By Zak Wagner

SWM seeking tall, middle-aged female companion who enjoys running, hiking, and other outdoor activities. Ideally, she would have dark hair and be low maintenance. A happy disposition is a must. She must like cats and kids, as I have both. A few missing teeth is fine, but otherwise healthy with no serious ongoing medical conditions is preferable. Also, while I don’t mind having to do some training, I do have brand-new carpet, so she must be housebroken at least.

You’ve probably guessed that this isn’t a lonely gentleman looking for female human companionship. He is, however, looking for a happy lifelong relationship. This hypothetical ad covers many of the things that RESCUE (Reducing Euthanasia at Shelters through Commitment and Underlying Education) looks for in placing one of their rescued pets with a new family. The organization is serious about their matchmaking process, and with good reason. Many people see the cute doggie or kitty in a picture or at a shelter and just have to have it—at least until they get the animal home and it pees on the new carpet or chews up the favorite shoes. Suddenly, they realize they hadn’t bargained for some of the issues that owning pets involves, and so the animal goes right back where it started, in another shelter or possibly left on the street to a sadder fate.

The matchmaking service helps to eliminate some of these issues by matching you with an animal in need of a good home that also fits into your lifestyle and matches your requirements. RESCUE’s three-step matchmaking process is a key to their low return rate. First, you fill out the matchmaker form, which is then assessed by one of their matchmakers. Next, someone will call you to follow up and go over with you what animals are available that match what you are looking for. Finally, you will have a face-to-face meeting. If at this point they don’t have the perfect match for you, they now have your criteria, and with their constant stream of rescues will most likely have exactly what you want within a few weeks.

Many of the dogs and cats helped by RESCUE have been previously considered unadoptable, a classification which can be something as simple as a broken tooth or as severe as a serious health or behavior issue. However, the staff at RESCUE has found that most of them just need a second chance at life with a loving family. In fact, RESCUE has saved over 9,000 cats and dogs from being put to death in pounds and shelters across Maricopa County since 1995. Their unique matching service has resulted in a low 8 percent return rate of their adopted animals, compared with the average of around 50 percent.

RESCUE is Maricopa County’s largest no-kill animal rescue organization, which is made more remarkable by the fact that it is a “virtual” shelter with no facilities of its own. The animals they rescue are kept either by one of 400 foster families or by friendly participating veterinarians. While this has been a highly successful method, it severely limits RESCUE’s ability to save even larger numbers of animals that are condemned to death every day at various pounds. They are now working to change all of that with exciting plans for their very own facility. This will enable them to save thousands more of these wonderful pets, as well as to help them to become financially self-sustaining—a crucial component, as their veterinary bills alone run into the tens of thousands every month. So far, RESCUE has raised $100,000 of the $500,000 price tag. The help of individuals and the community is key to reaching their goal.

If you are in search of that special one to complete your household and add a little extra touch of companionship and love, RESCUE can help you find the perfect match.

To learn more about donating to AZ RESCUE or if you’re looking for that special someone, contact the organization at donate@azrescue.org or visit their Web site at azrescue.org.

By Alana Stroud

Local cowgirl Karin Johnson experienced a vision after finishing a trail ride near Tonto Hills in June of 2008. Having been on a journey of self-discovery for the past year, she had been searching high and low for a way to make a living doing what she loved. In San Diego, at an advanced training exercise with Jack Canfield, she realized that her passion was animals. It was a start, but she still had no idea how to turn this passion into a living.

Johnson’s search eventually led to her developing Cowgirl Designs, an artistic adventure in expressing her love of animals with the rest of the world. Initially, her idea was to design custom greeting cards. When a member of the Cave Creek/Carefree Chamber of Commerce suggested she broaden her artistic offerings, she readily agreed. Her now full-time specialty is personalizing photographs of people and their animals. Johnson’s creative photography focuses on the theme of the Western lifestyle, including but not limited to cowboys, cowgirls, horses, ranch work, and the Sonoran Desert. Johnson’s only goal is to be an inspiration and share her passion with everyone in the hope that they too will discover theirs and live their dreams as she is living hers.

