by Jon Kenton

It was approximately a month ago that a catastrophe of global proportions was unleashed upon our household. As I walked through our living room, I could hear an incessant “tick, tick, tick” noise. At first, I couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. As I honed in closer to its source, I was drawn towards our TV and media setup, and the devastating realization of what had happened became crystal clear. “Nooooooooo!” I screamed, as it was now obvious that the sound was emanating from our DVR and the hard drive had crashed!

Although not nearly as ubiquitous as the TV itself, the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) is now commonplace. According to a recent study by the TV and media researchers, the Nielsen Company, approximately one-third of households now own a DVR. This is closer to 50 percent when digital cable, satellite, or fiber is the TV source. DVRs are now, for many, as much an intrinsic part of the TV and entertainment experience as the TV itself. Freedom is the key, and because we’re living in the Land of the Free, it seems entirely reasonable that one can watch what we want when we want and not necessarily be tied to the broadcaster’s schedule when it may interrupt other important activities in our hectic lifestyles.

So, back to our hard-disk crash and the resultant impact on any DVR user. Setting aside the issue of any lost programs, we find that now, without the magic box, we have to watch regular network TV—OMG! Not only must we now revert to the near caveman lifestyle of having to rearrange our schedule to match the TV listings, but we also have to watch the adverts. It’s also not possible to pause regular TV, so how on earth do we manage to go to the bathroom or grab another beverage? Ah, yes, now we remember the benefit of commercial breaks. I know, I know—it’s just TV, but as the ever-growing DVR statistics show, it is important to a lot of people. Should one miss an episode of one’s favorite new program for whatever reason, there are alternatives.

Other than the DVR, there is a variety of ways to catch up on missed programming or follow two programs that compete for the same time slot on different networks. Not surprisingly, the Internet comes to the rescue. Although it will cost you money, the nice folks at Apple have an extensive selection of TV shows that can be downloaded from iTunes, including many of the major broadcast and cable network’s latest seasons. An individual episode will cost $2 or $3, and you may also purchase an entire season pass. Buying your favorite shows does give you the advantage of watching it over and over, much as you would with a DVD, but if you don’t care about keeping them, there are ways to watch for free (yes, legally). Founded in March 2007, Hulu.com is partly owned and supported by NBC Universal, News Corp. (FOX), and The Walt Disney Company (ABC). As well as access to some back catalogue classics such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Kojak, or Knight Rider, you can also watch streaming versions of the latest episodes of the current season of many shows (e.g., House or Family Guy). Typically, the latest shows don’t appear online until some days after the initial airdate, and they are only available for a limited time, so don’t think you can catch up months later. If you are a CSI or How I Met Your Mother fan, you will notice CBS shows missing from the Hulu lineup. There has been some friction here, in good part due to CBS’s competing site TV.com. The site is very similar but has a differing lineup and, of course, with CBS shows included. Not all episodes are available and sometimes you’ll only get clips, so you need to be careful and not assume you will always be able to find what you want.

The bottom line is that there are ways to catch up with your favorite shows if you miss one or your DVR has a coronary, so don’t panic. I am sure a few of you are saying, “But I don’t want to watch TV on my computer when I have a great TV.” Not to worry—there is a solution to that as well, but it will need to wait until our next issue.

Subtitle: Sauce for the Cowboy Barbecue Junkie
By Gerald Calamia
Photography by Eric Fairchild

Nestled at the base of Black Mountain lies the newest creation of Chef Bryan Dooley and his wife, Donna. It’s Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue, open just nine months and bringing a “chic” cowboy location to the town of Cave Creek. Bryan’s menu offers great-tasting, heartily constructed sandwiches, plates, and unique combo platters, all accompanied with inspired, creative sides that are also available in bulk size for family-style ordering. Chef Bryan has bottled his magic touch, offering both his original barbecue sauce and spice rub for sale at the restaurant. His menu covers all bases—there are even selections for vegetarians. We spent some time with Chef Bryan, his wife, and their wonderful staff as we tasted our way through the menu and sampled their fresh selections.

