home values, and diminished financial portfolios have certainly put the pinch on the demand for new home construction, and therefore the squeeze is on residential contractors who find their crews now idle, waiting for the calls. That spells savings for those who can afford to remodel now, since most contractors are able to bid projects significantly lower than they did just a year or two ago. The costs of building products are coming down, labor costs are falling, along with profit margins, and the savings are coming to you—and, in most cases, to the tune of 20 percent or more compared with a year ago. In what other area is your money earning you 20 percent?

Out of everything that you could possibly do inside your home, where are the real value returns for your efforts and expense? Historically, the kitchen has been considered the heart of the home and still marks one of the best locations to get the most bang for the buck. It may be just a cabinet makeover; or it can be a complete surgery to enhance the appliance package, an opening of the room up to other adjacent spaces, and a complete cabinet upgrade.

We do spend a lot of time in the living and family room areas of the home. Unique ways to enhance those areas can involve major changes to the interior finish, material, and colors, as well as a reconsideration of the flow and furniture arrangements and potential incorporation of adjacent under-utilized spaces.

Bathrooms are often right behind kitchens as the focus for remodeling dollars. Opening up the visual connectivity or flow of a home can have a dramatic impact and does not have to drain the already stressed bank account. Don’t look past the exterior living spaces, either. Adding or enhancing the outdoor living areas to visually expand the perception of your home’s indoor livable square feet can be another great strategy. Consider upgrading the overgrown or sparse landscape and updating the adjacent exterior terrace materials that may have cracked or faded over time.

And does size really matter? In the case of additions it may not, since a 100-square-foot pool-bath addition that is exquisitely detailed may be the perfect element to complete your existing lifestyle and provide the added convenience that your home needs.

It is not inconceivable to consider a makeover that can entail more than 50 percent and maybe up to 100 percent of the area of a home. This may require moving out temporarily, but it is worth all the interim disruption of living in the home just to return, upon its completion, to the refreshed home and site. The reality is that many people find that they have enjoyed their home and community for many years and find it too hard to give up, even to the point of considering it irreplaceable. Therefore, a complete renovation and financial reinvestment may make the most sense for them. Many homes can be significantly dated in the exterior appearance, yet the interiors may be in great condition. Consider for a moment the idea of completely transforming the exterior façade without requiring extensive structural retrofitting. A home can be transformed from a nondescript mid-1980s monolithic styling to a timeless contemporary character with the added richness of new color and texture.

This example of significant or expansive renovation may in fact be the wave of the near future as opposed to newly constructed homes. This is an opportune moment for making a home purchase and remodeling the residence, as existing homes available in a distressed sale condition will easily represent the greater value on a cost-per-square-foot basis. This is as compared with new homes for several years to come until the bulk of that inventory is absorbed back to reasonable levels. Again, what this means to you is that if you are interested in transitioning from your current residential property, you should seek out these opportunities now. Again, to protect yourself from a bad investment, you should seek the advice of the professional resources previously cited. This type of guidance could be the smartest money spent if you choose to engage professionals for design concepts prior to your purchase. You will get the most creative ideas of how to differently utilize space indoors or out. These ideas will more than pay you back in the long run. Additionally, they can identify the real pitfalls that may lie ahead in what could be the proverbial money pit. There is usually much more than meets the eye to a remodel—many things can lurk below the surface, to the untrained observer. Major issues such as structural defects, electrical hazards, and plumbing disasters all need to be evaluated thoroughly before you embark down the remodel trail.

You might also be pleasantly surprised at how much good advice you can get for a minimal investment of a professional’s time. Most are willing to have an initial consultation without cost to you. Additionally, you can expect that they will freely share not only experiences similar to yours but also initial ideas about how to maximize the value of the home or potential purchase. If you’re thinking, I can’t afford an architect, interior designer, etc., you also must consider the cost of not hiring one.

If you believe, as I do, that there’s no place quite like home, this is a good time, economically speaking, to put that belief into practice. This type of spiritual and financial reward of accomplishing a remodel, renovation, or addition benefits the home’s long-term value as well as the enhanced quality and livability. What more could you ask for in a time that has placed so much unwanted stress on us all?

PHOTO CAPTIONS

This before-and-after example from Sesshu Design Associates demonstrates the benefits of a complete cabinet and countertop redo, creating a warmth and openness to the kitchen that has a dramatic effect on the perception of the space.

Brooks-Henry Interior Design Studio accomplished a stunning transformation of the living area of this home by adding a textural richness to the interior material palette.

This small 100-square-foot pool-bath addition by Salcito Custom Homes is the perfect complement to the outdoor entertaining area and demonstrates the power of good design and material selection in small spaces.