Not wishing to keep her success all to herself, Johnson donates 10 percent of the proceeds from all Cowgirl Designs sales to Dreamchaser PMU Rescue and Rehabilitation, a horse rescue and adoption facility at Dunrovin Ranch in New River, Arizona. Dreamchaser PMU gives horses that would otherwise be doomed to certain death another chance at life by placing them in forever homes through adoption. The organization purchases the horses and provides all housing and feeding supplies. Together, Cowgirl Designs and Dreamchaser are in the saddle changing the world, one horse at a time.

For more information and ways you can help, visit dreamchaserpmu.org. For more information on Cowgirl Designs and to view artwork, visit cowgirldesigns.com.

By Marshall Trimble, Arizona’s Official State Historian

The Old West was quickly fading from reality into the realm of myth by the mid-1920s. Most of the old-time gunfighters had gone on to their great reward, and Hollywood took up the chore of reinventing them. So, Tom Mix ended up making $17,000 a week performing superhuman feats from atop his famous horse, Tony. During the Roaring Twenties, the heroes of the silver screen packed two six guns, which never needed reloading, wore cowboy boots with their trouser legs tucked in them, were quick on the draw, and never lost their hats in a fistfight.

Soon, the public, especially children, began to believe these shooting stars represented the real gunfighters.

In the late 1920s, there was still one old gunfighter left. His name was Jim Roberts. He was nearly 70 by this time and walked with a stoop. He was still wearing a badge and was the law in the mining town of Clarkdale.

Old timers remembered Jim as the top gun in the notorious Pleasant Valley War between the Grahams and the Tewksburys. After that war ended, he became a lawman and was one of Arizona’s greatest peace officers.

Kids would hear about Uncle Jim’s days as a fearless gunfighter and lawman, but his appearance was disappointing. He didn’t dress like Tom Mix. They’d ask him to demonstrate his quick draw, and he’d slowly pull his nickel-plated Colt revolver out of his hip pocket and, holding it with both hands, would take deliberate aim.

Why, they asked, didn’t he fan his pistol like Tom Mix? And why did he pack his pistol in his hip pocket instead of using a silver-studded holster? Uncle Jim didn’t even wear a cowboy hat! They began to look at the old timer with doubt.

Uncle Jim just grinned and went about his duties, and in time, the children began to believe the stories their parents told were just tall tales.

All those doubts about Uncle Jim Roberts were laid to rest one day in 1928 when two bank robbers held up the Bank of Arizona in downtown Clarkdale. They walked out the door and jumped into their car with $40,000. It was the largest robbery in Arizona history at the time.

The desperadoes turned the corner just as Uncle Jim was making his rounds. Spotting the old lawman, one fired a shot that ricocheted off the sidewalk in front of him. As the car sped by, Uncle Jim drew his pistol from his hip pocket, took aim with both hands, and shot the driver through the head. The car careened off the road and the other robber meekly surrendered.

Those youngsters in Clarkdale knew they’d seen the real McCoy in action that day. As far as they were concerned, Uncle Jim could outshoot, outthink, and outfight those silver-screen cowboys any day of the week.

Uncle Jim died of a heart attack on January 8, 1934 while making his rounds. It seems fitting that one of the Old West’s greatest lawmen and the last gunfighter of the Pleasant Valley War should die with his boots on. But wait a minute—one thing I forgot to mention was that Uncle Jim didn’t wear cowboy boots.

By Jon Kenton

Q. Over the last year, I became frustrated with the limitations of my point-and-shoot camera and recently bought my first digital SLR camera. I just got back from my vacation where I was trying to capture some of the beautiful landscapes in the Rockies. My results were not quite as I had hoped—either the sky looked great and the mountains dark, or the mountains were perfectly exposed and the sky was white. I thought the exposure systems on DSLRs were supposed to help with this. Am I doing something wrong, or what would you suggest?

A. I can understand your frustration, as the situation you describe is very common and one of the most difficult shots to capture, whether you have a $100 P&S or a $10,000 Hasselblad.