We started out with two of his signature sandwiches, the pulled pork and the vegetarian pulled spaghetti squash, served on soft, toasted buns with sides of fresh crisp french fries and Chef Bryan’s unique coleslaw made the traditional way with the addition of kalamata and green olives. Both sandwiches were tender and full of flavor. The pulled pork was soft, juicy, and slathered with sauce. The spaghetti squash balanced the sweet and the tangy, and you don’t miss a beat of the flair if you eat vegetarian but crave barbecue. There’s plenty more of Chef Bryan’s warmed regular and hot-style barbecue sauce on the buffet if you can’t get enough of it. There are salads as well; the Ribs of Romaine is made with full leaves of romaine lettuce with the same signature spice rub that’s used on the ribs, along with a dabble of salt and pepper. Chef Bryan encourages guests to eat the salad with their hands as they would the ribs. The cool, fresh taste of the romaine leaves is a nice break in between the tastes of the barbecue selections.

After sampling these wonderful starters, our server, Adria, brought us out the beef brisket and ribs combo plate and another of Chef Bryan’s unique selections—the Firebird or, as it’s affectionately called, the half-chicken from hell. The “fire” is started by a hot yellow jalapeño glaze with thin slices of jalapeño floating in the tasty aromatic glaze. This dish is not for the faint of heart, but if you love heat, it is an absolute winner. The glaze partners well with the fresh, moist chicken, which gives your mouth a cool sensation and balances well with the heat from the glaze. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone soft, and the beef brisket was flavorful and tender. Chef Bryan’s sides include the Cowboy Six Pack beans— a six-pack of beer added to each batch of sauce and a very unique baked potato salad. Dessert offerings include fantastic homemade ice cream sandwiches, with vanilla or mint chocolate chip enclosed between hard, crunchy cookies and filled with large chocolate chunks. A wonderful way to cool your mouth down after the meal!

Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue features acoustic blues on Wednesdays and cowboy western music and storytelling on Thursdays. By the end of the year, they plan to have their outdoor seating patio completed, with the live music and drinks available outdoors. There is an extensive list of draft beers, and beer tastings are planned to introduce the new beers to his patrons. Bryan and Donna Dooley have created a delicious culture of the cowboy. Saddle up for the food, the fun and, of course, the sauce.

Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue is located at 6130 E. Cave Creek Rd., #2, Cave Creek, AZ 85331. Call (480) 575-7155 for reservations. Visit bryansbarbecue.com for the menu.

By Lea Friese-Haben

Soldier Boy, Oh, My Little Soldier Boy

Dear Lea,

I am 23 years old and am at odds with my friends and family over a soldier I met online. We have not met, but have been writing to each other faithfully for nine months. I am certain that I love him and he has professed his love to me. My parents and friends think that it is stupid and that you can’t fall in love online. I have never felt like this before in my life. Am I kidding myself, or can I love him? Is it possible to love someone you haven’t even met?

Thanks,
Waiting for My Hero

Hi, Waiting,

It is very possible to fall in love online. Match.com has the highest number of marriages resulting from online romance. I like that the two of you are communicating and that there isn’t the possibility of a random booty call. You are really getting to know each other and establishing a solid foundation based on communication instead of sex. Years ago, war brides were pen pals to soldiers—this seems to be the more modern venue. You will have to meet at some point, but you have established a long and meaningful connection, which will serve your relationship well. Chemistry and attraction will also come into play, but with good communication and photographs, I think that your love can be very real! I would also invite you to try Skype, a software program that lets you make free calls to anyone else Skyping on the Internet. You can see each other and talk on your computer. I am excited for you—and please thank your soldier for his service. Keep me posted.

Bringing the Inside Out

Dear Lea,

I am recently divorced and find myself on the market again after twenty-two years of marriage. I realize that I have neglected my appearance, but I am wondering, outside of surgery, is their anything that I can do? When I went to your Web site, I noticed that we are about the same age, but I look about ten years older. What is your secret? I have been on six Internet dates and they have all been disasters. I know I have a few pounds to lose, but am not sure what else is available. My husband left me for a younger woman nine months ago and I am devastated. However, I look at you and other women our age, and it gives me hope. Can you help me?