This mid-1980s nondescript triplex townhome building was redesigned by Dale Gardon Design with a proposed exterior makeover consisting of exterior material modifications and some minor architectural feature enhancements to achieve a dramatic visual transformation.

Idea Checklist

Makeover ideas can start with simple elements that can provide dramatic results. Consider the impact of modifying just one of the following:

• interior wall colors

• cabinets

• countertops

• floor materials

• showers and bathtubs

• appliances

• closets

• lighting

• exterior materials or color

• landscaping

• outdoor kitchen/barbecue areas

• terraces

By Lea Friese-Haben

I am always flooded with questions about dating a co-worker. The following letter is a prime example of the dynamics involved in these situations. This is such a common question that I felt it important to address it for you.

Dear Coach Lea,

I have been with my company for about a year, and we just recently brought in a new manager. The problem is that we are very sexually attracted to each other. We are both single, but I fear for my position. I find myself going in early and leaving late. We have had cocktails a few times, and he has let me know in no uncertain terms that he would like to see me. I am just afraid that if it goes badly, it could hurt my position—especially since it’s a downturned market. It has been so rough out there finding someone decent to date. I think it just happened because of the long hours we have spent in the office. My immediate problem is now I think I love him. How do I keep him and my job? Please, Lea, give me some insight, as I am feeling desperate.

Signed,
Heart Throbbing Nine-to-Five

Dear Heart Throbbing,

I know how frightening your position can be. I have had three similar letters from different readers over the last month alone. Your situation is not unique, but it does have some perks and pitfalls that you need to be aware of. I will not tell you what to do, but I will tell you to assess the situation and not let your emotions completely take over. I have created a list of different types of work-romance scenarios below—yours among them. Put your own situation on paper and know that you are putting your position at risk. Please read on and please keep me posted.

BONUSES AND PENALTIES

Although office romances are often a bad idea, they aren’t forbidden in the way that they used to be. If you decide to date someone in the office pool, you should use a little common sense. The best thing to do is not enter into an office romance at all. But if you must, here are a few tips that will help keep your job intact.

1. Date an equal in the company. Never date a superior or a subordinate. A superior may fire you if either of you—especially you—wants to end the relationship. Furthermore, a subordinate can claim sexual harassment. In fact, so can an equal.

•  

  • If you are the superior in a well-known office tryst, it can tend to make others uncomfortable and it can also make you the office joke. You risk a sexual harassment claim, ridicule by your colleagues, and seriously diminished authority with other subordinates—as well as possible dismissal for cause.

•  

  • Never go out with a direct superior or subordinate. Surveys show that a greater number of corporate employees are risking superior/subordinate romance. If you’re going to engage in this highly risky behavior, you’d better be sure this is going to go all the way to matrimony.

2. Never enter into an office romance if either of you is married. Then you hurt people other than yourselves.

Lastly, keep in mind that although office romances are commonplace these days, the risks are high for job loss or worse. You never know how someone will react during a breakup.

Great Escape Family Event, Starlight Children’s Foundation Arizona, Westgate City Center, 6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., Glendale

Photos by Donna Lloyd

Seriously ill children and their families enjoyed a family event of building Ridemakerz cars, lunching at Johnny Rockets, and savoring some Cold Stone Creamery creations. It’s a chance to escape the hospital life and lift the spirits. The foundation was founded in 1983 to help seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear, and isolation through entertainment, education, and family activities. starlight.org/arizona

Red, White & Beautiful, Stone Rose Lounge & Beach Bunny Swimwear, Stone Rose Lounge, 7575 E. Princess Dr., Scottsdale

Photos by Kristen Gabardy

Stone Rose Lounge kicked off Independence Day weekend with a stylish white party modeled after the iconic New York beach-town bashes. Guests enjoyed champagne cocktails, party favors, and a dramatic Independence-Day-themed Beach Bunny Swimwear fashion display.

Dream Solstice Fashion Show, The Art Institute of Phoenix, 2233 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix

Photos by Mark Susan and Daniel Ceccorulli

The In-House Promotions class at The Art Institute of Phoenix hosted their first annual live fashion show, showcasing the work of local designers and boutiques and giving back to the charity Hope & A Future, which helps foster children in need. azhope.com

By Kevin Downey

The summer in the North Valley is always a good time to head up to Sedona to see the majestic red rocks and experience the decidedly cooler temps—a bonus on top of the beauty. Add to that a flow of lush classical music, and the reasons to head north mount.

The eighth annual Red Rocks Music Festival kicks off on August 30 and continues through September 6. But these concerts aren’t only for those of us willing to take a road trip—The Red Rocks Music Festival has events scattered throughout the Valley.