The fundamental issue is dynamic range (i.e., the range in brightness between shadow and highlight). The human eye is an amazing optical instrument; in camera terms, it’s able to resolve approximately an 11-stop range of brightness. Most cameras can only manage around five stops at best—hence the challenge you describe—so a camera can’t always capture what you see. A camera’s exposure system samples values from many points, averaging them to arrive at what it thinks the optimum exposure is. If there is more sky in the frame, it will tend to underexpose the foreground. With smaller amounts of bright sky, the foreground exposure will improve but the sky becomes overexposed, or “blown out.”

There are a few solutions:

1. Your DSLR will have a “bracketing” function. This automatically takes extra shots set above and below the averaged exposure. If the range is not too wide, one of these may hit on a better result.
2. A graduated neutral density filter can be used, which essentially adds sunglasses to half your lens, thus limiting light from the bright sky. You would align the graduated portion with the horizon, and it will help balance the differences. These filters are available in different sizes and amounts of light reduction.
3. Because the photos are digital, you can correct afterwards in software. If you have a tripod, take multiple exposures with different settings and then blend the results to obtain the perfectly exposed image.

Tip: If you want to try to get the best from a single shot, err toward exposing the sky correctly. It’s always possible to recover details from the shadows, but once the sky is blown out, the data has gone forever.

I hope this helps, and that you manage to capture some great landscapes.

Q. My family is dispersed across the country and they have been pestering me to get a computer so we can e-mail. I have been resisting—I’m now 81! My grandson just gave me one, so I have broken down and am learning how to use it. The mouse is my main trouble, as the double-click is hard for me, and that darn arrow is difficult to see. Is there a way to make it easier?

A. What a fantastic thing for your grandson to do. I’m sure you won’t regret it. Your family can also send you photographs, and then there is the Internet to explore.…

Yes, there are things that can help. If you access the control panel (hit the start key on the lower left and click Control Panel), then click Printers and Other Hardware, you will find an option for Mouse, which lets you control how it works. Depending on the version of Windows you have, instructions may vary. Three things should help immediately.

1. The double-click speed can be made slower, usually done with a slider.
2. You can change the style of the pointer using schemes in the Pointers tab. There is normally an option for Extra-Large.
3. Lastly, look for a setting called “pointer trails” under the Pointer Options tab in the Mouse Properties window. This creates a trail behind your pointer as it moves, making it much easier to follow and see.

Trying some of these settings should improve your mouse challenges and make life easier. Good luck, and do stick with it.

By Tyson Qualls

Marble sculptor Pete Incardona represents the third consecutive generation of quarry owners, and has a wealth of knowledge that can only be gained from several lifetimes of experience. It is no wonder that he has an immense amount of respect for the raw product.

“I just try not to overpower what God has already done,” he says.

The Incardona family is an embodiment of the now venerable concept of the American Dream. The family began the trek to America in 1916. Incardona’s grandfather emigrated from Italy, and after becoming financially stable in the United States, he returned to Italy to retrieve his family and settle down in America. Quarry work was in the blood of his ancestors, and Incardona has successfully continued the tradition.

The world of marble sculpting has evolved significantly over the years. Incardona’s father did not have the luxuries of today’s tools. It is hard to believe that in his day, he sometimes had to spend over nine years working on a single project. Incardona has been able to craft new and exciting creations without sacrificing the traditions of generations of rock sculptors. While he may not take nine years to finish a piece, he still puts his heart and soul into each work of art.

Specializing in custom work, Incardona’s Sunrise Mine Marble Gallery houses a multitude of treasures. Seeing them in photos represents only a fraction of their beauty, and luckily for potential clients, Incardona is far from a reclusive artist. Warm and friendly, he readily opens up about his life’s work. As a well-respected businessman, Incardona serves the entire Valley with pride.

Incardona’s workshop at the Sunrise Mine is a haven for limitless projects. Anything can be found there, from sculptures and fountains to benches and tables. Incardona is known for his ability to take on even the toughest custom requests from clients. While his specialty is fountains, Incardona is capable of creating a masterpiece out of any client’s assignment. Two of the most popular types of marble handled by Incardona are Arizona onyx and Aguila stone. He has used these frequently throughout his career and enjoys working with such beautiful types of rock. The easiest way to get your hands on these prized possessions is to head up to Wickenburg, Arizona and meet with Incardona at the Sunrise Mine. With a little bit of time and imagination, he can satisfy the needs of any customer, no matter how difficult the project may be.