Ready to Work

Hi, Ready,

Thank you for the kind words. I do have a few ideas for you, but first, confidence is very sexy. If you don’t feel good about your appearance, how can you ever expect a man to? The best way to take years off is to be happy. Do things you love to do. Rediscover yourself. Men are attracted to women who have a life. They want to be part of your world but don’t want to be ultimately responsible for it. Here are a few other tips. Updating your hairstyle can be very dramatic and can take years off. Don’t smoke—smoking adds lines to your face, especially around the mouth—limit alcohol, exercise, and eat right. Drink plenty of water, take necessary vitamins, and perhaps consult a naturopathic doctor for other natural ways to enhance your body or visit a licensed dermatologist or plastic surgeon who can recommend a nutritious cream for your skin. Ask your physician for recommendations. All of these things are good, but there is no substitute for a positive attitude. In order to get what you want, you have to be what you want to attract. You get to design your own life, Ready. Make it a good one!

Depression is a Disease

Dear Lea,

I am writing to you on behalf of my single 29-year-old daughter who is overweight and has never had a date before in her life. I see the depression in her and I worry about her, as she is now borderline diabetic. We have tried everything. She wants to be in relationship desperately, and it just won’t happen, given her weight. The more depressed she gets, the more she eats. I don’t know what to do. Her friends and sisters are all married, and I see the pain that causes her. We have tried just about everything—you name the program. Do you have any suggestions?

Worried Mom

Dear Worried Mom,

Obesity is a huge problem in the United States. I have found that most of my clients with weight issues are stuffing feelings and problems with food. I do not believe in diets and believe that health professionals should be involved. Your daughter’s emotional and physical health are at risk. Your daughter may even be covered by insurance. If your daughter wants love in her life, she needs to start with love of self. Be sure to contact your physician and ask him or her to recommend a doctor who can prescribe a complete program under doctor’s care to safely ensure weight loss. Good luck to you and your family.

Lea

Sixth Annual Uncorked & Unplugged, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix

Photography by Caroline Goddard of Bloom Creatives

The sixth annual event featured an evening of gourmet foods, fine wine and spirits, and live entertainment. All event proceeds benefited the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. Featured beverages included wines from Chalone Vineyards and Rosenblum Cellars, and more than twenty local restaurants offered delicious bites off their menus. Bands including Rock Lobster, DJ William Reed and The Love Me Nots performed live on three stages. A Post Party for attendees with an Executive Badge enjoyed additional food and drink tastings as well as entertainment from the Las Vegas ‘70s party band Wonderboogie. uncorkedandunplugged.org or bgcs.org

Thirteenth Annual Sandra Day O’Connor Awards Luncheon, Arizona Foundation for Women, Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix

Photography by Dave Eskridge

The Arizona Foundation for Women (AFW) brought back its annual fund-raiser to directly benefit its programs, which fulfill unmet needs of Arizona women and children. The event honored former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright with the Sandra Day O’Connor Lifetime Achievement Award; actress Victoria Rowell, who received the Voice of Women Award; and the Honorable Ruth V. McGregor, whom they presented with the Marilyn R. Seymann Award. The luncheon included a pre-luncheon raffle and Albright’s one-on-one interview with the luncheon MC, Channel 12 News anchor Lin Sue Cooney. azfoundationforwomen.org

Beauty of a Bonzer, sponsored by Outback Steakhouse and Bud Light, at US Airways Center, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix

Photography by Phil Güdenschwager

The ninth annual event featured both an Aussie-style dinner party at Outback Steakhouse and a Night of 100 Hits with Kool & The Gang and the Commodores at US Airways Center. All proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, Arizona Republic Charities, For Those Without a Voice, The Real Gift Foundation, Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center, and Special Olympics Arizona. beautyofabonzer.com

By Kevin Downey

Photos by Paige Dutcher

After hearing Bill Dutcher strum his acoustic guitar—and smack and finger-tap it, too—at venues like Cave Creek Coffee Co., it becomes immediately clear that we’ve got an extraordinary musician performing a rarely heard but intoxicating style of music right here in the North Valley.

That’s most obvious when Dutcher, who relocated here from Ohio in 2005, pulls out his harp guitar—a fairly ordinary-looking acoustic guitar except for a gargantuan second six-string arm sprouting from the top of it.

Dutcher, who in November released his second CD, Finding Time, is one of about fifty people on the planet who plays the harp guitar professionally. The sound is lush—melodic and ethereal.

“When you say you’re a solo acoustic guitarist, the impression a lot of people have is a guy strumming chords and singing into a microphone,” says Dutcher. “My approach is to break that mold.”