The idea behind the festival is to bring the highest-caliber musicians to as many Arizonans as possible, focusing mostly on classical music but with several touches of jazz.

“The musicianship is outstanding,” says Red Rocks Music Festival executive director and founder Moshe Bukshpan, a classically trained violinist originally from Israel.

Bukshpan regularly performs at music festivals around the country. “We play in small venues, so we can reach as many communities as we can,” he says. “We are also trying to reach diverse audiences—people who like classical and people who like jazz.”

This year’s festival has three distinct programs. Sisters Yuki and Tomoko Mack play piano with performances of music by Johannes Brahms, George Gershwin, and others. The pianists will hold performances in Sedona and Scottsdale. ASU professor Nancy Buck, a violist, performs “Classical Meets Jazz” with the Russell Schmidt Trio in Anthem, Phoenix, and Sedona. The third program celebrates the 200^th birthday of Felix Mendelssohn and includes performances by legendary violinist Shmuel Ashkenasi.

“The players are outstanding,” says Bukshpan. “Some of them are literally world renowned. Borivoj Martinic-Jercic, for fifteen years, was the concertmaster at the Phoenix Symphony. And Ashkenasi for 30 years played with the Vermeer Quartet—one of the finest groups in the world.”

Red Rocks Music Festival: Most events are $25–$35 and $10 for students and kids. redrocksmusicfestival.com

Yuki and Tomoko Mack, Duo Pianists – Aug. 30 at the Sedona & Verde Valley Jewish Community Center, 100 Meadow Lark Drive in Sedona; Aug. 31 at Steinway of Phoenix, 14418 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale.

Classical Meets Jazz Pt. II – Sept. 1 in Anthem (info at acnv.org), Sept. 2 at the Phoenix Art Museum, and Sept. 6 at the Sedona & Verde Valley Jewish Community Center.

Mendelssohn Birthday Celebration – Sept. 3 at Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley; Sept. 5 at the Sedona & Verde Valley Jewish Community Center.

By Kevin Downey

In this economy, just about every business owner in the North Valley is shaking in their cowboy boots. Just when the recession appears to be lifting, another round of gloomy news comes out, deflating hopes of a speedy recovery.

But shaking in her cowboy boots isn’t Valerie Watters’s style. The lively owner of Valerie’s Furniture & Accents has seen her share of market downturns in the two decades that she’s owned and operated her namesake Western home-furnishings store, first in North Scottsdale and currently on Cave Creek Road in Cave Creek.

“This year, our twentieth anniversary, I think we just need to keep our name out there and keep marketing ourselves,” Watters says. “We’re doing a lot of networking at women’s groups and other groups. I keep really busy just being Valerie from Valerie’s Furniture.”

That’s not to say Watters and Valerie’s Furniture are immune to the grim economy. Many of Valerie’s Furniture’s customers are out-of-towners who make the North Valley their second home. In these cash-strapped times, fewer people are snapping up expansive homes and spending thousands of dollars on furniture than they were several years ago.

But Watters isn’t the type of woman to sit back and let economic downturn dictate her fortunes, as anyone who knows her can tell you. Instead, Watters is taking matters into her own hands. She and her team are reaching out to their best customers to remind them that the store is packed, as always, with carefully arranged custom-made and often one-of-kind Western home furnishings. The upscale store is as overstuffed as an armchair, but not so much so that it feels overwhelming. Instead, the furniture in Valerie’s is carefully arranged to invoke different moods—comfy cozy over here, polished and sophisticated over there, fun-for-entertaining over here.

“You walk in and go, wow,” says Watters. “I’ve always thought, the more the merrier. It’s jam-packed but it’s filled with vignettes. It represents a Western lifestyle, but it’s never cookie-cutter.”

Watters has always advertised around the North Valley, although these days she more carefully selects publications geared to her well-heeled clientele. More than that, though, Watters’ approach to marketing is her personal touch. She and her team send handwritten notes to customers, some of whom have been shopping at Valerie’s for years. They also call customers just to say hi and perhaps to point out some unique, hard-to-find furniture that’s now in the store.

Watters also has another message for her longtime customers and first-time visitors: The quality of the furniture is far above that of furniture found in chain stores, which tend to carry good but commonplace items. In Valerie’s Furniture & Accents, the Western furnishings are top-of-the-line and often handmade by artisans in Arizona and other Western states. It’s mostly American made, and Watters is proud of that.

Her dedication to selling only the best resonates with customers. Her message is sincere, and refreshingly so. As Watters says, we’ll make it through this downturn, and so will Valerie’s Furniture & Furnishings.

“The most important thing is you have to stay out there and be proactive,” says Watters. “That’s not to say I’m not a little scared. But you just have to have a positive attitude and mind your p’s and q’s.”