As a frequent contributor to ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover, Incardona also understands the need for a society that helps support those less fortunate. All work done for Extreme Home Makeover is without compensation. A man of principle, Incardona once put ABC executives on hold so he could finish an important cut so as not to sacrifice the quality of his work. His charitable work factors in his future goals. In the present sagging economy, he has made it his mission to “try and make custom marble work affordable for the public and more in the realm of people’s pocketbooks.”

Incardona is deeply zealous about his line of work. The creative opportunities and unique work environment goes beyond a traditional nine-to-five. It is rare to encounter an individual who is so enthralled with his profession. A man of many talents, Incardona is a kindhearted artist with a passion for helping others. Ironically, the reason behind his love for marble sculpting is as simple as it is ingenious.

“Every time I cut a rock, I see something I’ve never seen before,” he says.

CONGRATULATIONS! The following couples have been selected as winners for our 2008 Wedding Giveaway:

Grand Prize: Dan Johnson and Nicole Bennett

Includes: Substantial values toward the ceremony location and wedding night suite, photography package, DJ coverage, invitations, linens, flowers, wedding planner, and dress!

The Story: Peoria residents Dan Johnson and Nicole Bennett keep busy with their positions as head and assistant pastors of a church in one of the city’s most poverty-stricken areas, providing food, clothing, water, and compassion to people of all ages and backgrounds. They volunteer to run the church, covering the costs each week out of their own pockets. Dan is a full-time student working toward his BA in Youth Ministry, with three part-time jobs. Nicole works a minimum of forty hours per week as an in-home family/child counselor, funding the family activities from her own earnings.

Runners Up: Michael Williams and Sandy Ortega

Includes: Fitness Boot Camp

Runners Up: Scott Rinchack and Linda Propheter

Includes: Wedding ring diamond mounting

Thank you to all who entered our giveaway. The best of luck and happiness to all of you! Also, a big thank-you to all our sponsors: A Day to Cherish Weddings, FireSky Resort, Eyes 2 See Photography, Creative Touch Entertainment, The Invitation Lady, Bing’s Floral, Brides by Demetrios, Tri-Rentals, Andrew Z Diamonds and Fine Jewelry, and SWEAT.

By Cassaundra Brooks
Photography by Caroline Gutierrez

Whether shopping, enjoying the Valley nightlife, or just out and about, the following ladies know how to step out in style.

DAYTIME EXCURSIONS

Lynn Sharpy of Scottsdale
Dress–Neiman Marcus
Sandals–Electric Ladyland

Donna Gandre of Scottsdale
Dress–Loehmann’s
Shoes–Nordstrom
Bag–Prada

DOCKING AT BARCELONA

Whitney Nelson of Scottsdale
Top–Arden B
Pants–London
Shoes–Nine West

Nathalie Severin of Cave Creek
Dress–White House | Black Market
Shoes–Charles David

By Kevin Downey

If a cool (air-conditioned) breeze coupled with icy drinks sounds good this time of year, it’ll sound even better accompanied by classical tunes played on a grand piano. That’s just what’s happening every other Wednesday evening through August 20 at Steinway of Phoenix in Scottsdale.

The piano store is holding its first-ever summer concert series inside its elegant shop on North Scottsdale Road. The six-part event, “Steinway Sizzling Summer Series,” is intended for showcasing local and world-class talent, and hopefully will inspire kids to remove iPod ear buds for a few minutes to listen to live music.

“We’re trying to keep live music alive,” says Janet Sandino, event director at Steinway of Phoenix. “We’re trying to get families and children involved in live music. It’s about getting out of the heat and being exposed to a little bit of culture.”

The event is well timed because live music events dry up during the hot summer months, and many families with kids on school break are often hard-pressed to find events that’ll keep every age group entertained. Sandino also emphasized that Steinway of Phoenix is holding the free concerts to showcase talent, not lure in people with the hopes of selling pianos.