Dutcher plays all styles of acoustic guitar but notably uses the finger-tapping technique perhaps made most famous by the late Michael Hedges. Hedges was a guitarist who inspired Dutcher in the mid-1990s to become a solo modern acoustic guitar player. Prior to that, Dutcher, a married father of two, played anything but acoustic guitar. As guitarist for the indie rock band The Crunch, he slashed and thrashed on electric guitars. Since then, Dutcher has become a singer-songwriter. He’s performed on the soundtrack for the film Paper or Plastic?. He performs at corporate events and private parties, and he’s planning a tour of the Southwest for 2010.

Around the North Valley, Dutcher’s best known for a standing Friday night gig at Cave Creek Coffee Co., where he landed a regular spot only days after arriving in Arizona in 2005.

“That has really helped my career in terms of getting national exposure,” he says. “I’ve met people from around the globe who just breeze through that room.”

More information about Bill Dutcher, including his performance schedule, can be found at billdutcher.com. He performs most Fridays (7–10 p.m., adults 21 and over) at Cave Creek Coffee Co., located at 6033 E. Cave Creek Road in Cave Creek. (480) 488-0603

By Kevin Downey

It only takes a second for us locals to spot first-time visitors to the North Valley. They’re the folks on the golf course looking past the green toward the desert and breathing, “Wow.” They’re the people pointing to the hillsides, mouthing “Amazing” as they drive north on Tom Darlington Drive. They’re the shoppers at El Pedregal whom we overhear saying, “Oh, that’s beautiful.”

Of course, they’re gasping at the landscape—giant boulders and towering saguaros—but they’re also breathless over the North Valley’s stunning homes. Among these homes are many designed by local architect Terry Kilbane: soft geometric lines, sand-colored hues that turn a creamy orange as the sun rises and a deep amber as it sets, hints of influences ranging from adobe to contemporary.

“I call my architecture Desert Contemporary,” says Kilbane, 58. “But I never wanted to be confined [to a single design]. Right now, two of our three homes [under construction] are Old World, which I call Desert Old World.”

Kilbane is referring to the Tuscan-style houses with courtyards and stone exteriors. Many of the North Valley’s homes blend into the landscape so well that we pay little attention as we zip by. But stop for a moment—take a closer look, and it becomes clear these aren’t cookie-cutter houses slapped together in a hurry.

Rather, many of these homes are so meticulously designed that it takes years to get from hand-drawn sketch by architects like Kilbane to completed house, often with interiors that are as meticulously created as the exteriors, with custom-built sound systems, ambient lighting, and windows placed just so to maximize views.

“It’s much more art than it is architecture,” says Kilbane.

Kilbane is one of a handful of North Valley architects whose work has become synonymous with the area. Many of these homes have a distinctive style—low slung structures melting into the desert landscape, often enhancing its beauty.

Kilbane, who moved to the North Valley from Colorado in 1978, spearheaded the region’s desert contemporary style. He has conceived some of the first homes built in North Valley communities such Desert Mountain, Desert Highlands, and Estancia.

Today, 29 years after opening his firm and setting the course for North Valley architecture, Kilbane is designing about two to three homes each year, some outside Arizona in Hawaii and Idaho. His son, Justin, 27, joined his father in 2000 and, his father says, has kept the firm technologically up-to-date.

In these days of high-tech gadgets, however, Kilbane continues to design homes with hand-drawn sketches, starting with the home’s interior and continuing with its exterior designed around that, all to his client’s specifications. He has few influences and, in fact, steers clear of that of other architects lest his style be muddied and thrown off track.

“I am not a follower of previous architects,” Kilbane says. “The way I look at it, I’m keeping my mind fresh for each client.”

By Alana Stroud

Gymnast and gymnasium—Greek athletes were required to train in the nude to allow their bodies to have maximum freedom of movement. Thus the Greek word gymnaszo, “to train naked,” gives us the words gymnast (literally someone in the nude exercising), and gymnasium, a place where naked exercises are done. My, how times have changed!

The Arizona Cardinals football team (and its predecessor teams), founded in 1898, is the oldest continuously run professional football franchise in the nation.

That lovely smell after it rains in Arizona is provided by the creosote bush, which has been used as an herbal supplement for centuries. It was used by Native Americans in the Southwest as a treatment for many maladies, including sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, chicken pox, painful menstruation, and snakebite.

There are 45,000 words in the Constitution of the State of Arizona. Rhode Island’s contains 6,650 words (the briefest), and Louisiana’s contains 201,423 words (the most prolific).

Supposed haunted establishments in Arizona: Chandler High School, the San Carlos Hotel in downtown Phoenix, Casey Moore’s Oyster House in Tempe, the Birdcage Theatre in Tombstone, and the Hassayampa Inn in Prescott.

As of November 9, 2009, the last earthquake in the Arizona region was felt fifteen miles east of Boulder City on October 9, 2009 and was rated a 3.5 on the Richter scale.

A little lamb named Dolly, born July 5, 1996, was the first mammal to be cloned from the adult body cells of another and was named after Dolly Parton. She died February 14, 2003.

In fiscal year 2008, the Arizona Lottery had revenues of $472.9 million from lottery ticket sales. More than $262 million in prizes was paid to players, and $31.3 million was paid to retailers for sales commissions.

By Scott Bohall

Should I sell my gold and diamonds?

That question is on the minds of many people now that the economy is slower and metal prices are up. Many companies are popping up, glad to make money on your gold and diamonds.

It used to be that only about 10 percent of jewelers bought gold and diamonds, because that is about the percentage that actually make their own jewelry. Mass production-type stores don’t buy from customers, as a rule. Private buyers have generally included mostly pawnshops that usually offered very little for jewelry. But recently, many jewelers have jumped on the bandwagon just to make some profit in down times. In the last year or so, direct mail, radio, TV, and hotels are loaded with buyers for your gold. Even home parties have become a hot trend.

The biggest problem with buying trends and participants is that the consumer is not getting nearly the value of the gold and diamonds. The buyer is taking some risk, as prices could drop before he or she can sell them. Furthermore, most of them are just melting it for profit and not using the gold as jewelers would. There is also the chance of fraud or stolen merchandise. Consider that change machine in the grocery store that takes about 5 percent for counting your loose quarters. Some people are okay with giving up 5 percent, and some would rather roll it themselves.

But with the change machine, at least, you know how much the store is keeping. How much of your jewelry profit is okay for the house to keep? 5 percent? 20 percent? 60 percent?

Prepare to be shocked. If you mail in your gold to the TV companies, they pay 17 percent of value and are authorized to double that if you are upset. Take $1,000 of gold and pay 17 percent, not 17 percent of what it sold for as a chain, 17 percent of melt value. No wonder they can buy Super Bowl commercials.

Melt value is calculated on the current gold price of the day. Refiners take a percentage to handle and process the metal. The home parties pay around 40 percent, with a little kickback to the host—and how nice that you can get a small profit for your friends losing 60 percent of their jewelry’s value. Pawnshops pay more than TV sales, hotels shows, or home shows, and I am not a huge fan of pawnshops. Your best value is to find a manufacturing jeweler who will use the metal and will buy it 5–10 percent below the melt value or sometimes at full price if it is a pure gold ingot or coin.

So, how do you know how much your gold is worth? Shop around. Many places will play games. Some will offer $12 per gram based on $1,200 per ounce gold. Gold has never been $1,200 per ounce, and the fine print does not say $12 per gram on any particular type of gold. Many places say they pay top prices, but often what they pay isn’t even close to the top. Some will quote you on pennyweight prices instead of grams. There are about 1.5 pennyweights to each gram. Paying $15 per pennyweight is like paying $10 per gram. Some offer incentives and gifts. A recent hotel show offered a $10 gas card but paid the buyer $170 less than two local jewelers pay for the same amount of gold. And remember—it is important to keep in mind that 10K gold is 41 percent pure, 14K gold is 58.5 percent pure, and 18K gold is 75 percent pure. What you get paid on is the gold content, so the purer the gold content, the more you get paid. How about silver, platinum, and diamonds? If the same people are offering 17 percent to 40 percent of value for gold, how much do you think you will get on the other items? If you are still confused, find a good jeweler to explain it.

The Arizona Jewelers Association is trying to educate consumers about all aspects of the jewelry industry. The bottom line is that whether you are buying or selling jewelry, it is good to have a personal relationship with a real jeweler. Just because a dive restaurant serves food does not mean that there is a chef on staff.

Contact the Arizona Jewelers Association at arizonajewelers.org.