“Steinway Sizzling” began on June 11 with local performer and composer Jay Steinberg, and continued on June 25 with Note by Note, a full-length documentary about the making of Steinway pianos.

Thus far, several local kids billed as Little Maestros and 40-year piano veteran Rich Mancini have performed. ASU professor of music Caio Pagano is scheduled for on August 6, followed by the Ritz-Carlton Resort’s house pianist Dan Delaney on August 20. Performances are free, and light snacks and beverages will be served. Each performance will last roughly two hours, with one intermission.

Seating is limited, so Sandino suggests that those wishing to attend make reservations.

Steinway Sizzling Summer Series: Free. Steinway of Phoenix, 14418 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. (480) 951-3337. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.

By Keith Jones

Arizona is known for its sunny weather, unique desert appeal, great resorts, and healthy lifestyle. Summer is a great time of year to take advantage of these features. Arizona’s world-class resorts offer getaways for both the mind and body, and at awesome rates.

The top resorts in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Paradise Valley have incredible amenities at unbelievable prices. For overnight stays that can be as much as 50 percent off the winter rate, you can indulge in activities for the mind and body. Begin your morning with a hike or yoga class to clear your mind and be present in your environment. Follow this with a swim in the resort pool before experiencing a five-star massage that sweeps you away from the cares of the world.

Camelback Inn, Sanctuary, Princess, Royal Palms, Four Seasons, and The Boulders are some of the luxurious Arizona resorts that offer sizzling rates this time of year. Indulge yourself by making a reservation for an overnight stay or weekend getaway. Your mind and body will thank you.

By Cassaundra Brooks

Six years ago, Rachel Peterson lived through a nightmare. After fifteen days of bleeding heavily and a life-saving trip to the emergency room, Peterson found that she had mixed müllerian adenosarcoma, a rare form of uterine cancer that carries a survival rate from 10 to 50 percent.

Peterson had lost so much blood that she would have died had her friend not convinced her to have her husband drive her to the emergency room. She went through two surgeries, recovery, and emotional distress and upheaval, which hit harder than the pain.

“I kept thinking, that’s her, not me,” Peterson says. “This is happening to some other Rachel. This is all too surreal.”

Thanks to the support of her husband, sons, family and friends, Rachel Peterson remained strong through her hysterectomy, a second surgery to remove a mass from her ovary, and the long recovery periods. She began what she refers to as her “reading marathon” as family and friends generously provided ‘round-the-clock care.

Peterson is one of the fortunate ones—she can now call herself a survivor, despite the rare form of cancer and its discouraging survival rate. Now she celebrates by cherishing each day, taking up photography and engaging in outdoor activities with her family. But until 2007, Peterson hadn’t participated in any cancer-related volunteering, wishing only to move forward. A talk with her husband’s old classmate who worked for the American Cancer Society (ACS) introduced her to Relay for Life, and Peterson realized that she could best move forward by talking about her experience and embracing the opportunity to help others with their cancer battles.

“I started to think about the fact that there were people like me—just fighting the battle, wondering if they, too, could survive,” Peterson says.

Sadly, she didn’t have to look far to find such people. In 2004, Peterson had lost her father to lung cancer, just one year after losing a close friend to cancer. She researched the American Cancer Society and attended their first Relay for Life event in Sedona in 2007. The Petersons were hooked. They put together a team and raised $1,300 for their own Anthem race. This year, Peterson serves as chair for the Survivor Committee, and her husband works to educate the community on the efforts of the ACS.

Because of the impact her family and friends had on her battle with cancer, Peterson tells those fighting the disease to find support groups and to know that each day is precious. Live in the moment, she advises, instead of being preoccupied with the worries of life. And, it could be added, step out with her on that Relay for Life track to walk for yourself, your loved ones fighting their own battle, and those who can no longer run the race themselves.

This year, according to the ACS, nearly 1.5 million people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer. The funds raised at RFL save lives by funding cutting-edge cancer research, early detection and prevention education, advocacy efforts, and life-affirming patient services. For more information, visit relayforlife.org. Anthem’s Relay For Life is Saturday, October 25. Visit ACS at cancer.org, and events.cancer.org/rflanthemaz to find out how you can get involved.